You don’t need a longer spreadsheet. You need a short list of best introducing broker programs that pay on time, show real data, and keep you out of trouble. Think less hype, more receipts.
“A good IB deal is simple to explain and easy to audit.”
The IB model in plain English
An Introducing Broker brings clients to a regulated brokerage and earns based on the client’s trading. You handle relationships and education; the broker handles execution, custody, statements, and risk.
| Building block | What it looks like | Why it matters |
| Tracking & attribution | Unique links, tags, CRM view | No disputes about ownership or payout |
| Client journey | Clear KYC status, funding steps | Faster first-trade, fewer drop-offs |
| Compensation | Spread share, commission, CPA, or hybrid | Cash flow that matches your audience |
| Evidence | Exportable statements and payout reports | Disputes become 2 minutes, not 2 weeks |
“If you can’t export it, you can’t rely on it.”
Program types and how the money flows
| Model | How it pays | Best fit | Watch-outs |
| Spread share per lot | Percentage of spread on each trade | High-frequency flow | Hidden markups if reporting is thin |
| Commission share | Split of per-lot or per-million fees | Pro or ECN accounts | Tier changes with volume swings |
| CPA (one-time) | Paid at verified milestones | Content/education funnels | Short tail revenue, strict conditions |
| Hybrid | Smaller CPA plus smaller revenue share | Mixed traffic quality | Complexity in reconciliation |
Payout cadence: weekly or monthly is common. Ask for the exact valuation time for FX and metals, the clawback rules, and the minimum payable amount.
Where the forex ib program differs
FX runs nearly 24 hours, across sessions and macro events. The stand-out forex ib program adds:
- Multi-language onboarding and support
- Hour-by-hour spread and slippage samples for major pairs
- Transparent last-look policies and reject reasons
- A portal that shows swaps, commissions, and client performance by symbol
“Price is common. Certainty is rare. Choose certainty.”
The short course on how forex ib programs work
Here’s the lifecycle that separates solid programs from messy ones.
- Attribution: client clicks your tagged link or is assigned manually with proof.
- KYC and funding: you see live status so you can nudge, not guess.
- Trading begins: the system ties every ticket to your code.
- Valuation: lots, spread, commission, and swaps priced on a schedule you can read.
- Payout: you receive a statement that stitches orders to revenue with dates and IDs.
- Aftercare: retention tools, education assets, and alerts keep clients active without pressure.
Quick checklist you can run in 10 minutes
- Can I export client, trade, and payout data to CSV
- Are swaps, markups, and commissions visible per symbol
- Do I see KYC and funding statuses in the portal
- Is there a written rule for reassignment or sub-IB trees
Choosing partners with fewer surprises
| Question to ask | Green-flag answer |
| “Show me spreads and slippage by hour for EURUSD, XAUUSD.” | CSV, last 4 weeks, not a brochure screenshot |
| “How are my clients routed at busy times” | Route list, last-look policy, failover notes |
| “What happens if a client changes account type” | Attribution persists or clear written rule |
| “Can I set sub-IB tiers and split logic” | Yes, visible in the portal with audit trail |
| “How fast are payouts and in what currencies” | SLA in writing, fees disclosed, history available |
A realistic playbook to get traction fast
- Pick one niche: region, language, or product lane.
- Publish one helpful resource per week: a risk primer, session map, or simple strategy card.
- Onboard in small cohorts so support stays human.
- Measure three numbers: funded-user conversion, first-trade time, and 30-day retention.
“Consistency beats intensity. Cohorts compound.”
Example partner scorecard you can copy
| Metric | Partner A | Partner B | Target |
| KYC median time | 6 h | 3 h | ≤ 4 h |
| First-fund conversion | 38% | 44% | Rising |
| EURUSD spread P50/P99 (your hours) | 0.4/0.7 | 0.3/0.6 | Stable tails |
| Payout SLA met last 90 days | 88% | 100% | 99%+ |
| Data exports complete | Partial | Full | Full |
Keep the partner that makes your notebook calm: fewer unknowns, cleaner evidence.
Compliance and client care in one breath
- Use plain risk language and avoid implied guarantees.
- Separate education from solicitation and log communications.
- Never touch client funds or trade on their behalf unless you are licensed to do so.
- Document sub-IB agreements and fee splits.
Ready to move
Shortlist two programs, request real CSVs for your trading hours, then run a 30-day micro-cohort. Keep the best introducing broker programs that pay on time, prove fills, and help you retain clients with transparent tools.
Before the FAQs, one nudge to act today: write a one-page partner brief with your audience, content cadence, data you require, and payout rules you expect. Send it with your first call. You will save weeks.
FAQ
Do IBs need to be licensed
Rules vary by region and product. Typically you refer and educate while the regulated broker executes and holds funds. If you advise or manage, different licenses may apply.
Can I stack a CPA with revenue share
Yes if the program offers a hybrid. Read clawback and minimum-activity clauses carefully.
What drives retention the most
Onboarding clarity, realistic education, and fast support. Fancy promos fade; service sticks.
How do sub-IBs fit into the structure
Parent IBs can share revenue with sub-IBs using transparent trees. Demand an audit trail for changes.
What if my audience cares about metals or indices as well as FX
Choose programs with multi-asset reporting so statements stay readable and payouts remain accurate.
