Professional Clients
How to become a Professional Client?
What is a
Professional client?
A professional client is deemed capable of making his or her own investment decisions, and understanding the risks involved, with greater autonomy than retail clients.
Some clients may be eligible to classify themselves as professional clients. If you’re eligible, you can apply via the client area.
Professional client classification:
Key considerations
Key considerations
Risk disclosures
Professional Clients receive fewer regulatory risk warnings and investor protections than Retail Clients. They are expected to understand and assess the risks associated with trading independently.
Assumed experience level
Tickmill may assume that Professional Clients possess the necessary knowledge and experience to understand the risks associated with its products and services. As a result, communications may be less detailed and may use more technical or advanced language.
Leverage
Professional Clients are not subject to the leverage limits that apply to Retail Clients (up to 1:30 or 1:2 on certain products). This can provide professional traders trading flexibility and support more advanced trading strategies. However, higher leverage also increases market exposure and can significantly amplify both potential profits and losses.
Investor Compensation Fund (ICF)
Professional Clients are not eligible for protection under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which may provide compensation to eligible Retail Clients in specific circumstances.
Revert to Retail Classification
You may request to be treated as a Retail Client at any point.
How can I become a
Professional Client?
To qualify as a Professional Client, you must meet at least two of the three criteria below:
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1 |
You have carried out transactions, of a significant size, on the relevant market at an average frequency of 10 trades per quarter over the previous four quarters (with Tickmill and other providers).
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2 |
The size of your financial instrument portfolio, including cash deposits and financial instruments, exceeds €500,000.
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3 |
You work or have worked in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position, which requires knowledge of leveraged products such as CFDs.
Clients will be requested to provide supporting documentation as evidence to ensure the above requirements are met as part of the client re-classification process. Please note that you will be responsible for keeping Tickmill informed about any changes that could affect your current categorisation.
Please visit the FAQ page to learn all you need to know about the Professional Client status.
How to apply for Elective Professional status with Tickmill
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1 |Login to the Tickmill Client Area.
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2 |Hover over your user profile in the Client Area and then select Client Categorisation.
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3 |Complete the Application Form.
Reclassifying as an Elective Professional could result in higher levels of risk and loss.
Why become a
Professional Client with Tickmill?
Negative balance protection*
Ensure that you never lose more than your total amount invested.
Leverage
Higher leverage is available to Professional Clients. However, it is important to understand that increased leverage can significantly amplify both potential gains and potential losses.
Client categorisation rights
A Professional Client can request to be categorised as a Retail Client and obtain a higher level of protection.
Financial ombudsman services
Professional clients who meet the eligibility criteria have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
*It’s important to note that Tickmill offers Negative Balance Protection to professional clients, which is not the industry standard. We also reserve the right to withdraw this privilege.