Description
FBS is an online broker that offers financial market trading in forex and CFDs. Our review in 2022 takes a thorough look at the broker’s legitimacy, leverage offering, spreads, demo account, and minimum deposits. Find out whether to sign up for an FBS account today.
FBS History & Headlines
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 27M CFD traders.
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. (IFSC), Tradestone Ltd. (CySEC), Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. ( ASIC), and TRADE STONE SA (PTY) LTD. (FSCA).
FBS Trading Platforms
FBS uses a non-dealing desk (NDD) system with an electronic communications network (ECN) for rapid order execution. After registration and login, clients have a choice of three platforms:
MetaTrader 4
MT4 is a market-leading platform that FBS clients can download for PC. The trading platform includes a range of features:
- One-click execution and copy-trading
- Expert Advisors (EA) service and APIs
- Wide range of technical indicators and charting tools
- Support for clients using a virtual private server (VPS)
The global branch of FBS also offers MT4 MultiTerminal, which allows clients to operate multiple accounts simultaneously.
MetaTrader 5
The broker also added MT5 integration to its portfolio. This platform is an update to MT4 with greater versatility that offers the following:
- Hedging & netting
- Market depth view
- More technical indicators
- More order types and timeframes
MT4 and MT5 are also both available without a download via any browser through the WebTrader solution. This service works across all operating systems and has all the features of the original software.
FBS Trader
Investors are able to trade cryptos, stocks, gold and forex, among other markets. Real-time price alerts and market tracking make it easy to stay on top of trends while on the go. Upon testing, our experts were also pleased with the instant deposits and withdrawals, plus the slick interface which means you can amend account and order parameters in a few clicks.
Overall, FBS Trader is a good option for beginners, offering a user-friendly trading terminal available 24/7.
FBS Markets
Clients can access a wide range of assets:
- Forex – 28 standard pairs plus 16 exotics
- Metals – two precious metals: gold & silver
- Indices – 10+ cash-based indexes including NASDAQ
- Stocks (global only) – a multitude of US, UK and German company shares
- Energies – WTI oil, Brent crude oil, and natural gas
- Cryptocurrency – tokens are available through the FBS Trader app. Cryptos can be traded directly and via 60+ pairs – crypto/metal, crypto/crypto or crypto/fiat, such as BTC/USD and LTC/USD
Trading Fees
Spreads offered by FBS vary by account type, market and region. For EUR/USD, the EU firm offers a spread of 0.7 pips on average. The firm charges a 0.7% commission for US stocks.
FBS charges overnight rollover fees. Swap-free investing is possible but is not available when trading cryptos, forex exotics, indices, stocks and energy instruments.
A fixed-rate option is also available for clients from Nigeria. This allows the national currency NGN to be exchanged for an exact number of USD every time. Check on the broker’s website for the latest currency exchange rates.
FBS Leverage
The maximum leverage available depends on account type and branch. In the EU, for example, the broker provides leverage up to 1:30 on Standard and Cent account types and 1:2 on Crypto. Globally the company offers up to 1:3000 leverage.
FBS has a margin call of 40% and lower, whereafter it is entitled to close a client’s position.
Mobile Apps
MT4 & MT5
Both MetaTrader platforms are also available as mobile apps from the App Store and Google Play. The apps have the main features of the native platforms including technical analysis with the convenience of one-click trading on-the-go.
FBS Trader App
The owner and CEO have ensured that FBS Trader is a free and fully-featured trading app. As outlined above, the broker’s downloadable app offers forex and top instruments for investing, alongside real-time stats and easy account management.
FBS Deposits & Withdrawals
The minimum deposit at the online forex broker is different for each account type and trading region. The firm requires an initial deposit of €10 on the Cent account and €100 on the Standard. While using FBS, we were pleased to see the low minimum deposit offering of $1 on Crypto.
Several deposit and withdrawal methods are available including wire transfer, Visa, Maestro, Mastercard and electronic payment systems, such as Skrill, Rapid Transfer and Neteller.
Deposits are instant for all methods bar wire transfer and withdrawals take up to 48 hours. No commission fees apply to deposits and withdrawals, but your bank may decide to take a fee.
Identifying documents may be requested to process a transaction.
