• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Susan Collins’ Maine concession could leave New England without a Republican in Congress for the first time since the 1850s

2

Billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy’s millions and Greg Abbott’s $106 million war chest couldn’t stop Democrats from flipping Texas and Ohio

3

OpenAI’s hiring of former Army Secretary just 2 months after Pentagon resignation is part of a 'trend' of it pivoting resources to defense projects

1

Susan Collins’ Maine concession could leave New England without a Republican in Congress for the first time since the 1850s

2

Billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy’s millions and Greg Abbott’s $106 million war chest couldn’t stop Democrats from flipping Texas and Ohio

3

OpenAI’s hiring of former Army Secretary just 2 months after Pentagon resignation is part of a 'trend' of it pivoting resources to defense projects
Robinhood

Robinhood Backtracks on Checking and Savings Accounts After Regulatory Concerns

Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 16, 2018, 10:59 AM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Robinhood’s no-fee, 3% interest checking and savings accounts might have been too good to be true.

The financial technology startup known for its stock trading app and cryptocurrency exchange introduced the cash management option that seemed to casual consumers to replace traditional bank accounts last week. But that quickly prompted questions about whether the accounts would protect consumers’ money.

“We’re excited and humbled by the response to yesterday’s announcement of Robinhood’s cash management program launching in 2019,” Robinhood’s co-founders wrote in a blog post Friday. “However, we realize the announcement may have caused some confusion.”

The issue at hand was the difference between a brokerage account and a bank account, and Securities Investor Protection Corp insurance and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Insurance. Bank accounts are protected by the FDIC, while brokerage accounts—meant for investors to hold cash until it can be invested in securities—are covered by the SIPC.

Robinhood’s accounts were brokerage accounts, and any money consumers put in those accounts that they didn’t intend to invest in securities might not have been covered by the SIPC.

Stephen Harbeck, head of the SIPC, told CNBC that the startup had not contacted his office or the Securities and Exchange Commission before announcing the launch of their program.

Robinhood said on Friday that it would “re-vamp” the program.

“As a licensed broker-dealer, we’re highly regulated and take clear communication very seriously,” the co-founders wrote. “We plan to work closely with regulators as we prepare to launch our cash management program, and we’re revamping our marketing materials, including the name.”

About the Author
Emma Hinchliffe
By Emma HinchliffeMost Powerful Women Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Emma Hinchliffe is Fortune’s Most Powerful Women editor, overseeing editorial for the longstanding franchise. As a senior writer at Fortune, Emma has covered women in business and gender-lens news across business, politics, and culture. She is the lead author of the Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter (formerly the Broadsheet), Fortune’s daily missive for and about the women leading the business world.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Recommended For You

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.