Regulation T and Margin Basics

Margin rules govern how broker-dealers extend credit to customers. Regulation T is a Federal Reserve Board rule for broker-dealer credit. For margin equity securities, Regulation T generally requires a 50% initial margin unless another authority or firm requirement is stricter. Source: 12 CFR Part 220.

FINRA investor materials state that customers need a margin account to use margin, that $2,000 is the minimum equity required to use leverage, and that long margin-eligible equity securities require at least a 25% maintenance margin. Firms may impose higher requirements. Source: FINRA Intraday Margin Requirements.

As of June 4, 2026, FINRA's amended Rule 4210 applies intraday margin standards in addition to existing maintenance margin requirements. The maintenance percentages did not change; what changed is that maintenance is now checked throughout the trading day in addition to end of day.

For questions about your specific intraday margin level, maintenance requirement, margin call, or restriction, contact support in the platform.