Stash Stock Back Card – Is the Stash Stock-Back Card Right for You?

Are you tired of using the same old debit or credit card that offers no real rewards? Introducing the Stash Stock-Back Card – a game-changer in the world of rewards cards. With this innovative card, you can earn stock rewards on virtually every purchase you make.

Rather than receiving cash back or points, you’ll receive fractional shares of actual publicly traded companies or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Are you eager to gain more knowledge about this one-of-a-kind card and its potential benefits? Let’s get down to business.

What is the Stash Stock-Back Card?

The Stash Stock-Back Card, a debit card issued by Stride Bank under a license from Mastercard, links to your Stash online banking account. It allows you to earn stock rewards (called Stock-Back® Rewards) on your everyday purchases.

Unlike a credit card, the Stash Stock-Back Card does not charge interest on purchases since it immediately debits the funds from your account.

How Do Stock-Back Rewards Work?

Every time you make a qualifying purchase with your Stash Stock-Back Card, you’ll earn a percentage back in the form of fractional shares of stock. The percentage you earn depends on your Stash subscription plan:

Stash Growth Plan ($3/month): Earn 0.125% back in stock on all purchases.
Stash+ Plan ($9/month): Earn 1% back in stock on purchases up to $1,000 per month, then 0.125% back after that.

Additionally, you can earn up to 3% back in stock at certain partner merchants.

Earning Stock Rewards

When you make a purchase from a publicly traded company (e.g., Amazon, Apple, Starbucks), you’ll earn fractional shares of that company’s stock as your reward. If you shop at a subsidiary of a public company, Stash may award you stock in the parent company at their discretion.

For purchases from non-public companies, you’ll receive shares of a default investment (a stock or ETF) that you’ve pre-selected from the available options on the Stash platform.

Benefits of the Stash Stock-Back Card

The Stash Stock-Back Card offers several unique benefits that set it apart from traditional debit and credit cards:

Earn Stock Rewards on Purchases: Instead of earning cash back or points, you’ll earn fractional shares of publicly-traded companies or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with every qualifying purchase. This allows you to build an investment portfolio alongside your everyday spending.
No Interest on Purchases: Since the Stash Stock-Back Card is a debit card, you won’t be charged any interest on your purchases, unlike with a credit card.
Early Paycheck Access: With the linked Stash banking account, you can receive your paycheck up to two days earlier than usual with direct deposit from participating employers.
Automated Saving Tools: Features like “Stock Round-Ups” and recurring transfers make it easier to save and invest automatically with each purchase.
No Credit Check Required: There’s no credit check needed to apply for the Stash Stock-Back Card, making it accessible to those with less-than-perfect credit.
Personalized Investment Management: Your Stash subscription includes access to automated portfolio management and personalized investment advice, helping you build a diversified portfolio tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
Retirement Accounts: Through the Stash app, you can open and contribute to traditional or Roth IRAs, making it easier to save for retirement.
Life Insurance Coverage: Depending on your subscription plan, you can receive $1,000 (Growth Plan) or $10,000 (Stash+ Plan) in life insurance coverage through a partnership with Avibra.

Potential Drawbacks

No Free Plan: While the card itself doesn’t have an annual fee, you’ll need to pay at least $3 per month for a Stash subscription plan.
Stock Volatility: Unlike cash back rewards, the value of your stock rewards can fluctuate with the market, meaning they could potentially decrease in value over time.

Stash Banking Account Features

The Stash Stock-Back Card is linked to a full-featured online banking account with several noteworthy perks:

Early Paycheck Access: Get paid up to two days earlier with direct deposit from participating employers.
Automated Saving Tools: Features like “Stock Round-Ups” and recurring transfers make saving easier.
No Overdraft or Monthly Fees: Avoid pesky fees that can eat into your balance.
Fee-Free ATM Access: Access to around 55,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.
Fast Cash Deposits: Make cash deposits at major retailers like Walmart and CVS.

Stash Investment Account Benefits

In addition to the banking features, your Stash subscription also includes access to a robust investment account with benefits like:

Automated Portfolio Management: A robo-advisor builds and rebalances diversified portfolios of low-cost ETFs based on your risk tolerance.
Personalized Advice: Get customized investing guidance, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor.
Retirement Accounts: Open and contribute to traditional or Roth IRAs through the Stash app.
Life Insurance: Receive $1,000 (Growth Plan) or $10,000 (Stash+ Plan) in life insurance coverage through a partnership with Avibra.

