How brokers scale margin requirements with position size.
Tiered margin is a margin calculation model where the required rate changes depending on the size of a position. Instead of applying a single flat rate to the entire position, the broker divides it into bands and applies a different coefficient to each band. The first portion of position value is margined at the lowest rate; larger portions attract progressively higher requirements.
The tiers are applied cumulatively, not to the whole position. If a broker sets 2% on the first $500,000 of market value and 5% on the next $1,500,000, a $1,000,000 position requires: $500,000 × 2% + $500,000 × 5% = $35,000 — not $50,000 as a flat 5% would produce.
A flat margin rate either over-margins small positions — making the product uncompetitive — or under-margins large ones, increasing broker exposure. Tiered margin solves both problems: competitive leverage for standard trade sizes, automatic risk scaling as positions grow, without dealer intervention.
Tiered structures also support client segmentation. Retail accounts can be assigned tighter tiers with lower maximum leverage, while professional clients receive wider bands — all within a single platform, using different Risk Plans assigned per account.
TraderEvolution's risk management engine supports two tiered margin variants within its Risk Plan framework:
Tiered by market value. Tiers are defined in monetary terms — the position's market value (quantity × price × quoting coefficient) is compared against tier thresholds, and margin is calculated proportionally across each band. Standard for CFDs on equities, indices, and commodities.
Tiered by quantity (lots). Tiers are defined by contract quantity rather than value. Suited to standardised instruments where lot count is the natural measure of exposure.
Each tier carries three margin levels: Initial (required to open), Warning (triggers client notification before stop-out), and Maintenance (minimum before liquidation). Brokers can also set separate day and overnight coefficients per tier — enabling intraday leverage products where positions not closed by end of session are automatically liquidated or require full collateral to hold overnight.