FBS Review 2022 – 5 things you should know about FBS

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Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Open trading accounts with at least two brokers.

The FBS CFD trading platform was founded in 2009 by investors who were interested in trading research and technical analysis. FBS provides global markets with transparent and trusted applications for more than 27 million CFD traders. According to the broker, 80% of traders don’t ever give up their accounts once they have started trading with FBS.

Today, FBS is an international brand present in over 150 countries. The brand unites several companies offering their clients opportunities to trade Margin FX and CFDs. The companies include FBS Markets Inc. (licensed by IFSC), Tradestone Ltd. (licensed by CySEC), Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. (licensed by ASIC), and TRADE STONE SA (PTY) LTD. (licensed by FSCA).

Furthermore, FBS is an official principal partner of FC Leicester City. The broker has earned international recognition and won more than 60 awards including Best International Forex Broker, Most Transparent Forex Broker – 2018, Best Forex Trading Account 2018, Best Investor Education – 2017, Best Customer Service Broker Asia 2016, Best broker in the Middle East, etc.

The selection of trading instruments is comprehensive. You will be able to choose from almost 30 currency pairs, some of which are minor or exotic like USDSGD. You also be able to trade CFDs on gold, silver, and even Bitcoin.

FBS offers a huge amount of free educational materials and resources such as webinars, video lessons, courses for traders with different experience levels, Forex TV, and strategy ideas. You can also get a daily market overview of different markets on the broker’s website.

Fbs.eu website is supported in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese while fbs.com is also available in Indonesian, Malay, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Arabic. As you can see, FBS is the definition of an international broker.

FBS regulation & safety of funds

FBS is licensed and authorized to operate in multiple jurisdictions including the European Union, Australia, South Africa, and Belize.

EU authorization

Throughout the European Union FBS operates as a trade name of Tradestone Limited, a company headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, and licensed by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number CySEC #331/17.

CySEC is the most popular regulatory hub in the European Union and is home to over 240 major brokers servicing clients in the 27 member states.

As an EU-regulated broker FBS is fully compliant with the European Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), which governs all investment services in the European Economic Area (EEA) – the EU member states plus Norway and Iceland.

The rules governing the forex market in the EU are comprehensive and are designed to guarantee the fair treatment of traders and the safety of their funds. EU-regulated brokers have to maintain a minimum operational capital of at less 730 000 EUR, with which to cover all outstanding payments towards traders, to keep their money in a segregated trust account, protected from creditors, to report all client transactions, to allow external audits, and to grant all traders negative balance protection.

In addition, Tradestone Limited, the company behind FBS, is a member of the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which ensures the trading capital of each client for up to 20 000 EUR, payable in the unlikely case the broker happens to be insolvent.

Australian authorization

In Australia FBS operates as a trade name of Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. – a company licensed and authorized by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number ASIC#426359.

The regulatory regime in Australia closely matches the rules governing the forex industry in Europe. All brokers are required to hold at least 1 000 000 AUD in operational capital, to grant their clients negative balance protection, to report all trades, and to keep all clients’ funds in a segregated, protected from creditors’ trust account.

The only difference is that in Australia traders still can not benefit from a client compensation fund, insuring their capital in the unlikely case a broker files for bankruptcy.

South African Authorization

In South Africa, FBS operates as a trade name of TRADE STONE SA (PTY) LTD, a company licensed and authorized by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa under license number FSCA #50885. The FSCA ensures that all financial activity conducted in the country is legal, and aims to create a stable and safe financial market. The regulator tries to uphold the integrity of the markets but also ensures that clients are well-informed and treated fairly. All FSCA brokers are obligated to have a local office and be able to prove that they can cover all their expenses and potential debt. They also have to be evaluated based on their financial stability, reputation, and qualification. Although working with a broker without a local license is a possibility, dealing with foreign brokers might be a bit more complicated in terms of account funding – clients’ money is subjected to currency exchange fees and has to pass through foreign banks. That is why it is South African clients are advised to set up an account with a broker who has both a local and a more international license.

Authorization in Belize

FBS is authorized by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize as well, where the broker operates as a trading name of FBS Markets Inc. under license number IFSC/60/230/TS/18. Belize has also gradually become an international regulatory hub that has managed to attract multiple renowned brokers – although not to the same extent as CySEC and ASIC. All brokers licensed by the IFSC have to maintain a minimum operational capital of 500 000 USD, pay an annual license fee of 25 000 USD, and keep client money separate from their own funds in segregated accounts.

An international license as the one issued by the IFSC in Belize or the FSCA in South Africa allows FBS to offer clients leverage as high as 1:3000 – something which the broker can not do for clients with accounts opened in Europe or Australia, because of the local leverage restrictions.

