SPAN risk + commodities

Discussion in 'Retail Brokers' started by heech, Jul 28, 2009.

  1. heech

    heech

    Hi,

    Just wondering what experiences others have had with risk managers at futures/commodities firms.

    I'm primarily selling volatility in the ags.. in other words, I'm short numerous options, which as everyone knows means I have "unlimited risk" (gasp!).

    I have PC-SPAN for monitoring my own risk margins. A few resources online suggested that I can beg/threaten my way into minimum SPAN margins. My IB was willing to let me get by with 150% of SPAN maintenance margin, but my FCM is requesting 175% of SPAN maintenance margin.

    Just curious if that's typical, or if I can reasonably demand more. I'm new to this IB and FCM, and I'm told things "might" loosen up as they get more comfortable with me and my strategy... just wondering if that's reasonable as well.

    Thanks.