What does "fully secured" refer to in a margin account?

• A. Securities within the account are worthless
• B. Securities within the account are worth more than the outstanding loan balance
• C. Securities within the account are worth less than the outstanding loan balance
• D. Securities are unencumbered

Answer: (B)

The term "fully secured" in the context of a margin account means that the value of the securities held within the account exceeds the outstanding loan balance. This indicates that the investor has enough collateral to cover the loan they have taken against the securities. In other words, if the outstanding loan balance were to be liquidated, the value of the securities would be sufficient to cover that debt, ensuring that the lender is protected.

Having securities that are fully secured is crucial in margin trading, as it minimizes the risk for both the borrower and the lender. When securities are worth more than the loan balance, it reassures the lender that they have a secure position, even if the market fluctuates. This is especially important in volatile markets where the value of securities can change rapidly.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of "fully secured." For instance, securities being worthless or worth less than the loan balance would indicate a lack of sufficient collateral, which is contrary to the definition of being fully secured. Unencumbered securities refer to those not bound by any loans or claims, which does not specifically address their value in relation to the loan balance.