Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.
1Q: Who is Three Lakes Trading Company?
2Q: Who is Vision Financial Markets
3Q: Where is my money held
4Q: How often do I receive statements
5Q: How can I keep track of the value of my account
6Q: What information is provided to me for preparation of taxes?
7Q: What type of accounts do you accept?
8Q: Does my commission rate include exchange, clearing and any othernominal fees?
9Q: Do your trading platforms have monthly maintenance fees?
10Q: Can I use IRA or retirement assets to fund my account?
11Q: What are Managed Futures?
12Q: Can I have more than one CTA?
13Q: How do I open a futures IRA account?
14Q: Are gains and appreciation tax deferred in my futures IRA?
15Q: How do I figure out how many futures contracts I could buy?
16Q: If I find a CTA through my own research that you don't sponsor, can Iopen and hold my account with you and have the CTA trade it withThree Lakes Trading?
17Q: Does my money earn interest?
18Q: How do I move money in and out of my account?
1Q: Who is Three Lakes Trading Company?
A: Three Lakes Trading Company Inc., is a guaranteed introducing broker of Vision Financial Markets LLC. Three Lakes is also a member of the NFA and has been registered with the CFTC since August 2004..
2Q: Who is Vision Financial Markets?
A: Vision Financial Markets ("Vision") is an FCM ranked among the 30 largest Futures Commission Merchants in the US according to data reported to the CFTC and is registered with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA. Vision is one of the largest providers of Introducing Broker services in the Unites States, servicing over 160 Introducing Brokers nationwide. Vision has been registered as an FCM since 1988 and maintains 3 times the minimum regulatory capital required by the CFTC. Vision is financially stable and can satisfy transactions for retail investors with as little as $5,000 up to institutional investors with $50,000,000.
3Q: Where is my money held?
A: The monies in your commodity asset accounts are held with Vision Financial Markets.
4Q: How often do I receive statements?
A: You will receive a confirmation statement each time a trade is transacted in your account ( with a detailed summary of all holdings, commissions and fees ), plus you will receive a regular monthly statement with activity and asset summaries. Both of these statements can be downloaded and viewed online, as well as emailed to you directly.
5Q: How can I keep track of the value of my account?
A: You can track the value of your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Vision's advanced "ion portal website" which has many features such as live balances, activity, cash history, statements, quotes, news, research and much more.
6Q: What information is provided to me for preparation of taxes?
A: During the last week in January, Vision will mail you a 1099 tax statement that itemizes your gains and losses for the preceding year. This form may also be downloaded on the "ion portal website" page when you log in to your account.
7Q: What type of accounts do you accept?
A: Three Lakes Trading will accept the following account types: Individual , Joint , Corporate , Partnership , Trust , Foundation , Hedge , Custodial , IRA , ROTH , SEP , Profit Sharing Plans and Keogh plans .
8Q: Does my commission rate include exchange, clearing and any other nominal fees?
A: No. Clearing and Brokerage fees together will not exceed $2.40 per side, and Exchange fees will vary depending on what exchange your futures or options contracts are traded on. New York markets will not exceed $1.50 per side) and Chicago markets will not to exceed $0.50 per side. Fees are subject to change without notice.
9Q: Do your trading platforms have monthly maintenance fees?
A: Please refer to: http://www.3lakesfutures.com/online_trading.html.
10Q: Can I use IRA or retirement assets to fund my account?
A: Yes. As long as an account is properly set up with Millennium Trust company and the money is transferred and deposited with Millennium, they will send Vision the money to be invested. Vision will send Millennium monthly statements for proper reporting.
11Q: Can I have some more information on Managed Futures?
A: Managed Futures refers to having your account managed by a professional trading advisor, who accepts the responsibility for determining what trades to make and at what time, including discretionary authority to direct trading for the account. In this sense, the advisor is the account "manager". Please visit our " Managed Futures " section of our site for more info.
12Q: Can I have more than one CTA?
A: Yes. You can have as many as you can afford. Each CTA will require a separate account. For example, if you have 3 CTA's managing a portion of your portfolio, than you will have 3 separate account numbers. Only one Vision application needs to be signed for all, but for each CTA you hire, their respective Disclosure Documents must signed and completed.
13Q: How do I open a futures IRA account?
A: You must fill out the Millennium Trust IRA application located on our "Forms" section of the site. All forms must be completed including transfer forms. Once you fund your IRA at Millennium, you will direct how much for Millennium to send to your futures account.
14Q: Are gains and appreciation tax deferred in my futures IRA?
A: Yes. All IRA and retirement accounts are treated the same regardless of the assets held inside your IRA account. The money in your Traditional IRA or SEP grows tax deferred, until you make withdrawals, which get then get taxed as ordinary income. ROTH IRA accounts, since they are funded with after tax dollars, the money also grows tax deferred, but any withdrawals come out tax-free. You should consult with your tax advisor.
15Q: How do I figure out how many futures contracts I could buy?
A: Many factors go into making these decisions and you Three Lakes Broker is available to assist you on a case by case basis.
16Q: If I find a CTA through my own research that you don't recommend, can I open and hold my account with you and have the CTA trade it with Three Lakes Trading?
A: Yes, with Vision’s back office approval all you need to do is provide us with a signed Disclosure Document and the Supplemental forms pages 1, 4, & 5, in addition with the Vision Account Application. We do verify that the CTA is properly registered with the CFTC as a Commodity Trading Advisor, and a member of the National Futures Association and has a current disclosure document.
17Q: Does my money earn interest?
A: No. Commodity accounts do not earn interest. Most all investors do not open commodity accounts for income. They trade for hedging or speculative investing. If you are interested in income producing investments, please contact us for more information on our products available.
18Q: How do I move money in and out of my account?
A: Vision will accept personal, corporate, or bank checks and wire transfers. Vision will not accept third party checks, cash or money orders. However, money orders may be accepted to meet margin calls or for existing accounts. For withdrawals, Vision can send a check, transfer out or wire. Check requests for all vision accounts must be emailed (with your account number as subject line) directly to:
remits@vfmarkets.com. All checks will be mailed to original mailing address on your account.
If you should think of any other questions that are not asked here, please email us at FAQ@3lakesfutures.com and we will gladly add it to the FAQ's section of our site.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors.