from IB Communiqu¨¦: Futures Trading in IRA Accounts As previously announced, effective July 1st, 2003, IB will allow trading of futures in an IRA (cash) account. To upgrade an IRA account to trade futures, go to Account Management/Account Capabilities. After upgrading your capabilities to Futures, which requires overnight approval, you will have the opportunity to add futures trading permissions and market data subscriptions. As with all cash accounts, you will only be able to trade in a single currency as multi-currency capabilities require borrowing, which is not allowed in an IRA (cash) account. In addition, there will be no 50% margin benefit during normal liquid trading hours as with futures margin accounts.
I got a reply from Mr. Steve Sanders, shown below. I will close this thread (after I figure out how to do that!) as it has met the objective: to test interest in funds at IB and to illicit IB comment. Thanks for participating!