Steve Sanders: Empowering Self-Directed Investors - Interactive Brokers' Essential Toolkit

Steve Sanders, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Product Development at Interactive Brokers will be speaking at the upcoming Benzinga Fintech Deal Day & Awards. Mark your calendar for the must-attend gathering in the fintech industry!

In the world of finance, self-directed investors are on a quest for knowledge, tools, and resources to make informed decisions and thrive in the dynamic landscape of digital assets and fintech. At Benzinga's Fintech Deal Day & Awards conference, Steve Sanders, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Product at Interactive Brokers, will delve into the essential toolkit that self-directed investors need and how Interactive Brokers is leading the way in providing these crucial resources. In the column below, Steve shares his views on this important topic and highlights what he plans to cover during his panel. 

Catering to Self-Directed Investors' Needs

Interactive Brokers stands out as a brokerage firm that is deeply committed to the self-directed investor's journey. We understand that self-directed investors are not looking for handholding or recommendations. Instead, we know that they need the right set of tools and educational content to navigate the financial markets independently. Our unique approach empowers self-directed investors to make confident trading decisions and seize investment opportunities, regardless of market conditions.

Our clients also share a common trait: a willingness to learn. Whether they are young investors embarking on their financial journey or seasoned traders looking to fine-tune their skills, Interactive Brokers has the resources and tools to support them in achieving their trading goals. Our commitment to education and self-directed investing unites investors in their quest for knowledge and growth.

Sophisticated Tools for Informed Decision-Making

Interactive Brokers offers a range of powerful tools that self-directed investors find invaluable. IBKR GlobalAnalyst, for instance, allows users to compare the prices and financial metrics of global stocks. This tool is an essential resource for investors seeking new trading ideas and opportunities worldwide. 

Another tool, the Options Wizard, simplifies the complexities of options trading, enabling investors to not only understand how options work but also to create their own combination strategies tailored to their preferences and market expectations.

The Discover Tool is yet another feature in Interactive Brokers' toolkit. It assists clients in exploring new ideas and markets for potential investments. The Discover Tool is enriched with content from Trading Central, giving investors the freedom to select the third-party data they want to see. Furthermore, Interactive Brokers has enhanced the Trading Central data within Fundamentals Explorer, introducing a dedicated "Trading Central" tab with new sub-tabs, providing clients with even more critical data and insights.

Educational Content: IBKR Campus

The thirst for knowledge is an essential trait of self-directed investors. We recognize this need and address it with IBKR Campus, a comprehensive educational platform. IBKR Campus is designed to help investors of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned traders, learn about investing and financial markets. What makes this resource even more remarkable is that it's available free of charge on the Interactive Brokers' website, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to everyone. 

In conclusion, Interactive Brokers leads the way in empowering self-directed investors with the essential toolkit they need to succeed in the world of digital assets and fintech. As I prepare to share my insights at the Fintech Deal Day & Awards conference, it's clear that Interactive Brokers is at the forefront of fostering financial education and equipping investors with the tools they require to navigate today's dynamic market environment.

Interactive Brokers' commitment to providing self-directed investors with the knowledge and tools they need is not only shaping the future of the industry but also empowering investors to take charge of their financial destinies in an ever-evolving market landscape.

Steve Sanders is Executive Vice President of Marketing & Product Development at Interactive Brokers. In this capacity, he oversees all marketing and product development efforts at the company and introduces Interactive Brokers’ low commissions, advanced trading technology and breadth of product worldwide to advanced individual and institutional investors globally.

Steve joined Interactive Brokers in 2001 to establish the company’s platform for financial advisors. Since that time, he has been responsible for many key initiatives, including building a direct/digital marketing program, developing a new account structure and registration process for institutional investor clients and contributing to the deployment of the company’s Integrated Investment Account. During his over twenty-year tenure with the company, Steve has remained focused on providing IBKR clients with the products, tools and resources necessary to meet a wide variety of trading and investing objectives, which he believes has contributed to the company’s extraordinary growth over the years. 

Prior to joining Interactive Brokers, Steve spent fifteen years at Citibank in a variety of positions including Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of Cybic, a “Request for Quote” exchange to facilitate the distribution of OTC derivative products to retail investors, which he developed. Before that, he held diverse roles throughout the organization in credit & risk management, marketing, financial planning, and product structuring functions.

Steve holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from SUNY at Albany in Accounting and Computer Science.