Investing Opportunities

1. Investing Opportunities Using Investment Opportunities as a Means to Increase Individual Wealth

2. BIG IDEA • Banks, brokerages and insurance companies provide access to investments such as certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds and mutual funds • Used as a means to achieve personal financial goals

3. Certificates of Deposit • Purchased through banks or brokerage firms • Fixed-income investments for a term with a fixed amount of interest paid by the financial institution • End of the term = financial institution pays principal and interest earned • Insured by the federal government

4. Certificates of Deposit • Tips from the FDIC(Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

5. Certificates of Deposit Provide a guaranteed return on your investment May not have a high rate of interest – depends on rate set by banks (FED) A secure way to save money and increase wealth Must wait until the term limit is up to “cash out” the CD

6. Stocks • Shares of a company that can be purchased by investors through brokerage firms • Investors are paid dividend and can make a profit if sold higher than the purchased price • Can purchase into companies that are listed in different stock markets • Domestic and International stock markets exist

7. Stocks Available only through brokerage firms Firms usually require a fee for each transaction May yield a high return on investment – opportunity for tremendous wealth gain (principal amount plus interest) May yield no return on investment = opportunity to lose every cent invested (principal amount plus interest) Allows an individual to “own” a piece of an industry

8. Bonds • Investment instruments that are generally low-yield and low-risk • Offered by private organizations and governmental units • Basically – the bond “seller” borrows the money of the investor and offers a return on the investment after a prescribed term

9. Bonds Guaranteed return on investment Low investment return Typically insured by the government – especially if it is a government bond May be “cashed in” at private financial institution

10. Mutual Funds and Annuities • Hold diversified investments in stocks, bonds, and money market accounts to limit investor risks • Purchased through brokerage firms or insurance companies • Mutual Fund – firm invests contribution along with the contributions of other people = ability to purchase more expensive or larger shares of stocks • Annuity – fixed payment over time with an established termination date

11. Mutual Funds and Annuities Annuity – guaranteed payment – often used for retirements: investor deposits unlimited amounts of money into a tax-free account - Often has high fees or penalties for cashing out early Mutual Fund – reduces individual risk Diversifies investments Professionally managed often expensive Not always reliable performance

12. Generalized Information - All listed investments involve a fee from the financial institution Brokerage Firms Banks and Credit Unions • Provide the services of financial professionals who have the time and expertise to guide and monitor an individual’s investments • Investors with time and knowledge can monitor and make investments online using online brokerage firms (E-Trade) • provide basic financial services • savings, investing, loans, and other fundamental forms of money management • Readily accessible