Aha. Just a typo. I have received the IBKR "phone call" email.

Completed! They say de-link request usually come in around Thursday afternoon at the latest and should happen over the weekend, but since mine came in at Friday morning (US time), I will wait till next week.

I call via Skype, free of charge. I waited for less than one minute before they pick-up the phone. Perhaps timing is just nice, morning in the US.

All done! In just one day.

ps I actually find their toll free customer service very nice. Certainly no worse than TSG's email customer service. Plus call to US toll free line via Skype also free, no opportunity cost incurred. Timing also looks good, call after finish work/study, just when they start working and line isn't full.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 16 2021, 09:46 PM

Same, just resend the de-link form with your passport copy to them. Javier/Christian will help you notify them.

1. Refer to your "verbal verification" email. Mark down the US toll-free number.



2. Download Skype https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/ (You can choose phone/Windows/Mac/Linux) I use Windows, crystal clear sound (perhaps it's night here)

3. Install Skype on PC/Mobile phone if you use app version

3. Register a Microsoft account, or sign in with one if you already have it.

4. Add Interactive Broker to your contact list "Add a phone number"



Make sure you take away all the dash any empty spaces when you add number. So for IBKR's case, the country code is +1 which is already given, you just type: 8666942757

No blanks and dashes remember.

5. Once contact added, you can call from Skype. Just click on the "call tab" and call IBKR from the drop-down menu.



Remember for US call, the format is different from what Gracie suggests in her blog. If your listen carefully, for US case:

1. Enter the digits of your account number. If account number is U1234567, type on the keypad 1234567 followed by the hash sign, #
2. Now comes to account type, your should press 4 (for introducing broker, as you are still under TSG)
3. Now wait, you will be contacted by a live agent. It should be fast, less than 1 minute or 2. (For my case)
4. Mention your ticket number, and tell them your intention/purpose, then proceed with verbal verification (For desktop users, don't forget to greet people and ask if they can listen to you in case mic/speakers stop working)

Keep environment silent too from beginning, mute your mobile phone/PC temporarily (the other device which you are not using to call via Skype) and pause videos/music on phone/PC.

Gracie's case I think she called using HK's phone number, so more "keys" to press. US more straightforward, it seems.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 16 2021, 11:06 PM

No, it is your security questions. You set it up when you open your account with TSG. I personally took a screenshot of those questions and the answers and save it somewhere safe so I can always review them.

If you recall during your account sign up there is this page:

(I showed you one question as an example)



I tried to look for ways to change one's security questions, but it is not available in my user account settings. If you really run out of options, just pull a ticket with TSG.



This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 16 2021, 10:17 PM

Well, commenting on that won't help in your switching process anyway, I am afraid. You can still proceed with the switching if you are comfortable with impromptu questions. From what I check, the questions are about you after all.

So if you want to be on the safe side, go ahead and pull a ticket with TSG to request for security questions review/change. You can tell them the button is not available in user/account settings, with screenshots as proof.

If possible you can ask them to tell you the 3 questions (without answers) so you can quickly verify with them by telling them your answers. If all 3 answers correct you know you are good to go, doesn't even need to change security questions at all.

https://www.tradestation-international.com/...ubmit-a-ticket/

Minimum of 1 USD is fixed pricing. Tiered pricing is 0.0035 USD per share, minimum 0.35 USD.

Still waiting for my answer on fixed vs tiered for SGX pricing. Maybe I should make good use of that excellent toll-free Skype service once again.

Well then try to answer all of them. If you get them done without much thought, during your verbal verification with IBKR you should be fine.

Perhaps look at that list and try to recall if you find any questions look familiar to you in the past, that might be the questions you selected during your account opening.

Otherwise, just fill up the form as required and submit it to TSG to "update" your security questions. As the processing of such changes takes time, you might want to wait for a few days before de-linking from TSG.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 16 2021, 11:12 PM

Yes, "the verbal verification" email sent by IBKR.

Not sure, but can check the time here: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=4633

From what I see, US toll free operates till 8 a.m. (GMT UTC +8, our time in Malaysia) Saturday every week. So you might want to wake up early tomorrow haha

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 16 2021, 11:21 PM

Tiered pricing for US exchanges (eg. NYSE, NASDAQ), HKEX (HK) and LSE (UK). For SGX (Singapore), I am still asking around. It seems that for SGX, fixed pricing is cheaper, but no one has confirmed this yet. Now checking the hardwarezone forum in SG for such info.

EDIT: Someone has the same question as me: https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/...#post-128401763

Note however, for large amount of capital, it's the % commission that matters, not the minimum fees like 2.50 SGD or 0.35 USD anymore.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 17 2021, 12:00 AM

Ok, asked friend from SG who uses pure IB since last year, fixed pricing.

Commission for SGX stocks is minimum 2.50 SGD + exchange fees.

So seems like the commission quote given by IB is rather misleading, not 2.50 SGD all-in. I have suggested him to pull a ticket with IB for further clarification.

He has not tried tiered pricing to date.

Will update more here in due course.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 17 2021, 09:20 PM

I am a bit taken aback by the diverse "approval processes" that everyone needs to go through, from verbal verification to no need verbal verification, wrong form (introducing broker/financial advisor), to direct contact with IB without the need of TSG and complete the whole process.

Seems like IBKR's agents have different "SOPs", does not look very professional

It seems far more complicated than what I thought earlier: https://forums.bearbulltraders.com/topic/25...ed-commissions/

Tiered if small volume < 200 shares, fixed is cheaper at larger volumes.

Also, mentioned in the thread is fixed pricing already factored in exchange and miscellaneous fees, so my SG friend's case should only be 2.50 SGD minimum. There is also a chance that he bought more shares so he is charged greater than 2.50. I will contact him again to clarify this.

This post has been edited by TOS: Jul 18 2021, 09:09 AM

Seconded. But for those who are not going to the Western exchanges that soon, our near-term fees are predominantly occupied by SGX or perhaps HKEX.

It really depends, you write options and spend more time at NYSE/LSE, so their fees matter more to you, but for those whose stakes are higher in SGX or intend to invest further there, SGX's pricing matters more to them.

It differs from one person to another really.

Let's not go into debate again shall we?

This is not the first time.

For others, I have no comments on local US large-caps, but for those with WVRs and foreign listed issuers especially those from China, beware of corporate governance issue. The SEC rules already give too much leniency to them, which is exactly why US exchanges are so favoured by start-ups seeking IPOs. Cornerstone investors can easily extract profit at the expense of retail investors during IPO. Think about SPACs as one such avenue.

Caveat emptor.

By default ours will be IBKR LLC (the US IB), SG residents will be IBKR SG Pte Ltd. The Hk/AU etc is just web domain, not related to the company's geographical domain.

So we don't need to worry about GST.

Ah yes you are right. But account should still be affiliated with IBKR LLC right?