How Does a Stock Exchange Work?

How Does a Stock Exchange Work?

Stock exchanges are platforms that allow investors to buy and sell stocks in a venue that is regulated and transparent. These exchanges enable investors of all stripes to trade stocks, potentially benefiting from a stock’s share price appreciation and dividend payments.

Stock exchanges help the stock market work and are a big part of the overall economy. Understanding stock exchanges and how they work may help you how they affect you and your investments.

What Is a Stock Exchange?

A stock exchange is a marketplace where the shares of publicly-traded companies are bought and sold between investors.

Exchanges are generally organized by an institution or association that hosts the market, like the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. These organizations and government regulators–like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S.–set up the rules and regulations of what companies investors can trade on a stock exchange.

If a company is “listed” on an exchange, it means that the company can be traded on that exchange. Not all companies are listed because each exchange regulates which companies meet their requirements. Companies not listed on the exchange are traded over-the-counter, or OTC for short.

Investors who want to buy or sell stocks commonly go through an investment broker, a person or entity licensed to trade on the exchanges. Brokers aim to buy or sell stock at the best price for the investor making the trade, usually earning a commission for the service. Most investors will now use online brokerage firms for this service, paying little to no commissions for trades.

Historically, stock exchanges were physical locations where investors came together on a trading floor to frantically buy and sell stocks, like what you may have seen in the movies or on TV. However, these days, more often than not, stock exchanges operate through an electronic trading platform.

Major Stock Exchanges

10 Largest Stock Exchanges by Market Capitalization of Listed Companies

Exchange

Location

Market capitalization (in trillions)*

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) U.S. $24.68
Nasdaq U.S. $19.5
Shanghai Stock Exchange China $7.05
Euronext Europe $5.90
Tokyo Stock Exchange Japan $5.31
Shenzhen Stock Exchange China $5.15
Hong Kong Exchanges Hong Kong $4.57
National Stock Exchange of India India $3.32
London Stock Exchange U.K. $3.17
Saudi Stock Exchange Saudi Arabia $3.15
*As of July 2022; Source: Statista

Why Do We Have Stock Exchanges?

Stock exchanges exist because they provide a place for buyers and sellers to come together and trade stocks. Stock exchanges are also important because they provide a way for businesses to raise money. When companies issue stock to raise capital, investors will then trade the company’s shares on the stock exchange in which it is listed.

The stock exchanges set the rules for how stocks are traded. Stock exchanges are also regulated markets, which means that a government agency oversees the activity on the exchange. These rules and regulations provide a level of safety for investors and help to ensure that the market is fair, transparent, and liquid.

💡 Not sure what a stock is? Here we explain what stocks are and how they work.

What Is the Stock Market?

The stock market is made up of a network of different stock exchanges, including OTC markets, and the companies that are traded on these exchanges.

When you hear mentions of the stock market and its performance, it is usually in reference to a particular stock market index, like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average. However, the stock market is more than the specific companies that make up these stock market indices.

Generally, stock markets facilitate the buying and selling of shares between companies and institutional investors through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the primary market. Once a company has an IPO, the company’s shares are traded in secondary markets, like stock exchanges.

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*Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

Stock Market Volatility

Volatility in the stock market occurs when there are big swings in share prices. Share prices can change for various reasons, like a new product launch or the most recent earnings report. And while volatility in the stock market usually describes significant declines in share prices, volatility can also happen to the upside.

Pros of the Stock Market

As mentioned above, the stock market allows companies to raise capital by issuing shares to investors. Raising money was one of the main reasons why stock issuances and trading began. It allows businesses to raise money to expand a business without taking out a loan or issuing bonds.

And because investors can own shares of companies, they can benefit from the growth and earnings of a business. Investors can profit from a company’s dividend payments, realize a return when the stock’s price appreciates, or benefit from both. This helps investors build wealth.

The relationship between stock markets, companies, and investors has arguably led to more economic efficiency, allowing money to be allocated in more productive ways.

Cons of the Stock Market

For companies, issuing shares on the stock market may be onerous and expensive due to rules and regulations from the stock exchanges and government regulators. Because of these difficulties, companies may be wary of going through the IPO process. Instead, they are more comfortable raising money in the private markets.

💡 Recommended: How Many Companies IPO Per Year?

There are several potential risks associated with investing in the stock market. For example, the stock market is subject to market volatility, resulting in losses. Investors must be willing to take on the risks of losing money for the possibility of gains in the future.

Additionally, there is the potential for stock market fraud and manipulation by companies and investors, which harms individual investors, companies, and the economy.

The Takeaway

Knowing the ins and outs of stock exchanges and how they influence the broader stock market can help you become a better investor. By learning about stock exchanges, their different rules, and their advantages and disadvantages, you may better understand the stock market as a whole. This may allow you to invest confidently and prepare for future stock market volatility.

At SoFi, members have access to financial planners who can offer personalized advice. If you’re ready to start investing, SoFi Invest® offers an online brokerage account, where investors can buy stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fractional shares, or invest in IPOs. For a limited time, funding an account gives you the opportunity to win up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice. All you have to do is open and fund a SoFi Invest account.

Download the SoFi Invest mobile app today.

FAQ

What is the stock market?

The stock market is a collection of markets where stocks are traded between investors. It usually refers to the exchanges where stocks and other securities are bought and sold.

What are the benefits of investing in the stock market?

Some benefits of investing in the stock market include the potential for earning income through dividend payments, experiencing share price appreciation, and diversifying one’s financial portfolio beyond cash.


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Does Applying for Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit Score?

Does Applying for Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit Score?

Applying for credit cards isn’t something you should take lightly because it absolutely can hurt your credit score. One credit card application can ding your score by just a few points, but multiple applications could raise red flags for lenders and drag down your credit score accordingly.

Still, while applying for a credit card can hurt your credit, there are a number of potential pluses to credit cards, from allowing you to build your credit history to earning rewards. Here’s how to navigate the effects of applying for credit on your credit score, as well as some alternatives to consider if you don’t think your score can currently weather it.

