How Does Wealthfront Cash Account Work and Is It Right for You

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Wealthfront's Cash Account is a high-yield savings account that's designed to help you grow your money over time. It's FDIC insured, which means your deposits are protected up to $250,000.

With a Cash Account, you can earn up to 4.65% APY, depending on market conditions, which is significantly higher than a traditional savings account. This means your money can grow faster, even if you're not actively investing.

You can link your Cash Account to your Wealthfront investment accounts, making it easy to transfer funds between accounts. This flexibility is especially useful if you're trying to save for a specific goal, like a down payment on a house.

Wealthfront's Cash Account also offers no minimum balance requirements, no monthly maintenance fees, and no overdraft fees. This makes it a low-risk option for storing your emergency fund or other savings.

What Is Wealthfront Cash Account?

The Wealthfront Cash Account is a no-fee cash management account that offers a high interest rate of 4.50% annual percentage yield. You can use it as a savings and checking account, and it has a $1 opening deposit.

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You can get paid 2 days early with direct deposit, which is a nice perk. This account also comes with a debit card and mobile check deposit, making it easy to manage your money on the go.

One of the benefits of the Wealthfront Cash Account is that it's FDIC insured, which means your deposits are protected up to $5 million for individual accounts and $10 million for joint accounts. This gives you peace of mind knowing your money is safe.

Here are some key features of the Wealthfront Cash Account:

  • No monthly service fee
  • $30 bonus when you open and fund your new account, plus earn 5.00% APY
  • FDIC insured up to $5 million for individual Cash Accounts ($10M for joint accounts) through partner banks
  • Get paid 2 days early
  • Access to a debit card
  • Mobile check deposit
  • Automatically move extra money into investments with Autopilot
  • Save for separate goals in one account

You can also use this account to send money on payment apps like Venmo and Apple Pay, and receive wire transfers for free. With over 19,000 fee-free ATMs, you'll have plenty of options for withdrawing cash.

Key Features and Benefits

The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a variable 4.50% APY with no caps or minimum requirements, similar to top high-yield savings accounts.

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This account features a high FDIC insurance limit of up to $8 million through Wealthfront's partner banks, providing the highest coverage we found in researching the top cash management accounts.

You can get started with a Wealthfront Cash Account, which is a hybrid account that combines useful features of both savings and checking accounts with an investing twist for individual accounts.

Interest Rate and APY

The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a competitive APY, with rates that stand out from the average bank account interest rate of 0.07% APY.

You can earn a high 5.00% APY on your entire balance, no matter the amount, which is a significant difference from the average rate.

Interest accrues daily and is credited to your account monthly, so you can see the benefits of earning interest on your money.

Wealthfront takes the money you deposit and sweeps it to one of many participating partner banks to hold your money and have it earn interest with the backing of FDIC insurance.

Fees and Insurance

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The Wealthfront Cash Account is a great option for those looking to store FDIC-insured savings with high interest. There are no account fees for the Wealthfront Cash Account itself.

The connected debit card, however, comes with some fees that may apply. Out-of-network ATM fees are $2.50 + ATM owner fee (varies), and bank teller fees are $2.50 + teller fees (varies).

You can avoid these fees by using your debit card to withdraw from one of their over 19,000 free ATMs at places like CVS, Target, and Walgreens.

No Fees

The Wealthfront Cash Account is a great option for those looking to avoid fees. There are no account fees, which means you won't be charged for things like maintenance, excess activity, or overdrafts.

One of the key benefits of the Wealthfront Cash Account is its low cost structure. This is because Wealthfront doesn't have an expensive network of bank branches to maintain, which means they can pass the savings on to you.

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You'll also appreciate the lack of transfer fees, except for outgoing wire transfers, which cost $10. This is a significant advantage over traditional banks, which often charge for transfers.

Here are some key fees to be aware of with the Wealthfront Cash Account:

It's worth noting that you can avoid the out-of-network ATM fee by using your debit card to withdraw from one of the 19,000 free ATMs at places like CVS, Target, and Walgreens.

