Finding the ideal Forex broker is a lot like finding the ideal spouse or relationship. You may make a list of all the qualities that you desire in a partner but then when you are faced with the reality of what is actually available in reality, your criteria may become more flexible. Since the last time I researched Forex brokers about three years ago there have been some positive changes in the industry. At the same time the two brokers where my accounts were held have had some negative changes. One has increased their negative rollover swap rates to more than twice the amount of their positive rates. The other has made negative changes to their margin policy and their privacy policy.
The criteria that a beginner looks for in Forex brokers is usually quite different from the criteria that an experienced trader looks for after trading successfully for a period of years. For instance a beginner may look for the lowest minimum account size, the lowest PIP spread, and the highest leverage. An experienced trader may not consider any of these things but may be primarily interested in the company's integrity, type of business model, country of location, regulation, and type of trading platform. A beginner may only look for brokers who provide free charts. A professional trader might subscribe to several professional charting services and may never use charts provided by a broker. A beginner may be lured by the biggest ads in a trading magazine. A professional trader may trade with a broker that does very little advertising but has a reputation that is known by word of mouth.
When choosing a Forex broker it has become critical to consider the stability of the country where the company is based and the type of regulation, if any, that oversees the Forex trading industry of that country. In the U.S. the spot Forex market is still unregulated which allows brokers to adopt business practices that may be less than ethical. Some traders look to Switzerland, a country that has traditionally been know for its strong banking industry and financial strength even in times of international conflict. In today's high technology world it is easy to open an account in an overseas country and make wire transfers easily and quickly.
Wherever you choose to open your Forex trading account the choice you make is certainly worth some investigation and research. It is wise to have some criteria in mind and talk with the customer service representatives from several brokers. If you have done your due diligence you will feel much more confident about the long term success of you Forex trading business.
