Jarden Review for New Zealand Traders

Is Jarden safe? FMA licence, Jarden Securities Limited

Yes, if you open an account with Jarden in New Zealand, you contract with a licensed derivatives issuer. Jarden Securities Limited holds a derivatives issuer licence from the Financial Markets Authority, and the licence status is Active. It was granted on 1 October 2016, and I read that on the FMA register on 19 September 2026.

Jarden also appears on the Financial Service Providers Register as FSP3202, though being on that register is not the same as holding the licence that lets it issue derivatives to you. The Financial Markets Authority requires anyone offering contracts linked to an exchange rate in New Zealand to hold that licence, and it classes retail forex trading as derivatives trading, not currency dealing.

What the FMA licence covers

A licensed derivatives provider must give you a product disclosure statement before you trade, and Jarden publishes two, both dated 4 March 2026. Each was prepared in accordance with the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FX derivatives statement, page 1; CFD statement, page 1), and Jarden must also comply with obligations under the Financial Markets Conduct Act and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 (FX derivatives statement, page 29).

Jarden is also an NZX Trading and Advising Firm for equities and derivatives, and a CHO Clearing and Depository Participant, and must comply with the NZX Rules (FX derivatives statement, page 29). The Financial Markets Authority recommends New Zealanders avoid overseas forex services it has not licensed, even where an overseas regulator appears to cover them, and you can compare licence holders on our list of FMA regulated brokers.

Jarden client money protection and dispute scheme

Jarden Securities Limited is the issuer of the derivatives covered by each statement (FX derivatives statement, page 1; CFD statement, page 2).

Who a New Zealand client contracts with

Jarden is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated brokerage firm (FX derivatives statement, page 3). Client funds may be used by Jarden to hedge its exposure to investors under FX derivatives, by entering into, securing and settling offsetting derivatives with its hedging counterparties, Westpac Banking Corporation, Bank of New Zealand, and Deutsche Bank AG (London Branch) (FX derivatives statement, page 29). For contracts for difference, the hedging counterparty is Interactive Brokers (CFD statement, page 19). In each case your contract is with Jarden itself, as Jarden is the counterparty to each client position (FX derivatives statement, page 3; CFD statement, page 3).

Where a New Zealand client’s money is held

All client funds deposited with Jarden, including any funds you pay as margin, are held on trust in one of Jarden’s client trust accounts with the Bank of New Zealand, Westpac New Zealand Limited, ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited, or Westpac Banking Corporation, where Jarden acts as the trustee (FX derivatives statement, page 29). Your funds are pooled together with other clients’ within the various trust accounts and are subject to independent checks by the external auditor (FX derivatives statement, page 29). Reconciliations of client assets are reported daily to the NZX, providing assurance that Jarden is not using client funds to pay its bills or meet any of its proprietary obligations (FX derivatives statement, page 29). Jarden may retain some or all of the interest paid on those trust accounts, payable to Jarden from the trust accounts as and when Jarden determines (FX derivatives statement, page 29). You will not typically receive interest payable on your account when it is in excess, though Jarden at its own discretion may apply a rate set by it from time to time, and withholding tax is deducted from any interest earned (FX derivatives statement, page 26).

What happens if the company fails

The Financial Markets Authority names insolvency of the provider as a risk to read the statement for, and says you may be an unsecured creditor. Jarden’s creditworthiness has not been assessed by an approved rating agency, which means Jarden has not received an independent opinion of its capability and willingness to repay its debts from an approved source (FX derivatives statement, page 25). Jarden’s audited accounts are available to all clients free of charge (FX derivatives statement, page 25). Jarden engages an external auditor to undertake an independent client funds assurance on an annual basis, the auditor must report any breaches immediately to the Financial Markets Authority, and the current external auditor is KPMG (FX derivatives statement, page 29).

How to complain, and who hears it

If you wish to complain, make the complaint known in writing to Jarden’s FICC Compliance Manager, at the Auckland office (FX derivatives statement, page 30). Jarden will let you know the complaint has been received, and the Compliance Manager will make all necessary efforts to respond within ten working days (FX derivatives statement, page 30). If a satisfactory outcome cannot be achieved, you should refer the matter in writing to Jarden’s external approved disputes resolution scheme, Financial Services Complaints Limited (FX derivatives statement, page 30). Financial Services Complaints Limited will not charge you a fee for investigating or resolving a complaint (FX derivatives statement, page 31). You may also choose to complain to NZX where the complaint relates to Jarden’s business as an NZX Participant (FX derivatives statement, page 31).

