Retiring a broker from your rotation without loose ends

[FXS London Scalper]

Moving away from a broker is usually done in a hurry: conditions got worse, you open a new account and stop logging in to the old one. Months later there's a small balance sitting there, a platform still installed on the VPS, and nobody remembers the password.

A cleaner way to retire an account:

1. Stop new trades but keep the account open for two weeks, in case you need statements or to check a disputed fill.
2. Download every statement you might need for tax or records: monthly statements plus a full history export.
3. Withdraw the full balance using the same method you deposited with. Many brokers require that, and it avoids delays.
4. Cancel any IB or rebate arrangement linked to the account and note the final rebate payment.
5. Uninstall the terminal from the VPS and remove saved credentials from the platform and password manager.
6. Ask the broker in writing to close the account, and keep the confirmation.
7. Note in your trading log why the broker was retired, with numbers if you have them.

Step 7 is the one people skip, and it's the one that stops you from rejoining the same broker in a year because the marketing looks good again.

Anyone have a horror story about a forgotten account?