FAQ

What is the difference between PTI Securities and PTI ProDirect?
How do I complete an application for a new account?
How do I transfer an account to PTI from my existing broker?
How much money is needed to open an account?
How can I fund my account?
What type of checks do you accept and to whom should I make out a check?
What are the wiring instructions?
What are your policies about when initial funds clear?
What type of account protection do you provide?
What if I am a resident of a country other than the U.S.?
When will I be able to trade?
What can I trade and what type of orders can I place?
How will I be able to trade? Will I be able to trade over the phone and via the web?
How much will I have to pay for my trades?
Does PTI recommend certain trades to clients?
Can a PTI broker automatically place a trade for me based on PTI recommendations?
What about margin trading?
How quickly will I get a confirmation? Will I be notified by e-mail?
What should I do if I have a question regarding activity in my account?
What if I move or any of my personal contact information changes?
What kind of support can I expect?
Who is RBC Capital Markets in relation to PTI Securities?
How do I make sure I am receiving PTI’s e-mails?
What other details can you give me?

What is the difference between PTI Securities and PTI ProDirect?

PTI Securities is a full service brokerage firm, cleared through RBC Capital Markets. PTI Securities has a separate account application from PTI ProDirect and is geared towards beginning to intermediate traders who anticipate needing the assistance of PTI’s brokers by phone on a regular basis or who prefer to take counsel with our brokers about stock positions, market climate, etc. The website you are currently viewing is PTI Securities.

PTI Securities also offers money management for accounts over $75k by way of the strategically successful Protected Index Program®, whereas PTI ProDirect does not offer money management.

PTI ProDirect is a separate online trading system, cleared through Interactive Brokers LLC. PTI ProDirect has a separate account application from PTI Securities and is geared towards self-directed intermediate to expert traders who are comfortable trading independently, with minimal help and no counsel from brokers, however at competitive rates. For complete information, visit PTI ProDirect’s website at www.PTIProDirect.com.

How do I complete an application for a new account?

Click here to access PTI’s printable account forms.

You will be asked if you have read the “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” disclosure document and will then be directed to fill out a preliminary information form and submit it. You will then be directed to the Account Forms page where you may select the type of account you wish to open by clicking, downloading and printing the forms, which are in PDF file format. Please follow the directions on this page with regards to mailing and processing your application. If, after following the instructions on this page, you are still unsure if you completed the account forms correctly, Contact Larry Kelch at 800.821.4968 or fax your forms to 312.663.3058 – Attn: Larry for an initial review – please include your immediate contact information on a fax cover.

If you have problems downloading / printing these forms, call PTI toll free at 800.821.4968 to request an account pack via U.S. mail.

How do I transfer an account to PTI from my existing broker?

An Account Transfer Form (ACAT), found on the Account Forms page of this website, must be completed and submitted with the account application forms, along with a copy of your last account statement received from your previous broker.

How much money is needed to open an account?

The suggested minimum dollar amount to open an account is $10,000. Call PTI at 800.821.4968 for details.

How can I fund my account?

Funding of accounts may be accomplished by wiring funds OR including checks with completed account applications (please refer to the “To whom should I make out a check?” section).

What type of checks do you accept and to whom should I make out a check?

Securities Account checks MUST be made payable to: RBC Capital Markets. All checks must be drawn on an account in the name of the customer. Third party checks or checks made payable to PTI Securities & Futures WILL BE RETURNED. (All checks drawn on accounts titled differently than that of the account to be opened are considered third party).

Futures Accounts: A certified check, cashier’s check, personal check or money order MUST be made payable to: RJ O’Brien. If this is a new account, personal checks, money market checks and savings and loan checks may require clearance before you can trade. In addition, the originating source of all funds coming into the account must match the name on the account.

What are the wiring instructions?

Securities Wire Transfer Instructions

U.S. Bank
800 Nicolet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402
ABA # 019000022
Account Name: RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Account Number: 160230097208
Further Credit: Client name and full 8-digit account number
For international transfers, include the SWIFT code for U.S. Bank of USBKUS44IMT (US Dollar Amount). Foreign currency transactions received into this account will be converted into US Dollar prior to being credited to the RBC Capital Markets account using the bank’s current conversion rate.

Futures Wire Transfer instructions:

Harris Trust & Saving Bank
Chicago, IL
ABA #071-000-288
For the A/C of: R.J. O’Brien & Associates, Inc.
Customer Segregated Funds
A/C #: 367-171-6
For further credit to: (Customer a/c name)
(Customer a/c number)

What are your policies about when initial funds clear?

1) Wired Funds – full amount within 1 business day after receipt.
2) Personal checks – a check received after 2:00pm CT is considered “received” the next business day.

What type of account protection do you provide?

Member of SIPC, which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $100,000 for claims for cash). Explanatory brochure available upon request at www.sipc.org. Beyond SIPC insurance, RBC carries additional insurance through Lloyd’s of London. The policy provides additional securities and cash protection up to $99.5 million per SIPC qualified account (of which $900,000 may be cash). The firm’s excess SIPC policy is subject to a maximum aggregate amount payable of $400 million.
Note: SIPC does not cover commodity contract and options on futures. SIPC does not protect against market loss.

What if I am a resident of a country other than the U.S.?

