Investor Center - DFPI
Investor Center
Start your investment research with the DFPI.
Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned pro, the DFPI is dedicated to helping Californians do their research and invest wisely.
Educating Your Community
Share investment basics, resources, and information on scams and fraud to your clients and community.
Investing 101
Get the facts to help make you a better-informed and wiser investor.
Resources
Download and order brochures, one-sheets, booklets, and more to share with your community.
Consumer Insights
Free resources for learning money management
Sep 24, 2025
Whether you’re a student, parent, or just looking to sharpen your skills, we can help.
Verify Investment Information
Before you move forward with any investment, check if an investment product, broker, salesperson, or advisor is licensed or registered with the DFPI.
Verify information >>>
Curious About Crypto Investing?
Crypto assets are volatile and often lack consumer protections. Be sure to understand the risks and how to stay safe from scams.
Learn more about crypto assets >>>
Submit a Complaint
The DFPI oversees broker-dealers, investment advisors, the offer and sale of investments, and more. Submit a complaint if you’ve been the victim of a scam or unfair business practice.
Submit Your Complaint >>>
No-Cost Financial Education
Get free educational courses on budgeting, credit, investing basics, protecting yourself from fraud, and more!
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Useful Terms
Fund
Simply put, a
fund
is a pool of money intended for a specific purpose. There’s no limit to the kinds of funds, but common varieties include funds for college and retirement.
Mutual Fund
mutual fund
lets you pool your money with other investors. Together, you can buy a collection of securities—such as stocks and bonds—across multiple corporations or other issuers (governments, investment trusts).
Workplace Retirement Accounts
Workplace retirement accounts
can help you reach your retirement goals. These are facilitated via work, meaning you can choose a percentage from your gross income that works within your budget. These often offer tax advantages that can incentivize your investing.
IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
An
IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
can be a good option for people who don’t have a retirement account through their employer, and a good supplement for those who do. IRAs are tax-deferred so that withdrawals can be tax-free after a certain age. This is a good way to build up sizable retirement savings in a matter of years.
Fractional Share
fractional share
is when you own less than one full share of a company. Fractional shares make it possible to invest in stocks on a shoestring budget, and can be a low-cost way to diversify your portfolio.
Index Investing
Index investing,
also called passive investing, is an investment strategy in which you invest in a
mutual fund
or
exchange-traded fund (ETF)
that tracks a particular index. It can be appealing for people who don’t have the time or experience to research specific stocks, bonds, or other investments.
Savings Bonds
If you’re risk-averse,
savings bonds
— or Treasury securities — may be the right investment for you. You can buy savings bonds that mature in as little as 30 days or as long as 30 years.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
are little-to-no risk investments, and typically feature low rates of return. The upside is that you know precisely how much money you will have when the CD matures.
Watch & Learn
Tune in for the latest videos, webinars and workshops.
Do Your Own Research – Start With DFPI
Protect your money. Know your rights. Do your own research.
At the DFPI, we believe the more information you have, the more empowered you can be. We work hard to provide Californians with financial education, fraud and scam alerts, resources, and tools to help them make smart financial choices.
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