Margin lending is a great way for you to increase the size and diversity of a portfolio.

Administered by Bell Potter
Direct margin lending
With Desktop Broker you can gear a share portfolio by trading directly from a Direct Margin Lending account. This integrated solution enables you to place orders, settle your trades and earn a decent daily interest rate on your clients' cash.
Desktop Broker's new margin lending facility is administered by Bell Potter Capital and offers:
- A flexible loan facility
- Your clients' cash and geared shares consolidated into one trading account
- A fully automated solution, so stock holdings immediately reflect executed trades
- All trades administered by Bell Potter Capital using straight through processing, just like any other Desktop Broker share trading account
- Free conditional orders
- An extensive approved security list
How the Direct Margin Loan works
- Loan to Valuation Ratio (LVR) and margin loan rates are benchmarked to best in market
- Earn a competitive interest rate on your cash (when your account has a positive balance). Alternatively, when your margin loan is drawn down you’ll pay a variable margin loan interest rate.
- Variable loan rate of 9.40% p.a. effective 21/05/2025. For a full variable rate schedule, please email support@desktopbroker.com.au.
- Our headline rate for June 2025 for a 12-month fixed prepaid loan is 7.35% p.a.
Prepaid Fixed rates effective from 02/06/2025
Loan Balance | 12-month fixed prepaid |
---|---|
$0 - $250k | 7.35% |
$250k - $500k | 7.20% |
$500k - $1m | 7.05% |
$1m+ | *Request quote |
*Please contact Bell Potter Capital on 1800 061 327 or our sales team to request a quote.
Key features | |
---|---|
Minimum initial loan | None for variable, $25,000 for fixed |
Minimal loan balance | None for variable, $25,000 for fixed |
Minimum loan drawdown or repayment | None for variable (does not apply to fixed) |
Minimum call buffer | 10% of the geared value of the shares |
Minimum loan balance | None for variable, $25,000 for fixed |
Orders validated online as they are placed
- See real time data for your LVR every time you view a stock or on the order pad along with:
- Approved security list (updated daily). Click here for recent updates to the approved security list
- Credit limit
- Loan balance
- Surplus (funds available for shares purchased or funds withdrawn)
- Portfolio holding balance - under borrower facility - to include profit/loss by stock as well as cost price
- Set email and SMS alerts to let you know if your client's loan is in the buffer (i.e. when the margin ratio is 100% or more)
- Pre-pay interest
- Trade on the go from your margin loan account using the Desktop Broker website or your Smartphone
As with any investment strategy there are risks so as your first step make sure you read the product disclosure statement and the terms and conditions.
Direct Invesment Account
Direct Investment Account balance | Interest rate |
---|---|
$0 to $100,000 | 0.95% pa |
>$100,000 | 1.10% pa |
For more information about the Direct Investment Account (formally named “Bell Financial Trust”) PDS and Additional Information click here.
The Bell Financial Trust Target Market Determination (TMD) is available free of charge by contacting Bell Potter Capital Ltd on 1800 061 327 or by clicking on this link. Previous versions of the TMD are available by calling 1800 061 327.
Interest rates are subject to change. Current interest rates are not a reliable indicator of future interest rates. The Direct Investment Account (formally named the Bell Financial Trust ARSN 164 391 119) is a managed investment scheme that is registered with ASIC. The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited ABN 45 003 278 831 AFSL No. 235150 is the responsible entity of the Trust. The Trust is administered by Bell Potter Capital Limited ABN 54 085 797 735 AFSL No. 360457. The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Perpetual Limited (ABN 86 000 431 827). Bell Financial Trust is secured over the assets of Bell Potter Capital. Guarantee details and associated risks are disclosed in our PDS. The information provided in this document is general information only and does not constitute investment or other advice. The content of this document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to subscribe for units in the Fund. Any investment decision in connection with the Trust should only be made based on the information contained in the disclosure document for the Fund. Neither Bell Potter Capital nor Perpetual guarantee repayment of any particular rate of return from the Fund. Perpetual do not give any representation or warranty as to the reliability or accuracy of the information contained in this document. All opinions and estimates included in this document constitute judgments of Bell Potter Capital as at the date of this document and are subject to change without notice.
Want to know more
If you have any questions:
- Send an email to Desktop Broker
- Call our client support team on 1300 726 177