SoFi

If you want to level up your wealth, investing in esports and gaming companies could help. Here’s how to get started.

Read more

There may be growth opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. What you might want to know to build a diverse cryptocurrency portfolio.

Read more

Investing in the stock market can be an exciting proposition. Stocks provide an opportunity to make your money work for you. In fact, there are two ways to earn money when you own a stock.

The first is through capital appreciation, which is to say that the value of the stock you own increases. As a company becomes larger and more profitable, your tiny slice of the pie—hypothetically—gets larger as well. However, in order to make a profit from the stock, you’ll have to sell it at a higher amount than you initially paid.

The second way to make money on a stock is through a dividend payment.

What is a dividend? That’s when a company periodically gives its shareholders a cash payment—it may also come in the form of more stock shares. The size of that dividend depends on the company’s dividend rate and how many shares you own.

Although not all companies pay dividends, there are some investors who choose to target stocks that do pay dividends.

When investors talk about dividend payments, they are generally referring to the dividends paid out on the common stock of public companies.

A public company is one that offers shares of ownership for sale to the general public that can be bought and sold on an exchange. A stock represents some small fraction of ownership in that company, allowing investors to partake in potential future profits.

A dividend payment could also refer to payments made by a private company to its owners or private shareholders, but that is not the most common use of the phrase. This article will stick with the public company, common stock scenario.

What Is a Dividend Payment?

A dividend payment is a portion of a company’s profits paid out to the shareholders of that company. Dividends can come in the form of cash or as additional stock.

The former is called a cash dividend. The latter is called a stock dividend.

Dividend payouts can happen on a fixed schedule, such as once per quarter, or once or twice annually—though a company can issue them at any time. Unscheduled or spontaneous dividends are sometimes known as special dividends or extra dividends.

A company is not required to pay out a dividend. There are no established rules for dividends; it’s completely up to the company to decide if and when they pay them. Some companies pay dividends like clockwork, and others never do.

Even if they are paid out on a regular schedule, dividends are not guaranteed. A company can skip or delay dividend payments as needed. For example, a company may withhold a dividend if they had a quarter with negative profits.

Though, such a move may upset the shareholders of that company, and that could ultimately reflect in the share price.

When a dividend is declared by a company, shareholders are usually notified by a press release, and the news quickly becomes public. By this time, the company will have set a record date. If you own that stock on the record date, you are entitled to the dividend payment. (The record date is not usually the payable date.)

The day following the record date is called the ex-date, which is the day that the stock begins trading what is called ex-dividend. That means that if you were to buy a stock on or after an ex-date, you are not entitled to receive the most recent dividend payment.

Dividends can be paid out via a check, a deposit into the account where the stock or fund is held, or sometimes, be reinvested into the stock or fund. To find out how your dividend will be paid out, check with the financial institution where you invest.

What Is a Dividend Yield?

A dividend yield (or dividend rate) is a financial ratio that shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its share price. A stock’s dividend yield can be useful for comparing stocks that trade for different dollar amounts and with varying dividend payments.

The amount you receive in a dividend payment is usually based on the number of shares you own. For example, if a stock pays a quarterly dividend of $1 per share and you own 50 shares, you would receive a dividend of $50 each quarter.

But the absolute dollar value of a dividend may not be the most important element. Investors also consider how much they paid for the stock. For example, consider two stocks that both pay a $1 quarterly dividend.

One of these stocks costs $95 per share and the second costs $165. The stock that costs $95 has a better dividend yield or dividend rate than the one that costs $165.

Here’s how to calculate the dividend yield for a stock:

Annual Dividend ÷ Stock’s Price Per Share = Dividend Yield

Let’s use the example from above to determine the dividend yield for each. Remember, both companies are offering a $1 quarterly dividend, which is a $4 annual dividend.

