FAQs on Futures Trading with Peacock Trading, Inc.

Find answers to question about Futures Trading with Peacock Trading, get information about opening a new account with the Peacock Trading futures brokerage, or get answers about using your existing account. If you have a question, it’s likely to have been asked by others. First, check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here. If the question is not one that our futures trading team has answered below, send it by email to info@peacocktrading.com, or call Peacock Trading at 1-800-350-7771 toll-free.

TRADING FUTURES AND OPTIONS INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LOSS AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

New Account FAQs

Why choose Peacock Trading as your Futures Trading brokerage?

For a high level of customer service and licensed brokers who know the futures market, choose Peacock Traders. The goal at Peacock Trading is to provide the best service possible for new and experienced traders.

What instruments or trading vehicles is Peacock Trading licensed to trade?

Peacock Trading is licensed to trade futures and options on futures, including currencies, grains, livestock, bonds, and notes. Trade any actively traded futures or futures options in markets anywhere in the world with Peacock Trading.

What is your minimum account size?

Minimum account size for all online trading accounts is $5,000, but there is otherwise no minimum for broker-assisted or self-directed accounts. However, the account balance must be at or above the Initial Margin Requirement (IMR) for the futures or commodity you wish to trade.

What clearing firm does Peacock Trading use? Are my funds secure?

Peacock Trading accounts are cleared through Vision Financial Markets, LLC, in Stamford CT, one of the fifty largest Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs). Here are some reasons to feel confident in Vision Financial Markets:

1. CME Clearing – The world’s largest derivatives clearing organization.
2. The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) – The largest clearing organization in the world for options and was the first clearing house to receive an “AAA” credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Corporation.
3. Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”) – Provides custody and asset servicing for 3.6 million securities issues from the United States and 121 other countries and territories, valued at approximately $34 trillion.

• Vision’s total capital, including our unused bank lines, totals over $40 million.
• Our futures trading volume is strong and continues to grow stronger.
• Our banking relationships, which are primarily with U.S. Bank and Bank of Montreal/Harris Bank, remain in good standing.
• Vision’s owners are personally and deeply involved in the business on a daily basis.
• Vision’s owners have a substantial amount of their personal net worth invested in the firm.

Vision’s success over the past twenty years has come from focusing on providing our valued clients innovative, quality products and services. We have no surprises or anything to hide in our balance sheet and financial statement. Our clients can take comfort in the fact that we remain committed to sound business practices which have enabled our growth and resulting success.

Can I transfer an existing account?

Absolutely! Simply fill out the account transfer form in the application booklet on page 21 (FORM 10), and return it along with your new account application.

What account types do you accept?

Peacock Trading accepts IRAs, 401Ks, Keogh plans, retirement accounts, and Individual, Joint, Partnership, Online, Corporate, Custodial, Managed, Foreign, and Hedge accounts. To find out if a specific account type not listed here is available, email Peacock Trading or call 1-800-350-7771.

How are commissions charged?

Commission rates are charged on a per round turn basis. On futures orders, you are charged 50% upon initiation of the trade and 50% upon exit. On options orders, you are charged 100% up front or upon entry.

What are your commission rates?

Our commission rates are generally $30 to enter and $30 to exit plus fees.

What are your margin requirements?

Margin requirements differ by futures contract and commodity. They are set by the exchanges and may change at any time. You must deposit enough money or collateral with your broker or with the clearing house to insure the broker or clearing house against loss on open futures or options contracts. The margin is not a partial payment on a purchase.

Initial margin is the total amount of margin per contract required by the individual when a futures position is opened.

Maintenance margin is a sum which must be maintained on a deposit at all times. If your equity in any futures position drops to or under the maintenance margin because of adverse price action, the broker issues a margin call to restore your equity.

To trade a commodity, you must have sufficient funds in your account to meet the margin requirement for that commodity. Check current margin requirements frequently because they can change without warning.

How do I open an account?

