It’s hard work starting a company and making it profitable. Many entrepreneurs try and fail. And having set up a successful company, it’s doubly challenging maintaining that momentum and continuing to grow it year after year.
It’s probably a safe bet that companies that have lasted a decade have learned a lot about operating responsibility, driving progress, and keeping teams motivated. But is their longevity in the market enough reason to trust them?
What does a broker’s age mean for traders?
Traders usually consider a few features when choosing their broker: fees, platforms, execution speeds, and educational resources. However, none of these features tell us anything about the essential quality a broker can have: trustworthiness.
Assessing a broker’s trading experience and the number of years they’ve been operating is a quick and easy way to pick a quality broker. More often than not, brokers who have been working for a decade or more are financially secure, operationally stable, and ethical.
Choosing an ethical and trustworthy broker
Looking at how long a broker’s been in business is incredibly helpful, especially to new traders who are just starting. Learn from other people’s mistakes.
There is no shortage of companies and institutions willing to blur the line of ethical practices and take advantage of traders who are not well-versed in market conditions.
Like in any other financial market, business, or institution, conflicts of interest exist in trading. Some industry players only earn commissions and chase profits without their clients’ best interests in mind.
However, it’s also essential to assess how long a broker’s been operating because that often says more about a broker’s operational practices than their regulations. That’s not to say that a new broker can’t be a good or ethical one, but the longer a broker has managed to stay successful, the more likely it has been doing the right thing by its clients.
What a decade’s experience says about a broker
Ten years of serving traders and still going strong say something about a broker.
A broker that has been operating successfully for ten years has not only fulfilled its regulatory requirements but also maintained them for many years. That means ethical operational practices are embedded in their business. It takes many years of invested time and resources to build that base on trust and a solid reputation.
Beyond regulation and operation, a business can only succeed and continue succeeding if it has client satisfaction. Many companies and brokers don’t last more than a few years if they can’t build long-term client relationships and make sure that even when clients leave, they leave with good taste and only the best of words to say. A broker can only achieve this reputation if it offers excellent service and support.
Simply put, a broker that’s made it for a decade or longer in the market is most-likely better equipped to facilitate an environment where traders can thrive.
They’ve built a deeper understanding of the markets and client care. More importantly, they’ve learned that being honest, helpful, and transparent with customers pays off over time.
Ten years can be a long time by any standard, but when a company has continued to grow and do well over that time, it’s a milestone that should be considered.
As a trader, you have the power to choose a broker who not only offers you the best trading environment and resources but also offers you the stability and security you need. If your broker has been around for a decade or longer, chances are you’re on to a winner.