What is EFG Hermes?Trading PlatformsMarketsAccount TypesPayment MethodsFeesRegulationSecurityCustomer SupportAdvantagesDisadvantagesEFG Hermes VerdictAccepted CountriesAlternatives to EFG HermesFAQ
EFG Hermes is a financial services corporation and brokerage group that operates in global markets. While it has a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), day traders from around the world can sign up and speculate on a range of different instruments using either the One or the Pro platform. This 2022 EFG Hermes review will explore the company’s services and outline its platforms, markets, pros, cons and security details.
What is EFG Hermes?
Company Details
Egyptian Financial Group (EFG) Hermes Holding carries out many banking and non-bank financial institution (NBFI) services. These include investment banking, private equity investment management, asset management, research and leasing solutions. In addition, EFG Hermes operates as a securities brokerage firm.
As a broker, it offers many markets in the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region. The firm has MENA offices in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. This is in addition to its head office, which can be found on Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo in Egypt. According to Mubasher, the EFG Hermes Holding company has a market cap of EGP 14.4 billion, which equates to around USD 915 million.
History
EFG Hermes was launched in 1984, though it did not commence its brokerage operations until 1993. There is a large ownership group comprised of many executives, such as Karim Moussa, Mona Zulficar and current CEO Karim Awad. Since Karim Awad took the CEO position in 2013, the broker has won many awards. For example, of the EMEA Finance’s Banking Awards of 2013, it won the best broker awards in Egypt and in Kuwait.
If you wish to see information on each year of the broker’s operations, you can find annual reports, financial statements and research team reports on the website. The broker also hosts several conferences like the EFG Hermes and Tadawul investor conference. Often, these take place in different countries around the world, such as the UK and Egypt. However, in 2020 and 2021, they were replaced with virtual conferences. Annual reports for individual branches such as EFG Hermes Holding SAE are not freely accessible and must be purchased.
Trading Platforms
EFG Hermes Pro
This is a technologically advanced platform that offers access to many different stock exchanges and markets. You can download the Pro platform on Microsoft Windows computer devices. Features include:
Live price data
Historical charts
Custom watchlists
Conditional alerts
Customisable alerts and orders
Hot Spot Bar with multiple trading views
EFG Hermes Pro Platform
EFG Hermes One
The One platform is the option for clients looking to trade online while on the go. The application is available for download on iOS and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Ensure you have the correct name and logo before downloading the application. The mobile platform offers the same markets as the Pro platform but with some additional features, such as:
Customisable alerts
One-click/one-tap trading
Many technical analysis tools
Full access to accounts with trading capabilities
Markets
With the EFG Hermes securities brokerage service, customers have access to many different markets and stock exchanges. Instruments on offer include the following:
Forex
Bonds
Stocks
Indices
CFDs on equities, indices (such as EGX30 of Egypt and TASI of the KSA), currencies and commodities.
The broker operates mainly with the stock exchanges of countries within MENA, such as Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. The firm also offers day trading with stock exchanges in frontier emerging markets, including Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Vietnam.
Trading Hours
The EFG Hermes working hours vary with the different markets. For the normal trading session in Egypt, the trading hours are 10:00 – 14:30 local time (EET). OTC markets are only open for a half-hour period between 12:00 and 12:30 EET on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Account Types
There is one account option available for retail investors. The standard individual account provides access to live stocks and shares prices, as well as price history charts and graphs. Clients can speculate on the full range of markets and instruments, with floating spreads. To open an account with EFG Hermes, sign up on the broker’s website. You will need to provide personal information such as date of birth and nationality, as well as sign an agreement before you can commence trading.
Demo Account
Day traders that wish to test out the platforms or trial the broker’s services can sign up for a demo account. This option has no time limit and lets you fund the account with virtual capital in a real-time simulated trading environment. To enquire, call the customer service team.
Payment Methods
EFG Hermes does not offer an extensive range of payment options and those available vary according to your country. Egypt-based clients can fund their accounts via bank transfers, cheques and cash deposits. All other customers must deposit via bank wire transfer.
There is no minimum initial deposit or transaction charge. Deposits can be made in USD, EUR and GBP, though securities are purchased using the currency of the exchange, so conversion fees may apply.
Withdrawals can only be made via bank wire transfer. While the broker does not charge for this, you may incur third-party fees from your bank.
Fees
EFG Hermes earns its revenue from global clients, those not based in Egypt, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, via spread markups, with no commissions charged. Egyptian day traders are charged an EGP 75 per month fee for access to the live market data. Fees from the other local countries vary and can be found upon enquiry.
