The minimum amount of equity that must be maintained in a margin account at all times. The Federal Reserve Board has rules governing maintenance requirements. In addition, stock exchanges and brokers have the right to establish supplemental maintenance requirements.
The equity level that must be maintained in a margin account, as required by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and individual brokerage firms.
Is the level of margin necessary to support open positions given adverse price movements. If the maintenance level is violated, a variation call is issued which would be equal to the amount to restore an account to the initial margin level.
The minimum equity required to maintain one or more margin positions. Generally, the maintenance requirement is 30% of the market value of the securities (subject to certain minimums). If the equity in the margin account falls below the maintenance requirement, a margin maintenance call is issued.
The level of equity that must be maintained in a client's margin account. When the market value of a margined security is less than maintenance levels, a margin call is issued for the investor to increase equity.