Note: Halifax's official site - http://halifaxchina.com.au/eng/ is currently not functional. Therefore, we could only gather relevant information from the Internet to present a rough picture of this broker.
What Is Halifax？
Halifax, founded in 1996 and based in Australia, was a brokerage firm holding unauthorized regulation by the NFA (National Futures Association). Its regulatory status with the FMA (Financial Markets Authority) and ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) has been revoked. As of now, the official website of Halifax is unavailable.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Revoked Regulation: Halifax's regulatory status with the FMA and ASIC has been revoked, which may raise concerns about the reliability and oversight of the brokerage.
Transaction Fee Charged: The brokerage charges a flat transaction fee of £9.50 (Stocks and ETFs), increasing the overall cost of trading for its clients.
Dead Website: The official website of Halifax seems to be inaccessible, which could hinder clients from accessing important information and services.
Issues Reported by Users: The user feedback suggests that Halifax faces significant trust and reliability issues. Users expressed frustration with difficulties withdrawing funds, platform manipulation leading to losses, poor customer service, and allegations of scam-like practices, undermining confidence in the platform's integrity and credibility.
Is Halifax Safe or Scam？
National Futures Association (NFA):
Current Status: Unauthorized
License Type: Common Financial Service License
Regulated By: United States
License No.: 0479264
Financial Markets Authority (FMA):
Current Status: Revoked
License Type: Straight Through Processing (STP)
Regulated By: New Zealand
License No.: 146605
Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC):
Current Status: Revoked
License Type: Market Making (MM)
Regulated By: Australia
License No.: 225973
User Feedback: The feedback from users regarding Halifax highlights several recurring issues and concerns. These include difficulty withdrawing funds, platform manipulation, poor customer service, slippage and losses, and scam allegations.
Market Instruments
Stocks: Halifax provides access to a wide array of individual stocks from various global markets. Clients can trade stocks from major exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and London Stock Exchange (LSE). This allows investors to directly invest in specific companies, diversify their portfolios, and potentially benefit from capital appreciation and dividends.
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): ETFs are investment funds that are traded on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. Halifax offers a selection of ETFs covering various asset classes such as equities, bonds, commodities, and more. ETFs provide investors with diversification benefits, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in trading, making them a popular choice for both novice and experienced investors.
Funds: Halifax provides access to a range of mutual funds and investment funds managed by leading asset management companies. These funds pool investors' money to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, including stocks, bonds, and other securities. By investing in funds, clients can benefit from professional management, diversification, and the opportunity to access markets or sectors that may be otherwise challenging to invest in individually.
Investment Trusts: Investment trusts, also known as closed-end funds, are listed investment companies that pool investors' funds to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets. Halifax offers access to a variety of investment trusts covering different sectors, regions, and investment strategies. Investment trusts are known for their active management, ability to leverage, and potential for long-term capital growth, making them suitable for investors seeking exposure to specific market segments or investment themes.
Account Types
Standard Share-Dealing Account: This account type is designed for individuals interested in buying and selling shares in the stock market. It provides access to Halifax's share-dealing services, allowing customers to trade equities and other securities listed on major stock exchanges.
Regular Savings Account: The Regular Savings Account is tailored for individuals looking to save and build their wealth over time. It offers a straightforward savings solution with competitive interest rates, enabling customers to deposit funds regularly and watch their savings grow steadily.
Tax-Friendly Isa Account: Halifax provides a Tax-Friendly Isa Account, which is specifically designed to help customers save and invest while enjoying tax benefits. With an Individual Savings Account (ISA), individuals can invest up to a certain amount each year without paying tax on the returns earned within the ISA wrapper.
Sipp Account: The Sipp Account, short for Self-Invested Personal Pension, is aimed at individuals planning for their retirement. It offers a flexible and tax-efficient way to save for retirement by allowing customers to choose from a wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and funds.
Additional Information: In Halifax, only one base currency is available, which is GBP.
Fees
Halifax charges a flat transaction fee of £9.50 for each fund transaction, mirroring the fee structure applied to stocks and ETFs. Importantly, Halifax does not impose any deposit or withdrawal fees, providing further cost savings for traders. Overall, while the fund trading fees at Halifax are deemed average compared to other brokers, the absence of additional charges for deposits and withdrawals enhances the appeal of the platform to investors seeking cost-effective trading solutions.
Deposit & Withdrawal
To deposit money, users have several choices, including using a debit card, setting up a direct debit from their bank account, or depositing a cheque. When it comes to withdrawing funds, Halifax maintains a straightforward process. Users can only withdraw funds to a bank account that they have designated. While the withdrawal process is limited to bank transfers, funds can be transferred securely to the designated account.
Trading Platform
Halifax offers a user-friendly web trader, which is designed for simplicity and ease of navigation. This platform provides essential trading functionalities, real-time market data, and basic charting tools, allowing users to execute trades and manage their investments seamlessly. With its web-based nature, traders can access the platform from any internet-enabled device without the need for downloads or installations.
Customer Support
Halifax offers a comprehensive customer support system accessible through various channels. Traders can reach out to their support team via telephone using multiple international phone numbers, including +61 2 8319 5638 and 021 31835118, ensuring global coverage for inquiries and assistance. Additionally, clients can communicate through QQ at 4001059388, providing a convenient option for Chinese users. For written inquiries, Halifax provides email support throughinfo@halifaxchina.com.au for general inquiries and support@halifax.com.au for technical assistance.
Conclusion
Halifax lacks an accessible website and information on key trading conditions. It offers a range of account types and access to various market instruments. However, its revoked regulatory status with the FMA and ASIC raises concerns about its reliability and oversight. Its users have reported issues with transaction fees, platform manipulation, and difficulties withdrawing funds, indicating low reliability and negative user feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are there any deposit or withdrawal fees charged by Halifax？
A: No, Halifax does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees.
Q: Is Halifax regulated or not？
A: No.
Q: Does Halifax support MT4/5？
A: No, it does not.
Q: Can I trade different kinds of cryptocurrencies on Halifax？
A: No, you can't, since it offers only one base currency - GBP.
Risk Warning
Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.
In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.
2024-02-23 16:45
2023-03-13 14:12
