What is and how to use the Betterment Cash Reserve
What is the Betterment Cash Reserve?
Betterment’s Cash Reserve account is designed for flexibility and ease of use. There are no account fees, no minimum balance requirements, and offers daily liquidity, making it ideal for managing short-term savings or emergency funds. Additionally, money can be transferred to and from linked accounts quickly through the Betterment platform. This structure helps clients keep their cash both secure and conveniently available when needed.
Betterment’s Cash Reserve provides a competitive variable annual percentage yield (APY). For current APY visit https://www.betterment.com/cash-reserve.
Funds in the Cash Reserve account are eligible for FDIC insurance through Betterment’s program banks, with coverage of up to $2 million for individual accounts and $4 million for joint accounts. Increased FDIC coverage is made possible by distributing deposits across multiple participating banks, each providing up to $250,000 in FDIC insurance per depositor, per insured bank. FDIC insurance is subject to applicable limits and aggregation with other accounts held at those banks.
How to set up a Betterment Cash Reserve
To set up a Cash Reserve account, go to www.Embark-Invest.com and log in to your account. On the left side of the screen under “Home” select “Open new account”, then “Cash Reserve”. You will be prompted to select one of the following (Individual account, Joint account, or Existing trust), select the one that is relevant. Choose a goal for the account (General cash, or Emergency fund), and set a savings target if desired. Once complete click “Open account”.
You will be prompted to make a deposit from your bank, or transfer cash within your Embark accounts, which you can do at any time. If this does not pop up, or you decide to skip for now, these options will be available at the top right of your screen in the Cash Reserve account, by clicking on “Transfer” or “Deposit”.
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 3, 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.
Cash management, and other account services, including savings accounts, checking accounts, debit cards and other services may be offered by Betterment to Embark Clients. In these instances, Embark does not provide these services and does not receive any compensation nor shared fee revenue based on Client deposits in Betterment’s cash management or checking programs. Clients are not obligated to accept these services and are solely responsible for their decision to accept or decline these services. Clients that accept these services should review the Betterment Wrap Fee Brochure; a copy of the most recent version can be accessed on the SEC’s IAPD website at: https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/Firm/149117 (select “Firm” and type “Betterment LLC” in the search bar at the top of the page. Then click “Get Details” and Select “Part 2 Brochures”).
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.
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Existing Embark clients are reminded to login and update personal information and contact an Embark IAR 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