XPRESSTRADE provides you with one-click access to real-time account information, so you always know where your account stands. Each time you trade or the market ticks up or down, the XPRESSTRADE system automatically recalculates and updates your open positions, margin requirements, P&L, money balances, and trading power. Many online futures brokers only provide you with your account statements as of the close of business on the previous trading day. At XPRESSTRADE, your account is continuously updated throughout the day, giving you an up-to-the-minute, accurate view of your account.

What commissions will I incur?

XPRESSTRADE offers a unique commission rebate program for futures traders which differs from the rates you'd pay at other brokers in two important ways: First, whenever you submit a market order–whether you're a daytrader or a long-term position trader–you'll save on commissions. And second, our commission rates automatically decline as your trading volume increases–the more you trade, the more you save! Combined, these two unique practices put more money in your pocket. Our standard commission rate is $12 per contract per side, and depending upon your trading volume and the type of orders you use, you could pay as little as just $8 per contract per side. Best of all, our commissions include free, unlimited futures and options quotes for every accountholder–regardless of your account size and trading volume–a savings of at least $150/month.

Are there any other hidden fees?

In general, our fees are far more modest than those that you might expect to find at many of our rivals. In addition to our commission charge, you'll pay actual exchange and NFA fees, as well as a modest floor brokerage fee of $1 per side, each time you trade. But we charge no fee for unlimited, real-time quotes. No add-on fees to trade the overnight markets or to trade at non-U.S. futures exchanges. No fee for check requests. No fee for wire transfers of $2,500 or more. No fee to purchase T-Bills in your account. No account maintenance, postage, or document fees. And, of course, when you connect to us via the Internet, you don't pay any user or connect-time fees.

Do you pay interest on my account equity?

XPRESSTRADE is registered as a futures broker, not as a securities broker, and therefore we are not permitted to offer money-market products. However, we recognize that you may wish to use Treasury Bills to satisfy margin requirements, and therefore, we allow you to place 100% of your account total equity into such instruments. We execute customer T-Bill purchase orders–the minimum T-Bill purchase is $10,000, with larger T-Bills available in $10,000 increments–on the weekly U.S. government auction, and because we pool our weekly T-Bill orders to achieve a more favorable fee structure from our banking institution, we can purchase T-Bills for you at no charge.

 

FAQs about privacy, security, reliability, and financial stability…

How does XPRESSTRADE use my confidential, personal information?

Whenever you apply for an online brokerage account, you're asked to supply sensitive, personal information, such as your address, phone number, employer name, and annual income. XPRESSTRADE places a high degree of importance on safeguarding this confidential information. We're proud that our Privacy Policy has been awarded the TRUSTe seal of approval.

What steps have you taken to ensure secure online transactions?

We've invested heavily to prevent unauthorized users from entering our domain and to be certain that our system protects your sensitive information. We understand that clients place an enormous amount of trust in us, and we take the responsibility very, very seriously. At XPRESSTRADE, your account and transactions are safeguarded by the latest firewall protection, data encryption and authentication, and our unique password system.

How reliable is the XPRESSTRADE system?

No system which runs 24/7, 365 days per year, will be completely free of occasional hiccups. However, we've gone to great lengths here at XPRESSTRADE to build an Internet-based system with as close to 100% online performance as possible. We've invested heavily in redundant, state-of-the-art hardware systems made by leading manufacturers. All of our software applications undergo rigorous testing prior to implementation and are supported by our in-house staff of programmers and technicians. And we maintain multiple Internet connections through several Internet Service Providers to minimize the likelihood of connectivity lapses.

Can I speak with a customer service representative on the telephone?

XPRESSTRADE is a customer-oriented, service-driven organization from the top down. We maintain a staff of customer service representatives in Chicago who are ready and willing to assist you over the telephone, 24 hours per day during the workweek. And, in the event you are away from your computer or are unable to reach us via the Internet for any reason, these representatives are here to assist you in any way possible, whether it's providing you with quotes or taking trade orders on your behalf.

Are my trading account assets insured or protected?

It's important that you understand that there is no futures industry equivalent to SIPC, and therefore, it's critical that you select a brokerage firm that's aligned with a well-capitalized and financially conservative clearing firm. XPRESSTRADE is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a Futures Commission Merchant, which means that we're subject to strict capital requirements. In addition, we clear through ADM Investor Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Archer Daniels Midland Company. ADM has been a Chicago Board of Trade member firm since 1927 and is a Fortune 100 company, with 1999 sales in excess of $14.2 billion.

 

FAQs about XPRESSTRADE'S history and philosophy…

How long has XPRESSTRADE been in operation?

XPRESSTRADE began as a concept in mid-1996, when it became apparent, in no small part because of the emergence of online stock brokers, that the futures industry was on the verge of a major revolution. In March 1997, when XPRESSTRADE opened to the public, we were one of the first–if not the first–futures brokerage firms offering online trading services. While all of the Company's principals have significant futures industry experience, XPRESSTRADE was created from scratch. The Company was born online, in the digital age, on the Internet. We are not a conventional discount firm struggling to adapt old technology and an old organizational structure to the Internet.

Who runs XPRESSTRADE?

XPRESSTRADE'S daily operations are managed by a dedicated, experienced group of futures industry professionals and highly skilled computer programmers and network specialists. Four of five XPRESSTRADE principals are actively engaged in day-to-day affairs and bring to the company a combined 80+ years futures industry experience as floor brokers, pit traders, exchange directors, and brokerage firm owners/managers. Our staff is well-trained, experienced, helpful, polite, and motivated to deliver the best online futures trading experience possible.

What are the Company's values, and what is its operation philosophy?

You won't find a company–either online or off–that's more focused on its customers than XPRESSTRADE. We are an extremely customer-oriented company, and we consider customer service to be of paramount importance. At XPRESSTRADE, our customers come first. We also take our collective honor, integrity, and professionalism extremely seriously. In our dealings with our customers, we treat you with the utmost respect, courtesy, and care. And finally, we move quickly and decisively to give you a cutting-edge trading system and to deliver the most responsive, personal service in our industry. We constantly seek to use technology to increase speed, efficiency, quality, and effectiveness throughout our organization.