The company with the $95 per share price has a dividend yield of 4.2% ($4 annual dividend ÷ $95 per share = 4.2%). The company with the stock valued at $165 has a yield of 2.4% ($4 annual dividend ÷ $165 per share = 2.4%).

While this formula is useful for comparing dividend yields, there may be other factors to consider when deciding on the better investment. There are many reasons that a company could have a high or low dividend yield, and some insight into why is necessary for analysis.

Why Do Investors Buy Dividend Stocks?

In general, investors would only buy shares of a stock if they believed that investment would be profitable at some point in the future. Therefore, the chance to earn dividends will likely factor into their overall analysis.

It may be helpful to understand that when you hear the performance of the stock market (or a stock) quoted as an annualized number, this figure usually includes both the average price increase of the stock market and the dividend payout.

For example, you could hear, “These stocks are up 10% on average.” It’s possible this could mean that 7% of the 10% is from capital appreciation and 3% from the dividend payment.

Stocks whose prices go on meteoric rises are exciting to watch and get a lot of airtime in the media, but the dividend yield is also an important element of overall returns. The dividend should be considered in an analysis of stocks. Together, price appreciation and dividends make up a stock’s total return.

There are a number of reasons that investors target stocks with a high dividend yield. For one, they could be doing it for strategic reasons.

For example, perhaps their independent analysis shows that stocks with substantial dividends will fare particularly well in the current market environment or that dividend-paying stocks will perform better than average in the foreseeable future.

And then others may simply be including the dividend payout as part of a greater overall analysis on whether to buy a stock. Companies paying a similar dividend could be different in many other ways, and how much dividend a company pays should be considered along with other factors.

Other investors may target dividend-paying stocks as a way to create income. They may be doing this as a way to replace a salary—e.g., in retirement—or to supplement their current income. Investors who are following an income-producing strategy tend to favor dividend-paying stocks, government and corporate bonds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Another reason that investors may target dividends is because they may receive favorable tax treatment depending on their situation, how long they’ve held the stock, and where that stock is held.

Qualified dividends are taxed at long-term capital gains rates, which are lower than ordinary income tax rates. Depending on your income, qualified dividends are taxed at a rate between 0% and 20% . Non-qualified dividends are typically taxed at the same rate as a person’s ordinary income tax rate.

What makes a dividend qualified? This part can get a bit confusing. For the IRS to consider a dividend qualified, they require that the stock investment be held for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date—the day after a corporation’s board declares a dividend payment to shareholders.

Basically, stocks that are held for a short time frame may be subject to a higher tax rate. Stocks held for longer are subject to the lower tax rate. You can find more information about qualified and non-qualified dividends through the IRS .

Your dividend payments are summarized on the Form 1099-DIV, which is sent out by your financial institution. And if you have multiple bank or trading accounts and receive dividends from many financial institutions, you should receive a Form 1099-DIV from each institution.

Note that if you own stocks through a qualified retirement account specifically designed for retirement planning, such as a traditional or Roth IRA, no annual taxes are assessed on dividend payments and capital appreciation, since these accounts enjoy tax-free growth. Though you may be taxed upon withdrawal.

Build Your Strategy

Ready to try your hand at investing in stocks and earning dividends? You may want to consider SoFi Invest, which offers options depending on your preferred investing style.

SoFi active investing is an online trading platform that allows you to buy and sell individual stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Best of all, there are no trading or transaction fees to do so.

This may be especially important for small or new investors because trading fees can often take up a higher proportion of the total amount invested with smaller dollar figures than with larger dollar amounts.

If you’d prefer more help, SoFi automated investing might be a better fit. After answering questions about your goals and risk tolerance, SoFi helps you choose investments and create a diversified portfolio using low-cost ETFs. There’s no fee to get started and they’ll also maintain your investments at no additional cost.

Whether you’re targeting dividend stocks or some other strategy—or just looking to get started, SoFi Invest has an option that may be right for you.

