A related question: How does this work? You are a prop trader but move to a state where the firm does not have a presence in yet. Can you still trade with that firm (ie. remote trader) or do you have to join another firm, or are you just out of luck?
because there are too many ignorant and or mostly ARROGANT and or dishonest and or insincere people who operate there.
Depending on your level of involvement, you might look into opening an account with OptionsXpress. You can check their web site for info on the company.
OK....if you have been trading with us, in any location, you are welcome to trade from any of our 42 trading sites. In addition, you may also trade from home or from your own office. Regarding Chicago....since we have been members of the CBOE, CME, and CHX for years, we have seen many changes in personnel, traders, and the exchanges themselves. There is a lot of "competition" for traders recently, primarily since the floor traders are leaving due to lack of profits, new rules, smaller margins, etc. In 1992 I think it was just Bright, Schonfeld, and a couple of smaller firms in the "professional, proprietary" category. Many (a great number) have come and gone for reasons ranging from poor management, to "questionable suicides"...and everything in between. Both of the companies formed by our ex-traders are there, VB (Hi Vito!), and Echo (Hi Jeff), and a few others remain. Chicago is it's own animal, and is subject to the tides of the local "trading economy"....more so (IMO) than the trading rooms in other metropolitan areas around the Country. Diane Harsh is managing or Chicago and Northbrook offices, and would welcome a visit....and if anyone has questions, as always, feel free to call me directly.
Ffasttrade is a Futures trading Room with bundled services and very competitive rates. They are located in Suite 1716 of the CME's South Tower. $.50 per side for futures
NT Securities has a trading room in the Chicago Board of Trade for both prop equities and futures. http://www.ntsecurities.com 312 542 1333
Once again, Redi is simply a great platform. I have asked several times of the few "detractors" to outline in any detail what some other platform can do, that Redi cannot....I mean what else is making money...not just "bells and whistles".....serious trading only. Besides, Redi is constantly improving their platform, and the merger with ARCA sort of guarntees future improvement. Since the trading platforms are such a small part of successful trading, we feel that any differences are nil...(and yes, we have run the "hammer' and the "grey box" and many of the others. Don