Hard vs Soft Credit Inquiries

To understand how applying for a credit card can hurt your score, it’s first important to know the difference between hard and soft credit inquiries.

A hard inquiry, also known as a hard pull or hard credit check, generally occurs when a lender is determining whether to loan you the funds you’ve applied for. This might happen if you’ve applied for a mortgage or a new credit card, for example.

On the other hand, a soft inquiry, or soft credit pull, tends to happen when someone runs a credit check to gather information without the express purpose of lending you money. For instance, a credit card issuer may do a soft pull in order to make a preapproval offer, or a potential employer might perform a soft inquiry as part of the application process. A soft credit inquiry also may happen when you check your credit report.

Perhaps the most important difference between a hard pull vs. a soft pull is how it impacts your credit scores. While hard credit inquiries show up on your credit report and affect your score, soft inquiries do not. Further, while soft pulls can be done without your consent, creditors need your approval to do a hard inquiry.

How Applying for Credit Cards Can Hurt Your Score

While your credit score won’t take a huge hit when you apply for a credit card, it will get dinged. Why? When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer will perform a hard inquiry to determine whether you’re a good candidate to lend money to.

Hard inquiries can lower your credit score because a new application can represent more risk for the card issuer. According to FICO, a hard credit inquiry will generally affect your score by less than five points. Those with few accounts or a thin credit history can experience a greater impact on their score. Additionally, multiple inquiries within a short period of time can exacerbate effects on your credit score.

Hard pulls stay on your credit report for two years, though their impact on your credit scores typically vanishes after a year. It’s important to note that your score will see an impact whether or not you’re approved, as the hard inquiry is conducted either way.

Should You Apply for Multiple Credit Cards at Once?

Simply put, no. This is a bad idea for your credit score. While it might make sense to apply for more than one job at a time, that’s not the way to go with credit cards. Instead, you should approach applying for credit cards strategically.

By applying for several cards over a short period, you might send the signal that you’re desperately seeking funds and headed for — or already in — trouble. You’ll appear risky to lenders and that will likely be reflected by a dip in your credit score.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t have multiple credit cards. You’ll just want to take your time and space out your acquisitions. If you get rejected for a card, pause to figure out why, and then take steps to address the suspected weak spots. Once you’ve had time to build your credit, consider trying again.

How Often Can I Apply for a Credit Card Without Hurting My Credit?

Per Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, it’s wise to wait at least six months in between credit card applications. If you apply for a number of credit cards within a few months, you could see more than the usual ding to your score that new credit inquiries typically cause. While the effects may be brief, Experian states that you could see a “potentially significant drop” in your score.

While six months is the minimum waiting period suggested, how often it’s appropriate to apply for new credit cards also depends on your financial specifics. For instance, if your application was denied due to your credit score and you still haven’t improved it, then it may not make sense to apply again, even if six months have passed. Similarly, you might not choose to apply for a new card if you know you have another big lending application coming up, such as for a mortgage.

On the other hand, if you have a strong credit profile, your score may not take as much of a hit if you decide to apply for another card sooner to try to cash in on generous rewards or a hefty welcome bonus offer. Those who don’t yet have a credit history and are beginning to build a credit profile may also find it’s worthwhile to wait less time between applications.

Recommended: What is the Average Credit Card Limit

Can Applying for Credit Cards Help Your Score?

There are two sides to a coin and so it goes with applying for credit cards — there can be some upside when you apply for a new card.

This is partly because opening a new account effectively increases your credit limit. In turn, this can lower your credit utilization ratio, which is your outstanding balances compared to your overall credit limit. Credit utilization accounts for 30% of your credit score and is second in importance only to your payment history.

Another potential plus to opening a new card is that if you make on-time payments on your new card, your positive payment history can build your score over time. However, if you’re a credit card newbie and still working on establishing credit, you may not see the uptick in your score as quickly. This is because FICO requires you to have at least one account that’s been open for six months and one account that’s been reported to the credit bureau within the last six months to qualify for a credit score.

If you don’t already have a handful of credit card accounts, a new card also can positively impact your score because it’s adding another revolving account to your lineup. While your mix of account types only comprises 10% of your credit score, credit scoring models do look at this.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due

Does Applying for a Credit Card and Not Getting Approved Hurt Your Credit?

Your credit will be affected whether or not you’re approved for a credit card. That’s because when you submit a credit card application, a hard credit inquiry is conducted to determine if you’re eligible. The effects of that hard pull will apply regardless of the results.

However, your credit won’t face any consequences for the fact you were denied a credit card. That information won’t be reflected in your credit score, nor will it show up on your credit report.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

Things to Consider Before Applying for a Credit Card

Before you rush to apply for credit, make sure you’re ready. Here’s what to consider doing prior to applying.

•   Check your credit report: The first step is to get a copy of your credit report. To get your free report each year, go to AnnualCreditReport.com . As you review your credit report, look for any errors. If there are any, take steps to fix them before you approach a credit card issuer. Also check to see if you’ve had any other recent hard inquiries.

•   Consider any other upcoming credit applications: Be mindful about what’s on your horizon before moving forward with applying for a new credit card. For example, if you think that you will be applying for a mortgage or car loan soon, you may not want to apply for a card and rack up multiple inquiries at once. It may make sense to get your mortgage or car loan first and wait for a little while to go after the credit card.

•   Don’t plan to ditch your old cards: Just because you hope to get a new card, don’t start canceling the other cards in your wallet. Remember, length of credit history makes up 15% of your credit score. By canceling old cards, you’d also reduce your total available credit, which could drive up your credit utilization ratio if you have hefty balances on other cards.

