Navy Fed Investing Review and Comparison

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Navy Fed Investing offers a range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

With a minimum investment requirement of $100, Navy Fed Investing is accessible to a wide range of investors.

Their investment options are designed to be low-cost and easy to understand, making it a great choice for beginners.

Navy Fed Investing also offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their accounts on the go.

How It Works

Navy Federal Digital Investor is a user-friendly platform that makes investing easy and accessible. You can start investing with just $1, and the platform offers fractional stock shares, which means you can buy a portion of a stock rather than a whole one.

The automated investing option is a great fit for those who don't want to select individual securities for their portfolio. After answering a few questions about your financial goals, the robo-advisor will match you with one of six preselected, low-cost ETF portfolios.

Here are the account types available on Navy Federal Digital Investor:

  • Account Types
  • Tradable Assets
  • Account Minimum
  • Account Fee
  • Fund Minimum
  • Stock Commissions
  • ETF Commissions
  • Fractional Shares
  • Banking Services
  • Customer Service Number
  • ATM Availability
  • Mobile App Availability
  • Promotions

The platform offers a 30-day free trial, which is a great way to test the waters before committing to a paid subscription.

Is It Safe?

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Navy Federal is a trusted credit union with National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insurance.

Your funds held in Navy Federal's deposit accounts are protected for up to $250,000.

There is always a risk that your investments will decrease in value.

Automated Investing

Navy Federal Digital Investor offers an automated investing option that's perfect for those who don't want to select individual securities for their portfolio. It's a great fit if you want to let a robo-advisor do the work for you.

You'll start by answering some questions about your financial goals, and then Navy Federal's robo-advisor will match you with one of six preselected portfolios consisting of low-cost ETFs. Each portfolio is designed to meet specific investment objectives.

The automated investing option is available with a flat fee structure that's competitive for high-value portfolios. The fee is $2.50 to $3.50 monthly, depending on the portfolio you choose.

Here are the six portfolios you can choose from:

By choosing an automated investing option, you can let Navy Federal Digital Investor handle the investment decisions for you. This can be a great option for those who want to invest but don't have the time or expertise to do it themselves.

Investment Options

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Navy Fed investing offers a range of investment options to fit different risk tolerance levels and financial goals.

You can invest in Navy Fed's High-Yield Savings account, which earns a competitive interest rate and is FDIC-insured.

Some investors prefer the Navy Fed Money Market account, which provides easy access to cash and earns a slightly lower interest rate.

Navy Fed's investment options also include certificates of deposit (CDs), which offer a fixed interest rate for a specified term and are also FDIC-insured.

These investment options can be a good fit for investors who want a low-risk way to earn interest on their savings.

What It Offers

Navy Federal Digital Investor offers a range of investment options, including IRAs and taxable accounts.

You can choose from two main investment approaches: self-directed or robo-advisor. With the self-directed option, you can pick your own mix of individual stocks or ETFs. The robo-advisor version, on the other hand, uses an algorithm to set your portfolio for you.

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The platform also offers fractional shares, which means you can start investing with just $1.

Here are the main account types offered by Navy Federal Digital Investor:

You can also opt for automated investing, which matches you with one of six preselected portfolios consisting of low-cost ETFs based on your financial goals.

Investment Options

The Navy Federal Credit Union offers a range of CD options designed for different objectives, from saving for short-term goals to building your retirement nest egg or investing in your child's college education.

You can choose from a variety of CD terms, ranging from three months to seven years, with minimum deposits starting at $1,000.

The NFCU also offers a special Share Certificate option with a minimum deposit of $50, featuring a 5.30% APY for a 12-month term.

To maximize your interest, consider setting up a CD ladder by opening multiple accounts with different term lengths.

The dividends on these CDs are compounded daily and credited monthly, allowing you to take those dividends out penalty-free.

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Here's a breakdown of the NFCU's CD rates:

Additionally, the NFCU offers a range of CDs designed for members new to investing in CDs, such as the SaveFirst Account, which can be opened with as little as $5, and the EasyStart Certificate, which requires a minimum deposit of $50.

These CDs offer competitive interest rates and flexible terms, making them a great option for those looking to test the waters of CD investing.

Comparison and Review

Navy Federal Digital Investor has its limitations, and you may want to consider other brokerages like Vanguard. Vanguard offers a wide variety of tradable assets and doesn't charge a monthly fee.

Vanguard's Digital Advisor can help you automatically invest your funds, but it charges a management fee of 0.15% of your total portfolio. This is more expensive than Navy Federal's regular monthly fee if your portfolio's value is greater than $28,000.

M1 Finance offers a more flexible approach, allowing you to either build your own portfolio or choose a premade portfolio based on your risk tolerance and goals.

Digital Investor Comparison

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Navy Federal Digital Investor isn't the only game in town, and even current Navy Federal members should consider other brokerages before committing to Digital Investor.

Vanguard's self-directed brokerage is a good option for experienced investors who want to build their own portfolios, with a wide variety of tradable assets and no monthly fee.

Some Vanguard mutual funds have minimum investment requirements of several thousand dollars, but it's worth considering if you're looking for more investment options.

Navy Federal Digital Investor, on the other hand, charges a monthly fee for both self-directed and automated investing.

M1 Finance offers an interesting middle ground, allowing you to either build your own portfolio or choose a premade portfolio based on your risk tolerance and goals.

M1's digital tools are also more modern than Vanguard's, making it a better choice for those seeking a more intuitive online experience.

If you're not set on using Navy Federal Digital Investor, you might want to explore other options like M1 Finance or Vanguard.

Credit Union Rates vs. Banks

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Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) can compete with banks when it comes to CD rates.

The NFCU's 24-Month Share Certificate offers an APY of up to 4.05%, beating its Suncoast Credit Union counterpart with a rate of just 4.00%.

NFCU's certificate accounts can dominate CDs at some major banks, like Bank of America, which offers a 10-Month CD with an interest rate of just 0.03%.

The table below shows how NFCU stands up against other major banks.

NFCU boosts its rates for balances of more than $100,000, making it a great option for those with larger savings.

Fees and Charges

Fees and Charges are a crucial aspect of investing with Navy Federal. The good news is that they offer a free 30-day trial, giving you a chance to test the waters before committing to a monthly fee.

The self-directed and automated investing accounts come with a $3.50 monthly fee, but if you have an Active Duty Checking account with Navy Federal or are a Navy Federal employee, you'll only pay $2.50. This is a relatively low fee compared to other robo-advisors, which can charge a percentage-based fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.4% of your total assets under management.

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One thing to keep in mind is that frequent traders will pay one penny per traded share beyond the 2,000-share monthly threshold. This can add up, so it's essential to keep an eye on your trading activity.

Here's a breakdown of the fees you can expect to pay:

Overall, Navy Federal's fees are competitive and relatively low compared to other investment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Navy Federal Automated investing work?

Navy Federal's Automated investing uses a tool called Digital Investor to create a personalized portfolio based on your goals, finances, and risk tolerance, and automatically rebalances it as the market changes. This technology-driven approach helps you make informed investment decisions and stay on track with your financial goals.

Alfred Blanda

Senior Writer

Alfred Blanda has carved out a niche for himself in the realm of banking information, offering readers clear, concise, and comprehensive insights into the financial sector. His articles are known for their depth and clarity, making complex financial concepts accessible to a wide audience. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for educating, Blanda continues to be a trusted voice in financial journalism.

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