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Margin Calls
Margin Calls are communications from E*TRADE requiring the deposit of cash or marginable securities to satisfy E*TRADE's margin requirements. Margin calls may include federal margin calls, Reg. T Calls (to meet Federal Reserve Regulation T requirements), house calls (to meet E*TRADE's requirements), minimum equity calls, day trading calls and day trading minimum equity calls. If you see a call on the Balances page, this means that your account requires the deposit of additional money or marginable securities. The value is the dollar amount that you must add to your account. This action may require selling securities in your account to meet the call, or closing short positions. Our recommendation is that you either wire funds or send them via overnight courier (such as FedEx or UPS). If you want to send funds by overnight courier, please call us at 1-800-786-2575 to inform us and tell us the tracking information so we can note it on your account.

For more information about meeting a margin call.

If you choose to liquidate positions or wire funds, the call will not be reduced until the following market day.

Note:
We may take action in your account with or without notice to you. E*TRADE Securities may close out any or all security positions in your account at our discretion at any time.

Source: E*TRADE FINANCIAL