Trading Profit Withdrawals
Trading profits can be withdrawn at any time via IB's web site, and are processed free if there is only one withdrawal per month. Trading profits can be withdrawn in any currency, and can only be withdrawn to a bank account that matches the trading account name (i.e. the trader's name).
Reliability
Interactive Brokers occasionally has problems with market data, and sometimes features do not work as expected, but this is rare, and IB can be considered a reliable brokerage. IB releases updated versions of their TWS trading software regularly, and with a few exceptions, the upgrade process is easy to perform and usually goes smoothly. IB can be contacted via their web site (i.e. text chat, email, etc.), or via the telephone in several countries, and can process most requests (e.g. manual trade exits, etc.) immediately.
Recommendation
Even with their high initial deposit ($10,000), Interactive Brokers is a very good choice for both new traders and experienced traders, and the best choice for professional traders. IB offers the largest range of markers (i.e. US, European, and Asian markets) of any brokerage that I am aware of, and offers both the ease of use that beginning traders will appreciate, and the flexibility that more advanced traders will need. IB's low commissions and fees make them an attractive choice for both low and high volume traders, and their reliability makes them a practical choice. In addition, the About.com day trading site references IB frequently in its guides and tutorials, so IB is the best choice if you are planning on following these tutorials.
