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A zero-coupon certificate of deposit or zero-coupon CD is a type of CD that’s purchased at a discount and pays out interest at maturity. Zero-coupon CDs can offer higher yields than standard CDs for investors who have the patience to wait until maturity to collect their original deposit and the interest earned.

Zero-coupon certificates of deposit are similar to bonds, in that both are considered low-risk, fixed-income instruments, but they serve different purposes in a portfolio. Understanding how a zero-coupon CD works can make it easier to decide if it’s a good investment.

What Is a Zero-Coupon CD?

To understand zero-coupon CDs, let’s recap how a certificate of deposit works. A CD account, also referred to as a time-deposit or term-deposit account, is designed to hold money for a specified period of time. While the money is in the CD, it earns interest at a rate determined by the CD issuer — and the investor cannot add to or withdraw from the account.

CDs are FDIC or NCUA insured when held at a member bank or credit union. That means deposits are insured up to $250,000.

CDs are some of the most common interest-bearing accounts banks offer, alongside savings accounts and money market accounts (MMAs).

A zero-coupon certificate of deposit does not pay periodic interest. Instead, the interest is paid out at the end of the CD’s maturity term. This can allow the purchaser of the CD to potentially earn a higher rate of return because zero-coupon CDs are sold at a discount to face value, but the investor is paid the full face value at maturity.

Recommended: CD Loans, Explained

By comparison, traditional certificates of deposit pay interest periodically. For example, you might open a CD at your bank with interest that compounds daily. Other CDs can compound monthly. Either way, you’d receive an interest payment in your CD account for each month that you hold it until it matures.

Once the CD matures, you’d be able to withdraw the initial amount you deposited along with the compound interest. You could also roll the entire amount into a new CD if you’d prefer.

Remember: Withdrawing money from a CD early can trigger an early withdrawal penalty equal to some or all of the interest earned.

How Do Zero-Coupon CDs Work?

Ordinarily when you buy a CD, you’d deposit an amount equal to or greater than the minimum deposit specified by the bank. You’d then earn interest on that amount for the entirety of the CD’s maturity term.

With zero-coupon CD accounts, though, you’re purchasing the CDs for less than their face value. But at the end of the CD’s term, you’d be paid out the full face value of the CD. The discount — and your interest earned — is the difference between what you pay for the CD and what you collect at maturity. So you can easily see at a glance how much you’ll earn from a zero-coupon CD investment.

In a sense, that’s similar to how the coupon rate of a bond works. A bond’s coupon is the annual interest rate that’s paid out, typically on a semiannual basis. The coupon rate is always tied to a bond’s face value. So a $1,000 bond with a 5% interest rate has a 5% coupon rate, meaning a $50 annual payout until it matures.

Real World Example of a Zero-Coupon CD

Here’s a simple example of how a zero-coupon CD works. Say your bank offers a zero-coupon certificate of deposit with a face value of $10,000. You have the opportunity to purchase the CD for $8,000, a discount of $2,000. The CD has a maturity term of five years.

You wouldn’t receive any interest payments from the CD until maturity. And since the CD has a set term, you wouldn’t be able to withdraw money from the account early. But assuming your CD is held at an FDIC- or NCUA-member institution, the risk of losing money is very low.

At the end of the five years, the bank pays you the full $10,000 face value of the CD. So you’ve received $400 per year in interest income for the duration of the CD’s maturity term — or 5% per year. You can then use that money to purchase another zero-coupon CD or invest it any other way you’d like.

Tips When Investing in a Zero-Coupon CD

If you’re interested in zero-coupon CDs, there are a few things to consider to make sure they’re a good investment for you. Specifically, it’s important to look at:

•   What the CD is selling for (i.e., how big of a discount you’re getting to its face value)

•   How long you’ll have to hold the CD until it reaches maturity

•   The face value amount of the CD (and what the bank will pay you in full, once it matures)

It’s easy to be tempted by a zero-coupon certificate of deposit that offers a steep discount between the face value and the amount paid out at maturity. But consider what kind of trade-off you might be making in terms of how long you have to hold the CD.

If you don’t have the patience to wait out a longer maturity term, or you need the money in the shorter term, then the prospect of higher returns may hold less sway for you. Also, keep in mind what kind of liquidity you’re looking for. If you think you might need to withdraw savings for any reason before maturity, then a standard CD could be a better fit.

Comparing zero-coupon CD offerings at different banks can help you find one that fits your needs and goals. You may also consider other types of cash equivalents, such as money market funds or short-term government bonds if you’re looking for alternatives to zero-coupon CDs.

Recommended: How to Invest in CDs: A Beginner’s Guide

Pros of Zero-Coupon CDs

Zero-coupon CDs have some features that could make them more attractive than other types of CDs. The main advantages of investing in zero coupon certificates of deposit include:

•   Higher return potential than regular CDs

•   Guaranteed returns, since you’re unable to withdraw money before maturity

•   Suited for longer-term goals

•   Can be federally insured

Zero-coupon CDs are low-risk investments, which can make them more appealing than bonds. While bonds are considered low-risk investments generally, if the bond issuer defaults, then you might walk away from your investment with nothing.