You have several options:

• Use the Services menu of this website to find the type of account you want, download the forms in PDF, print them, fill them out, and mail the originals (not copies) to :
  Peacock Trading, Inc.
  Attn: New Accounts
  80 S. Main St., Suite B
  Sugar Grove IL 60554
  
• Send an email to request a link to a form that you can then submit directly online (or call 1-800-350-7771 and request the link).
• Send email or call 1-800-350-7771 to request a hardcopy new account application sent to you by priority mail with an overnight return envelope.

Where do I send new account forms?

We cannot accept copies. Send your original application to:
Peacock Trading, Inc.
Attn: New Accounts
80 S. Main St., Suite B
Sugar Grove IL 60554

How can I get help completing account paperwork?

Call Peacock Trading toll-free at 1-800-350-7771 for assistance.

How do I deposit funds in my account?

Do either of the following:

• Make a cashier’s check or money order payable to VISION FINANCIAL MARKETS, LLC, CUSTOMER SEGREGATED FUNDS ACCOUNT, and mail it to Peacock Trading, 80 S. Main St, Suite B, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Cashier’s checks and money orders are considered cleared funds as soon as Peacock Trading receives them, enabling you to trade immediately.
• Wire-transfer funds to:
  Harris Trust & Savings Bank
  111 West Monroe St.
  Chicago IL 60690-0755
  ABA Number: 071000288
  For: Vision Financial Markets LLC
  Customer Segregated Funds Account Number: 438-240-4
  Further Credit to the Account of: (Name(s) & Number of your Vision LP Account)
  

If I need additional trading assistance, can you help me?

Absolutely. We offer a wide variety of account types to assist any type of trader. For the inexperienced trader, we would set up a broker-assisted trading account.

Can I begin trading today?

If Peacock Trading receives your new account paperwork early in the day, and you wire funds into your account, you can begin trading on that day. Generally new account applications are issued account numbers the day following our receipt of completed paperwork, assuming the paperwork is correct and complete.

Existing Account FAQs

How do I reach Technical Support for your trading platforms?

Call Peacock Trading toll-free at 1-800-350-7771, and ask for Technical Support.

When and how will I receive my account statements?

You will receive an account statement each time any activity occurs on your account and at the end of each month. You can set up your account to receive your statements either by email or in hardcopy by US Mail. By default, account statements are sent by US mail.

How do I contact Customer Service?

Call Peacock Trading toll-free at 1-800-350-7771, and ask for Customer Service.

How do I change my address?

Send Peacock Trading your account number, name, and new address. Use email, or fax the information to us at (413) 778-9428.

How do I deposit funds in my account?

Do either of the following:

• Make a cashier’s check or money order payable to VISION FINANCIAL MARKETS, LLC, CUSTOMER SEGREGATED FUNDS ACCOUNT, and mail it to Peacock Trading, 80 S. Main St, Suite B, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Cashier’s checks and money orders are considered cleared funds as soon as Peacock Trading receives them, enabling you to trade immediately.
• Wire-transfer funds to:
  Harris Trust & Savings Bank
  111 West Monroe St.
  Chicago IL 60690-0755
  ABA Number: 071000288
  For: Vision Financial Markets LLC
  Customer Segregated Funds Account Number: 438-240-4
  Further Credit to the Account of:(Name(s) & Number of your Vision LP Account)
  

How do I withdraw funds or close my account?

Contact your broker toll-free at 1-800-350-7771.

How can I get answers to questions about trading activity in my account?

Contact your broker toll-free at 1-800-350-7771.

Can I access my account online or get my statements emailed to me?

Yes. To set up online account access, call Peacock Trading at 1-800-350-7771. Once access is set up, use our online account access portal to log in. To receive your account statements by email, fill out FORM 3 on page 9 of the account application booklet, and mail it to:

Peacock Trading, Inc.
80 S. Main St., Suite B
Sugar Grove, IL 60554