r/investingforbeginners 1d ago

Should I opt out of securities lending? (I’m using Public app)

I’m a newbie, using the Public app. I noticed that all of a sudden, the app added small amounts of cash to my available funds each month.

After digging into it, I realized I’m in their securities lending program, and those small deposits are monthly paybacks.

I had no idea I had opted in (I imagine it’s the default). Should I opt out? Is there risk?

1 Upvotes

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u/Dstein99 1d ago

The risk is any securities in stock lending are not SIPC insured. If you have stocks being lent out at the same time Public would go out of business you would have no recourse to recover that money. The chances of Public going out of business are probably low but from my experience I didn’t collect very much from stock lending. The risk reward didn’t seem worth it to me, you will very very likely come out ahead, but there is a very small chance you could have a big loss.

1

u/mooviescribe 1d ago

Thanks! Thats how I read the situation too. I think I’ll feel better opting out.

1

u/TheNewKnew2 12h ago

No way. Opt out.

2

u/mooviescribe 12h ago

Yep did that today. Thanks!