Treasury Direct or CDB: where to get the best conservative returns?


When it comes to investing safely, many people look for conservative options that offer good returns. Among the most popular alternatives in Brazil, Tesouro Direto and CDB stand out. But which of these options yields more and is better for those seeking security? In this article, we will analyze the characteristics of these modalities to help you understand which one may be more advantageous for your profile.

What it is / How it works

Tesouro Direto is a federal government program that allows you to invest in public bonds, which are a form of lending to the government. You buy a bond and receive interest for it. These bonds usually have returns tied to inflation, the Selic rate, or fixed rates.

Já o CDB (Certificado de Depósito Bancário) is a certificate issued by banks to raise funds. When you invest in a CDB, you lend money to the bank and receive interest in return. CDBs can have fixed, post-fixed, or inflation-linked returns.

Advantages and benefits

Tesouro Direto is popular for its security, since the risk is minimal, as it is guaranteed by the federal government. In addition, bonds such as Tesouro Selic are quite liquid, allowing quick redemption without major losses.

On the other hand, CDBs can offer attractive rates, mainly at digital banks and finance companies such as Inter, C6 Bank, or PAN. Many of them offer returns higher than savings accounts, with the security of the Credit Guarantee Fund (FGC) for investments up to R$ 250 thousand per CPF and institution.

Another advantage of Tesouro Direto is the diversity of bonds, which allows the investor to choose among terms and types of return. With CDBs, there are options with daily liquidity, which make it easier to access money in times of need.

Precautions and points of attention

Despite the advantages, it is important to consider that Tesouro Direto is subject to regressive income tax, which varies according to the investment period. This can reduce gains if the investment is redeemed in short terms.

CDBs are also subject to income tax, following the same regressive table. In addition, it is essential to verify the solidity of the issuing bank to reduce risks, especially in smaller institutions.

Another relevant point is liquidity. Not all CDBs offer daily liquidity, and early redemption may incur losses or may not be allowed. In Tesouro Direto, you can sell the bonds before maturity, but the price may fluctuate according to the market.

How to apply / get started

To invest in Tesouro Direto, you need to open an account with an authorized brokerage or bank, such as XP, Rico, or Modal. After registration, you can choose the bonds that meet your goals and start investing with amounts starting from around R$ 30.

To invest in CDBs, you can look for digital banks such as Neon, PicPay, or a finance company like Crefisa. The process is usually simple and can be done through the institution's app, where you can choose among the available options and invest the desired amount.

In both cases, it is advisable to research rates and conditions, and to consider the period you intend to keep the money invested in order to maximize returns.

Conclusion

In short, both Tesouro Direto and CDBs are conservative options that can offer good returns for investors seeking security. Tesouro Direto is suited to those who value liquidity and government guarantee, while CDBs may be more interesting for those seeking somewhat higher returns, with FGC protection.

The ideal is to assess your profile, understand the investment term and the conditions offered by the institutions. That way, it is possible to choose the best alternative to obtain consistent and safe returns.

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