Guided Investing FAQs
Guided Investing is an automated digital tool that professionally manages your investments based on your risk tolerance & time horizon to help you reach your financial goals.
Based on your answers to a short list of questions, your money is invested in a diversified portfolio aligned with your investment goals. Your portfolio is monitored on an ongoing basis & rebalanced as needed to stay on track with your goal.
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FAQs
Who is eligible to invest through Guided Investing?
To open a Guided Investing account, you must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. Citizen. You must also be an existing credit union member. If you are not a current member, we invite you to open an account.
What kinds of investment accounts are available?
You can open Taxable Individual and/or Joint accounts; the investments in these types of accounts can be used for any reason. Tax-advantaged Traditional and Roth IRAs are also available if you are saving for retirement.
How do I fund the account?
After opening your Guided Investing account, you can transfer funds from your credit union account or from another external bank account.
What is the initial minimum investment required to open a Guided Investing account?
The minimum required investment to open a Guided Investing account is $200.
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How will my account be invested?
Your account will be invested in a portfolio of professionally managed exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) based on the information you share with us about your time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
What are the fees/costs associated with Guided Investing? (e.g., management fees)?
There is a .25% annual management fee for assets under management. For example, if you have an account balance of $10,000, your management fee would be roughly $25 per year. For IRA accounts, there is an annual $20 retirement account maintenance fee. Additionally, there is a $95 retirement account termination fee should you decide to close your IRA account.
Please also see our Brokerage Fee Schedule for information on additional account servicing and maintenance fees that will also apply to your account. The ETFs in your account are also subject to expenses charged by the manager of the ETFs.
See the Guided Investing Wrap Fee Program Fee Brochure for a full discussion of all associated fees and expenses.
What should I expect in terms of returns for my investments?
Your account has the potential to gain or lose value on a daily basis. Returns depend on market fluctuations and are not guaranteed. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of money you invest in your account.
How do I know if Guided Investing is right for me?
If simplicity and cost are your primary drivers in choosing how to invest, Guided Investing may be a great choice for you. Conversely, if you are interested in a high level of personalized service and direct management of your investments, a traditional wealth advisor might be better suited to your needs.
Are my accounts insured?
Your account is an investment account and is not a credit union account. Any insurance you have on your credit union (e.g., NCUA) does not apply to your investment accounts. Your investment account is offered by Copper Financial, a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser.
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) does offer insurance on investment accounts, but only in the event the financial firm fails. SIPC coverage does not apply to market losses in your investment account. Click here for more information on SIPC coverage.
What is the minimum amount for subsequent investments?
For subsequent investments into Guided Investing accounts, the minimum amount is $25.
What is the minimum account balance requirement?
Accounts must maintain at least a $150 balance to remain eligible for a Guided Investing account. Withdrawal requests resulting in a balance of less than $150 will be prompted to either reduce the withdrawal amount or submit a full account balance withdrawal request.
Who can I contact if I have questions about Guided Investing?
You can contact our Digital Wealth Team at digital@cu.financial or 833.605.6681.
Can I open more than one investment account?
Yes, you can have multiple investment accounts.
What information do I need to create an investment account?
We’ll ask you a series of questions upon opening a Guided Investing account, such as income, net worth, and employment status. You will also complete a brief questionnaire to gather information regarding your financial situation, risk tolerance, and time horizon, which we will use to determine your recommended portfolio.
You will have the option to name a Trusted Contact for your account. If you choose to do so, you will be asked to provide contact information for that individual such as a phone number, email address and/or physical address.
What is a trusted contact and how do I add one to my investment account?
A trusted contact is a person you appoint for us to contact if we need to address possible financial exploitation, to confirm the specifics of your current contact information, health status, or the identity of any legal guardian, executor, trustee, or other holder of a power of attorney, or as otherwise permitted.
To add or change a trusted contact on an existing account, please email digital@cu.financial or call 833.605.6681.
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DISCLOSURES
To learn more about Copper Financial and its financial representatives, visit FINRA BrokerCheck.
There is a .25% annual management fee for assets under management. Please see our Brokerage Fee Schedule for information on account servicing and maintenance fees that will also apply to your account. The ETFs in your account are also subject to expenses charged by the manager of the ETFs. See the Guided Investing Wrap Fee Program Fee Brochure for a full discussion of all associated fees and expenses.
Securities and advisory services are offered through Copper Financial Network, LLC (“Copper Financial”), an SEC-registered investment adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC. People First Federal Credit Union (“People First”) has contracted with Copper Financial to make non-deposit investment products and services available to its members. People First and People First Financial Solutions are not broker-dealers or investment advisers and are not affiliated with Copper Financial.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest. Past performance is not a guarantee or indication of future performance.
Guided Investing is an investment advisory service offered by Copper Financial. For additional information on Guided Investing please see our Additional Disclosures.
Wealth Advisors are able to offer different advisory, securities, and insurance products. Account minimums and fees for products available through a Wealth Advisor vary by product.
Please review our Customer Relationship Summary for information on the products and services we offer and the nature of the relationship we have with our clients.
Investment and insurance products offered through Copper Financial:
Are Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations | Are Not NCUA or otherwise Federally Insured | Are Not Credit Union Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Copper Financial Network, LLC (“Copper Financial”) has an agreement with People First Federal Credit Union (“People First”) whereby Copper Financial offers investment products and services to members of People First that are referred to Copper Financial by People First. Copper Financial does not pay a referral fee to People First for referrals that lead to the opening of Guided Investing accounts. People First is not a client of Copper Financial.
The terms “mobile app” or “app” refer to the People First online banking application.