Segregated Accounts

Also called: segregation, client money rules

Client funds held in separate bank accounts from the broker's own operating capital — protects clients if the broker fails.

Segregation means your deposits sit in trust accounts at top-tier banks, ring-fenced from broker creditors. If the broker goes bankrupt, segregated funds should be returnable.

All Tier-1 regulators mandate segregation. ‘Comingled’ accounts (broker funds + client funds together) are a major red flag.