•   Think about why you want to apply for a credit card: Lastly, have a little talk with yourself. A credit card rule of thumb is just because you can get a credit card doesn’t mean you need one. If you already have a credit card, what’s driving you to apply? How are you managing your existing credit card? If you’re not 100% sure you’ll be able to pay off the balance in full each month, think twice about getting it. When balances linger from month to month, it becomes costly due to interest racking up.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest On a Credit Card

Alternatives to Credit Cards

If you’re worried about the effects that applying for a credit card may have on your credit score, know that you have other options. Instead of getting a credit card, you may also consider the following alternatives for financing:

•   Debit card: If you’re simply looking for another way to easily make purchases and avoid carrying around a wallet full of cash, consider a debit card. While a debit card does not allow you to build your credit score, applying for one does not require a hard pull and is often as easy as opening a bank account. Do note that debit cards tend to have less robust security protections compared to credit cards though.

•   Loan from a family member or friend: If you’re wary of weathering a hard credit inquiry right now, consider approaching a close family member or friend about borrowing the funds you need. Make sure to clearly agree to the terms of the loan agreement, including when you’ll pay back the money. Also realize the potential implications for your personal relationship if you don’t make good on paying this person back.

•   Salary advance: Another option may be to ask your employer if you can borrow funds from a future paycheck. This can allow you to borrow money in a pinch without needing to go through the formal credit application process. Employers typically won’t charge fees or interest, though you may have to pay an administration fee or interest if your employer relies on a third party for the service.

Recommended: What is a Charge Card

The Takeaway

Applying for a credit card may be a simple process in terms of filling out the forms, but that doesn’t mean it’s something to take lightly. It can have very real effects on your credit score due to the fact that a formal application requires a hard credit inquiry. Thus, applying for a credit card is always something you should consider carefully and do responsibly.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.


Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Stocks: What They Are and How They Work

A stock is a fraction of ownership in a company. Stockowners, also called shareholders, are entitled to a proportional cut of the company’s earnings and assets (and sometimes dividends).

That means, if you own stock in a company, as the company grows and expands you stand to earn a return on your investment. But you also risk losing all or part of your investment if the company doesn’t prosper. (More on that below.)

If you’re interested in investing in stocks, this stocks 101 guide will provide a basic overview of the different types of stocks, the pros and cons of investing in stocks, and more.

What Is a Stock?

Let’s start with a basic stock definition: Stocks are simply shares in a company, and they are primarily bought and sold on publicly traded stock exchanges. That means you can open a brokerage account and become a partial owner of whatever company you choose when you buy shares in that company.

How to Talk About Stocks

What is the difference between a stock vs. a share? A share of stock is the unit you purchase. “Stock” is a shorthand way of referring to the company that is selling its shares.

So: You might buy 100 shares of a company. If you owned 100 stocks, however, that means you own shares of 100 different companies.

Is trading equities the same as trading stocks? Yes. Equities or equity shares, is another way of talking about stocks as an asset class. You’re not likely to say you bought equity in a company. But your portfolio may have different asset classes that include equities, fixed income, commodities, and so on.

These days, it’s possible to own a fraction of a share of stock, for those who can’t afford to buy a single share (which can happen with very large or popular companies).

Main Types of Stock

Stocks come in two varieties: common stock and preferred stock.

•   Common stocks are, as you might guess, the most common. Along with proportional ownership of the company, common stocks also give stockholders voting rights, allowing them voice when it comes to things like management elections or structural business changes.

•   Preferred stocks don’t come with voting rights, but they are given “preferred” status in that earnings are paid to preferred stockholders first. That makes this kind of stock a slightly less risky asset. If the company goes under and its assets are liquidated to repay investors, the preferred stockholders are less likely to lose everything, since they’ll be paid their share before common stockholders.
Most individual investors own common stock.

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*Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

What Is the History of Stocks?

What are stocks and how did they originate? Historically speaking, all types of assets — property, livestock, precious metals, commodities — have been traded since time immemorial. There are records going back nearly a millennium in the West alone, showing that people traded debt as well as futures and government securities.

Investing in stocks began in Europe in 1602 with the founding of the Dutch East India Company, a so-called “joint stock” company where investors could buy shares. Joint-stock companies helped fund the exploration of the New World, as Europeans then called it.

By 1610, the practice of short-selling had not only taken hold in Amsterdam, it had become such a problem that it was banned by Dutch authorities!

The Trouble With Trading

Stock trading, especially in its infancy in the 17th and 18th centuries, was not the highly regulated industry we know today. Stock markets were rife with scams and schemes and outright fraud. The South Sea Company in England was responsible for one of the most notorious incidents in early finance. The company, which hoped to profit from the slave trade, infamously sold shares to countless investors, and promised them big returns — that never materialized.

As a result, the South Sea bubble burst in 1720, and the company crashed with terrible consequences for the nascent markets abroad. The practice of issuing securities was banned in England for nearly a century — until 1825.

How Stock Exchanges Fuel Economic Growth

International trade furthered the spread of stock exchanges throughout the world, and with it commerce and economies were able to grow and thrive. After all, the stock market, which allows businesses to be publicly traded, is a vital way that companies raise capital for their expansion. At the same time, stock markets also became an important source of liquidity for investors.

The first stock exchange in the U.S. was the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, established in 1790, followed by the New York Stock Exchange in 1792.

How Stocks and the Stock Market Work

A stock is born when a company goes public through an initial public offering (IPO), and issues actual shares that investors can buy and sell. Stocks are typically traded on exchanges, like the NYSE or Nasdaq or the London Stock Exchange (there are 60 major stock exchanges worldwide).

Individual investors can open a brokerage account so they can buy and sell the stocks of their choosing on a given exchange. Exchanges list the purchase or bid price, as well as the selling or offer price.

How Are Stock Prices Determined?

The price of a stock is generally determined by an auction process, where buyers and sellers negotiate a price to make a trade. The buyer makes a bid price, while the seller has an ask price; when these two prices meet, a trade occurs.

