Funding Reference

Position Transfers

To request an inbound or outbound transfer of positions, use the Position Transfers page in Account Management. Position transfers allow us to efficiently identify your incoming funds for proper credit to your account. Inbound Transfer Requests are instructions you provide to us to contact your bank or broker to move funds or assets. You do not need any further follow-up with your bank or broker to initiate the transfer.


Position Transfers Type




Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS)

Description

US Broker to Broker position transfer system. Requests to have your cash and positions automatically moved from a third-party US broker to IB are initiated from the Position Transfers page in Account Management. For details, click here.

When you request an ACATS transaction, you have the option of creating a new Position Transfer Instruction or using an existing Position Transfer Instruction.

For a full ACATS transfer, you can perform a position eligibility check prior to submitting your request to verify that the positions you want to transfer are eligible for your selected transfer method. You can enter positions manually or upload the positions in a .CSV (comma-separated values) file.

You can also upload positions in a .CSV file for a partial ACATS transfer.

Time to Arrive

From four to eight business days depending on your third-party broker.

Limitations

You may not withdraw your transfer for ten business days after receipt.

No options transfers during expiration week.

Long and Short (Short Against the Box) of same position will be netted upon receipt through an ACAT.



Free of Payment (FOP)

Description

Delivery of long US stock positions, US Warrant positions, and Corporate and Municipal Bond positions from another US bank or broker that is a member of the Depository Trust Company (DTC). Requests for FOPs are made to the third-party broker. However, you must notify IB of a third-party FOP on the Position Transfers page in Account Management so that your transfer may be properly placed in your account.

An FOP deposit is only a notification of incoming securities while an FOP withdrawal actually transfers securities out.

When you request an FOP transaction, you have the option of creating a new Position Transfer Instruction or using an existing Position Transfer Instruction.

You can also upload positions in a .CSV file for a partial FOP transfer.

Please note FOP is not available for IRA accounts.

Time to Arrive

Transfers are generally completed within 3-5 business days, but this depends on your third-party broker. FOP notices are valid for five business days before expiring. Once the notice has expired IB will not accept the shares.

Limitations

Only available for long US Stock positions, US Warrant positions, and Corporate Municipal Bond positions.



US Futures Transfer

Description

Print the transfer form the Position Transfers page in Account Management and fax it to Interactive Brokers. Allow five to seven business days from time of fax, under normal circumstances, for positions and funds to arrive.

Time to Arrive

From time of fax, five to seven business days under normal circumstances.

Limitations

Futures positions and cash will be transferred separately. An Interactive Brokers representative will call you to coordinate this.



Account Transfer on Notification (ATON)

Description

ATON is the Canadian broker equivalent of ACATS. Please use the Position Transfers page in Account Management to have your cash and positions moved from a third-party broker to IB. Only Canadian and US stocks and options may be transferred between Canadian Brokers.

When you request an ATON transaction, you have the option of creating a new Position Transfer Instruction or using an existing Position Transfer Instruction.

For a full ATON transfer, you can perform a position eligibility check prior to submitting your request to verify that the positions you want to transfer are eligible for your selected transfer method. You can enter positions manually or upload the positions in a .CSV (comma-separated values) file.

You can also upload positions in a .CSV file for a partial ATON transfer.

Time to Arrive

From four to eight business days depending on your third-party broker.

Limitations

Only available for Canadian and US stock, options and cash.

You may not withdraw your transfer for ten business days after receipt.

No options transfers during expiration week.



Asian Position Transfers

Description

Asian stocks, bonds, structured products and options may be transferred to IB for Hong Kong, Australia or Japan. You initiate these transfer requests on the Position Transfers page in Account Management. Select International Assets as the Transfer Method, and then search for assets by symbol, ISIN or CUSIP and select the assets you want to transfer.

When you request an International Asset position transfer, you have the option of creating a new Position Transfer Instruction or using an existing Position Transfer Instruction.

Time to Arrive

From two to five business days.

Limitations

IB keeps all positions in the firm name ("street name"). We do not currently provide individual registration of holdings, for example Registered or Namenaktion shares. Inbound transfers of registered positions will be converted to 'street name'.



European Position Transfers

Description

European stocks, bonds, structured products and options may be transferred to IB for Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. You initiate these transfer requests on the Position Transfers page in Account Management. Select International Assets as the Transfer Method, and then search for assets by symbol, ISIN or CUSIP and select the assets you want to transfer.

When you request an International Asset position transfer, you have the option of creating a new Position Transfer Instruction or using an existing Position Transfer Instruction.

Time to Arrive

From four to eight business days.

Limitations

IB will not provide individual registration of holdings. IB keeps all positions in the firm name ("street name").



Deposit/Withdraw at Custodian (DWAC)

Description

An electronic method of transferring shares registered in the customer's name on the books of the transfer agent between participating broker/dealers with the transfer agent serving as a custodian. DWAC usually refers to new or certified paper shares to be electronically transferred.

You can also upload positions in a .CSV file for a partial DWAC transfer.

Note that a processing fee may apply. For details, see the Other Fees page.

Time to Arrive

DWAC requests settle or are rejected on the same day that the request is made. Transfer agents must approve all requests transmitted to them by the participating broker. Requests that are not approved by the end of the day are rejected. Once a DWAC request is rejected, a new customer-initiated request must be submitted by the stock holder in order to process the transfer.

Limitations

Since transfer agents must actively approve DWACs , these kinds of requests require prior coordination between the client and the transfer agent. Any requests not previously communicated will be rejected by the transfer agent.



Direct Registration System (DRS)

Description

An electronic system for registering stock with an issuer/company's transfer agent. These shares are in electronic book-entry format and can be transferred to and from a brokerage account. DRS shares are already issued and held electronically in book-entry format at the transfer agent.

You can also upload positions in a .CSV file for a partial DRS transfer.

Note that a processing fee may apply. For details, see the Other Fees page.

Time to Arrive

Once a customer request is submitted via Account Management, the IB system creates a notification. Upon receipt or delivery of shares from or to the transfer agent, the IB system will generate a transaction that will cause the shares to settle into or out of the customer's account.

Limitations

DRS requests can pend up to 30 days, although agents typically respond to a request within two to five days.

Disclosures
  • Please know that IB does not accept physical stock certificates.
  • Please note that large block position transfers involving small cap securities may be subject to a temporary sale restriction in order to conduct any due diligence necessary to ensure that the shares are registered and not subject to any regulatory restrictions with respect to sales. Inquiries regarding restrictions may be directed to surveillance@interactivebrokers.com.