The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has confirmed that its reduction in leverage on CFD and products will come into effect as of 1st August, 2018 along with changes to Negative Balance Protection and Margin Close Out levels.
The restrictions will not apply to Professional Clients. If you wish to apply to become Professional Client and you meet the requirements, the new rules will not apply to you.
In order to qualify you must satisfy at least two out of the three criteria set out below. Please confirm which of the following criteria apply to you.
Your query will be escalated to the relevant team and we will contact you to discuss this. You will be asked to provide supporting evidence based on the answers given above.
By choosing to categorised as a Professional Client you will lose some of the regulatory protections afforded to Retail Clients. Please see the below table for some of the main changes in the way your account will be treated.
Protections you will retain | Protections you will lose |
Unless you specifically agreed otherwise in writing, CI Europe will continue segregating your funds in our Client Money bank accounts in accordance with the Client Money Rules. | As a Professional Client your account will not be eligible for negative balance protection. You will have an obligation to make additional payments if your account falls into negative balance, meaning you can lose more than your deposits. |
You have the right to request to be re-categorised as a Retail Client at any time. | Unlike a Retail Client, CI Europe will not be required to restrict leverage offered to you in line with the ESMA supervisory measures. Higher leverage can mean higher losses if the markets move against you. |
As an individual, you are eligible for INVESTOR COMPENSATION FUND (I.C.F) protection | As a Professional Client, CI Europe may assume your level of knowledge and experience when assessing whether our products are appropriate for you.. |
CI Europe will not be required to provide you with written risk warnings and notices in relation to transactions in complex financial instruments. |