Beginner

Gross Deposits

Also known as: Total deposits, Gross funding

What is Gross Deposits?

Gross Deposits is the total amount of money an IB's referred clients pay into their trading accounts over a period, before any withdrawals are subtracted. It is a top-line funding figure that measures how much capital your marketing brought onto the broker's platform.

Because it ignores withdrawals, gross deposits can overstate the real, retained capital. If ten of your clients each deposit $1,000, your gross deposits are $10,000, even if half of them withdraw $800 the next week. The withdrawn amounts are captured separately in net deposits, which subtract client withdrawals from gross.

Key takeaways
  • Total client funding before withdrawals are subtracted.
  • Signals raw acquisition and sales power to the broker.
  • Often sets IB tiers, bonuses, and rebate rates.
  • Can overstate value if withdrawal rates are high.
  • Always read alongside net deposits and retention.

Brokers watch gross deposits to gauge a partner's raw acquisition and sales power, and often use deposit milestones to set IB tiers, bonuses, or rebate rates. A partner reporting $500,000 in monthly gross deposits signals strong reach, which strengthens negotiating leverage for a higher commission tier.

However, gross deposits alone can mislead. A partner with high gross but high withdrawal rates delivers little lasting value to the broker. Sophisticated programs therefore pair gross deposits with net deposits and client-activity metrics before deciding how much a partner is really worth.

How it works

Every time a referred client tops up a trading account, that amount is added to your gross deposits for the period. The metric is cumulative and directional: it only ever counts inflows, never subtracting the withdrawals those same clients later make.

Brokers report gross deposits in the IB dashboard alongside net deposits (gross minus withdrawals) and active-client counts. Partner tiers, volume bonuses, and rebate uplifts are frequently triggered by hitting gross-deposit thresholds, but final commercial reviews usually inspect the net figure and withdrawal ratio to judge client quality.

Why it matters for partnership: Gross deposits show a broker your raw acquisition power and often set your IB tier, bonuses, and rebate rates. But brokers weigh net deposits and retention too, so chase clients who stay and trade, not just fund and flee.

Formula
Gross Deposits = Σ All Client Deposits (period), withdrawals excluded
Real World Example

An IB on the FBS partner program drives 120 new clients in a month who deposit a combined $340,000, giving $340,000 in gross deposits. However, $150,000 is withdrawn within weeks, so net deposits are only $190,000. The broker uses the $190,000 net figure, not the headline gross, when reviewing the IB's tier upgrade.

Gross Deposits vs Net Deposits
Metric Withdrawals What it shows Used for
Gross Deposits Not subtracted Raw funding inflow Acquisition reach, tier triggers
Net Deposits Subtracted Retained client capital True partner value, payouts

Pro Tip

Track your gross-to-net deposit ratio each month; a widening gap between the two is an early warning that clients are funding then quickly withdrawing.

Common Pitfalls

Boasting about high gross deposits to negotiate a better tier backfires when the broker sees an equally high withdrawal rate and judges your client quality as poor.

FAQ

What is the difference between gross and net deposits?

Gross deposits count all client funding inflows, while net deposits subtract the withdrawals those clients make. Net is the better measure of retained value.

Do brokers pay IBs on gross deposits?

Rarely directly. Gross deposits often trigger tiers or bonuses, but commissions are usually based on trading activity or net deposits, since gross can be inflated by quick withdrawals.

Why are my gross deposits high but my income low?

Likely your clients deposit and withdraw quickly or trade very little, so despite strong funding, they generate little commissionable volume or retained capital.

How can I improve my gross-to-net ratio?

Focus on onboarding, education, and support so clients stay funded and active, and target audiences more likely to trade regularly rather than test the platform and leave.

Is a re-deposit counted in gross deposits?

Yes. Gross deposits count every inflow, including top-ups and re-deposits by existing clients, not just first-time funding.

Do withdrawals reduce my gross deposits?

No. By definition gross deposits ignore withdrawals; those only affect the net deposit figure.