I've been using IB's margin lending more and more. Quick notes on how to check the margin requirements. Because there are too many numbers and I forget.
(Assuming you only trade stocks) To see current margin requirements, in TWS: Account --> Account Window.
There's only 3 numbers I care about:
The key number is "Current Excess Liquidity". If my account drops by that amount ($214,804), which is 50.5% (of the Net Liquidation Value), then I'm fucked. IB can force sell my positions.
When putting on a trade, you can check the margin. Under "advanced", there's "check margin":
This trade would add $15,660 to to my maintenance margin, deducting the same amount from my Current Excess Liquidity.
IB can sometimes change the margin requirements, have to keep a lookout for this. They last did it during the US election.
IB has a series of videos explaining margin.
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