Jarden at a glance: 9 key facts

The table below lets you check the licence status, the date it was granted, or where client money is held. David Levy fact-checked the figures and credentials on this page.

Jarden funding methods and withdrawals

Jarden only accepts payments to one of its client trust accounts through electronic transfer, and it is Jarden’s policy not to accept bank cheques or cash for trading FX contracts (FX derivatives statement, page 28). Jarden requires that funds you transfer electronically must originate from a bank account in the same name as your Jarden account, and Jarden reserves the right to return any third party funds to the remitting bank (FX derivatives statement, page 28).

Deposit methods (NZ clients)

Jarden has a strict “no cash” policy for funds being deposited into its client accounts, and if you deposit physical cash you will be contacted and a 15% cash handling fee will apply to that cash deposit (FX derivatives statement, page 27). For CFD accounts, Jarden can only facilitate additional fund deposits on your behalf within New Zealand times of 8:00am to 5:00pm (CFD statement, page 10). To confirm whether your funds have been received, you can contact Jarden during business hours, 8am to 5pm (FX derivatives statement, page 28).

Withdrawals

Jarden will charge payment fees on a withdrawal from your Jarden account where the payment is a foreign currency transfer, where the payment is to an overseas beneficiary, or where the payment is in NZD to a New Zealand bank account but is a same day transaction (FX derivatives statement, page 27). You are unable to withdraw funds if you are on margin call, and all funds must be cleared before Jarden will release any payment (FX derivatives statement, page 29).

Jarden accounts and minimum deposit

Jarden checks your application before opening the account, then sets the commissions, service level and instruction rules that govern it. Jarden reviews the information you provide in the Client Application Form, taking into consideration your previous experience in financial markets, your ability to understand the risks of the product, and your financial means to meet your requirements, and it reserves the right to refuse to open an account or allow you to trade FX derivatives should it believe you do not meet its standards (FX derivatives statement, page 32). Part of the account opening process requires you to complete a statement of financial position (FX derivatives statement, page 32). As a general rule, a net asset figure of NZD 100,000 is required, which can be reviewed on an individual basis depending on your financial circumstances and relevant trading experience, and a dealer will contact you to discuss your trading requirements and the level of service you require (FX derivatives statement, page 32). Jarden does not offer discretionary investment management services for FX derivatives, which means all orders must be authorised by you or a person authorised to trade on the account (FX derivatives statement, page 20). Commissions are variable, are agreed with you upon opening the account, and can also take the form of a spread between the wholesale exchange rate Jarden obtains and the rate it offers you (FX derivatives statement, page 26). On Jarden Market Trader, the standard commission differs depending on the underlying asset, and for most CFDs it is 0.4%, while data fees may apply if you receive live data for the Jarden Market Trader exchange (CFD statement, page 16).

Minimum deposit

The minimum lodgement to open an account is generally NZD 10,000 (FX derivatives statement, page 32). The size or type of FX derivatives you intend to trade may require a higher premium or initial margin, and you should always hold more than the required premium or initial margin in your account, as a buffer against adverse price movements (FX derivatives statement, page 32). At month end the interest calculated on each currency is converted to the account’s base currency, which is NZD unless otherwise instructed (FX derivatives statement, page 26).

Jarden trading platforms

Jarden runs a dealing desk alongside its online platforms, and the route depends on the product you want to trade. For CFDs, quotes come through the dealing desk or through the online trading platform Jarden Market Trader (CFD statement, page 5). For FX derivatives, quotes come through the dealing desk, or through the electronic online platform Fx24, which is for Forwards (FX derivatives statement, page 5). To place a margin FX order, you ask a Jarden dealer for a quotation for the price at which you may enter the contract (FX derivatives statement, page 21).

