Hello FPA members
I've been trading for the past 5 years. I trade primarily proprietary money but have also traded for US FX Funds and in conjunction with a Swiss Fund too.
Right now I look after a few managed accounts in various markets such as fx, insurance derivatives, real estate and "alternative" markets.
Having looked at all sides in the market, including the provision of trading platforms I can confirm that there are many "bastards" out there. One firm that was showing me a white-label trading platform solution was happy to show me how to auto-nudge pricing by 1, 2 or 3 pips to create income for my company by fleecing traders!!! - these people are bad news but their programs are used by several well-known brokers.
I've mainly traded on Currenex through a portal to Royal Bank of Scotland, so I don't have to worry about brokers so much, but prior to that I traded with GFT (always honour their stops even on NFP Fridays!), ACM (much better now they got rid of Refco) CMS (cool on-chart trading options and good with stops), CMC (really spread-betting specialists but a good solid provider) and Hotspot (nearest thing a retail player will get to a genuine market).
GCI - these guys use the same software I described above. They are milking their traders. Please avoid them.
Now that Deutsche are in the game I'd recomment them to any retail FX trader.
ALSO two recommendations for everyone here. First of all fxstreet.com who are based, I think, in Spain and are a good starting point for anyone looking for analysis or a change of broker. Secondly global-view.com where Jay Meisler runs a long-established service for fx traders and is as honest as the day is long. The pro-side of his forum is especially interesting at times and is where I made most money in one trade ever, on AUD/JPY
So, good luck to all of us and I'm glad to be a part of this community.