Rates, Costs, and Fees:

While the Stash Stock-Back Card itself doesn’t have an annual fee, you’ll need to pay a monthly subscription fee for your Stash account:

Stash Growth Plan: $3 per month
- Earn 0.125% back in stock on all purchases
- Access to automated portfolio management and personalized investment advice
- $1,000 in life insurance coverage through Avibra
Stash+ Plan: $9 per month
- Earn 1% back in stock on purchases up to $1,000 per month, then 0.125% after that
- Access to custodial accounts for kid-friendly investing
- $10,000 in life insurance coverage through Avibra
- Premium research and advice

Additionally, you may be subject to fees for certain services or transactions, such as:

Out-of-network ATM fees (if not using one of the 55,000 fee-free ATMs)
Wire transfer fees
Expedited delivery fees for a replacement card

It’s essential to review the full fee schedule and terms and conditions before signing up for the Stash Stock-Back Card and account.

Is the Stash Stock-Back Card Right for You?

The Stash Stock-Back Card is an excellent choice for anyone looking to earn unique stock rewards while building an investment portfolio alongside their day-to-day spending. However, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks, such as the monthly subscription fee and stock market volatility.

If you’re comfortable with those factors and like the idea of earning stock rewards instead of traditional cash back or points, the Stash Stock-Back Card could be a fantastic addition to your wallet.

How to Apply or Get Started with the Stash Stock-Back Card

Applying for the Stash Stock-Back Card is a straightforward process that can be completed entirely online or through the Stash mobile app:

Visit the Stash Website or Download the App: Head to the Stash website (stash.com) or download the Stash app for iOS or Android devices.
Create Your Stash Account: Click on the “Get Started” button and follow the prompts to create your Stash account. You’ll need to provide personal information like your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Choose Your Subscription Plan: Select either the Stash Growth Plan ($3/month). Or the Stash+ Plan ($9/month) based on your desired features and stock reward rates.
Open Your Stash Banking Account: As part of the application process. You’ll be required to open a Stash banking account, which is necessary to use the Stash Stock-Back Card.
Provide Identity Verification: You may need to provide additional documentation to verify your identity, such as a government-issued ID or proof of address.
Order Your Stash Stock-Back Card: Once your account is approved. You can order your Stash Stock-Back Card directly from the app or website.
Activate Your Card: When you receive your card in the mail. Follow the instructions provided to activate it and start earning stock rewards on your purchases.

How to Activate the Card

Activating your Stash Stock-Back Card can be done either online or over the phone:

Online Activation: Visit the Stash website or log in to the mobile app. Navigate to the “Card” section, and follow the prompts to activate your new card.
Phone Activation: Call the number provided with your new card. And follow the automated prompts to activate it over the phone.

During the activation process, ensure you provide personal information. Or the card number to verify your identity and confirm that you’ve received the correct card.

How to Log In:

To access your Stash account, banking features, and investment portfolio, you’ll need to log in to the Stash mobile app or website:

Mobile App Login: Download the Stash app for iOS or Android devices from the respective app store. Open the app and enter your email address (or username) and password to log in.
Website Login: Visit the Stash website (stash.com) and click on the “Login” button in the top-right corner. Enter your email address (or username) and password to access your account.

If you’ve enabled biometric authentication (such as Face ID or Touch ID) on your mobile device. You may be able to log in using those features for added convenience and security.

Forgotten Login Details:

If you’ve forgotten your Stash login credentials, you can easily reset your password or retrieve your username:

Forgotten Password: On the login page, click the “Forgot Password” link. Follow the prompt to enter your email address or username associated with your Stash account. Follow the instructions to reset your password and regain access to your account.
Forgotten Username: If you’ve forgotten your Stash username, you can contact Stash customer support for assistance. You’ll need to provide personal information to verify your identity before they can provide your username.

Conclusion

The Stash Stock-Back Card is a truly innovative rewards card that allows you to earn stock rewards on your purchases. By earning fractional shares of publicly-traded companies or ETFs, you can gradually build an investment portfolio while making everyday purchases.

With perks like no interest on purchases, a full-featured online banking account and access to automated investment management. The Stash Stock-Back Card offers a compelling rewards proposition for anyone looking to combine spending and investing.

If you’re ready to take your rewards game to the next level, consider giving the Stash Stock-Back Card a try.