Introduction to Futures Trading 101
Published By: National Futures Association

Chapter 13: Establishing an Account

At the time you apply to establish a futures trading account, you can expect to be asked for certain information beyond simply your name, address and phone number. The re-quested information will generally include (but not necessarily be limited to) your in-come, net worth, what previous investment or futures trading experience you have had, and any other information needed in order to ad-vise you of the risks involved in trading fu-tures contracts. At a minimum, the person or firm who will handle your account is required to provide you with risk disclosure documents or statements specified by the CFTC and ob-tain written acknowledgment that you have received and understood them.

Opening a futures account is a serious deci-sion— no less so than making any major financial investment—and should obviously be approached as such. Just as you wouldn’t con-sider buying a car or a house without carefully reading and understanding the terms of the contract, neither should you establish a trad-ing account without first reading and under-standing the Account Agreement and all other documents supplied by your broker. It is in your interest and the firm’s interest that you clearly know your rights


Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading futures and options is not suitable for everyone.
There is a substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futures, options and off exchange forex.