Jarden markets

Jarden advises on and facilitates trades in the foreign exchange, carbon, options, equities, contracts for difference and futures markets (FX derivatives statement, page 3). The FX derivatives statement covers foreign exchange options, deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts and margin foreign exchange contracts (FX derivatives statement, page 1), while the CFD statement covers contracts for difference over an index or a share (CFD statement, page 3). For background, see what a CFD is and how it is treated in New Zealand. For FX derivatives, margin generally runs from 1% to 20% of the notional face value, depending on volatility (FX derivatives statement, page 13), while margin FX traded through the dealing desk is typically set at 3%, varying with the volatility of the underlying currency and subject to change given market conditions (FX derivatives statement, page 11). The CFD statement sets the initial margin for share CFDs at a minimum of 10%, varying with the volatility of the underlying share price, the capitalisation of the company, and the size of your exposure (CFD statement, page 8).

Jarden leverage and margin for New Zealand clients

The margin call rules differ by product and by route. On Jarden Market Trader, Jarden generally will not issue margin calls, and Jarden generally will liquidate positions in your account in order to satisfy margin requirements without prior notice to you and without an opportunity for you to choose the positions to be liquidated or the timing or order of liquidation (CFD statement, page 9). For FX derivatives, a Jarden dealer contacts you by phone, text or email to advise you of the margin call, or a daily statement is transmitted electronically to your notified email address (FX derivatives statement, page 14). It is your responsibility to maintain current margin requirements on your position and meet your margin call within 24 hours, or such earlier time as Jarden may notify under its Terms and Conditions and Supplementary Derivative Terms and Conditions (FX derivatives statement, page 14). Failure to do so will result in Jarden closing your position, and you remain liable for any costs or losses (FX derivatives statement, page 14). If you are a resident overseas you may have up to 48 hours to meet your margin call, but if you cannot be contacted Jarden may be forced to close all or some of your positions (FX derivatives statement, page 14).

Close-out rules, margin calls and holding costs

Jarden can increase its “house” maintenance margin requirements for CFDs at any time without advance written notice, and these changes often take effect immediately (CFD statement, page 9). Where an unrealised loss erodes all of your balance above the initial margin required, Jarden Market Trader will automatically close out the position, and where you hold more than one position the largest is closed out first because it frees up the greatest margin (CFD statement, page 14). You can enter into overloss with no limit to the amount, and in that event you are in default with Jarden (FX derivatives statement, page 25). You pay default interest daily at the rate set by Jarden from time to time, typically 2.0% above Jarden’s base rates, for accounts in deficit (FX derivatives statement, page 26). Margin FX held overnight is subject to a holding cost, roll or credit based on the overnight swaps or the interest rate differential of the two currencies you are trading, with three day swaps or rolls every Thursday morning New Zealand time (FX derivatives statement, page 11). An open CFD incurs a holding charge that reflects the funding of the position (CFD statement, page 17). If you have bought a CFD you will typically pay 2.5%, and if you have sold a CFD you may typically receive 0.5% (CFD statement, page 17).

Jarden customer support

Jarden has offices in Auckland and Wellington, with the Auckland office at PwC Tower, Level 32, 15 Custom Street West (FX derivatives statement, page 30). The specialist dealing desks operate Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm and Saturday 6am to 11am, depending on daylight saving (FX derivatives statement, page 30). Once your account has been opened and funds deposited, a Jarden advisor provides you with an account number and a direct dealing telephone number (FX derivatives statement, page 20). If you are planning around the trading session in New Zealand time, the specialist dealing desk hours are the place to start.

Should you open an account with Jarden?

Yes, if you want Fx24 online Forwards trading, granted where Jarden considers it appropriate for you, in addition to the dealing desk and phone broking that come with your account (FX derivatives statement, page 20). No, if neither you nor an authorised person can be contacted for instructions at any time, even when travelling (FX derivatives statement, page 14), or if being unable to withdraw funds while on margin call does not suit you (FX derivatives statement, page 29). The Financial Markets Authority describes leveraged forex trading as borrowing money to place a bet, with the full borrowed amount repayable on a loss, and it says it regularly receives complaints and enquiries from consumers who have lost money in online forex trading.

Once the account exists, the documents still govern how it runs. Check which route quotes the product you want to trade, and how the margin rules on that route work. Read the loss provisions in both statements.