You are here: Application XML > Frequently Asked Questions
  • All Files

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the External ID?

The external ID is a unique identifier that is represented in the XML file by the attribute external_id. The external ID must be unique for each account application; we cannot process two applications with the same external ID. You can use your own user ID in this field.

The external_id is an attribute of the following complex types in the XML file:

  • Customer
  • Individual
  • Account
  • User

The external IDs can be the same for all four unless there are multiple individuals. If there are multiple individuals in an application (i.e., secondary holder in a joint account, IRA beneficiaries or Trust beneficiaries/grantors), then the external ID must be unique for each individual.

The user external ID would be the same ID as the account holder.

Individual Example:

  • Customer external_ID= ANAGY001
  • Individual (account holder) external_ID= ANAGY001
  • Account external_ID= ANAGY001
  • User external_ID= ANAGY001

IRA Example:

  • Customer external_ID= ANAGY002
  • Individual (account holder) external_ID= ANAGY002
  • Individual (beneficiary) external_ID= ANAGY00248
  • Account external_ID= ANAGY002
  • User external_ID= ANAGY002

Trust (Rev) Example:

  • Customer external_ID= NAGYTR04
  • Individual (account holder/Trustee) external_ID= NAGYTR04
  • Individual (Trust Beneficiary) external_ID= NAGYTR0412
  • Individual (Trust Grantor) external_ID= NAGYTR0444
  • Account external_ID= NAGYTR04
  • User external_ID= NAGYTR04

Which funding methods can I use to fund new accounts?

Only ACATS, ATON, ACH (initiated by bank only), wire and check deposits are supported. Full position transfers are supported, but partial position transfers are not supported.

What is the minimum deposit required to open a client account?

5,000 USD.

What are the rules for account usernames?

Usernames are eight characters long and must contain five lower-case letters and three numbers. You only need to provide the five lowercase letters; Interactive Brokers will append three numbers to complete the username.

What format do I use for Advisor Fees using Percent of Net Liquidation Value (%NLV)?

Enter your %NLV using the following example:

For 2%, enter 2, not 0.02.

What do I use for the Identification element?

For US: Social Security Number (SSN attribute).

For non-US, one of the following:

  • License (DriversLicense attribute)
  • National ID (NationalCard attribute)
  • Passport (Passport attribute)
  • Alien ID (AlienCard attribute).

Which XML element do I use for a new application?

The only XML element you will use is Applications. Disregard all other XML elements.

For the AccreditedInvestorInformation complex type, there are five unnamed booleans == q1,q2,q3,q4,q5. What do these do?

You can ignore these obsolete items.

What happens if I submit a new application with an older timestamp than a previously submitted application?

The order of application submission has no effect on the Application XML.

What time zone should I use for the two timestamps exec_login_ts and exec_ts?

All of our times are based in New York (EST or EDT).

What encryption options are available?

PGP only.

What if I forget to submit specific required agreements or disclosures?

You can submit them by uploading an XML file to our FTP site. Name your file submit_additional_docs.xml and use the following sample as a guide:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII" standalone="yes"?>

<AcctMgmtRequests xmlns="http://www.interactivebrokers.com/schemas/IBCust_import">

<DocumentSubmission reference_account_id="U1110000">

<Document form_no="3007" exec_ts="20140620165825" exec_login_ts="20140620195825">

<SignedBy>Test Tester</SignedBy>

<AttachedFile file_name="3007.pdf" file_length="10896" sha1_checksum="d3da37913817130fa62479905267361bffd090c7" />

</Document>

</DocumentSubmission>

</AcctMgmtRequests>

  © 2016 Interactive Brokers