Offers More Insurance

The Wealthfront Cash Account offers more FDIC insurance than a traditional savings account or high-yield savings account, with up to $8 million in coverage for an individual account and $16 million for a joint account.

This is because Wealthfront sweeps your deposits to multiple FDIC-insured partner banks, keeping your deposits below the $250,000 threshold at each partner bank.

You can benefit from this extra insurance without the hassle of dealing with multiple banks yourself.

Wealthfront uses up to 32 partner banks to provide this increased coverage, all of which are FDIC insured and undergo regular risk reviews.

This means you can have more peace of mind knowing your deposits are protected up to $8 million, or $16 million for joint accounts.

Discover more: Joint Account

Pros and Cons

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Wealthfront Cash Account has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key pros:

The account offers a high APY of up to 5.00%, which is higher than many other high-yield savings accounts. You can also earn up to $8 million in FDIC insurance through partner banks, which is higher than the standard limit of $250,000.

There are no account fees, overdraft fees, transfer fees, or minimum balance requirements. You can also enjoy early direct deposit, allowing you to access your paychecks up to two days before they're normally available.

The account is linked to your Wealthfront investment account, making it easy to transfer and invest your money quickly. You can also take advantage of same-day transfers to external bank accounts.

Here are the key pros and cons of Wealthfront Cash Account:

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of online savings accounts can be a bit overwhelming, but let's break it down. One of the biggest advantages is the high APY, with some accounts offering rates as high as 5.00% APY.

If this caught your attention, see: Is High Saving Account Investment Account

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You can earn a significant amount of interest on your savings, and it's not just about the rate – some accounts also offer features like early paychecks with direct deposit. This can be a game-changer for people who need access to their money quickly.

Another benefit is the lack of fees, with some accounts offering no minimum balance or deposit requirements, no monthly fees, and no transfer fees. This makes it easier to manage your finances without breaking the bank.

However, one of the downsides is the potential for online-only services with no physical branches. If you prefer to do your banking in person, this might not be the best option for you.

Some accounts also have fees for cash deposits, which can be a hassle if you need to deposit cash regularly. But, on the bright side, some accounts offer FDIC insurance up to $8 million, which provides peace of mind and protects your savings.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the key pros and cons:

  • Above-average APY
  • No minimum balance or deposit
  • No monthly fees
  • Unlimited transfers and free same-day withdrawals
  • FDIC insurance up to $8 million
  • Online-only service with no physical branches
  • Fees for cash deposits

Potential Investors

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If you're a potential investor, you'll want to know that Wealthfront's Cash account can earn a competitive interest rate. This means your money can grow over time, even if you're not actively investing right now.

You can link your Cash account to your investment account, which is a great way to have even more funds to invest in the future.

User Experience and Accessibility

Wealthfront's accessibility is similar to that of online banks, making it easy to access your funds from anywhere with your computer or mobile phone.

Having a Wealthfront Cash Account makes it easier to use Wealthfront's other investing products, such as its Automated Investing Account, while earning a great interest rate.

Since Wealthfront isn't a bank, it doesn't have any in-person branches, so you can't bank in person or deposit cash easily.

Wealthfront's Cash Account offers unlimited transfers and free same-day withdrawals, even on weekends and holidays, giving you flexibility when you need it.

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You also get free wires, access to 19,000+ free ATMs, and two out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements per month, making it convenient to manage your cash.

With a Wealthfront Cash Account, you can use your account and routing numbers to pay bills and businesses and even send checks for free, making it a hassle-free experience.

How to Open and Use

Opening a Wealthfront Cash Account is an easy process, taking just a few minutes to complete, as long as you have your information ready. You'll need to provide some personal information, such as your social security number or a government ID.

To start, decide which type of account you want to open: Wealthfront Individual Cash Account, joint, or trust account. You can then fund your account with a minimum of $1 from an external account.

