How a robo-advisor works

A robo-advisor is an investment tool that uses technology to manage your investments on a day-to-day basis, so you don’t have to. This digital platform can be utilized by anyone who is new to investing or has experience with investments.

When starting with a robo-advisor, you answer questions about how much you want to invest, your financial goals, how comfortable you are with financial risk and other information. The robo-advisor analyzes your answers, using the resulting data to choose exchange-traded funds (ETFs)1 and build your portfolio, without you having to spend the time to do so.

Getting started with automated investing

To get started with a robo-advisor such as Automated Investor, the robo-advisor offered by U.S. Bancorp Investments, you:

  • Determine what your primary goals are, such as investing for retirement, growing your money, working toward a big life event, investing to buy a home or others

  • Establish a time frame in which you wish to achieve those goals

  • Determine your risk preference

  • Set up an online account and enter your details

  • Provide the initial contribution money
     

That’s it. It’s that easy. All the research and building your portfolio is done for you. This way, you can continue with your business life while getting the low-fee professional investment management you are looking for. 

Is a robo-advisor right for you?

A robo-advisor works well if you’re someone who is unsure how to get started investing and need a quick start, or if you understand investments but would prefer your portfolio be handled with minimal time-input by you.

Additionally, when using a robo-advisor, it is best to keep emergency funds on hand, understand that there is a longer time horizon for returns and accept the market risk that comes with automated investing.

Your money is invested for you with the right mix of funds tailored to your set preferences. As the market changes, we monitor and fine-tune your investments regularly to help you stay on track to reach your goals. Take our investing quiz to learn more.

More about Automated Investor

One of the best parts of our robo-advisor, Automated Investor, is the smart technology that is used to monitor and rebalance your portfolio, so you don’t have to. We use insight from our skilled investment professionals to inform how your portfolio is structured and traded.

Gather all the information you need to take the path to easy investing. See how Automated Investor could be right for you.

Other information and resources

Automated Investor IRAs

Consider an Automated Investor Traditional or Roth IRA. We make it easier to invest toward your retirement.

Automated Investor fees

Details about Automated Investor fees and minimums.

Frequently asked questions

Review our FAQ on the product, how to get started and other account details.

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Disclosures

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  1. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, such as market risk. Investing in ETFs may bear indirect fees and expenses charged by ETFs in addition to its direct fees and expenses, as well as indirectly bearing the principal risks of those ETFs. ETFs may trade at a discount to their net asset value and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

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Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency.

U.S. Investments is a marketing logo for U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc.

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are available through U.S. Bancorp Investments, the marketing name for U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC, an investment adviser and a brokerage subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank.

Insurance products are available through various affiliated non-bank insurance agencies, which are U.S. Bancorp subsidiaries. Products may not be available in all states. CA Insurance License #0E24641.

U.S. Bancorp Investments and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Your tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation.

IMPORTANT: The projections or other information generated by Automated Investor regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Results may vary with each use and over time.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser. To understand how brokerage and investment advisory services and fees differ, the Client Relationship Summary is available for review.

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, U.S. Bancorp Investments must provide clients with certain financial information. The U.S. Bancorp Investments Statement of Financial Condition is available for you to review, print and download.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2267 provides for BrokerCheck to allow investors to learn about the professional background, business practices, and conduct of FINRA member firms or their brokers. To request such information, contact FINRA toll-free at 1-800‐289‐9999 or via https://brokercheck.finra.org. An investor brochure describing BrokerCheck is also available through FINRA.

Past performance and market conditions do not guarantee future results. There is no assurance that a particular investment mix or hypothetical performance shown will lead to actual investment results or performance. Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not guarantee low volatility, profit or protection against loss. There is no guarantee that you will achieve your goal within your time horizon, or over a longer time period by using Automated Investor. You are responsible for providing accurate and up to date information about your goal, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us to consult with an investment professional 866-758-8655. The illustrative portfolios cannot account for the impact that economic, market, and other factors may have on an actual investment portfolio.

Municipal Securities Education and Protection– U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). An investor brochure that describes the protections that may be provided to you by the MSRB rules and how to file a complaint with an appropriate regulatory authority is available to you on the MSRB website at www.msrb.org.

U.S. Bancorp Investments Order Processing Information.