When it comes to safe fixed income investing, many beginners face the same dilemma: should I invest in Direct Treasury (Direct Treasury ) or in public bonds offered by banks and brokers, such as CDBs, LCIs, and LCAs?
At first glance, both look profitable. Banks advertise their bonds with high returns, while the government guarantees security through Direct Treasury. But here is the truth: banks and brokers often use marketing traps to make investors believe they are getting the best deal, when in reality, they might be losing money.
In this post, we will uncover the main traps used by banks and brokers, the differences between Direct Treasury and public bonds, and which option can actually help you make money online through smart investments.
1. What Is Direct Treasury (Direct Treasury )?
Direct Treasury is a program created by the Brazilian Treasury in partnership with B3 (the Brazilian Stock Exchange) that allows individuals to invest directly in government bonds.
These bonds are considered the safest fixed income investments in Brazil because they are backed by the federal government.
The main types of Direct Treasury bonds are:
- Selic Treasury → great for emergency funds, with daily liquidity.
- Prefixed Treasury → fixed rate, ideal if you expect interest rates to fall.
- IPCA Treasury+ → inflation-protected, perfect for long-term investments.
The big advantage is that you don’t need a bank’s “middleman” product. You invest directly with security, transparency, and usually lower costs.
2. What Are Bank and Broker Public Bonds?
Banks and brokers issue their own fixed income products, such as:
- CDB (Bank Deposit Certificate)
- LCI (Real Estate Credit Bill)
- LCA (Agribusiness Credit Bill)
These are also considered safe because they are guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Fund (FGC) up to R$250,000 per CPF per institution.
At first glance, this sounds just as good as Tesouro Direto. But there is a catch: the yields can be misleading.
3. The Trap of Banks and Brokers
Banks prefer to sell their own bonds because of profit margins.
Here is how the trap works:
- They advertise CDBs at 120% of CDI, making it look like an incredible deal.
- In reality, the percentage is inflated to attract investors, but when you compare it with Tesouro Direto, the net return may be the same—or even lower.
- Many of these bonds come with hidden conditions: long lock-in periods, spreads, or lower liquidity.
Example:
- A bank offers a CDB paying 120% of CDI, but you must keep your money locked for 2 years.
- Meanwhile, Tesouro Selic gives you almost the same return with daily liquidity and total transparency.
This is the trap: the bond looks better on paper, but in practice, the investor loses flexibility and can even earn less.
4. Which One Pays More: Direct Treasury or Public Bonds?
The truth is: it depends on your profile and the moment of the economy.
- Direct Treasury is better if you want safety, liquidity, and clear rules. It is the best option for conservative investors.
- Bank bonds (CDB, LCI, LCA) can pay more, especially when they offer 120% to 130% of CDI, but you need to be careful about:
- Liquidity restrictions
- Lock-in periods
- Marketing exaggerations
In short: Direct Treasury is more transparent and reliable, while bank bonds can be interesting only if they truly offer higher net returns after taxes and conditions.
5. How to Make Money Online With Fixed Income
If you want to make money online safely with fixed income, follow these steps:
- Always compare returns between Direct Treasury and bank bonds before investing.
- Diversify your portfolio – keep Tesouro Selic for liquidity, Tesouro IPCA+ for long-term protection, and only use CDBs/LCIs/LCAs if the return is significantly higher.
- Don’t fall for marketing traps – banks will highlight “120% CDI” to make you feel like it’s a bargain. Always run the numbers.
- Use digital brokers with no fees – they allow you to invest in both Tesouro Direto and CDBs without abusive costs.
By applying this strategy, you will stop being a “victim” of banks and become a smart investor who makes money online with safe and profitable fixed income investments.
Conclusion
The battle between Direct Treasury vs Public Bonds is not about which one is universally better, but about which one is right for your financial goals.
- If you want security and daily liquidity, Tesouro Direto wins.
- If you find a bank bond with higher real yield, it may be worth considering, but only with full awareness of risks and conditions.
The biggest trap is not the product itself—it is the illusion created by banks and brokers’ marketing. Be smarter, do the math, and choose the investment that truly helps you build wealth.
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