How to Open an Individual Account at Embark
Opening your account with Embark is a straightforward process that typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.
When you open your account with Embark, you will need to provide certain basic information (see below) to confirm your identity. As a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), we are required to know our clients to ensure that the automated investment advice provided to you through Embark’s model allocations is suitable for your needs and risk tolerance.
Embark has partnered with Betterment for Advisors for technology and custodial assistance to help us service your account. When you seek to open an account from our website (www.Embark-Invest.com) and click Sign Up, you will be directed to the Betterment for Advisors portal to begin the account opening process. During this process, you will be guided through some introductory questions about your age and goals. Then, you will be asked to enter the following information:
- Basic/Personal Information (name and contact information)
First Name, Last Name, Address, Social Security Number, and Date of Birth. When setting up your account, you will need to also establish a password. Be sure to create a secure password that uses upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols, or use a password generator for assistance.
- Valid Email address and Access Credentials (username/password)
To verify and finalize opening the account, new clients will need to access their email account. If accessing through a browser window, you will need to know the current username and password.
- Financial Background Information
For the advice engine to help make investment recommendations, you will need to input your Employment Status, Annual Household Income, and your Estimated Investable Assets.
- Regulatory Information
You will be asked 3 questions, two of which are related to securities regulations and the other is an IRS tax question. These questions relate to regulatory compliance. If you are unsure how to answer, please consult with Embark or Betterment Support. Betterment for Advisers also maintains a support line at (888) 400-1571 that you can with questions on any portion of the signup process or website navigation. The questions are:
1. Are you are employed by or associated with a broker-dealer (stockbroker)?
2. Are you a 10% shareholder, director, or policy maker of a publicly-traded company?
3. Have you been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding?
- Account Security Questions
You will need to select two account security questions to help prevent someone else from gaining access to your account. Be sure to select questions to which you will remember the answer. You should be sure that you don’t utilize information that you may post on social media sites that people may be able to use to guess your security password information. This information may also be required to reset your password if you forget your login credentials.
- Bank Account Information
Once your account has been established, you will be prompted to add a bank account or link a brokerage account so you can transfer assets into your new Embark account. Thus, you will need your login credentials to access your bank, broker or mutual fund account from which the new account will be funded or transferred. It also may be helpful for you to have access to a recent statement or other documentation that includes the name, account number, account type (individual, Roth IRA, Sep IRA, etc.) for the account from which you will be transferring assets from to invest in your Embark account.
- Access to a Cell Phone
When opening your account, it is helpful to have your cell phone readily available. Often, the institution from which you are transferring your assets will send you a verification via TEXT message if you are using multi-factor authentication or if you need to reset your password.
The information that you provide to Embark is subject to privacy rules. Both Betterment for Advisors and Embark have their own Privacy Policies. You will have the ability to read and accept those policies, along with the Embark and Betterment customer agreements. You should read these agreements and understand them prior to providing your electronic signature to confirm the opening of your account.
Finally, before your account is officially opened, you will need to confirm your email address. Log into your email account and confirm your email address by clicking on the link in the confirmation email.
Have questions?
If you have any questions about holdings in your account or one of our models, or perhaps have another question about our services, you can contact us directly at 920.785.6012 or email us at clientservices@embark-invest.com. Betterment maintains a support line you can also call for help with navigation, linking your accounts or other site functionality. You can call the Betterment for Advisers support line at 800.400.1571.
Last updated June 4, 2025
Disclosures: Content contained herein is presented for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies, nor shall it be construed to be the provision of individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.
Embark is a digital investment service advised by ETF Model Solutions, LLC. Investments recommended by Embark involve risk and will fluctuate in value. Unless otherwise stated, investments are not insured or guaranteed. May lose money. Embark utilizes the platform and technology services of Betterment LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Betterment provides the wrap fee program that assists us in providing our services to you. Custody and trading services for the program are provided by Betterment Securities, an SEC registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.
Embark’s services are specific to the investment goals that you identify. We do not provide comprehensive financial or tax planning. Our Advisory services rely upon an algorithm designed and maintained by Betterment to assist us in determining our portfolio recommendations. Unless you directly consult with Embark Advisory personnel, the algorithm is the sole basis of the advice. You should not rely solely on the Betterment advice algorithm’s recommendation to make your investment decisions. Embark strongly advises all Clients to speak directly with an Embark IAR prior to making any investment decisions.
All tools and content on the Betterment, LLC website, are designed, created, and maintained by Betterment. Certain functionality, tax-coordinated portfolios and links to investment philosophy, research, educational materials, and FAQs apply solely to betterment’s 2-dimensional portfolios and may not apply to Embark’s 3-dimensional investment recommendations.
Existing Embark clients are reminded to login and update personal information whenever their goals or personal financial circumstances change. Clients should also confirm that their current goal allocation is aligned with the recommended target allocation provided for each goal. Clients with questions regarding their account, personal financial circumstances, goals, or an investment allocation with respect to our service should contact us via email or telephone.
Prospective clients contemplating opening an account with Embark are advised to read Embark’s Form ADV Brochure, Part 2A for important disclosures about our services, business practices, the costs, and risks of investing, and other important considerations prior to opening their account. You can access the most recent version of our Form ADV via a link on our website.
ETF Model Solutions, LLC. is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. If you have any questions about our professional services, please call us at 920.785.6012 or email clientservices@Embark-Invest.com