What is an unsecured margin account?

• A. A margin account with a debit balance and no collateral securities
• B. A margin account that requires higher margins
• C. An account that does not require any trades
• D. A margin account with excess liquidity

Answer: (A)

An unsecured margin account refers to a situation where the account holds a debit balance but does not have any collateral securities to offset that balance. This means that the account holder has borrowed funds from the brokerage to purchase securities, but has not provided any securities in return as collateral for that loan. Since there are no securities backing the borrowed amount, the account is considered "unsecured." This type of account can pose a higher risk for both the account holder and the brokerage, as there is no asset to liquidate in case of a default.

The other options do not accurately define an unsecured margin account. A margin account that requires higher margins does not necessarily imply that it is unsecured; the margin requirement refers to the proportion of the amount borrowed versus the value of the securities purchased. An account that does not require any trades is not relevant to the definition of a margin account, which is inherently tied to the concept of borrowing and leveraging investments. Lastly, an account with excess liquidity suggests that there are sufficient funds available and does not imply any debit balance or lack of collateral.