---

SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . The umbrella term “SoFi Invest” refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.
Automated Investing
The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA / SIPC , (“SoFi Securities”).
Active Investing
The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
SOIN19115

Read more

It seems like America’s appetite for food is insatiable. Instagram feeds are filled with plates piled high with pasta, perfectly grilled steaks, and luscious desserts. It feels like there is a food-centric show on almost every channel, and there are entire networks devoted exclusively to cooking.

Beyond cooking at home, dining out has become a major part of American life. What started with the Michelin Guide has now grown into a full-blown industry. You can now count on James Beard and Zagat to tell you where to eat.
Plus, there are local publications and online sites like Eater and Thrillist. And don’t forget about social sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor.

Spending money on food is essential. We need to eat to survive, and we’re always looking for our next great meal. But how much is our food obsession costing us? The average household spends $4,363 each year on groceries.

Americans are spending more money on restaurant visits and dining out than ever before. Americans dine out on average 5.9 times a week . The average American family spends $3,365 on food away from home.

The shift toward eating out is part of a long-term trend. According to the consumer price index , 20 years ago families were spending approximately 10% of their income on groceries and about 5.5% on eating out.

These days the spending gap between the two has decreased considerably. Americans spend 7.2% of their budget on groceries and 6% on eating out.

Cooking at Home vs. Eating Out: How They Stack Up

The pros and cons of eating at home versus eating out are often debated. Here are some to consider.

Is It More Expensive to Eat Out?

There’s almost no way around it—eating out will almost always cost more than cooking a meal at home.
While the average cost of eating out varies dramatically depending on the restaurant you go to, most restaurants charge about a 300% mark-up on the items they serve. When you eat out, you’re paying less for the food and more for the service, convenience, and ambiance.

In order to make up for the cost of actually running a restaurant, (think front of house employees, chefs and cooks, dishwashers, kitchen equipment, linens, the list goes on), the cost of goods is marked-up. You’re paying for time at the table, for someone to prepare the food for you, and for someone else to do the dishes.

One study found that on average, it was five times more expensive to order take-out from a restaurant than it was to cook at home. If you thought a meal-kit with ready to cook ingredients and recipe instructions was a good way to save money while cooking at home, you may want to reevaluate.

While it will likely be cheaper than eating out, the same study found that a meal kit was almost three times as expensive as cooking a meal from scratch.

Is it Healthier to Eat at Home?

When you cook at home you’re able to completely control what goes into a dish. You can easily make adjustments and cut the amount of butter, use whole milk instead of cream, sub in red wine vinegar instead of lemon juice to make a vinaigrette.

You are the master of your meal. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies to worry about, you’ll be in complete control when you cook at home.

Research has shown time and time again that cooking at home leads to healthier choices. The more people cook at home, the healthier their diet, the fewer calories they consume, and they are less likely to be obese or develop type 2 diabetes.

When it comes to health, fast food vs. home-cooked meals gets a lot of attention, but restaurant meals can be just as calorie-dense. A study published in the British Journal of Medicine found that fast food, on average, contained approximately 33% less calories than a meal at a restaurant.

How Much Time Will It Take to Cook at Home?

There’s no way around it, cooking takes time. Some recipes can take hours. But it also takes time to go out to eat or pick up your take out. Sometimes you just can’t beat having someone bring a ready to eat hot meal right to your door.

Thankfully, there are a slew of convenient, easy to prepare meals. If you’re trying to cook more at home, don’t overextend yourself upfront. If you’re used to dining out 5 nights a week, pick one or two nights to try and make dinner at home.

Cooking is like any skill. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Create an arsenal of recipes that are easy to prepare and affordable. Crockpot meals and sheet pan dinners can be a lifesaver for those with a hectic schedule. Build out your pantry so you have a few essentials and can whip up a dinner in a pinch.

If you’re a beginner cook, you can take a quick look online. There are seemingly endless resources for home chefs. Pick out a few of your favorite sites and blogs, and try out a couple new recipes a month.

