American online brokerage that has become the preferred platform for sophisticated, small investors, owing to its cheap margin lending. In 2009 the company was worth $7bn and had 134,000 clients. By late 2025 it was worth $110bn and had 4m clients. Its growth helped make leveraged investing, once the preserve of institutional investors or very wealthy individuals, accessible to retail investors.
Unlike larger brokers such as Fidelity and Vanguard, which have historically charged extortionate margin rates, Interactive Brokers built its reputation on far lower borrowing costs. Instead of margin-calling clients whose collateral drops too low—demanding they put up more money—the firm automatically sells the underlying assets to return the investor to their borrowing limits.
Someone is speaking well of you. How unusual!