Can I earn higher interest rates?
Yes, our FDIC CASH PLUS product pays a higher rate of return than our Cash Sweep Program.
What is the amount of FDIC coverage in the Program?
All Banks in our Program are depository institutions duly chartered under the laws of the United States or a State thereof, the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC. We are a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of FINRA. We are not a bank. All amounts deposited through the Program are held by the respective Program Banks, not by us. Securities and other assets held in your brokerage account are not a deposit or other obligation issued or guaranteed by any bank nor are they insured by the FDIC and they may decrease in value. Amounts in the Program are not covered by SIPC insurance.
Cash deposits in the Program Banks, by account ownership category as recognized by the FDIC, are covered by insurance from the FDIC up to certain amounts as pass-through deposit insurance. Certain conditions apply to the application of pass-through insurance, including recordkeeping requirements applicable to us. Generally, the FDIC provides insurance to a maximum of $250,000 per account ownership category, aggregated across all deposits held by you in the same account ownership category at the same bank (e.g., an individual account is a separate ownership category from a joint account). As an example, if you had one account in each of the individual and joint account ownership categories at the same bank, you would have a maximum of $500,000 in FDIC insurance coverage, computed as $250,000 for the first account ownership category (i.e., individual) and $250,000 for the second account ownership category (i.e., joint). For purposes of determining FDIC coverage limits, any accounts you hold at the same bank outside the Program will be aggregated with deposits held at a Program Bank through the Program in the same ownership category. To prevent this Program and non-Program account aggregation, you can instruct us to exclude one or more Program Banks from the Program for you. See FAQ below. The current FDIC recognized account ownership categories are listed on the FDIC website (www.fdic.gov) and may change from time to time.
Additional information about how we hold your funds and securities can be found here.
What if I have more than the FDIC limit in the Program?
If you have a cash balance greater than the FDIC coverage in effect at any time, then that excess amount will not be insured. We will, however, place the excess amount in a single bank, or pro-rate the excess across several Program Banks.
What is the role Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions plays in the Program?
We act as your agent with the Program Banks.
Am I charged any fees for participating in the Program?
No. There are currently no specific fees, such as commissions, for participating in the Program. However, we make money from the Program based, for example, on the difference in the rates paid by the Program Banks on cash invested in the Program and the amount that is paid to you under the Program, which can be viewed as a "fee."
What account types can participate in the Program?
All accounts that you have with us are eligible for the Program.
How will the available cash I have be swept into the Cash Sweep Program?
Any available cash you have will be swept into the Cash Sweep Program on a daily basis. If you wish to invest in the FDIC CASH or FDIC CASH PLUS offerings, then you buy or sell that offering as if it were a stock or a fund.
Do I have to have a minimum balance to be eligible for the Cash Sweep Program?
No. There is no minimum balance required for the Cash Sweep Program. Higher balances, of course, earn higher interest rates.
Am I able to access my funds?
Yes. You have same or next-day access to your funds without penalties.
Do I have another sweep option?
No. We maintain only one sweep option.
How do I access the rate?
Current rate information can be found on our website, and the rate you actually earned is listed on your month-end statements.
How is information reported on the statement?
There is a separate line item in the account summary that lists the balance in the Program with the notation that this money is protected by FDIC insurance, but not SIPC insurance and the rate you earned. There is also a section indicating the names of the Program Banks to which your money was allocated as of the end of the statement period.
How is the interest earned treated for tax purposes?
Does the client agreement reflect the Program?
Yes, the client agreement reflects the Program. Please refer to our website (Login page) to view the current agreement and terms and conditions.
Do I receive a passbook or other evidence of participation in the Program?
No. You do not receive a passbook or certificate. Evidence of your ownership is reflected in our books and records as the agent and, therefore, on the statement you receive.
What banks are in the Program?
Will the Program Banks change?
Yes. We can add and remove Program Banks.
Do I have to participate in the Program?
No. You may opt out of participating in the Program by contacting our customer service department. If you opt out of the Program, the cash held in your account will be held by us as free credit balances and protected by SIPC, subject to SIPC coverage limitations. Explanatory brochures further detailing SIPC coverage are available upon request or at www.sipc.org.
Can I eliminate any Program Banks from receiving deposits?
Yes. You may wish to eliminate any Program Bank with which you already have an account, if the combined total you have in that Program Bank and with us would exceed $250,000 ($250,000 for retirement accounts). You are responsible for monitoring this list. To eliminate a specific Program Bank, simply contact our customer service department.