Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CFI vs EBC Financial Group
Where CFI and EBC Financial Group differ
| Compare |  CFI |  EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $50 |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App | MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:500 |
Same on both: Markets (Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto).
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only CFI offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA.
- Regulators: only EBC Financial Group offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Founded is lower at EBC Financial Group: 1994 vs 1998.
- CFI is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at CFI: $0 vs $50.
- Platforms: only CFI offers TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App.
- Platforms: only EBC Financial Group offers MT4, EBC mobile app.
- Features: only EBC Financial Group offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
EBC Financial Group
EBC Financial Group suits UK traders who want a single account covering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto, held with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Score breakdown
| Area | CFI | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 8.7Entry amount of $50 against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, with retail leverage up to 1:500. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.1 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | CFI | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 927552 | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | CFI | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 34 of 490 | 16 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 12 of 147 | 6 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 10 of 145 | 6 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 11 of 122 | 6 of 122 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | CFI | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
What we checked
CFI
- media.cfifinancial.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investinglive.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
EBC Financial Group
- ebcfin.co.uk: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wikifx.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fastbull.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CFI | EBC Financial Group |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd | EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1998 | 1994Lower |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CFI | EBC Financial Group | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $50above the median | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66%below the median | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
EBC Financial Group
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under licence 927552
- One account covers stocks, etfs and forex without needing a second firm
- Platforms in MT4, MT5 and EBC mobile app cover both MetaTrader terminals plus the EBC mobile app
Cons
- Retail leverage runs to 1:500, so a modest balance can be lost quickly
- The entry amount of $50 is above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage
- Bonds, funds and futures are not among its stocks, etfs and forex
Who each suits
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
EBC Financial Group
Who it suits
- UK residents who want an account with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto handled in the same place
- Copy trading users, since demo account, copy trading and mobile app lists it
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is $0, if you want a smaller starting balance
- Vantage, at $5, is another option for a lighter entry
- eToro, whose markets reach stocks, etfs and forex, for anyone also wanting bonds, funds or futures
Questions about each
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
EBC Financial Group
How much do I need to deposit to start?+
The minimum deposit is $50. For comparison, CFI lists $0 and Vantage lists $5, and the median minimum deposit across brands on the site is €4.64. That sits at the higher end of the field, so check it against the balance you intend to hold.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
Yes. EBC Financial Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and holds licence 927552. Eligible deposits are covered to the limit stated in the FSCS up to GBP 85,000 scheme, and that protection sits with the regulated entity rather than the brand name.