With margin investing enabled, why do I have an account deficit? | Robinhood

With margin investing enabled, why do I have an account deficit?

Before you begin

If you aren't using the margin investing feature, check out Why do I have an account deficit?

If your investing portfolio value decreases to less than your total maintenance requirement, it can cause a margin call. Resolve your account deficit by the end of the trading day to avoid margin calls and be able to open new positions.

If you are borrowing funds, and your portfolio value decreases to less than the $2,000 regulatory requirement, it may cause a margin call.

Fees

Fee charges can cause your portfolio value to decrease to less than your total maintenance requirement or the $2,000 minimum required for investing on margin.

Some of the most common causes of account reductions are fees associated with American Depositary Receipts (ADRs).

You can find all of your past fees in AccountHistory. Check out our fee schedule for details.

Option exercise and assignment

Note

For more information about exercises and assignments, check out Expiration, exercise, and assignment.

If you’re trading an options spread, your long leg generally covers your short leg. However, you may have an account deficit if the short leg of your options spread is assigned prior to the expiration date. If you’re assigned early on a short leg, it can lead to margin being used if it overspends your available buying power for your account, which can lead to an account deficit.

This is because the positions you hold are used to calculate your buying power, and at that time, the shares (for call spreads) or buying power (for put spreads) are needed to cover the deficit in your account. If your long leg is in-the-money and you would like to exercise, you can either do so in your app or contact us so we can help do it for you. You can also experience an account deficit when your long leg is exercised in anticipation of your short leg being assigned. Generally, if the short leg assignment is processed in the account, the deficit will be covered.

Keep in mind

An account deficit due to early assignment might result in a margin call. In these cases, our brokers are likely to take action to cover your position for you.

How do I resolve an account deficit?

You can resolve an account deficit by depositing money or closing any open positions.

Disclosures

Margin investing is a high risk product. Leverage can magnify your losses and you could lose more than your initial capital. You must also repay your margin loan and any interest charges, which may result in the sale of securities.

Robinhood can change its maintenance requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account decreases to less than the total maintenance requirement, you’ll have to deposit additional cash or acceptable collateral. If you fail to meet your minimums, Robinhood may be forced to sell some or all of your securities, with or without your prior approval.

Robinhood charges a margin interest rate that varies depending on your settled margin balance and the upper bound of the Target Federal Funds Rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve and is subject to change without notice. The formulas used to calculate the margin interest rate are subject to change at Robinhood’s discretion.

For more information, review FINRA’s Investor Alert and our Customer Relationship Summary, Margin Disclosure Statement, and Margin Account Agreement. These disclosures contain important information on Robinhood’s UK products and services, conflicts of interests, lending policies, interest charges, and the risks associated with margin investing enabled accounts.

In relation to margin, Robinhood UK is acting as credit broker and not a lender. Margin is provided by Robinhood Securities, LLC. Robinhood UK and Robinhood Securities, LLC are part of the same group. Robinhood UK can only introduce customers for margin to Robinhood Securities, LLC. Margin is subject to Robinhood Securities, LLC's eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.

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All investing involves risk and a loss of principal is possible.

Robinhood U.K. Ltd (Robinhood UK) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 823590). Robinhood UK onboards UK customers and has the lead customer relationship with UK customers in relation to their use of the Robinhood UK app and website. Robinhood UK introduces UK customers to Robinhood Securities, LLC for order routing, execution, clearing, settlement, arranging custody services, securities lending, and margin investing to eligible UK customers with margin accounts. In relation to margin investing, Robinhood U.K. is acting as credit broker and not a lender. Margin is provided by Robinhood Securities, LLC. Robinhood U.K. can only introduce you to Robinhood Securities, LLC for margin investing. Margin investing, stock lending and options trading are optional products and subject to Robinhood's eligibility and appropriateness criteria.

Robinhood Securities, LLC is regulated in the U.S. by the SEC and FINRA. Robinhood UK and Robinhood Securities, LLC are subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc.

Robinhood U.K. Ltd is a private limited company registered in England and Wales (09908051).

Robinhood does not provide investment advice. Individual investors should make their own decisions.

Commission-free trading of stocks refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood self-directed individual brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and ADRs. Keep in mind, other costs such as regulatory fees may apply to your brokerage account. Review Robinhood UK’s Fee Schedule to learn more.

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Robinhood, 70 Saint Mary Axe (Suite 404), London, England, EC3A 8BE. © 2025 Robinhood. All rights reserved.
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All investing involves risk and a loss of principal is possible.

Robinhood U.K. Ltd (Robinhood UK) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 823590). Robinhood UK onboards UK customers and has the lead customer relationship with UK customers in relation to their use of the Robinhood UK app and website. Robinhood UK introduces UK customers to Robinhood Securities, LLC for order routing, execution, clearing, settlement, arranging custody services, securities lending, and margin investing to eligible UK customers with margin accounts. In relation to margin investing, Robinhood U.K. is acting as credit broker and not a lender. Margin is provided by Robinhood Securities, LLC. Robinhood U.K. can only introduce you to Robinhood Securities, LLC for margin investing. Margin investing, stock lending and options trading are optional products and subject to Robinhood's eligibility and appropriateness criteria.

Robinhood Securities, LLC is regulated in the U.S. by the SEC and FINRA. Robinhood UK and Robinhood Securities, LLC are subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc.

Robinhood U.K. Ltd is a private limited company registered in England and Wales (09908051).

Robinhood does not provide investment advice. Individual investors should make their own decisions.

Commission-free trading of stocks refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood self-directed individual brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and ADRs. Keep in mind, other costs such as regulatory fees may apply to your brokerage account. Review Robinhood UK’s Fee Schedule to learn more.

UK Privacy policy

Robinhood, 70 Saint Mary Axe (Suite 404), London, England, EC3A 8BE. © 2025 Robinhood. All rights reserved.