Guided Investing FAQs

Is investing right for me?

Investing can help you build wealth and achieve your financial goals, whether you're planning for retirement, buying a home, or funding your child's education. However, it's crucial to consider a few important factors first. Assess your financial health: Do you have an emergency fund? Are you effectively managing your debts? Do you have disposable income to invest monthly? Can you sustain the potential market loss that comes with investing? Ensuring these basics are covered is essential before you start investing.

To explore if investing aligns with your financial journey, read our detailed article here.

What is Guided Investing, and how does it work?

Guided Investing is an automated digital tool that professionally manages your investments based on your risk tolerance and 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 and rebalanced as needed to stay on track with your goal.

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.

How do I fund the account?

After opening your Guided Investing account, you can transfer funds from your CommunityAmerica account or from an external bank account via Plaid. Click here for a how-to video to get help get you started.

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 CommunityAmerica member. If you are not a current member, we invite you to open a CommunityAmerica 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.

Who can I contact if I have questions about Guided Investing?

You can contact our Digital Wealth Team at [email protected] or 833.542.6509.

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 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.

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 account (e.g., NCUA) does not apply to your investment accounts. 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.

Can I have more than one investment account?

Yes, you can have multiple investment accounts. From the Investment Overview page, click on “Open New Account” to open an additional Guided Investing account.

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. Trusted contacts should be at least 18 years of age.

To add or change a trusted contact on an existing account, please email [email protected] or call 833.542.6509.

Guided Investing is an investment advisory service offered by Copper Financial Network, LLC (“Copper Financial”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Brokerage services for Guided Investing are offered by Copper Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Copper Financial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommunityAmerica Credit Union (“CommunityAmerica”). Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica is a marketing name used by Copper Financial. CommunityAmerica and Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica are not broker-dealers or investment advisers.  

See the Guided Investing Wrap Fee Program Fee Brochure for a full discussion of all associated fees and expenses. Account minimums and fees for products available through a Wealth Advisor vary by product. Please speak with a Wealth Advisor for detailed information.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest. Past performance is not a guarantee or indication of future performance. For additional information on Copper Financial and Guided Investing please see our Customer Relationship Summary, Guided Investing Wrap Fee Program Brochure, and our Guided Investing Disclosures.

If you have questions about Guided Investing, please contact us at [email protected] or 833.542.6509.

Investment products offered by Copper Financial: