Initial Margin
The percentage of the purchase price of securities (that can be purchased on margin) that the investor must pay for with his or her own cash or marginable securities.

Also called the "initital margin requirement".

Investopedia Says:
According to Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, the initial margin is currently 50%. This level is only a minimum and some brokerages require you to deposit more than 50%.

For futures contracts, initial margin requirements are set by the exchange.

Related Terms:
Broker's Call
Buying Power
Call Loan
Call Loan Rate
Current Market Value - CMV
Federal Reserve Board - FRB
Leverage
Maintenance Margin
Margin
Margin Account
Margin Call
Minimum Margin
Regulation T

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