Details of ESMA measures on Leverage (Margin Requirement), NBP and other service conditions

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has recently announced a number of product intervention measures for Retail Clients that will come into effect on 1st August 2018.

These measures will affect all Retail Clients of Tickmill UK Ltd and include:

Limits on the amount of leverage that Tickmill can offer to retail traders
A 50% margin close-out rule on a per account basis
Negative balance protection on an account-by-account basis

Product Category	Professional Account (Max Leverage)	Retail Account (Max Leverage)	Additional margin required on a Retail Account
Major Currencies	500:1	30:1	16.6x
Major Indices	100:1	20:1	5x
Non-Major Currencies	500:1	20:1	25x
Gold	500:1	20:1	25x
Silver	125:1	10:1	12.5x
WTI	100:1	10:1	10x
Cryptocurrencies	5:1	2:1	2.5x

The above restrictions will not apply to Professional Clients or those who elect to upgrade to Professional Clients.

Tickmill Official Website

What are the pros and cons of becoming a Professional Client?

Benefits of becoming a Professional Client:	Protections waived by Professional Clients:
Segregated Account – Tickmill will continue to segregate your funds. Flexible Leverage – You will continue to benefit from the flexible leverage on their FX and CFD products. FSCS Protection – Individual clients and small businesses will generally continue to be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to the value of £50,000 per person. Use of FOS – Professional Clients who meet the FCA Handbook definition of a ‘consumer’ will gain access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Negative Balance Protection – You will enjoy negative balance protection on an account-by-account basis.	Risk Warnings – Tickmill will not be obliged to restrict your account with standardised risk warnings and rules that protect Retail Clients. Communications – When Tickmill communicate with you, they may assume that your level of experience is sufficientt to use language that is more complex than with Retail Clients. Experience – Tickmill may assume your level of experience when determining if their products and services are suitable for you. FOS – If you are a Professional Client who is not defined as a ‘consumer’, you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). No Leverage Restrictions – You might be exposed to higher leverage that can amplify your losses.

Benefits of becoming a Professional Client:

Protections waived by Professional Clients:

Segregated Account – Tickmill will continue to segregate your funds.
Flexible Leverage – You will continue to benefit from the flexible leverage on their FX and CFD products.
FSCS Protection – Individual clients and small businesses will generally continue to be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to the value of £50,000 per person.
Use of FOS – Professional Clients who meet the FCA Handbook definition of a ‘consumer’ will gain access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Negative Balance Protection – You will enjoy negative balance protection on an account-by-account basis.

Risk Warnings – Tickmill will not be obliged to restrict your account with standardised risk warnings and rules that protect Retail Clients.
Communications – When Tickmill communicate with you, they may assume that your level of experience is sufficientt to use language that is more complex than with Retail Clients.
Experience – Tickmill may assume your level of experience when determining if their products and services are suitable for you.
FOS – If you are a Professional Client who is not defined as a ‘consumer’, you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
No Leverage Restrictions – You might be exposed to higher leverage that can amplify your losses.

Are you eligible to become a Professional Client?

In order to qualify, you must meet at least two of the three criteria below:

You have carried out transactions, in significant size, on the relevant market at an average frequency of 10 trades per quarter over the previous four quarters.
The size of your financial instrument portfolio, defined as including cash deposits and financial instruments, exceeds €500,000.
You work or have worked in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position, which requires knowledge of the transactions or services envisaged.

How to apply to become a Professional Client?

Login to the Tickmill UK Client Area
Mouse over your user profile on the top right and then click on Client Classification
Complete the Application Form