💡 Recommended: How Bid and Ask Price Work in Trading

The stock market consists of thousands or millions of trades daily, usually through online platforms and between investors and market makers. So, the auction process is not usually completed between investors directly. Rather, prices are determined through electronic trades in fractions of a second.

Nonetheless, this process still helps determine stock prices, usually following the laws of supply and demand. When a stock’s prospects are high and it’s in high demand, the company’s share price will increase. In contrast, when investors sour on a company and want to sell en masse, the price of a stock will decline.

What Are Some Common Stock Terms?

If you need the whole idea of stocks explained and unpacked, it helps to learn a few key words. While it’s impossible to cover the entire lexicon of stock investing here, this is a short list of helpful stock terms to know:

Dividends

A dividend payment is a portion of a company’s earnings paid out to shareholders. For every share of stock an investor owns, they get paid an amount of the company’s profits. Companies can pay out dividends in cash, called a cash dividend, or additional stock, known as a stock dividend.

Growth stocks

Growth stocks are shares of companies that demonstrate a strong potential to increase revenue or earnings thereby ramping up their stock price

Market capitalization

To figure out a company’s market cap, multiply the number of outstanding shares by the current price per share. A company with 10 million outstanding shares of stock selling at $30 per share, has a market cap of $300 million.

Spread

Spread is the difference between two financial measurements; in finance there are a variety of different spreads. When talking specifically about a stock spread, it is the difference between the bid price and the ask price — or the bid-ask spread.

The bid price is the highest price a buyer will pay to purchase one or more shares of a specific stock. The ask price is the lowest price at which a seller will agree to sell shares of that stock. The spread represents the difference between the bid price and the ask price.

Stock split

A company usually initiates a stock split when its stock price gets too high. A stock split lowers the price per share, but maintains the company’s market cap.

A 10-for-1 stock split of a stock selling for $1,000 per share, for instance, would exchange 1 share worth $1,000 into 10 shares, each worth $100.

Value stock

Value stocks are shares of companies that have fallen out of favor and are valued less than their actual worth.

Volatility

Volatility in the stock market occurs when there are big swings in share prices, which is why volatility is often synonymous with risk for investors. While volatility usually describes significant declines in share prices, it can also describe price surges.

Thus, volatility in the equity market can also represent significant opportunities for investors. For instance, investors might take advantage of volatility to buy the dip, purchasing shares when prices are momentarily lower.

Is It Possible to Earn Money by Buying Stocks?

Now that you have a working stock definition, let’s look at whether buying them has the potential to help you meet your financial goals. How does buying stocks earn you money? There are two possible ways.

•   Over time, stocks may increase in value if the company grows, expands, and prospers. Since each share represents proportional ownership, a stock is worth more when the business’s overall value increases — and may also command higher market prices due to demand. That means you may earn money by selling your stocks at a profit at some point.

•   Stockholders may also earn dividends on a company’s profit, which may be paid in cash or as additional stock. Dividends are typically paid on a regular basis, such as quarterly or annually, though executives may also decide to cut dividend payments if the company is faltering.

   Owning stock can create a form of passive income, since you could earn dividends just by holding onto your shares. This strategy is called dividend investing.

Stocks make up the foundation of many investment portfolios because of their potential for returns in the long run. On the other hand, the same dynamic that gives stocks their exponential growth potential also adds considerable risk to owning stock.

Buying Stocks: Risks and Rewards

Although buying stocks can sometimes result in a profit, it’s also possible to see significant losses — or even to lose everything you’ve invested.

Stocks might lose value under the following circumstances:

•   The market as a whole experiences losses, due to wide-reaching occurrences like economic recessions, war, or political changes.

•   The issuing company falters or goes under, in which case individual shares can drop in price and the company may forego paying dividends. This is also known as “specific” or “unsystematic risk,” and may be slightly mitigated by having a diversified portfolio.

Diversifying your portfolio — buying a variety of different stocks as well as other assets like bonds and cash equivalents — is one way to help mitigate the risks of investing. But it’s important to understand that it is possible (and even likely) that you may lose money by investing.

That said, scary news headlines can blow things out of proportion. A certain amount of market fluctuation is absolutely normal — and, in fact, an indicator that the market is healthy and functioning.

Furthermore, the market’s overall value has increased on average over the last century, even taking into account major collapses. In fact, the S&P 500, an index tracking the performance of America’s largest publicly traded companies, saw an annual return of approximately 10% between 1926 and 2020 — a time frame that includes both the Great Depression and the 2008 housing fiasco.

Should You Invest in Stocks?

When you consider the average return of the stock market over time, including boom and bust cycles, the stock market can offer investors the hope — but not the guarantee — of long-term growth for their money.

The difficulty with stocks is that they also come with a high degree of risk; some are riskier than others. There are different ways to invest in stocks that can help mitigate some of that risk.

*Investing in mutual funds, which are like giant baskets of many stocks, may help to distribute risk. Holding one single stock is riskier than holding many.
*Investing in index funds, which track a market index, may be less risky.

Why Do Companies Issue Stock?

When a company decides to go public, part of that decision is based on the need to raise capital in order to help the company grow. By making shares available on public exchanges to the wider investing market, a company may benefit from having more people buy its shares.

The downside for companies that go public is that the value of the company is now subject to market demand and other economic factors. In addition, public companies are highly regulated.

Why Do People Buy Stock?

Due to their growth potential, stocks may offer investors a possible way to build wealth over time, given that they tend to have higher average return rates than many other kinds of assets.

Take bonds, for instance. Bonds are a type of asset sometimes called a “debt instrument” wherein you lend your money to a company or government in exchange for a promise that it will be returned, plus interest, within a set amount of time.

Bonds do offer some growth potential, typically with less risk exposure than stocks. But over the past century, bonds have seen an average return of about 5-6% . As you’ll recall, that’s about half of the annual growth rate actualized by stocks over the same time period. Remember, past performance doesn’t guarantee that the future will be the same.