You can use money in your Wealthfront Cash Account to invest in your linked Wealthfront taxable investment account within minutes. Simply log in on the website or app and complete the transfer process under Transfer Money.

Ability to Use

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Having a Wealthfront Cash Account makes it easier to use Wealthfront's other investing products, such as its Automated Investing Account.

You can earn a great interest rate on your cash with a Wealthfront Cash Account, which can help your money grow over time.

With a Wealthfront Cash Account, you'll be able to invest while keeping your money liquid and easily accessible.

This makes it a great option for people who already use Wealthfront for its online brokerage features.

How to Open

Opening a Wealthfront Cash Account is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. You'll need to provide some personal information, such as your social security number or a government ID.

To get started, go to Wealthfront's website and answer the questions they provide. You'll need to decide which type of account you want to open - it can be an individual, joint, or trust account. You'll also need to select who will own the account.

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You'll need to fund your Wealthfront Cash Account with a minimum of $1 using an external account. This can be done quickly and easily, and it's a great way to start earning interest on your money.

The whole process is designed to be similar to opening a checking account at an online bank. Just make sure you have all the necessary information ready, and you'll be up and running in no time.

Early Direct Deposit

You can get your paycheck up to two days earlier than usual if you set up direct deposit to your Wealthfront Cash Account. This is a great way to get a head start on your finances.

To take advantage of early direct deposit, you'll need to set up direct deposit from your employer to your Wealthfront Cash Account. You can do this by sharing your banking information with your employer.

Having a direct deposit set up will also make it easier to invest your money in your linked Wealthfront taxable investment account within minutes.

Alternatives and Comparison

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Wealthfront's Cash Account is a solid option, but it's not the only game in town. The Betterment Cash Reserve offers a 4.75% APY with no minimum balance requirement.

You'll also get zero fees and unlimited withdrawals with Betterment's Cash Reserve. This is a big plus, especially if you're looking for a hassle-free cash management experience.

Betterment's FDIC insurance coverage is a bit lower than Wealthfront's, at up to $2 million with its partner banks. This is still excellent coverage, especially for everyday cash accounts.

You might like: Reserve (accounting)

Security and Insurance

The Wealthfront Cash Account offers a high level of security and insurance, thanks to its partnership with multiple FDIC-insured banks.

Your deposits are FDIC insured up to $8 million for an individual account or $16 million for a joint account.

Wealthfront uses a system of sweeping your deposits to up to 32 partner banks, keeping your deposits below the $250,000 threshold at each bank to maximize insurance coverage.

If this caught your attention, see: Insurance Works

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This setup allows you to benefit from more FDIC insurance without having to deal with multiple banks yourself, which can be a hassle.

Every partner bank in the program is FDIC insured, and you can see the full list of them on the Wealthfront website.

Wealthfront also conducts regular risk reviews to ensure that its partner banks remain a good fit for the program.

Your cash is only FDIC insured while it's in a bank account at one of the partnered banks.

It takes one to three business days for your funds to sweep from Wealthfront to the partner bank after you make an initial deposit.

Investing and Savings

Wealthfront's Cash Account makes investing simple and automatic, helping you get in the market within minutes when you're ready to invest.

You can set up an automated savings plan that regularly sweeps money from your Cash Account to a dedicated category for a particular goal, such as a new car or vacation, or to your Wealthfront Automated Investing Account or IRA.

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Wealthfront Cash Account doesn't require you to use your investing account to earn interest, so you can keep your cash separate from your investments.

Linking Wealthfront Cash to your investment account can be attractive if you're looking to invest at some point in the future, as your funds will be earning a competitive interest rate in the meantime.

You'll have even more to invest because your funds were earning interest during that time, making it a great option for those who want to save and invest for their future.

See what others are reading: How Does Interest on Cash Advance Work

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money from my Wealthfront cash account?

Yes, you can make free instant withdrawals from your Wealthfront Cash Account to an eligible linked account every day of the year

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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