Interactive Brokers Adds Karta Visa to IBKR Accounts

Interactive Brokers has introduced a Karta Visa card for eligible IBKR clients, allowing card-linked spending directly from brokerage accounts while maintaining the firm‘s broader cash management suite. The USD-denominated card carries no foreign transaction fees and is positioned as an extension of IBKR’s unified platform for saving, trading, investing, and spending.

What The Karta Visa Adds

The Karta Visa is designed as a travel-forward companion to IBKRs cash management, with a focus on fee relief and premium services layered onto everyday spending. Core program elements include a no-FX-fee policy, price and purchase protection, and luxury travel concierge services that can arrange flights, hotels, and hard-to-book dining experiences.

• Eligible IBKR clients can apply and receive an immediate virtual card provisioned to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for same-day use.
• Cardholders gain access to airport lounges and the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, supporting frequent travelers who value lounge comfort and elite-rate amenities.
• Rewards accrue on travel and lifestyle purchases, with 24/7 WhatsApp support that blends AI-powered help and live concierge for real-time trip changes.

Company executives frame the rollout as a practical extension of IBKRs all-in-one money management approach. CEO Milan Galik notes the card simplifies oversight of finances by merging spending with the same account that holds cash and investments, while Karta CEO Freddy Juez highlights the elimination of FX fees and always-on concierge as central to the travel experience.

Cash Management Context

IBKRs cash management features remain intact alongside the new card, providing a rate-bearing cash hub with integrated borrowing options. Clients can earn interest up to 3.62% on instantly available balances, or borrow at 4.62–5.62% through the same brokerage account when cash is short for securities or other purchases.

• Global use is emphasized: the card‘s no foreign transaction fee policy aligns with the platform’s cross-border footprint.
• Depositing remains flexible, with mobile check deposit and automatic payroll deposit options available through the IBKR app.
• IBKR underscores balance-sheet strength and conservative risk management as safeguards for client assets tied to spending and investing on a single platform.

At launch, availability spans multiple regions, with eligibility determined by Interactive Brokers regional entities and product permissions. Program details and service regions are directed to the dedicated Karta Visa information channel for IB LLC jurisdictions.

Why This Matters for Brokers

For brokers, card-linked spend embedded into the brokerage account can widen client engagement beyond trading windows and deepen platform loyalty through travel-first perks. The integration can reduce friction between cash held for investing and day-to-day transactions, while the concierge and lounge benefits create a differentiated premium layer for high-frequency travelers and internationally active clients.

• The travel rewards, luxury hotel access, and protection benefits position the card as a lifestyle utility rather than a basic debit adjunct, potentially increasing wallet share without adding FX costs.
• Instant virtual issuance supports rapid adoption and immediate spend, a practical edge during travel or time-sensitive purchases.
• Aligning earn and borrow rates inside the brokerage context gives clients a clearer view of opportunity cost and leverage when deciding whether to hold cash, invest, or spend.

About Interactive Brokers Group

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBKR) is an S&P 500 member whose affiliates provide automated trade execution and custody across more than 160 markets, instruments, and currencies via a single, unified platform. The firm serves individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors, and introducing brokers, with a longstanding emphasis on technology, execution quality, and low-cost access to tools, research, and products. IBKR is frequently recognized by industry publications, including Barrons, Investopedia, and Stockbrokers.com.