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As a seasoned trader, I always put a premium on understanding the complete cost structure before choosing a broker for major indices like the US100. With Standard Bank, I found that assessing the total trading cost is uniquely challenging due to the lack of detailed information on critical elements such as spreads, leverage, and account features. The only transparent cost Standard Bank mentions is a deposit fee of US$0.05, alongside an administration fee of 20 basis points (0.20%), but there are no explicit transaction fees according to their available details. While they claim not to charge transaction fees on their proprietary Webtrader platform, it’s the absence of regulation and specifics on spreads and overnight financing that raises red flags for me. In my experience, a broker’s regulatory status directly affects trust. Because Standard Bank operates without recognized regulation, there’s an elevated risk that trading costs or other conditions could change or be less favorable than they initially seem. The administration fee adds an ongoing cost, which, for frequent index traders, can accumulate quickly. Additionally, the lack of information on whether overnight holding costs or other indirect fees apply is a concern. For me, the real issue isn't just the visible fees, but the transparency and security of the trading environment—a critical consideration when evaluating your true cost-to-trade on indices like the US100 with this broker.