Anybody can be an introducing broker. If you desire broker experience and customer support you should deal with a very knowledgable FCM broker with fine data/platforms and low commission! That is what I meant! I rather deal with a firm that is a self-clearing FCM, but you would not find any of them low enough commission to trade micro futures. You should be profitable for a year before moving up from 3-6 micros to an e-mini. This is why I traded with Interactive Brokers until recently. They will not likely go defunkt like Refco.
Pretty sure AMP is one of those. They are registered as FCM, but am not sure, exactly, on the self-clearing bit. Here's some reference material. See section 3250.0.3. https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/supmanual/bhc/3000p4.pdf
@AMP_Global Are you guys a clearing FCM(or self-clearing), or do you clear through a different FCM? I have heard both theories over the years.
What bugs me is the big guy's complete neglect of a small trader who cannot possibly make money trading micros with a $3 round turn (plus fees), this is why I just quit for a while because I have some other fish to fry. I may be back later in the futures pit. I traded full size at times, (SIL did very nicely) but I like to have a choice and not be killed with a commission if I make a point in MES just to work for the broker.
I have different experiences. When i had a small account with a large FCM i could barely get their attention so i went to an IB that cleared with the same FCM. Customer support was much much better, faster and more personal. Sure this will be different when trading a large account, but that wasn't the case back then for me. And yes, anyone can be an IB but that doesn't mean IB's aren't regulated.
i don't know what you guys are ranting and raving about..if AMP doesn't suit you then just move on..simple really..personally..i think any person starting out to learn about making a bit of money on the side should use AMP..as i don't know of any other company that offers such an opportunity to learn about taking some money from others for low outlay..effective tools..and cheapest commissions anything else doesn't matter..of course many will try and have you believe otherwise..but..it is your money..not theirs..so it is your business to make it last long enough for you to learn the ropes don't be a sucker and get sucked in to all the hype..if you are stupid enough to throw away your money..then..you will find plenty out there willing..and able..to help you i see that someone who has me on ignore is still ranting and raving..imagine..someone who traded more bonds than on a mummy is opening an account with AMP to trial..wtf..is mr trump trump going to stay on as president..or what M3