Along with helping you build wealth to achieve financial goals like retirement or homeownership, investing in stocks is also a possible way to keep up with inflation. As tempting as it may be to stash your cash under your mattress, the value of those paper dollars decreases over time, which means the $100 you squirrel away today might be worth only $95 ten years from now, due to inflation.

On the other hand, if you’d invested that money, it might have nearly doubled in the same amount of time. Of course, that new total would still be subject to inflation, but it could still be a lot more competitive than the dusty paper bills

Getting Started Investing in Stocks

If you decide that investing in the stock market is the right move to help you reach your financial goals, you’ve got a variety of ways to get started. Let’s look at two main account types: tax-deferred retirement accounts and taxable brokerage accounts.

Before you even sit down to choose your first stock (or learn to evaluate stocks in general), you’ll need to decide what kind of investment account you’ll use.

Tax-Deferred Accounts

These accounts are typically used for retirement purposes because they offer certain tax advantages to investors (along with some restrictions). Generally, investors contribute pre-tax money to these accounts — meaning contributions are tax deductible — and pay taxes when they withdraw funds in retirement.

•   The 401(k) is commonly offered to W-2 employees as part of their benefits package. Contributions are taken directly from your paycheck, pre-tax, for this retirement account. In most cases, taxation is deferred until you take the funds out at retirement.

•   IRAs may be useful investment vehicles for the self-employed and others who don’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement account. There are a number of different types of IRA – two of the most common are the Roth and the traditional IRA – and each type offers unique benefits and limitations to savers.

Taxable Accounts

•   You can also open a brokerage account, which allows you to buy and sell assets pretty much at will. However, there are no tax deductions for investing through a brokerage account.

Also, the interest and dividends you earn are subject to taxes in the year you earn them, and you may incur taxes when you sell an investment. Tax rates are usually lower for “long-term” assets, or those held for a year or longer; taxes on “short-term” capital gains (on securities held for less than a year) tend to be higher.

Different brokers assess different maintenance and trading fees, so it’s important to shop around for the most cost-effective option.

Choosing Your Investments

Once you have a brokerage account, you can typically choose which assets to invest in, including individual stocks as well as mutual funds, index funds, and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), which are pre-arranged “baskets” of stocks that can help build diversification into your portfolio. Typically, ETFs are subject to management fees, but many brokers even offer commission-free ETFs, which can help you start investing at the lowest cost possible.

Of course, no matter what type of account you open or who your broker is, you’re ultimately responsible for the risk you take in buying stocks. That’s why it’s important to carefully vet stocks before you invest in them.

If you’re considering investing in a company directly, researching its financial history and learning more about its earnings patterns can help you make the most educated choice possible. It’s also important to keep your own goals and values in mind when learning what to look for in a stock.

Automated Investment Options

If all that footwork sounds exhausting, that doesn’t necessarily mean investment isn’t right for you. You might consider an automated investing option (also known as a “robo-advisor”), which offer pre-built investment portfolios based on your goals and timelines. It’s similar to a pre-built house: there are some adjustments you can make, and different models to choose from, but your choices are limited.

That said, many investors choose automated options because the algorithm on the back-end takes care of most of the basic maintenance for your portfolio. Also, robo advisors can help you get started with a minimal amount of research and effort.

The programs may charge a small fee in exchange for creating, maintaining, and rebalancing a portfolio. Some may also allow you to choose specific stocks or themed ETFs, which can help you support companies or industries that share your values and vision.

The Takeaway

Stocks, also known as “shares” or “equity investments,” are small pieces of ownership of a larger company. Stocks come in both common and preferred varieties, which offer stockholders different benefits and risks.

Stocks, although relatively risky, tend to offer better earning potential than other asset classes like bonds or long-term savings accounts. Even taking major financial crises into consideration, the market’s overall trend over the last 100 years has been toward growth.

So, if you’re ready to take matters into your own hands and become an investor, you may want to start by opening a stock trading account with SoFi Invest. You can trade stocks, IPO shares, and ETFs right from your phone or laptop. Even better, SoFi members have access to complimentary financial advice from professionals. Why not get started today — your future self will thank you.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What is a stock vs a share?

A share refers to the unit of stock investors buy. Stock is a more general term that refers to the company that issues those shares. So you would buy 100 shares of Company A; you wouldn’t buy 100 stocks (that would imply you owned shares of 100 different companies).

What is shareholder ownership?

Shareholder ownership is specifically based on your ownership of shares in the company. If you own 20% of a company’s shares, you don’t own 20% of the company — you own 20% of the shares.

What is the difference between stocks and bonds?

Companies issue stock in order to raise capital. Investors who own shares of stock will see the value of their holdings rise or fall according to the value of the company. Bonds are a loan of capital to a company or government, which in turn guarantees to repay the bondholder the full amount, plus interest, within a certain time frame.


SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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What Does FUD Mean in Investing in Crypto?

What Does FUD Mean?

FUD stands for “fear, uncertainty, and doubt” and refers to a general mindset of pessimism about a particular asset or market, as well as the manipulation of investor or consumer emotions so that they succumb to FUD.

While the term “fear, uncertainty, and doubt” has been in circulation for a century or so, it became popular as the abbreviation FUD in the 1970s — and widely known more recently, thanks to the highly volatile crypto markets. FUD is also used throughout finance and can apply to any asset class.

Here’s what you need to know about FUD now.

What Does FUD Mean in Investing?

Investment strategies based on fear, uncertainty, and doubt are not usually recommended. Sometimes FUD might be justified, but in general, the term is used to describe irrational, overwhelming negative sentiment in the market.

Many investors have concrete or pragmatic fears and doubts. Some investors worry that they’ve invested too little or too late (or both). Others might fear a total market meltdown. Some investors worry that an unforeseen factor could impact their investments. These are ordinary, common concerns.

FUD is different, and it’s important to understand what FUD is. When investors talk about FUD, they’re referring to rumors and hype that spread through media (and social media) that drive impulsive and often irrational investor decisions. Think about the meme stock craze.