A zero-coupon certificate of deposit, on the other hand, does not carry this same default risk because your money is insured up to $250,000. There is, however, a risk that the CD issuer could “call” the CD before it matures (see more in the next section).

Cons of Zero-Coupon CDs

Every investment has features that may be sticking points for investors. If you’re wondering what the downsides of zero-coupon CDs are, here are a few things to consider:

•   No periodic interest payments

•   No liquidity, since you’re required to keep your money in the CD until maturity

•   Some zero-coupon CDs may be callable, which means the issuer can redeem them before maturity, and the investor won’t get the full face value

•   Taxes are due on the interest that accrues annually, even though the interest isn’t paid out until maturity

It may be helpful to talk to your financial advisor or a tax expert about the tax implications of zero-coupon CDs. It’s possible that the added “income” from these CDs that you have to report each year could increase your tax liability.

How to Collect Interest on Zero-Coupon CDs

Since zero-coupon CDs only pay out at interest at the end of the maturity term, all you have to do to collect the interest is wait until the CD matures. You can direct the bank that issued the CD to deposit the principal and interest into a savings account or another bank account. Or you can use the interest and principal to purchase new CDs.

It’s important to ask the bank what options you’ll have for collecting the interest when the CD matures to make sure renewal isn’t automatic. With regular CDs, banks may give you a window leading up to maturity in which you can specify what you’d like to do with the money in your account. If you don’t ask for the money to be out to you it may be rolled over to a new CD instead.

How to Value Zero-Coupon CDs

The face value of a zero-coupon CD is the amount that’s paid to you at maturity. Banks should specify what the face value of the CD is before you purchase it so you understand how much you’re going to get back later.

In terms of whether a specific zero-coupon CD is worth the money, it helps to look at how much of a discount you’re getting and what that equates to in terms of average interest earned during each year of maturity.

Purchasing a $10,000 zero-coupon CD for $8,000, for example, means you’re getting it at 20% below face value. Buying a $5,000 zero-coupon CD for $4,500, on the other hand, means you’re only getting a 10% discount.

Of course, you’ll also want to keep the maturity term in perspective when assessing what a zero-coupon CD is worth to you personally. Getting a 10% discount for a CD with a three-year maturity term, for example, may trump a 20% discount for a five-year CD, especially if you don’t want to tie up your money for that long.

The Takeaway

Investing in zero-coupon CDs could be a good fit if you’re looking for a low-risk way to save money for a long-term financial goal, and you’d like a higher yield than most other cash equivalents.

Zero-coupon CDs are sold at a discount to face value, and while the investor doesn’t accrue interest payments annually, they get the full face value at maturity — which often adds up to a higher yield than most savings vehicles. And because the difference between the discount and the face value is clear, zero-coupon CDs are predictable investments (e.g. you buy a $5,000 CD for $4,000, but you collect $5,000 at maturity).

As with any investment, it’s important for investors to know the terms before they commit any funds. For example, zero-coupon CDs don’t pay periodic interest, but the account holder is expected to pay taxes on the amount of interest earned each year (even though they don’t collect it until they cash out or roll over the CD).

If you’re eager to earn a higher rate on your savings, you’ve got a lot of options — including the new high-yield bank account with SoFi. With SoFi, you don’t pay management fees or account fees, and you can earn a competitive APY.

FAQ

What is a coupon on a CD?

The coupon on a CD is its periodic interest payment. When a CD is zero coupon, that means it doesn’t pay out interest monthly or annually. Instead, the investor gets the full amount of interest earned paid out to them when the CD reaches maturity.

Is a certificate of deposit a zero-coupon bond?

Certificates of deposit and bonds are two different types of savings vehicles. While a CD can be zero-coupon the same way that a bond can, your money is not invested in the same way. CD accounts also don’t carry the same types of risk that bonds can present.

Are CDs safer than bonds?

CDs can be safer than bonds since CDs don’t carry default risk. A bond is only as good as the entity that issues it. If the issuer defaults, then bond investors can lose money. CDs, on the other hand, are issued by banks and typically covered by FDIC insurance which can make them safer investments.

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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.

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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.

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Suppose you’re one of the lucky few who have substantial savings, built an emergency fund, and are well on your way to a healthy retirement portfolio. In that case, it may be time to think about diversifying your financial portfolio. An investment property may be a solid option to do that.

Real estate investing can help diversify your existing investment portfolio and bring an additional income stream. But before taking the plunge to invest in real estate, here’s what you need to know about investment properties and how to invest in this asset class.

What is an Investment Property?

An investment property is a piece of real estate purchased to earn a return on the investment through rental income or the property’s future resale.

Usually, an investment property differs from an investor’s primary residence or a second home. It can be more challenging for investors to secure financing for an investment property because lenders see it as riskier than a primary residence.

Investors often treat property as a long-term investment. Over a given period, investors can benefit from a stream of rental income and capital appreciation, where the value of a property increases over time.

Most investors get into real estate investing with this long-term time horizon, but some investors treat investing in property as a short-term trade. Investors do this by house flipping, which is when real estate is purchased, renovated, and sold for profit in a short amount of time.

