We're glad to help provide options for you for earning interest on cash in your account at Public.
1) Cash Sweep: You do have the ability to have a cash sweep account, which is FDIC insured at Apex Clearing and pays 0.01%. If you opened your Public brokerage account after October 15th, 2020, then you were enrolled in Cash Sweep at the time of account opening. If you joined prior to October 15th, 2020 and would like to enroll, you can email us at support@public.com with “Opt-in to Cash Sweep” in the subject line.
2) Treasury Account: You also have the ability to increase your yield and use a Treasury Account, the current rate can always be found here on our Treasury Yield Page.
You can get started by going to Treasury Account on the app and tapping on Buy to make an initial deposit or let us know if you need help placing a trade, we can assist you.
Some additional context:
Cash Sweep: While in Apex Clearing’s account, your cash is protected by FDIC-insurance for you as an individual depositor, so you get the full benefit of maximum FDIC-insurance coverage. Cash sweep disclosures can be found here.
Cash swept into a program bank account will be covered by FDIC-insurance of up to $5 million or $250,000 per program bank (inclusive of deposits you may already hold at the bank in the same ownership capacity).
Apex Clearing earns interest on cash held at program bank accounts and shares a portion of that interest with Public Investing. The interest is then used by Public to provide you with all the services you love, many at no cost to you.
Treasury Accounts: Treasury Accounts at Public are offered by Jiko Securities, member FINRA and SIPC. Treasury securities are custodied at The Bank of New York Mellon. Securities in your account are protected up to $500,000. For details, please see www.sipc.org. The underlying Treasury bills held in the Treasury Account are fully backed and guaranteed by the US Government. Investments in Treasury bills are not FDIC insured, or bank guaranteed, as this type of protection only applies to savings accounts and other banking products.
Let our team if you have any more questions or need help on getting started with either of the options above.