Forex brokers range widely from the highly reputable and well regulated firms like Markets.com or FxPro, handling many accounts honorably, to those engaging in questionable pricing and order execution practices, to outright fraud in some cases, like Refco, a highly publicized bankruptcy of a forex and commodities broker that attempted to hide $430 million in bad debts from investors and clients.
Consequently, it is basic common sense that all traders should take their time when choosing their most significant business partner, the one that will support their trading aspirations going forward – their forex broker.
There are many websites that can help you in your search process. The staff at Forextraders.com has reviewed many capable brokers and reduced the group down to a list of worthy candidates. The selection process begins by choosing a minimum of three possible brokers, and then following with an evaluation of each and whether they meet your needs.
Step 1: Choose a trusted forex broker
Of course, the first and most important consideration when selecting a forex trading broker involves determining whether or not your funds will be secure in the broker's hands.
If the domicile of your forex broker is in a major country with well-developed financial regulation, this legal infrastructure can often help you recover your funds if problems arise. Make sure to double-check the domicile of the company even if the address looks reputable. Sending your money to an online forex broker based in less well-regulated places like the Bahamas or Panama may not be in your best interests.
The second security signal to check is whether the broker is regulated or not. You should be aware that opening an account with a forex broker who has taken the trouble to register with a regulatory agency - while a very good idea - will still not guarantee that the company is legitimate or that your trading funds are safe.
Nevertheless, by having a regulatory agency involved, a certain amount of recourse exists for a broker's clients if the company files for bankruptcy or if other problems develop that put the return of your trading funds at risk. To conclude, you should always choose a regulated broker.
The third point to check out is the broker’s reputation. Be sure to check the Internet for either favorable testimonials or continuing complaints about the brokers you have chosen for consideration. Especially look for reviews and comments where traders have had difficulties in withdrawing their funds. If you see evidence of this, don’t waste any more time on this broker.
The fourth and last point when it comes to choosing a trusted broker involves the financial security of the broker. Your money will always be more secure in the hands of a forex broker with great financial backing. The broker should be well funded, or have a trusted owner or parent company. These supporting relationships are often disclosed on the broker’s official web site on tabs like “About Us” or “Press Releases”. Although all the top forex brokers represented here should be well funded, it is always a good idea to make sure one extra time. You may also want to visit the website for the regulatory body in the region. Regulators often publish annual statistics on the capital funding for their licensees and whether they are adequate or not. You will also want your broker to hold your funds in segregated accounts at Tier-One banks. Safety and soundness are key factors when dealing with a broker..