This OMF review explores the services of OMF (OM Financial Limited), a well-established New Zealand-based brokerage and financial services provider. Licensed under the FMA, OMF offers access to global futures, options, foreign exchange, and equities, catering to both retail and institutional clients with a strong reputation for transparency and compliance.

Regulation and Safety

OMF is licensed and regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand under FSP number FSP18547.

• Complies with the Financial Markets Conduct Act
• Member of NZX (New Zealand Exchange)
• Client funds are held in segregated trust accounts
• Regular financial and operational audits

OMF is considered a trusted local broker with a strong compliance track record in New Zealand’s tightly regulated environment.

Execution Model and Trading Platforms

OMF offers direct market access and agency execution for futures, options, and FX trading. It does not operate a market-making model and instead routes orders to exchange venues or interbank markets.

Available platforms include:

• IRESS: For equities and derivatives trading
• CQG and TT: For futures and options markets
• OMFx: In-house FX platform offering 24/5 pricing

FIX API connectivity is available for institutional clients, along with voice execution for block trades.

Markets and Instruments

OMF offers access to a broad range of financial instruments via global and local markets:

• Futures and options – CME, ICE, SGX, NZX
• Foreign exchange – Spot FX, forwards, and swaps
• Equities – NZX-listed shares and ETFs
• Interest rate and commodity derivatives

Products are suitable for hedging, speculation, and corporate treasury purposes.

Accounts, Spreads and Leverage

Account offerings are tailored for retail, professional, and institutional clients:

• Retail Accounts: Competitive commissions, no dealing desk
• Institutional Accounts: Custom pricing, FIX access, credit facilities

Key conditions:

• Minimum deposit: NZD 5,000 (for most accounts)
• Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail FX, higher for qualified clients
• Spreads: Variable, institutional pricing available
• Margin requirements differ by asset class and contract

Funding and Base Currencies

Funding options include:

• New Zealand domestic bank transfers
• International SWIFT transfers

Base currencies supported include NZD, USD, AUD, and EUR. All funds are held in segregated accounts and processed securely by major New Zealand banks. Withdrawals typically process within 1–2 business days.

Client Protections and Features

OMF prioritises client security and financial transparency:

• Funds held in trust accounts under FMA rules
• Negative balance protection is not standard but risk limits are enforced
• Secure login protocols with client portal access
• Compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) legislation

Clients receive access to daily research, macroeconomic updates, and specialist coverage of NZ agricultural and commodity markets.

Institutional and Retail Offering

OMF serves both segments with tailored services:

• Retail – Futures, FX, and equity access via professional platforms
• Institutional – Prime broker relationships, FX aggregation, FIX, and OTC execution

Advisory services are also available for corporate hedging, carbon credits, and farmgate strategies.

Pros

• FMA-regulated with strong domestic reputation
• Access to global exchanges and OTC FX
• Multiple professional platforms including IRESS and CQG
• Segregated client accounts and robust compliance
• Local expertise in NZX, agricultural, and derivatives markets

Cons

• No MT4 or MT5 support
• Limited international presence outside NZ
• Minimum deposit of NZD 5,000 may deter casual traders
• No crypto CFDs or retail leverage beyond 1:30

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OMF regulated?

Yes, OMF is licensed by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) under FSP18547 and is a member of NZX.

What trading platforms does OMF offer?

OMF supports IRESS, CQG, TT, and its proprietary OMFx platform for FX trading.

Can retail traders open accounts with OMF?

Yes, OMF accepts retail clients, though a minimum deposit of NZD 5,000 is typically required.

Does OMF support cryptocurrency trading?

No, OMF does not offer crypto CFDs or spot cryptocurrency trading.

What instruments can I trade with OMF?

Clients can trade futures, options, FX, and NZX-listed equities across global and local markets.