Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EBC Financial Group vs FBS
EBC Financial Group vs FBS: the differences
| Compare |  EBC Financial Group |  FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $5Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Metals |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:500 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- FBS scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only EBC Financial Group offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only FBS offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Founded is lower at EBC Financial Group: 1994 vs 2009.
- Minimum deposit is lower at FBS: $5 vs $50.
- Markets: only EBC Financial Group offers Crypto.
- Markets: only FBS offers Metals.
- Platforms: only EBC Financial Group offers MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app.
- Platforms: only FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Features: only EBC Financial Group offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
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.
FBS
Fbs Partners suits readers who want a plain, low cost picture from a firm regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: the account fee is $0 and the stock trade fee is $0. The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% and the retail loss rate of 66.43% are the figures to weigh before funding.
Score breakdown
| Area | EBC Financial Group | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry amount of $50 against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, with retail leverage up to 1:500. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.1Higher | 8.8 |
What each covers
| Markets | EBC Financial Group | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick EBC Financial Group if trust matter most.
Pick FBS if cost and minimum deposit matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | EBC Financial Group | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 18 of 471 | 110 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 6 of 147 | 47 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 6 of 145 | 45 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 6 of 122 | 37 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
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
FBS
- investing.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fbs.eu: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd | Tradestone Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Cyprus |
| Founded | 1994Lower | 2009 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | FBS | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $5below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43%below the median | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5%below the median | 0.65% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
FBS
Pros
- An account regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses Tradestone Limited under 331/17, so the contract has a named entity behind it.
- The stock trade fee is $0 on a commission free model, so dealing in the shares and ETFs inside stocks, etfs and forex carries no ticket charge.
- The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant balance is not quietly drained by account charges.
Cons
- The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% is the charge that lands on every forex and CFD trade, so currency traders feel it more than the flat fees suggest.
- The minimum deposit of $5 sits above CFI's $0, so readers who want the smallest opening balance have a lower floor elsewhere.
- The market list stocks, etfs and forex leaves out crypto and futures, which eToro covers in stocks, etfs and forex.
Who each suits
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
FBS
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a new trading account: the minimum deposit is $5 and the account fee is $0.
- Readers who hold shares and ETFs alongside forex: stocks, etfs and forex covers that mix on the same account.
- European readers who want a Cyprus regulated firm: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses the entity behind the brand.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want the smallest possible opening balance: CFI takes $0.
- Readers who need crypto or futures in the same account: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, and those lines sit outside stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want crypto added to a forex, CFD, stock, ETF and metals mix: Vantage covers forex, cfds and stocks.
Questions about each
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.
FBS
What does it cost to run an account at Fbs Partners?+
The account fee is $0, the stock trade fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so nothing is charged for holding the account, dealing in shares or leaving a balance idle. Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge either. What remains on a forex or CFD trade is the spread, quoted at 0.5% on EUR/USD.
How much does the EUR/USD spread cost in practice?+
The EUR/USD spread is 0.5%. On a currency pair that spread is the dealer's charge for opening and closing, so it lands on every position rather than on a ticket line. The stock trade fee of $0 and the account fee of $0 sit alongside it, which makes the spread the number to size positions around.
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