However, it’s important to use margin and margin loans responsibly. How do margin accounts and margin loans work? Margin accounts can be setup for most non-retirement investment accounts. Account assets within act as collateral and the custodian (ex. Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard) will loan the owner money based on those assets. The percentage varies from brokerage firm to brokerage firm, just as interest rates vary from bank to bank. After all, the margin loan is a type of loan. Interactive Brokers consistently offers margin rates below 3%, while WellsTrade customers might pay 9% or even higher. Other Benefits of Brokerage Margin Accounts You can satisfy a margin call in 1 of 4 ways: Sell securities in your margin account. Or buy securities to cover short positions. Send money to your account by electronic bank transfer, wire, or check by overnight mail.. Sell or exchange Vanguard mutual funds from an account held in your name and use the proceeds to purchase shares of your money market settlement fund.