Thus the term FUD can often have a demeaning edge, in the sense that it refers to these unpredictable waves of investor behavior.

FUD vs FOMO: What Is the Difference?

What is FUD in stocks or the stock market? FUD can be thought of as the opposite of FOMO (fear of missing out). While FOMO tends to inspire people to do what others are doing — often in that they don’t want to miss out on a hot stock and potential gains — FUD can be described as a collective negative effect that spreads like wildfire, typically through social media.

When markets are going up, many people fall victim to FOMO trading, but when markets are going down, FUD can also spread swiftly. In the most basic sense, you could think of it like this: FUD equals fear and FOMO equals greed.

The two can sometimes be contrary indicators. In other words, when FUD seems to be everywhere, astute investors might actually be buying assets at reduced prices (aka buying the dip), and when many people are experiencing FOMO, seasoned traders might actually be selling at a premium.

Crypto traders offer a counter to FUD by using the term “hodl.” The hodl meaning is interpreted as “hold on for dear life.” Hodl comes from an old Reddit post where an investor posted a rant about having trouble timing the market, while misspelling the word “hold” several times.

The phrase was initially used in reference to Bitcoin but can apply to different types of cryptocurrency.

What Does FUD Mean in Crypto?

While FUD is often associated with investor sentiment in the crypto markets, the phrase “fear, uncertainty, and doubt” actually has a much longer history than many people realize.

The History of FUD

According to Wikipedia, the general term “fear, uncertainty, and doubt” dates back to the 1920s, but its abbreviation as FUD may have begun in 1975 when an executive departed IBM to start his own company, and noted that FUD was being used as a tactic to discourage customers from leaving IBM.

The use of FUD soon gained traction in marketing, sales, and public relations, and was used to indicate a psychological manipulation through disinformation.

As FUD traveled over to the investing realm, it has taken on a broader connotation — particularly in the crypto markets — referring to the potential many investors have to succumb to sudden anxiety or pessimism that changes their behavior.

FUD and Crypto

In crypto, FUD has become a well-known crypto term, and it means one of two things:

1.    To spread doubt about a particular token or project in an attempt to manipulate prices downward.

2.    The general skepticism and cynicism about crypto as an asset class, and any related news/events. Even the rumor of a negative event possibly happening can generate FUD.

•   A crypto influencer tweets that a large company won’t accept BTC as payment: FUD

•   China allegedly bans Bitcoin for the umpteenth time: FUD

•   An investment manager says they will never own crypto: FUD

FUD Crypto and Memes

Crypto FUD also tends to involve the spreading of memes that can either amplify or lessen the FUD’s effect. Sometimes FUD being spread by the media is widely seen as trivial, in which case memes making fun of the idea might pop up. Or, if the FUD is perceived as more legitimate, memes making fun of those not taking the threat seriously might start circulating.

When Can FUD Occur?

FUD can occur whenever prices are falling or a big event happens that’s widely thought to be bearish. A company could miss earnings expectations or it could be revealed that an influential investor has taken a short position against a stock. Or the FUD could come from a larger source, like a pandemic, natural disaster, or the threat of a government defaulting on its debt.

The more catastrophic something could theoretically be, and the greater uncertainty surrounding its outcome, the more it becomes a suitable subject for people to spread FUD.
Sometimes markets react swiftly across the board to such news. Other times people take things out of context or exaggerate them, creating a sort of fake news buzz to scare others into selling.

In stocks and other regulated securities, it’s against the law to spread FUD with the intention of lowering prices. Doing so is considered to be a form of market manipulation and could subject individuals to legal action from regulatory agencies like the SEC, FINRA, or FINCEN.

As not all cryptocurrencies have been definitively classified as securities by all regulatory agencies, there is still some gray area. The idea that many altcoins could one day be deemed securities has itself become a big topic of FUD, because it would have a big impact on the regulatory landscape surrounding crypto.

FUD Crypto Examples

Here are a few well-known examples of FUD in crypto. These examples show FUD at its finest. There are elements of truth to them, but the idea is that their detrimental impacts to asset prices are exaggerated to the point of hysteria.

China Banning Bitcoin

This might be one of the best examples of FUD in crypto, and perhaps the one that has been the subject of more memes and Twitter rants than any other.

Practically every year since crypto hit the scene in a big way, and sometimes multiple times per year, officials in China claim to ban Bitcoin in one way or another. Of course, a real, comprehensive “ban” on Bitcoin would be a one-time event. What really happens is the Chinese government introduces some kind of restrictions for individuals or organizations involved in crypto markets, and media outlets report the event as a “ban on Bitcoin.”

In 2021, China really did make Bitcoin mining illegal in the country. Even so, markets shrugged off the event over time.

Government Regulation

Regulatory concerns coming from any national government can be a big source of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Because crypto markets are still somewhat new, many countries have yet to adopt regulatory frameworks around crypto that provide specific rules around the use and taxation of cryptocurrencies.

Several countries have tried to make any use of crypto illegal, while others make public statements about harsh restrictions coming down the line. Whether the threat is real or perceived, the mere suggestion of governments cracking down on crypto transactions tends to spook investors.

Bitcoin Boils the Oceans

Another example of FUD is the argument that some forms of crypto use so much energy that it’s not sustainable, making it a dangerous threat to the planet. These concerns usually refer to proof-of-work (PoW) crypto like Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, and others that require vast amounts of computer power for mining coins.

However, some analysts claim that a good portion of crypto mining is done with renewable energy. Moreover, these analysts note that gold mining, banking, transportation, construction, healthcare, and other industries use exponentially more energy than it takes to maintain the Bitcoin network.

💡 Recommended: How Much Electricity Is Needed to Mine Bitcoin?

The Fear of Lost Crypto

Nothing stokes investors’ fears like the idea of investment losses, but with crypto there’s the even greater dread of actually losing your coins. Unfortunately, there is some truth to that anxiety, in that there are notable cases of crypto being lost and never recovered, usually because someone loses the private keys that gave them access to their crypto.