Types of Investment Properties

Residential real estate is a type of property used for people to live in, like single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and more. Most people think of residential real estate when investing in property.

💡 Recommended: Investing in Single Family vs. Multi Family Houses

However, that is just one type of investment property. Other types of investment properties include:

•  Commercial: Commercial real estate is a term used to describe a piece of land or property used for business purposes. Commercial real estate can include office buildings, warehouses, retail space, large apartment developments, etc. While less common for individual investors, commercial real estate may still be an attractive investment that offers higher rents than residential property, though with increased costs.

•  Mixed-use: A mixed-use property can be used for both commercial and residential purposes. For instance, a building may have a retail storefront on the main floor, while the upper portion of the structure consists of residential apartments or condos.

Who Is an Investment Property Right For?

An investment property is usually a good fit for those interested in earning rental income or owning an appreciating asset. Investing in property can be a way to diversify a financial portfolio, combining it with a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets.

Additionally, some people invest for the tax benefits associated with real estate investment, while others invest for the ability to build equity in a property.

No matter your reason for investing in real estate, it is vital to research and understand the risks and potential rewards associated with this type of investment.

Pros of Investing in Property

Here are some of the advantages of investing in property. However, these advantages are not guaranteed; investors must research properties and real estate markets to increase the odds of generating returns.

Potential for High Returns

If the real estate you own increases in value over time, you can sell it for a profit. However, this price appreciation isn’t guaranteed.

Passive Rental Income

Investing in real estate can be a way to generate relatively passive income. Whether you invest in residential or commercial real estate, you can rent out your space to tenants and receive regular rental income.

Hedge Against Inflation

Real estate investments may protect against inflation. When the prices of goods and services rise, home values and rents typically increase. Investment properties can therefore provide you with increasing monthly income and appreciation to help protect you when consumer prices are going up.

Potential Tax Advantages

Investing in real estate comes with tax benefits. You can deduct several expenses associated with owning an investment property from your taxes, including your property taxes, mortgage interest, and other expenses.

Cons of Investing in Property

Like any investment, there are potential downsides to investing in property.

High Upfront Costs

Directly investing in property generally requires higher upfront costs than primary residences. Lenders usually require higher down payments and interest rates for investment properties. This makes it difficult for some people who don’t have the initial capital to invest in a property.

High Maintenance Costs

Maintaining a property can be expensive and time-consuming, and it is essential to factor in these costs when considering an investment.

Illiquidity

Real estate isn’t a liquid asset. It could be complicated if you want to sell the property, and you may not be able to sell the property at the price you want.

Real Estate Market Risks

The real estate market can be volatile, and there is always the risk that your investment may not perform as well as you hoped. It’s important to do market research to make sure your investment property is in a location that may experience price increases.

How to Invest in Property

Rental Properties

Purchasing a residential investment property to rent out to tenants is a popular way to invest in property. This strategy allows investors to reap the benefits of generating rental income and price appreciation.

Before you directly invest in a property, it’s important to determine how much you have to spend on this property upfront. Also, it would be best if you have the time to take care of it or have the means to employ someone else to maintain the property.

It’s often beneficial to look in neighborhoods or areas you are familiar with to limit surprises down the line. You may also want to consider neighborhoods where experts think a property is likely to increase in value.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

Buying and selling the shares of real estate investment trusts (REITs) is one of the easier ways to invest in real estate. With a REIT, an investor buys into a piece of a real estate venture, not the whole thing. There’s less responsibility and pressure on the shareholder when compared to purchasing an investment property.

When a person invests in a REIT, they’re investing in a real estate company that owns and operates anything from malls, office complexes, warehouses, apartment buildings, mortgages, etc. It’s a way for someone to add a diverse mix of real estate investments to their portfolio without developing real estate.

In addition to diversification, earning consistent dividends can be a compelling reason for investors to get involved with REITs. REITs are required by law to pay at least 90% of their income in dividends. The REIT’s management can decide to pay out more than 90%, but they can’t drop below that percentage.

Many, but not all, REITs are registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and can be found on the stock market, where they’re publicly traded. Investors can also buy REITs registered with the SEC but are not publicly traded.

💡 Recommended: Pros & Cons of Investing in REITs

Interest Rates on Investment Properties

Lenders treat investment property loans differently because people are more likely to default on an investment property loan than on a primary residence mortgage.

Typically, lenders will charge a higher interest rate on an investment property than on an owner-occupied property. So if the rate was at 5% for your primary home mortgage, you might have a 6% to 8% interest rate on your investment property mortgage.

Lenders often require at least a 20% down payment to purchase an investment property. This down payment minimum may be higher, depending on the borrower’s credit score and savings.

The Takeaway

Adding an investment property to your financial portfolio can be a good option to build wealth. However, real estate investments come with a lot of work, especially if you decide to invest directly in a property; not everyone is cut out to be a landlord.

Fortunately, investors don’t have to invest directly in real estate or resort to house flipping to get exposure to real estate. Investors can invest in various publicly-traded REITs to benefit from their potential share price appreciation and regular dividends. And with the SoFi Invest® online trading platform, investors can trade stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for as little as $5.

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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.
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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.

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.

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