Demo Account Review
FBS offers demo versions of the Cent and Standard accounts. MT4 and MT5 integration are available and a range of instruments are offered to practice trading with zero deposit requirement.
Once comfortable with the broker’s services, you can then sign up for a live account.
FBS Trading Bonuses
FBS Global are currently operating the ‘Level Up’ bonus, where clients receive $70. This can be increased by using the FBS Personal Area App, up to $140. Full details and T&Cs are on the FBS website.
The broker also runs a loyalty program where traders can pick up a selection of perks and rewards, including gadgets and cash prizes. Clients simply need to sign up for the loyalty scheme in their account area and carry on trading. Prize points can be exchanged for gifts in a few clicks.
New vouchers are also added frequently, like the $100 bonus, meaning investors get a boost to their trading capital upon sign-up.
Note, these promotions are not available in certain regions where regulation prohibits bonuses. Also check the terms and conditions upon registration as promotions will expire after a certain period.
FBS Licensing & Regulation
FBS is a legitimate broker with regulations from respected authorities.
The company that owns the EU branch of FBS is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The global branch is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC). In addition, the brand is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.
In the EU, the broker also offers negative balance protection to retail clients. Overall, we are happy FBS is not a scam.
Note that traders from the USA, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Israel, Iran and Canada cannot register for an account, though clients from most other countries are accepted, including India and Nigeria.
FBS Additional Features
The FBS website has an analysis section with resources including courses, a glossary, a guidebook, trading ideas (not a signals service), forex-related news, market updates, and a Forex TV feature that displays informational videos, weekly insights, and trading plans. This broker also provides an economic calendar, available on the mobile app, and forex calculators alongside extensive educational materials such as live webinars and tutorials.
Note that the copy trading app has been disabled in 2022. However, MT4 and MT5 facilitate copy trading alongside EAs which serve as a signals service.
FBS Trading Accounts
New clients have the option of several live account types.
In the EU, the broker offers Crypto, Standard and Cent accounts. The global branch additionally offers the Micro, Zero Spread, and ECN. Order volumes are the same across account types: 0.01 – 500 lots.
The ECN account has no trading limits and market execution is by ECN, unlike the other accounts which use STP. In general, the more you can deposit the higher the account tier and the more competitive the trading conditions.
FBS also offers a dedicated crypto trading account for aspiring digital currency investors. Clients can take positions on leading tokens with a suite of analysis tools and features to enhance the trading experience. Leverage up to 1:5 (limited at 1:2 for EU and UK) is offered with the broker’s crypto trading solution.
When opening an account, you will need to submit documents to verify your name, address and the country you are registering from.
FBS Pros And Cons
Benefits
Advantages of trading with FBS include:
- No requotes
- Fixed rate trading
- Near-instant payments
- MT4 and MT5 integration
- 0,3 seconds market execution
- Ultra-low minimum deposits
- Competitive zero-pip spreads
- Cryptocurrency trading account
- No commissions on deposits and withdrawals
Drawbacks
Our experts also flagged several downsides:
- Limited copy trading functionality
- Fewer account and trading options in the EU and UK
- Commissions payable on many trade types at the global firm
FBS Trading Hours
The FBS broker website is available at all times. Opening hours for each asset depend on the market and timezone, but forex and crypto run 24 hours a day on weekdays.
The broker also provides a virtual private server (VPS) service, which allows the client to keep their trading platform on a virtual machine 24/7.
FBS Customer Support
Customer support is English and mutilingual:
EU
- Email – info@fbs.eu
- Contact number – +357 25313540
- Live chat – logo in the bottom right
- Address – Vasileos Georgiou A 89, Office 101, Potamos Germasogeias 4048, Limassol, Cyprus
FBS Global
Contact options including live chat, callback, and WhatsApp are available on the global website.
Is FBS A Good Or Bad Broker?
FBS is an international forex broker that offers low minimum deposits and a variety of trading accounts with MT4 and MT5 integration, alongside the FBS Trader app. Spreads are competitive, and both novice and advanced traders will feel at home with this broker.
Accepted Countries
FBS accepts traders from Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Qatar and most other countries.
Traders can not use from United States, Japan, Canada, Myanmar, Malaysia, Israel, Iran, United Kingdom.