Over time, you’ll become more comfortable in the kitchen, and what used to take you 30 minutes to do, will take you just minutes.

Unfortunately, there are some things that just take time (I’m looking at you, caramelized onions), but at the end of the journey you’re rewarded with a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Tips for Saving Money While Dining Out

Heading to your favorite restaurant for a scrumptious meal is one of life’s little pleasures, and by no means are we suggesting you eliminate dining out from your lifestyle.

But there are a few ways to curb your spending when you head out for a night on the town. Here are some potential ways to keep the bill from racking up when you’re eating out.

1. Not Ordering a Drink

Skip the drink the next time you want to cut down on your restaurant tab. This may come as no surprise, but restaurants substantially mark-up the prices of drinks. Restaurants typically charge two to three times the bottle cost for craft beer.

Non-alcoholic beverages can also be budget busters. Restaurants pay pennies for non-alcoholic beverages and can pour a fountain drink for less than 10 cents a serving. Those same fountain beverages sell for around $2 a pop.

2. Skipping Dessert

A lot of the mark-up for desserts goes toward labor. A talented, creative pastry chef can be expensive to keep on staff, and as a result, many high-volume casual restaurants outsource their desserts.

3. Sharing a Meal

Portion sizes at restaurants are enormous. When you go out to eat, you could plan to share a meal with your dining mate.

If your friend or family isn’t interested in sharing, it’s possible to save half of your meal for lunch or dinner the next day. Your wallet and your waistline will thank you.

4. Go During Happy Hour

Instead of meeting friends for a meal, meet up for happy hour instead. You can catch up over drinks and an appetizer or two, while enjoying discounted happy hour prices. You’ll get the experience of eating out, at less cost.

5. Ordering an Appetizer as Your Meal

Instead of ordering a full entree, order from the appetizer menu instead. These items might be cheaper, have smaller (and more appropriate) portion sizes, and less calories.

6. Limiting the Number of Times You Eat Out

When all else fails, you could limit the number of times you go out to eat. Then when you do go out it can feel like a treat, and you can really indulge in the experience and savor every bite without worrying about going overboard on your monthly budget.

Managing Your Expenses with SoFi

Feeling inspired to take back your food budget? SoFi can help. Consider opening a SoFi Money® cash management account.

SoFi Money makes it easy to track your spending and manage your expenses with features like direct deposit and auto-pay. Plus, there are no account fees.

Get started with SoFi Money today.

---

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
SoFi Money®
SoFi Money is a cash management account, which is a brokerage product, offered by SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . Neither SoFi nor its affiliates is a bank.

SOMN19010

Read more

If you’re considering dipping your toes into investing, chances are you’ve already discovered how much there is to learn.

First, there’s the alphabet soup of account types to contend with—401(k), 403(b), IRA, and the list goes on. Not to mention the basics like understanding what a stock is in the first place.

But as frustrating as the investment lingo learning curve can seem, it doesn’t have to keep you out of the market. Remember: Even the savviest investors were beginners at some point!

One of the most common ways investors interact with assets is by trading stocks and bonds through a broker.
But what is a broker, exactly, and why might you consider one? What should you look for—and more importantly, avoid—when you’re shopping around to figure out which one’s best for you?

Strap in, because we’re about to dive into everything you need to know about brokerage firms and how they might help you meet your investment goals.

What Exactly Is a Broker, Anyway?

The basic broker definition, as per good ol’ Merriam-Webster, runs thusly:

Noun: One who acts as an intermediary, such as … an agent who negotiates contracts of purchase and sale.
In other words, a broker is anyone who connects you with a product or service you’re seeking, whether that’s a bet on a horse race or an arranged marriage.

For the purposes of this post, we’re specifically talking about investment brokers: the companies that enable you to buy and sell securities, like stocks, on an exchange market. SoFi offers an active investing account that allows you to make fee-free trades with no account minimums.

