Question: What changes by becoming a 'Professional Client' in ESMA's regulation?
When deciding whether to apply to become a Professional Client, those are the main topics to consider:
- Risk Warnings: your account will not be restricted with standardized risk warnings and rules that shield Retail Clients.
- Communications: In broker’s communication with you, it is acceptable to assume that your experience level is adequate to use more advanced language than they do with Retail Clients.
- Experience: It is acceptable to assume that your level of experience is higher than that of Retails clients when determining if our products and services are suitable for you.
- Best Execution: when processing your trades, your broker may consider factors such as speed and likelihood of execution, whereas for Retail Clients, they must prioritize overall cost of the transaction.
- ICF: You will not have access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), like Retail Clients do.
- Leverage: Without leverage restrictions in place, you could be exposed to higher leverages that can increase either your profits or your losses.
My Account is Corporate, does this make me a Professional Client?
No it doesn’t. Any account– individual, corporate or joint – is by default Retail, and can become classified as Professional only when it meets the preset conditions.
