Why I Chose Interactive Brokers for My Investments in Israel
Hey, please read the financial disclaimer below before reading this.*
I want to start this off by being super clear: I am just a normal guy. I’m not a financial wizard, I don’t wear a suit to work (not that anyone in Israel does, really), and I’m definitely not a licensed advisor. But, I do have a bunch of friends who are constantly asking me the same question: “Where do you keep your money?”
So, instead of repeating myself at the Shabbas table or over WhatsApp, I wanted to write this down. This is just me sharing my own logic and what works for me.
When I decided to get serious about my financial future, I chose Interactive Brokers (IBKR). Here is exactly why I picked them over the other options out there.
1. The “Sleep at Night” Factor (Trustworthiness)
This was honestly my number one criteria. I am planning to put money into this account for decades—10, 20, maybe 30 years. The absolute last thing I wanted was to wake up one morning, check the news, and find out the platform disappeared along with my life savings.
I chose Interactive Brokers because they are publicly traded. That means they are under public scrutiny, they have heavy regulations, and they have to report their financials. That transparency gives me the safety of mind I need. It’s a well-respected platform that has been around for ages, used by both hobbyists and serious professional traders. It’s not some fly-by-night app that’s going to vanish.
2. It Speaks My Language (English)
Literally. As a native English speaker living in Israel, dealing with complex financial terms in Hebrew can be a nightmare. IBKR is natively built for English speakers. The interface, the support, the documents—it’s all in English. That is huge for me.
I remember asking my bank what their fees were and they sent me a 30-page Hebrew document with tables and percentages that I had no idea what to do with.
3. It’s Accessible (I’m not a US/UK citizen)
I didn’t need to be a US citizen or have a massive pile of cash to get started. There were no barrier-to-entry minimums, and they make it easy for people living in Israel to open an account. It felt accessible from day one.
4. It Actually Works in Israel (The Shekel Factor)
This is the practical stuff. My life is in Shekels. I earn in Shekels. I didn’t want a headache every time I wanted to deposit money.
Interactive Brokers has a local Israeli bank account for deposits. I can just transfer Shekels from my Israeli bank to their Israeli account, and then convert it on the platform. It’s smooth and I don’t get killed on exchange rates by my local bank.
5. The Fees (Or Lack Thereof)
If you’ve ever tried investing through an Israeli bank, you know the fees can be painful. They take a cut when you buy, a cut when you sell, and sometimes even a fee just for holding the stock (custody fees).
IBKR has incredibly low trading fees and no holding fees. Since my strategy is to buy and hold for the long term, I didn’t want fees eating into my compound interest over time.
My Strategy & A Small Caveat
My plan is boring but effective: I transfer money, I invest it, and I let it sit there. I haven’t actually gone through the process of selling stocks and withdrawing large sums of money yet. I assume it’s straightforward because the platform is legitimate, but I haven’t stress-tested that part personally.
My plan? When I’m eventually ready to liquidate and take the money out in 20 years, I’ll hire a professional to help me navigate the tax and logistics. But for the building wealth phase, IBKR has been perfect for me.
*I am not a financial advisor or licensed professional. I am just a normal guy sharing my personal experience and opinions for entertainment and informational purposes. This should not be read as financial advice. If you want actual financial advice, please go to a licensed, registered service provider. I highly recommend speaking to Blue and White Finance (I’m not affiliated with them at all, they are just excellent and will be able to put you on the right track.)
