Investing today looks very different than it did just 10 years ago. Today, investors have a plethora of investing platforms to choose from, all with various features and benefits.
Vanguard is certainly a pioneer when it comes to investing. Additionally, they have adapted to the new environment with an investing app that offers commission free trades and a number of research tools and capabilities.
However, Vanguard is limited when it comes to cryptocurrency and may not be the most beginner friendly option.
Robinhood, on the other hand, was built for investors of all levels! Though the cryptocurrency offering on Robinhood is light, they do support 11 coins and have plans to add more.
If you are interested in making the switch, then this is the article for you. Here, we cover all the steps required to transfer from Vanguard to Robinhood. Let's jump right in!
Transferring assets from Vanguard to Robinhood is actually quite simple as both brokerages support ACATS (Automated customer account transfer service).
With ACATS, you do not have to liquidate your positions and create a taxable event. Instead, you transfer the asset ownership to a new brokerage.
This process can be completed in just a few minutes, though the assets may take up to 7 business days to appear.
Robinhood does not charge for this type of transfer, though Vanguard does. There will be a $75 transfer fee from Vanguard that will be taken from your account balance. Robinhood will actually reimburse you for this fee. In order to get the reimbursement, you will need to reach out to Robinhood's customer service team.
In order to transfer from Vanguard to Robinhood, you will need to follow the steps below:
Let's jump into each of these steps in more detail!
Opening an account with Robinhood is fairly simple. If you already have an account, you can skip to the next step!
To apply for a Robinhood account, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
Use the button above to get a completely free stock when you sign up!
If you meet these requirements, you are then ready to open a Robinhood account. The process is pretty simple and can be completed by submitting an application in the app. After downloading the app, you will select the register option. The application will then be reviewed and takes a few days for review. You will either receive an email confirming your account or asking for more information.
In order to initiate the ACATS transfer from Vanguard to Robinhood, you will need to find your account number.
In the Vanguard app, you can find your account number by opening the app and logging in to your account. Tap on the "My Accounts" selection. There, you will see your 8 digit account number.
Once you have your account number, the transfer is pretty simple. If you don't already have a Robinhood account and need to create one, then one of the account funding options will be to transfer from another brokerage. That is the option you would select in this instance. With that option, you will need to input your Vanguard account number and follow the steps as prompted.
If you do aleady have a Robinhood account, then you will perform the steps below within the Robinhood app.
This process can take up to 7 business days.
If you select the partial account transfer, then you will be able to select which assets you want to move.
You ought to be aware that you are not able to transfer the following assets:
These types of assets will need to be liquidated prior to requesting the transfer.
Because both brokerages support ACATS transfers, this process is actually pretty easy.
After locating your Vanguard account number, you will simply follow the steps in the Robinhood app as highlighted above.
Before initiating this transfer, be sure to double check which assets cannot be supported and liquidate those positions first.
After you complete this transfer, the funds will appear within 7 business days. You can actually track the progress of the transfer in your account when logged into the app.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to the Robinhood customer service team.