Achievable logoAchievable logo
SIE
Sign in
Sign up
Purchase
Textbook
Practice exams
Feedback
Community
How it works
Resources
Exam catalog
Mountain with a flag at the peak
Textbook
1. Common stock
2. Preferred stock
3. Debt securities
4. Corporate debt
5. Municipal debt
6. US government debt
7. Investment companies
8. Alternative pooled investments
9. Options
10. Taxes
11. The primary market
12. The secondary market
13. Brokerage accounts
13.1 Fundamentals
13.2 New accounts
13.3 Account registrations
13.3.1 Individual accounts
13.3.2 Joint accounts
13.3.3 Power of attorney
13.3.4 Discretionary accounts
13.3.5 Custodial accounts
13.3.6 Guardianship accounts
13.3.7 Trust accounts
13.3.8 Business accounts
13.3.9 Prime brokerage accounts
13.4 Margin accounts
13.5 Options accounts
13.6 Other account specifications
14. Retirement & education plans
15. Rules & ethics
16. Wrapping up
Achievable logoAchievable logo
13.3.9 Prime brokerage accounts
Achievable SIE
13. Brokerage accounts
13.3. Account registrations

Prime brokerage accounts

2 min read
Font
Discuss
Share
Feedback

Prime brokerage accounts appoint one central broker for a customer, with many other brokers actually executing trades. The prime broker, which is always a financial firm, acts as the main point of contact for their client (usually a hedge fund). In addition to managing the relationship, the prime broker maintains custody and all recordkeeping of the client’s assets.

When the client wants to perform a transaction, they utilize the services of various brokers. Hedge funds notoriously prefer certain firms for specific transactions. For example, a hedge fund may prefer TD Ameritrade to do its stock trades, Fidelity to do its bond trades, and Charles Schwab to do its options trades.

Regardless of how many brokers actually end up doing trades for the client, all assets are maintained by the prime broker. The client only deals with one financial firm, although their trades are going to various places. Additionally, the client usually saves on interest if utilizing margin loans all through one firm as financial firms charge lower margin interest rates for larger loans.

Key points

Prime brokers

  • Provide services to large customers:
    • Maintain custody
    • Record keeping
    • Send trades to various firms

Sign up for free to take 3 quiz questions on this topic

All rights reserved ©2016 - 2025 Achievable, Inc.