Betterment

Financial Services90% confidence

Betterment is a U.S.-based digital investment and cash management platform offering automated investing, IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and cash accounts. The “Betterment Sec” descriptor typically refers to Betterment Securities, the brokerage arm that executes and safekeeps investments.

New York, NY
Owned by Betterment Holdings, Inc.

About Betterment

Betterment is a digital wealth management company that provides automated investing, retirement accounts (such as traditional and Roth IRAs), taxable brokerage accounts, and cash management products like high-yield cash accounts and checking. Investment accounts are generally carried through Betterment Securities, Betterment’s SEC-registered broker-dealer, and advisory services are provided by Betterment LLC, a registered investment adviser. The platform uses low-cost ETFs and automated portfolio management, including features like rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting for eligible accounts.

A charge labeled “Betterment Sec” on your card or bank statement is typically related to activity in a Betterment-linked account—such as moving money into an investment account, fees debited for advisory services, transaction-related items, or card activity tied to a Betterment checking/debit product. In some cases, you may also see ACH or card descriptors referencing Betterment Securities when funds are settling into or out of an investment account. Monthly or periodic advisory fees may also appear under a similar descriptor.

If you have questions about a Betterment or “Betterment Sec” charge, first log into your Betterment account via the website or mobile app and review your recent transactions, statements, and account activity. Each fee or transfer is usually itemized there with a date and description that should match the charge. If something still looks unfamiliar, contact Betterment support through the in-app chat, secure message, or support email/phone listed on their website. When contacting them, have the transaction date, exact amount, and the last four digits of the card or account ready so they can quickly locate the charge and help resolve disputes or clarify any fees.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Betterment.

  1. Betterment Sec

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a “Betterment Sec” charge on my statement mean?

A “Betterment Sec” charge usually refers to activity related to your Betterment investment or cash account that runs through Betterment Securities, the company’s broker-dealer. This can include advisory fees, transfers into or out of your investment account, or transactions related to a Betterment checking/debit card.

How does Betterment charge advisory or account fees?

Betterment typically charges an advisory fee as a small annual percentage of assets under management, billed monthly and debited directly from your Betterment account. On your bank or card statement, this may appear under a descriptor that includes “Betterment” or “Betterment Sec.” You can see the exact fee breakdown in your account’s activity or statements section.

How can I verify what a specific Betterment Sec transaction is for?

Log into your Betterment account on betterment.com or the mobile app and navigate to the Activity or Statements section for the relevant account. Match the date and amount of the transaction on your bank or card statement with the detailed entry in Betterment, which will specify whether it was a fee, deposit, withdrawal, or card transaction.

How do I stop recurring charges or fees from Betterment?

To stop recurring fees or transfers, you’ll need to change or close the associated Betterment account or disable any automatic deposit schedules. From your Betterment dashboard, go to the specific goal or account, turn off automatic deposits if set, and follow the prompts if you wish to close the account. Keep in mind that as long as you maintain an open, funded advisory account, standard advisory fees will continue to accrue.

How can I request a refund or dispute a Betterment Sec charge?

If you believe a Betterment-related charge is incorrect, first confirm it in your account activity. If it still appears wrong or unauthorized, contact Betterment support via the Help/Contact section on betterment.com or in the app, providing the transaction details. For unauthorized card or bank charges, you may also need to contact your bank or card issuer to initiate a dispute while Betterment investigates.

Can I contact Betterment by phone about a billing or transaction issue?

Yes. Betterment offers customer support by phone in addition to secure in-app messaging and email. Visit betterment.com and go to the Help or Contact section to find the current support phone number and operating hours, then call with your account information and transaction details ready.

Why do I see both a Betterment Sec transaction and a separate bank movement on the same day?

When you move money between your bank and a Betterment account, you may see an ACH or card transaction at your bank and a corresponding entry in Betterment’s records, sometimes under the “Betterment Sec” descriptor. This is normal settlement behavior: one side reflects the debit or credit at your bank, while the other reflects the corresponding activity in your Betterment account.

Could a Betterment Sec charge be from a Betterment debit card purchase?

Yes. If you use a Betterment-branded checking or debit card, certain merchant or settlement descriptors may include “Betterment” or “Betterment Sec.” Check your Betterment checking account transaction history to see the underlying merchant name, amount, and location tied to that card purchase.

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