Unfortunately, because crypto is decentralized, investors’ assets aren’t protected the same way they would be in traditional, centralized banking systems. (While it’s theoretically possible that all your cash money could vanish from your bank overnight, it’s highly improbable. And even if it did, you’d have the benefit of FDIC insurance.)

Influential Crypto Tweets

Another example of FUD includes some well-known Tweets and/or social media posts by famous people that had an immediate impact on a given type of crypto.

It’s important to remember that FUD moments don’t last, and the impact of a single power person on the price of a certain coin — even if it roiled markets for a period of time — was temporary.

Corporate Crypto Assets

In the last couple of years, several big corporations have launched, or announced plans to launch, a proprietary form of crypto. These include Facebook/Meta, JP Morgan Chase, Google, Amazon, Mitsubishi, and others.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy to get a new crypto off the ground — despite the many comparisons between the crypto markets and the frontiers of the Wild West — and the failure of at least one high-profile coin helped to sow FUD for some investors.

Crypto Tax Law Changes

Whenever the question of crypto’s regulatory identity comes up (Is it a security or a commodity?) FUD ensues. That’s largely because of tax issues. Right now the regulations are up in the air, but the fear is that if crypto is deemed a security the SEC will have oversight and that could impact crypto companies and investors in a big way.

Solar Storms

Because crypto is digital, a great deal of FUD stems from technology-based fears that random events could take down electrical grids and effectively wipe out crypto holdings. One such FUD-inducing rumor is about the possibility of Earth being zapped by solar storms, but the scientific validity of this has yet to be confirmed.

The Takeaway

Crypto FUD is one of many crypto terms that have become popular, but the underlying concept — that fear, uncertainty, and doubt can influence investor behavior — is not new. In fact, FUD as an actual strategy exists in many spheres, including marketing, sales, public relations, politics (and of course crypto).

FUD can come from anywhere and be focused on just about anything, but crypto can be particularly vulnerable to FUD because this market is already quite volatile. It’s also a very new sector, and some investors don’t fully understand the technology involved, and they can be manipulated by alarmist rumors or even celebrity opinions.

Fortunately, many investors take a more rational approach to the markets and to crypto in particular.

FAQ

Who uses FUD?

Some FUD arises naturally from market movements or economic conditions. Some FUD is deliberately cooked up to instill enough fear in the markets that investors make impulsive decisions, e.g. selling one type of crypto for another.

Why does FUD matter?

It’s important for investors to understand the concept of FUD so that they don’t get caught in the inevitable waves of negativity that can lead some people to panic and make poor choices.

What Counts as FUD?

Ordinary fears and concerns about market performance, or an investor’s personal long-term goals, don’t count as FUD. FUD refers to a broader market or crypto phenomenon, where highly negative information goes viral and causes investors to panic.


Photo credit: iStock/dolgachov
SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Crypto: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t endorsed or guaranteed by any government, are volatile, and involve a high degree of risk. Consumer protection and securities laws don’t regulate cryptocurrencies to the same degree as traditional brokerage and investment products. Research and knowledge are essential prerequisites before engaging with any cryptocurrency. US regulators, including FINRA , the SEC , and the CFPB , have issued public advisories concerning digital asset risk. Cryptocurrency purchases should not be made with funds drawn from financial products including student loans, personal loans, mortgage refinancing, savings, retirement funds or traditional investments. Limitations apply to trading certain crypto assets and may not be available to residents of all states.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

2Terms and conditions apply. Earn a bonus (as described below) when you open a new SoFi Digital Assets LLC account and buy at least $50 worth of any cryptocurrency within 7 days. The offer only applies to new crypto accounts, is limited to one per person, and expires on December 31, 2023. Once conditions are met and the account is opened, you will receive your bonus within 7 days. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the offer at any time without notice.

First Trade Amount Bonus Payout
Low High
$50 $99.99 $10
$100 $499.99 $15
$500 $4,999.99 $50
$5,000+ $100

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How Uninsured Certificates of Deposit Work

How Uninsured Certificates of Deposit Work

While most CDs are federally insured, an uninsured certificate of deposit is one that’s not covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Association (NCUA).

The FDIC and the NCUA provide insurance protection to consumers at banks and credit unions, respectively, up to $250,000.

Investing in an uninsured certificate of deposit could make sense if you’re hoping to earn a higher return for your money. But it’s important to understand the potential risks involved with uninsured CDs.

What Is an Uninsured Certificate of Deposit?

An uninsured CD is any CD that is not covered by depositor’s insurance. Depositor’s insurance protects consumers against financial losses in the rare event that a bank or credit union fails. The FDIC covers accounts at insured banks; the NCUA covers accounts at insured credit unions.

Types of Uninsured CDs

There are different kinds of uninsured certificates of deposit investors can open. The types of CD options available may include:

•   Yankee CDs. A Yankee CD is a certificate of deposit that’s issued by a foreign bank through a U.S. branch. These CDs may offer fixed or floating interest rates and require a minimum deposit of $250,000 or more. Because the funds are held at a foreign bank, these CDs are not federally insured.

•   Brokered CDs. A brokered CD is a CD that’s offered through a brokerage on the secondary market. Brokered CDs may be FDIC-insured if certain requirements are met; otherwise, they do not enjoy FDIC protection.

•   Market-linked or index-linked CDs. Market- and index-linked CDs offer returns based on an underlying market benchmark or index. For example, you might open an index-linked CD that aims to match the returns of the S&P 500® Index. These uninsured CDs are also referred to as equity-linked CDs.

A CD may also be uninsured if it’s issued by a financial institution that has no affiliate with the FDIC or NCUA. You can usually tell if a bank or credit union is FDIC-insured by looking for the appropriate signage at a branch or on the homepage of their websites.