What Does a Broker Do—and Should You Use One?

If you’ve been following along closely, it may have occurred to you that a broker is, essentially, a middleman. And we wouldn’t blame you for wondering why you need one!

But reputable brokers (often in the form of a computer program) act as a boon to both buyers and sellers: They ensure that each party actually has money to buy assets with or assets to sell in the first place.

Brokers settle trades by delivering securities and payments to each party, while also taking care of all the bookkeeping and tax-related documentation required.

And in many cases, going through a brokerage firm is the easiest and most accessible way for laypeople to get started with investing.

Pros and Cons of Using a Brokerage Firm

As with any financial service—or any service, period—there are both benefits and drawbacks to using a brokerage firm to facilitate your trades. Here’s the skinny.

Pros of Using a Broker

•   Accessibility. Thanks to the magic of the internet, you can sign up for a brokerage account in minutes and start trading stocks as soon as your account is funded. That means employing a broker is one of the easiest ways to get started on your investment journey as soon as possible.
•   Simplicity. When you buy and sell through a broker, a lot of the tedious footwork—like keeping tabs of your interest earnings for tax purposes—is taken care of for you. Depending on the level of brokerage firm you go with (which we’ll come back to in just a moment), you may also have access to professional financial advice and other advisory services that could help you make the most of your portfolio.

Cons of Using a Broker

•   Fees and commissions. Although they’ll vary based on the specifics you choose and the type of account you open, many brokers do levy maintenance fees as well as trade fees, or commissions, which can nickel-and-dime away at your nest egg. That said, there are ways to minimize your investment fees or even eliminate them entirely. Some brokers offer a certain number of commission-free assets, and SoFi’s active and automated investment services both come without transaction or maintenance charges.
•   Required portfolio minimums. Although it’s not true of every brokerage firm, many companies require you to keep a certain minimum amount of money in your account in order to use their services—and these minimums might be $500 or more, which can be a barrier to entry for some beginner investors. With SoFi, you can invest as little as $1.

Different Kinds of Brokerage Accounts

So, we’ve covered what a broker is, what they do, and why you might want to use one—as well as the drawbacks to keep an eye out for.

But hang on tight, because there’s still more to learn! (Like we said, investing can be a little complicated!)

Not all brokers are created equal. There are many kinds of brokerage accounts to choose from. The best product for you will depend on your individual financial goals as well as your budget. Here’s what you need to know to make the call.

•   Full-service brokerage accounts are just that: full service. Along with the ability to buy and sell assets, they might also include advice from real live financial planners and portfolio management to help you make the best investment decisions possible. However, these perks don’t come cheap! Full-service brokerage accounts and wealth-management companies usually calculate their charges as a percentage of your total portfolio, and may have account minimums as high as $500,000. Oh, and that’s before counting the fees they’ll collect as trade commissions or annual management fees.
•   Discount brokerages offer less in the way of consultation and guidance, but allow you to DIY your investment portfolio on the cheap. Many of them have $0 account minimums and may charge less than $10 per trade—or even offer totally commission-free assets.

To make matters a bit more complicated, both types of brokers usually offer both cash and margin accounts. In a cash account, you’ll need to have the actual cash money to buy your assets, whereas in a margin account, the broker will lend you some capital to make purchases, using the securities you already own as collateral.

Different Types of Investment Accounts

Along with deciding what type of brokerage you’d like to do business with (and how much you’re willing to pay for financial services), you’ll also need to decide what type of investment account works best for your goals.

Maybe you’re investing for a shorter-term objective, like purchasing a house—or maybe you’re trying to ensure you’ll have a comfortable retirement. Either way, there are specific investment account types, or “vehicles,” designed to help you get there.