Regulation
The EFG Hermes UAE Limited branch of the Holdings group is licensed and regulated by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under registration number 113. Additionally, the firm is certified by the British Standards Institution, covering processes to account for possible disruption to normal business operation. The broker carries out annual drills that test the computing systems to ensure they are well designed and there is a sufficient number of redundancies for protection.
Security
There are second-level account authentication processes in place for login and account registration. When users create an account, they must provide a valid passport, national ID and proof of address to access the financial markets.
EFG Hermes One App
Customer Support
EFG Hermes has many branches across the MENA region that customers can contact in either Arabic or English. Often, there is more than one office location per country. For example, in Egypt, there are branches in Alexandria, Maadi, Cairo and Dokki in Giza. In Saudi Arabia, there is an office in Riyadh and a brokerage call centre. There are also branches outside of the MENA region, such as Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan, Dhaka in Bangladesh, New York in the USA and London in the UK. Each office has a phone number hotline and an email address, which is particularly useful for area-specific issues.
Alternatively, you can contact the firm through one of its many social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. These are also helpful channels to keep up to date with news, announcements and research.
Advantages
Mobile trading
Margin trading
Low fees for global customers
Exotic range of equities markets
Physical branches for in-person support
Disadvantages
Limited payment methods
Time-limited demo account
EFG Hermes Verdict
EFG Hermes is an exotic and accessible broker that is based in Egypt and caters primarily to the MENA region, though global clients are accepted. The firm offers a desktop trading platform or a mobile application through which to speculate on a wide range of securities and CFDs from the region and across the world. The company also demonstrates a focus on customer service, with a local phone number and email address for most customer regions, as well as lots of physical branch locations. However, the payment methods on offer are limited and those wishing to trial the firm using its demo account have a limited time to do so.
Accepted Countries
EFG Hermes accepts traders from Australia, Thailand, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Qatar and most other countries.
Alternatives to EFG Hermes
If you are looking for alternatives to EFG Hermes we have compiled a list of the top 5 brokers that are similar to EFG Hermes below. This list of brokers like EFG Hermes is in order of similarity and only includes companies that accept traders from your location.
UFX – UFX are forex trading specialists that also offer popular stocks, ETFs, indices, and commodities. Offering tight spreads and one of the best ranges of major and minor pairs, they are a great option for aspiring FX investors.
Fondex – Fondex is an award-winning forex and CFD broker with industry low trading costs.
Hantec Markets – Hantec Markets is a multi-regulated online FX broker offering MT4 and a tailored service providing flexibility to suit any trader.
AdroFX – AdroFX is a regulated, global broker offering forex, CFD and crypto trading with MT4 access and attractive welcome bonuses.
LQDFX – LQDFX offers online trading with multiple STP accounts and MT4 analysis tools.
FAQ
Who Is The Founder Of EFG Hermes?
EFG Hermes was launched by Dr Mohamed Taymour, though he is no longer the owner. Nowadays, there is a large board of directors and management team, up-to-date details of which can be found on the website. The full list of shareholders, such as Natixis S.A and RA MENA Holdings, can also be found on the website on the investor relations page.
Where Can I Find Out More About EFG Hermes?
Websites such as Reuters, Zoominfo and Zawya are good for details on news and events such as acquisitions, funds and the different parts of the company. For example, the EFG Hermes non-profit Foundation or investor relations. The broker’s website has press releases and its own news section for information on company activities, such as partnerships with valU, Ignis and Tanmeyah and the many funds, including an education fund, the Vortex Energy fund, the MEDA fund and mutual funds. Reuters additionally reported on the controversial links between Gamal Mubarak, a shareholder, and the broker.
Is EFG Hermes Regulated?
Yes, EFG Hermes is regulated by the Dubai International Finance Centre.
What Are The Different Branches Of The EFG Hermes Group?
There are many different branches of the firm under a range of jurisdictions outside of the main Holding SAE and Brokerage Group in Egypt. There are several in other Middle East countries, such as the EFG Hermes Syria LLC, EFG Hermes IFA Financial Brokerage Company and EFG Hermes UAE Ltd. In Africa, there is EFG Hermes Kenya Ltd. and EFG Hermes Nigeria Ltd. Furthermore, there are global branches such as EFG Hermes UK Limited and EFG Hermes SP Limited in the Cayman Islands.
What Stock Exchanges Does EFG Hermes Offer Securities From?
EFG Hermes clients can invest in or speculate upon stocks, shares and indices from exchanges and markets in Egypt, the UAE, Nigeria, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Kenya, Vietnam and more. This includes Tadawul and the Nairobi Stock Exchange.