Recommended: What is Liquid Net Worth

Advantage of an Uninsured CD

Why might someone choose to invest in an uninsured certificate of deposit?

A simple answer is that higher risk may be balanced against greater rewards. A two-year Yankee CD, for example, may offer a fixed rate approaching 2%. A regular two-year CD, on the other hand, might offer just 0.22% to savers. Thus the opportunity to earn a higher return may outweigh the potential risks for investors who are focused on growing their money with CDs.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Are Certificates of Deposit FDIC Insured?

The FDIC insures a number of different types of deposit accounts at banks, including certificates of deposit. So CDs can be FDIC-insured, if they’re held at member banks. FDIC insurance coverage can extend to:

•   Standard CDs

•   Jumbo CDs

•   No-Penalty CDs

•   Add-on CDs

•   Bump Up CDs

•   Raise Your Rate CDs

But again, not all CDs are FDIC-insured. That’s important to note, as an uninsured certificate of deposit doesn’t carry the same protections as insured CDs. If your bank fails, you wouldn’t automatically be entitled to recoup money deposited in an uninsured CD held at that financial institution.

You also need to keep in mind that FDIC insurance and NCUA insurance is not blanket coverage. There are limits on how far this coverage extends. Generally only $250,000 is covered, per account, per person (see details below).

How FDIC Insurance Works

FDIC insurance protects consumers if their bank fails. You don’t need to apply for this insurance coverage; you’re covered automatically when you have accounts at a member bank. If a bank fails, the FDIC pays depositors within a few days of its closing, up to the applicable limit.

The standard coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution. This is the same coverage limit that’s offered by the NCUA for CD savers at credit unions. If you have accounts at both banks and credit unions, it’s possible to be covered by both types of insurance.

The coverage limit is important to remember when asking, Is a CD FDIC-insured? The answer may be yes, but only up to a certain amount, depending on how much money you keep in CD accounts and other deposit accounts at the same bank. The FDIC offers an online estimator tool to help you determine how much of your deposits are insured at any given time.

Understanding Uninsured Certificates of Deposit

An uninsured CD can be attractive as an investment if you’re looking for alternatives to the certificate of deposit options your bank offers. Generally speaking, CDs are safe investments. You can deposit money into a CD and earn a fixed interest rate. Once the CD matures, you can withdraw your deposit plus interest, or roll it over to a new CD.

Your money isn’t invested in the stock market so there’s very little risk of loss. And even if the bank fails, you’d likely still be covered by FDIC protection. An uninsured certificate of deposit, on the other hand, carries more risk since you don’t have FDIC coverage.

Recommended: Average Savings by Age

Special Considerations for Uninsured CDs

When considering whether to invest in an uninsured certificate of deposit, it’s important to think about how much risk you’re comfortable taking. The risk factor can vary across different types of uninsured CDs. A floating rate Yankee CD, for example, may be riskier than a fixed-rate Yankee CD since it may be more difficult to estimate your returns.

Also, consider how much money you’ll need to invest if you’re looking into specialized uninsured CDs. While you might be able to open a standard CD at your bank with $500 or $1,000, you might need $100,000 or more to open a Yankee CD or a market-linked CD at a brokerage.

Uninsured CDs: Real World Example

It’s possible you might have an uninsured certificate of deposit without even realizing. For example, say you have checking and savings at the same bank. You don’t own those accounts with anyone else. Your combined balance across accounts is $200,000. You decide to open a new CD account and transfer $100,000 to it from an account held at a different bank.

Your combined balances across checking and savings and your CD account at the same bank now total $300,000. Under FDIC insurance rules, you’d only be covered up to $250,000 of that amount and the remaining $50,000 would be uninsured.

The FDIC applies insurance coverage limits per financial institution. So it’s possible to max out the limit at each bank where you have a CD account or any other eligible deposit account. Going back to the previous example, you could deposit $50,000 in the CD instead, then take the other $50,000 and open a CD at a different bank without exceeding FDIC insurance limits.

Pros of an Uninsured CD

Here are some of the advantages of uninsured CDs:

•   Investors may earn higher rates compared to regular CDs.

•   Market- or index-linked CDs may allow you to match the returns of a particular benchmark or index, similar to the way an index mutual fund works.

•   Brokered CDs may still be partially insured.

•   Uninsured CDs can also add diversification to a portfolio. The more diversified your investments are, the easier it may be to manage risk.

Cons of an Uninsured CD

Here are some of the drawbacks of an uninsured certificate of deposit:

•   No FDIC or NCUA protection.

•   Greater risk could mean a greater possibility of losing money.

•   Larger deposits may be required to open an uninsured CD.

Additionally, you may not be able to get a CD loan with an uninsured certificate of deposit. A CD loan allows you to borrow money using your CD balance as collateral. In terms of CD loan pros, this type of borrowing arrangement can help you build credit as you repay the loan. Your CD deposit can also continue earning interest during the loan period.

The Takeaway

Uninsured CDs could be a good fit for your financial plan, if you’re looking to set aside a large amount of money for a fixed period of time, at a higher rate than a standard CD or savings account. There are various types of uninsured CDs to choose from, but they generally require higher minimum deposits of $100,000, $250,000 or more. And these CDs may have additional restrictions, so be sure to do your research. A Yankee CD, for example, is only available via the U.S. branch of a foreign bank.

CDs aren’t the only way to save, of course, and SoFi now offers a new all-in-one Checking and Savings that can help you save big. You can sign up for an account right from your phone and pay zero account fees — and if you qualify and sign up with direct deposit, you can earn a competitive APY.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Are all CDs FDIC insured?

No, only CDs that are held at FDIC member banks are insured. FDIC coverage applies up to the standard limit of $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership type, per financial institution.

Who benefits from a certificate of deposit?

People who want a safe, secure way to save money while earning interest can benefit from opening one or more CD accounts. A CD can be used to save for short- or long-term goals and FDIC coverage offers reassurance that your money won’t be lost if your bank goes under.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


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