• The basic margin requirement for security futures is 20% of the underlying value of the contract (initial and maintenance margin)
• This 20% minimum may be reduced for certain types of futures market positions, such as calendar and basket spreads, and for certain offsetting positions in stock options and cash securities, provided the security futures are held in securities accounts
• Margin requirements can be satisfied with cash, margin securities and open trade equity in other futures accounts
• Certain industry professionals (such as qualified market makers) are exempt from these requirements
• Portfolio-based margining (e.g. SPAN margining) is not yet permitted for customer positions in security futures. Firms will nonetheless continue to receive SPAN files that reflect the appropriate minimum margin requirements

OneChicago has prepared a Q&A document that discusses the margin requirements for security futures that have been established by the CFTC and SEC. The document provides answers to many commonly asked questions about those requirements, including the margin offsets that may be available to investors under certain circumstances and other margin-related matters.

Click here for Margin Q&A Document

Click below for more information on how to setup a Security Futures Account 

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