FBS TRADING CONDITIONS

FBS allows you to trade on a variety of markets – forex, metals, energies, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

There are some differences in trading accounts and conditions depending on which branch of the broker you are working with.

FBS.eu offers three account types – Standard, Cent, and Crypto. Keep in mind that Crypto accounts are only available on FBS Trader.

FBS.com offers as many as six account types – in addition to the already mentioned Standard, Cent, and Crypto accounts, the international branch of the broker also offers Micro, Zero Spread, and ECN accounts. Zero Spread accounts get, as the name suggests, spreads as low as 0 pips but come with an additional commission of $20 per lot round-turn. ECN accounts are perfect for advanced traders who want to get direct market access and trade with tighter spreads, and immediate trade executions. Such accounts are only offered by the best brokers in the industry and could lead to decent profits. However, you would have to be ready to start with more money to open such an account – as much as $1000 – and pay a commission of $6.

You can compare minimum deposit amounts for each account type with the help of the table below:

We tested a Standard demo account with fbs.eu on the benchmark EURUSD pair and got spreads around 1 pip, which is pretty attractive, because all spreads starting below 1.5 pips are generally considered good. What is more, FBS offers tight spreads not only with its Standard Account but also with its Cent Account, where you will be able to enjoy trading with cent lots. Both subdivisions of the broker generally offer spreads that are more than competitive – see the account averages below:

The leverage, offered by FBS in Europe is in line with the latest regulations of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and is capped at 1:30 for retail traders. However, if you qualify as a professional client you could get access to leverage as high as 1:500 on Standard and Cent accounts, and 1:5 on Crypto accounts. To become a professional client, you have to answer two of the following three criteria – to have at least $500 000 in assets, to have worked in the financial sector in a relevant position for at least a year, or to have placed a certain number of big trades regularly in the past year. This ensures that you have sufficient knowledge and experience to manage volatile assets.

FBS also offers swap-free Islamic accounts to Muslim customers – contact the broker if you want to learn more.

If you want to see what the broker has to offer without taking any risks, you can open a demo account. Such accounts expire automatically after 40 days but you could set up another demo account after the old one is deleted.

FBS TRADING PLATFORMS

FBS offers a choice of three trading platforms – the industry-standard MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 and the proprietary FBS Trader. All platforms have desktop, web and mobile versions.

MetaTrader4

FBS offers the established MetaTrader4 platform. An excellent trading solution – light and reliable, featuring well over 50 easily modifiable market indicators, as well as trading robots, with which one can easily run algorithmic trading sessions. Traders can also develop custom scripts, purchase VPSs to keep their trading bots operating at all times and set up customizable signals. And MetaTrader4 is equipped with an excellent set of advanced charting tools – basically everything a trader needs.

MetaTrader5

Introduced in 2010 MetaTrader5 (MT5) had a hard time gaining over its hugely popular predecessor – MetaTrader4 (MT4). And finally, it succeeded. In April 2021, the developer Meta Quotes announced that for the first time in history the number of traders using MetaTrader5 has surpassed those using MetaTarder4. MT5 offers more indicators, timeframes, and pending order types than MT4 and comes equipped with a built-in economic calendar. In contrast with its predecessor, MT5 also allows netting. the Still, the volume of trades executed on MetaTrader4 exceeds the volumes executed on MetaTrader5, so Meta Quotes has more work to do to support their latest product.

FBS Trader

FBS Trader is an all-in-one trading app much simpler and easier to use than MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5, but not capped in terms of functionality and in-depth trading options compared to the other two platforms. The general idea of the app is to offer convenient trading on the go which makes it less suited for advanced analysis. FBS Trader has a smart interface, which allows you to edit your order and account settings in just a few clicks, access the most popular trading instruments, as well as real-time statistics. The app is available on both Android and Apple devices and can allow instant deposits and withdrawals with a variety of payment methods.

FBS BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS

While bonuses are banned under many jurisdictions – including the EU, Australia, and the UK – brokers licensed anywhere else are free to offer different promotions to clients. This means that you would not find any mentions of bonuses on fbs.eu but there is a whole section devoted to additional perks on fbs.com.

A 100% deposit bonus is available upon request – this bonus could be granted upon each deposit and doubles the amount of money you would be able to trade with.

More active traders will be interested in the Cashback bonus which gives you the possibility to earn $15 for every lot you trade. Your profit is calculated based on your monthly trading volume – if you have traded 20 lots, you will be receiving $300, for example.

You could also participate in the FBS loyalty program – the more you trade, the more loyalty points you would be able to get. If you are an FBS Partner, this also extends to your clients’ trading volume. You can later exchange points for gifts depending on your loyalty status – from private coaching sessions and free VPSs on the lowest status level to invitation to VIP events, a personal account manager, iPhones and MacBooks on higher levels.