•   You can think of a personal investment account as a default investment vehicle. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to grow wealth and want to be able to add or withdraw your funds on your own terms without waiting to reach a certain age or life circumstance. You do pay taxes on earnings, however, so there are no tax advantages to this type of account. If you don’t make any specific investment vehicle choices when you open your brokerage account, this is most likely the one you’re getting.
•   A 401(k) or 403(b) is an employer-sponsored retirement account, to which both you and your employer can make contributions to help you build up a nest egg for later on in life. However, because they require employer sponsorship, you usually can’t go to a broker and open one yourself—unless you’re self-employed or a small business owner and looking to open a Solo 401(k). These accounts offer tax benefits compared to personal brokerage accounts.
•   An IRA, or individual retirement arrangement, an investment account designed specifically for retirement goals, which you can open whether or not you’re employed by a separate party. IRAs carry certain tax incentives; for example, contributions to traditional IRAs are deductible, while Roth IRAs allow for tax-free distributions. However, you can’t access the funds without paying a penalty until you reach age 59.5 or meet certain circumstantial requirements, such as purchasing your first home.

Your broker may offer other savings or investment vehicles, such as a 529 account, which is a tax-incentivized plan to help people save for educational costs. For full details on the type of accounts available, check with your broker directly.

Alternatives to Investing Through a Traditional Broker

Although using a broker to invest in the stock market might be a smart money move for many, there are plenty of other ways to get started with investing. (And as you’ve probably heard before, when it comes to investing, time is of the essence—compound interest works best if you start as soon as you can!)

If you’re looking for other ways to put your money to work for you, you might consider the following options.

Automated Investing

If you don’t want to pay the high prices for a full-service broker, but the idea of DIYing your portfolio makes you more than a little nervous, luckily, there’s a third option that could be just right for you.

Automated investment products, or robo-advisors, are platforms that utilize a combination of computer algorithms and human financial planners to create and manage diversified portfolios at low costs to users.

Your funds will be invested in a diversified portfolio, and the platform often offers goal planning tools and rebalancing services to help keep your funds moving in the right direction.

Depending on the service you use, you might be able to start with a contribution as low as a single dollar — that’s the entry point for SoFi’s automated investment account.

Buying Stocks Directly From the Source

Depending on whose stocks you’re interested in purchasing, you may be able to buy them directly from the issuer without needing to go through a brokerage firm.

The good news is, that may save you money when it comes to trade commissions, but you may also be subject to proprietary fees from the company itself, or minimum purchase amounts.

Furthermore, diversifying your stock portfolio is a smart way to mitigate your risk factor. If all of your investments are tied up in a single company, you’re not in a great position if that company should begin to falter— whereas if you’ve invested in several different firms and other asset classes, you have a wider margin for error.

Choosing a Different Investment Strategy Entirely

Although the stock market is one of the most popular—and, when done right —low-effort ways to invest, there are plenty of other ways to turn your money into more money.

For example, you could invest in real estate and sell property at a profit, or turn a condo into a passive income source by putting it up for lease. If you’re savvy enough, you could also invest in art; the value of paintings is disconnected from the behavior of the stock market, so it might rise even during a crash.

That said, both of these tactics require significantly more time, work, and know-how than crafting a diversified portfolio of stock market assets—opening a brokerage account is a whole lot easier than flipping a house. And keep in mind that every investment involves risk. There’s no such thing as a sure thing!

Ready to Get Started on Your Own Investment Journey?

Although all investment strategies are risky, investing is also one of the best ways to work toward meeting long-term financial goals—whether that means funding a big purchase or kicking back and enjoying a relaxing, well-deserved retirement.

And if you’ve decided stock market investments are the right move for you and your money, going through a broker can be a relatively simple and low-cost way to gain access to the market.

Want to learn more about online investing and discover how SoFi Invest® might help you meet your goals? Check out our active and automated investment options.

---

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.
SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . The umbrella term “SoFi Invest” refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.
Automated Investing
The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA / SIPC , (“SoFi Securities”).
Active Investing
The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.

SOIN19114

Read more