In addition to our standard account application forms, all non-U.S. citizens must fill out the appropriate IRS Form W-8. Click here to access this form.

How do I withdraw money from my account?

Checks to be mailed may be requested via phone at 800.821.4968, by fax at 312.663.3058, or by e-mail. Funds to be wired must be requested via a signed fax message.

When will I be able to trade?

Once PTI has received all appropriately completed application forms from you and your account is funded and established, you will then be able to trade.

If you encounter problems accessing your ActiveTrader account, please e-mail us or call toll free at 800.821.4968. If you encounter problems accessing your Investor-Connect account, please call RBC’s Service Desk toll free at 800.933.9946. The hours for RBC’s Service Desk are: 7A.M-9P.M Central Time during weekdays and 9A.M-5P.M Central Time during Saturdays.

What can I trade and what type of orders can I place?

All listed Stocks, OTC, and most OTC-BB stocks can be traded. In addition, you can trade Options, Futures and Future Options.

Market Orders
Limit Orders
Stop Market Orders
Stop Limit Orders
Limit Sweep Orders
Market Sweep Orders
Pseudo Market Swap Orders
Conditional Orders
Covered Call Writing
Call Buying
Put Writing (Selling)
Put Buying
Futures
Arbitrage
Managed Index Investing
Managed Risk Collars
LEAP Buy Writes
Spread
Ratio Spread
Straddle
Strangle
Strip/Strap
Combination
Butterfly Spread
Box Spread
Collar
Covered Write
Married Put

How will I be able to trade? Will I be able to trade over the phone and via the web?

Orders can be entered via PTI’s Online Trading System, or by telephone at an additional cost.

What if I need help getting set up to trade online with PTI?

To receive help getting set up to trade online or if you experience problems with your online account, please contact us or call us toll free at 800.821.4968.

How much will I have to pay for my trades?

For online trading, Stock & Index Options are $2 per contract with a $19.95 commission minimum. Online Stock trades are .02¢ per share with a $19.95 commission minimum. Broker assisted trades (trades placed by telephone) for Stock & Index Options are $5 per contract with a $45.00 commission minimum. Broker assisted Stock trades are .05¢ per share with a $45.00 commission minimum. In the uncommon event that our servers or our link to the internet goes down, commission charges on phone orders, during that period of time, will not include the additional charge difference incurred by broker-assisted orders.

PTI dispatches periodic Trade Recommendations via e-mail to PTI clients. For individual client recommendations and counsel, please call PTI to speak to a broker by phone at 800.821.4968.

Can a PTI broker automatically place a trade for me based on PTI recommendations?

We are aware that some of our clients may not open their e-mail in time to take advantage of PTI’s Trade Recommendations. Therefore, PTI offers clients the option to be included on our Automatic Execution list. For details, contact broker Jim Doran for details toll free at 800.821.4968.

What about margin trading?

There is no requirement to open a margin account. PTI operates at exchange minimums on all option spreads. For more information refer to the CBOE Margin Manual.

How quickly will I get a confirmation? Will I be notified by e-mail?

For all broker-assisted trades, you will be sent a confirmation as soon as we receive it. You will be immediately notified via e-mail if you are using PTI’s Online Trading System.

What should I do if I have a question regarding activity in my account?

It is the customer’s obligation to notify PTI Securities & Futures in a timely manner of any discrepancy regarding their account. In the event of a trade dispute or any other issue relating to an order, PTI expects our customers to notify our trading staff promptly (within half hour of the occurrence). Whether it be an improper fill or confirmation of order status, the earlier we receive your inquiry, the more timely we can resolve the issue. Call 800.821.4968.

What if I move or any of my personal contact information changes?

If any of your personal contact information changes please contact PTI by phone at 800.821.4968, by fax at 312.663.3058 or by e-mail PTI with your account number and updated information.

What kind of support can I expect?

Toll free telephone support (800.821.4968) for trading is provided from 7:00am until 4:15pm CT. For technical issues, you should contact RBC Capital Markets at 800.949.0242, option 2 for ActiveTrader accounts. For technical issues with your Investor-Connect account, you should contact RBC Capital Markets at 800.933.9946. The hours for RBC’s Investor-Connect Service Desk are: 7A.M-9P.M Central Time during weekdays and 9A.M-5P.M Central Time during Saturdays.

Who is RBC Capital Markets in relation to PTI Securities?

All PTI accounts are carried by RBC Capital Markets, a clearing firm. When funding a PTI Securities account by check, checks must be made payable to RBC Capital Markets, not PTI Securities. Through RBC Capital Markets,PTI offers clients a full range of financial products and services. Among them:

Stocks
Keoghs
IRAS
Managed Accounts
Pension Portfolios
Mutual Funds

How do I make sure I am receiving PTI’s e-mails?

To make sure that PTI Securities e-mails are not filtered into your “junk” or “bulk” folder, please add us to your list of trusted senders. Add “GreatExecutions@PTISecurities.com”, “Help@PTISecurities.com” AND “PTISecurities.com” to your e-mail address book.

What other details can you give me?

Short selling is available
You may place orders until 4:30pm Central Time
ECN’s will be used for some orders
Clearing is handled by RBC Capital Markets, LLC
IRA Accounts will be accepted
Cash balances earn monthly interest or can be automatically swept into a money market fund of your choice.