Apex Clearing, or “Apex,” is our clearing and custodian firm. Apex manages a range of services for your account, including asset custody, reporting, trade confirmation, settlement, and securities delivery. Apex is an SEC registered broker dealer and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. You can view Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck here.
Filter FAQ list:
What is Apex?
What kind of market data does BBAE provide?
BBAE offers Level 1 market data to its clients. This market data includes information from 16 Participants and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Trade Reporting Facility (FINRA TRF). Level 1 market data consists of real-time quotes, bid and ask prices, trade volume, and other essential information that can assist BBAE clients in making informed investment decisions.
Are there fees for market data?
BBAE provides free real-time market data if you maintain an account balance greater than $2,500. Market data fees apply if your account balance is less than $2,500 or if you are deemed a Professional Investor. As a new Non-Professional Investor customer, all market data fees are waived for a period of 90 days after your initial deposit.
For more information on the breakdown of this fee, please visit our fee schedule here.
What is the distinction between a Professional Investor and a Non-Professional Investor in terms of market data?
Professional Investor: A Professional Investor is generally someone who uses market data in connection with their trade or business, particularly if they are qualified as a securities professional. This includes individuals or entities that are registered with any securities agency, investment advisor, or individual acting on behalf of a financial institution.
Non-Professional Investor: A Non-Professional Investor, often referred to as a retail investor, is any individual who uses market data for personal investment purposes and not as a primary source of income or for professional use.
To be considered a Non-Professional Investor, an individual typically must:
- Use the market data solely for personal, non-business purposes.
- Not be registered or qualified with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, any state securities agency, any securities exchange or association, or any commodities or futures contract market or association.
- Not be engaged in a financial services business and not use the data for the management of funds for compensation.
- Not distribute, lease, furnish, or otherwise permit access to the data to any third person or entity.
Can a person be considered a Non-Professional if they are employed by a bank or other financial institution?
Being employed by a bank or financial institution does not automatically qualify someone as a Professional Investor. The key factor is the nature of their role and how they use the market data. If the individual does not use the data for professional purposes and meets the other criteria for Non-Professional status, they may still qualify as a Non-Professional Investor.
Can I switch from a Professional to a Non-Professional Investor status?
Yes, you can switch from Professional to Non-Professional status if your circumstances change and you no longer meet the criteria for being a Professional Investor as defined by FINRA and the data providers. You will need to provide evidence of this change to BBAE, and we will guide you through the process of changing your status.
Who provides the market data for BBAE?
Market data for BBAE is provided by Dxfeed. Dxfeed is a leading provider of real-time and historical market data solutions. They offer a wide range of market data services, including quotes, trades, order books, and other financial information. Dxfeed’s data feeds are known for their reliability, low latency, and comprehensive coverage of various asset classes and exchanges. By partnering with Dxfeed, BBAE ensures that its clients have access to accurate and timely market data to make informed trading decisions.
What is Level 1 market data?
Level 1 market data refers to the basic real-time information about the bid and ask prices for a security. It provides the best bid and offer prices available at any given time, commonly known as the national best bid and offer (NBBO). This data is sourced from various exchanges and trading venues and represents the most competitive bid and ask prices for a security. Level 1 market data is widely used by traders and investors to make informed decisions about buying and selling securities.
How does the SEC’s Regulation NMS relate to Level 1 market data?
SEC’s Regulation NMS (National Market System) is a set of rules and regulations implemented by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to modernize and enhance the national securities markets. One key aspect of Regulation NMS is the requirement for brokers to trade at the best available ask and bid prices, known as the National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO), when executing trades for their customers.
In relation to Level 1 market data, Regulation NMS mandates that brokers must provide their customers with accurate and timely NBBO quotes at the time of a trade. This ensures that customers receive the most favorable prices available in the market for their securities transactions. By requiring brokers to trade at the NBBO, Regulation NMS promotes fair and efficient markets, enhancing price transparency and investor protection.
What is FINRA TRF?
FINRA TRF (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Trade Reporting Facility) is a platform provided by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) that allows member firms to report and record over-the-counter (OTC) transactions in exchange-listed equities. OTC transactions refer to trades that occur directly between parties outside of the traditional exchange platforms like the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ.
FINRA TRF serves as a centralized facility where member firms can report OTC trades and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. It provides a mechanism for capturing and disseminating trade data, enhancing transparency in the securities industry. By recording and reporting OTC transactions through FINRA TRF, market participants and regulatory authorities can access accurate and timely information about these trades.
What are the benefits of the NBBO?
The National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO) provides several benefits to investors:
- Price Transparency: The NBBO displays the best available bid and ask prices for a security, providing transparency and ensuring that investors have access to real-time pricing information.
- Best Execution: By referencing the NBBO, brokers and market makers are obligated to execute trades at the best available prices, ensuring that investors receive the most favorable prices for their trades.
- Fairness and Equal Access: The NBBO promotes fairness by ensuring that all investors, regardless of their size or trading capabilities, have access to the best prices available in the market. This helps level the playing field for retail traders who may not have the resources to seek out the best prices across multiple exchanges.
- Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with the NBBO is required by regulations such as SEC’s Regulation NMS. This helps maintain the integrity of the market and ensures that brokers and market participants meet their obligations to provide the best available prices to investors.
Overall, the NBBO enhances market efficiency, price transparency, and investor protection by providing a standardized reference for determining the best available prices for a security at any given time.
Which UTP Participants are included in BBAE’s Level 1 market data?
BBAE’s Level 1 market data includes the following UTP Participants:
- CBOE BYX Exchange Inc.
- CBOE BZX Exchange Inc.
- CBOE EDGA Exchange Inc.
- CBOE EDGX Exchange Inc.
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- Investors Exchange LLC (IEX)
- Long-Term Stock Exchange Inc.
- Members Exchange (MEMX)
- MIAX Pearl LLC (MIAX)
- Nasdaq BX Inc.
- Nasdaq PHLX LLC
- Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
- New York Stock Exchange LLC
- NYSE Arca Inc.
- NYSE American LLC
- NYSE National Inc.
- NYSE Chicago Inc.
These UTP Participants contribute to BBAE’s Level 1 market data, providing comprehensive pricing information for securities traded on these exchanges.