In order to encourage clients to use FBS Trader, the broker has some promotions that can only be accessed through the app. One of the broker’s newer offers is the Level-Up bonus – with it you could get $140 if you download the FBS Personal Area App and trade for 20 out of 40 days.

You could receive a $100 Quick Start bonus if you pass a 7-step educational program about safe trading FBS Trader.

Finally, there is a 20% Cashback bonus perfect for active traders – you could qualify for this bonus if you have traded at least 5 lots in the last 30 days. All you have to do is activate the bonus on the FBS app, and continue trading  – you could earn a certain percentage depending on how active you are. Once you have traded 5 lots, you will be receiving $0.5 per lot until you reach 15 lots. Then your cashback percentage changes and you will be getting $1 per lot. The maximum amount of money you can earn is $2 (20%), and the maximum you could earn per month is $120.

FBS DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL METHODS AND FEES

When it comes to the available payment methods, there are slight differences between the European and the international branches of FBS.

With the European branch of the broker (fbs.eu) you can deposit or withdraw funds with your VISA, MasterCard, or Maestro, with a bank wire, and also with two of the most popular e-wallets – Neteller and Skrill. The broker itself does not charge deposit or withdrawal commissions. However, international bank transfers are subjected to a standard fee – contact your bank to learn more. FBS also warns that “Some payment methods require a transaction fee when you withdraw funds without trading”. As a result, you might be charged a 5% on Neteller, for example, if you request a withdrawal and have not traded.

The international subdivision of FBS (fbs.com) offers a slightly bigger variety of payment methods. Alongside the payment methods we already mentioned, you could also deposit and withdraw money via StickPay, PerfectMoney, or through a local exchange. However, some additional commissions apply. The broker does not charge fees on most deposits – those made with StickPay are an exception. Such deposits are subject to a commission of $0.3 commission plus 2.5% of the transferred amount. Different fees apply for all withdrawal methods.

In this case, you should consider the amounts of money which you plan on transferring on regular basis. If you are withdrawing bigger sums, a percentage fee like the one on Neteller and StickPay might turn out to be less practical – wire transfer and Visa withdrawals might be preferable. If you are withdrawing a small sum, on the other hand, bank transfer might not be a good choice – since international banking fees could go pretty high – even as high as $40-$50.

Additionally, clients from Indonesia and Nigeria specifically can benefit from the broker’s Fixed Rate offer – you could deposit or withdraw money at a fixed rate and would not have to take currency fluctuations into account. The exchange rates are always 1 USD for 400 NGN and 1 USD for 10 000 IDR for Nigeria and Indonesia respectively.

Card payments and e-wallet payments are processed within 48 hours, while bank wire transfers may take up to 3–4 business days.

Unlike many other brokers, FBS does not charge an inactivity fee.

FBS Introducing Broker (IB) Program

The FBS IB (Introducing Broker) Program is a partnership opportunity offered by FBS that allows traders to earn income by attracting clients to the company. The program requires no investment and allows the partner to receive a commission based on the trading activity of their referred clients. The earning system is transparent, making it a attractive option for individuals looking to start their own business in the trading industry.

As an FBS Partner, a trader can take advantage of several top offers that have helped the broker receive the Best IB Program Asia award in 2022. These offers include access to a wide range of trading instruments, competitive commission rates, and dedicated support from the company. The company’s focus on providing a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for its partners has helped it outperform its competitors and earn recognition in the industry.

Becoming an FBS Partner, a trader gets several top offers that helped the broker outperform others and receive the Best IB Program Asia 2022 award.

The FBS IB Program offers several benefits for its partners, including:

1. High Commission: Partners can earn a commission of up to $80 per traded lot, providing a significant earning potential.
2. Unlimited Income: The more clients a partner attracts and the more they trade, the more the partner earns, offering unlimited income potential.
3. Daily Payouts: Partners receive their earnings daily, providing a steady stream of income.
4. 24/7 Withdrawal: Partners have the ability to withdraw their earnings at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5. Free Promo Materials: Partners are provided with free promotional materials to help attract new clients, increasing their earning potential.

FBS has a large and growing network of partners, with over 400,000 individuals worldwide joining the FBS IB Program. Find out more about FBS Partner program here.

BOTTOM LINE

If you are looking for an established international brokerage to open an account with, definitely pay FBS’s website a visit. The broker is one of the most established names in the industry and can offer you not only the safety and reliability of steady regulation but also profitable conditions, tons of free educational materials, a choice of highly functional trading platforms, and an all in all incredible trading environment.

Go to the broker’s website and open an account today.