Equity Trust Company is one of the largest and longest-established self-directed IRA custodians in the United States. The company allows retirement investors to hold alternative assets—including physical precious metals, real estate, private equity, cryptocurrency, and promissory notes—inside tax-advantaged accounts.
But is Equity Trust the right custodian for your Gold IRA?
In this comprehensive review, we examine current Equity Trust Company reviews, fees, complaints, account options, precious metals storage costs, advantages, and potential drawbacks. We also explain an important distinction many investors miss: Equity Trust administers your Gold IRA, but it does not select or sell the precious metals for you.
By the end, you should have a clearer idea of whether Equity Trust meets your needs—or whether you would benefit from working with a full-service Gold IRA company that coordinates the dealer, custodian, rollover, and depository on your behalf.
Quick verdict: Equity Trust Company is a legitimate, experienced self-directed IRA custodian with broad investment flexibility. However, its asset-based annual fees and mixed customer-service reviews may make it less attractive to investors who want simple flat-rate pricing and hands-on assistance throughout a Gold IRA rollover.
Equity Trust Company Review: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company name | Equity Trust Company |
| Headquarters | Westlake, Ohio |
| Predecessor business established | 1974 |
| Self-directed IRA custodian since | 1983 |
| Primary service | Custody and administration of self-directed retirement accounts |
| Precious metals available | Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium meeting IRA requirements |
| Other supported assets | Real estate, private equity, cryptocurrency, notes, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds |
| Online application fee | $50 |
| Paper application fee | $75 |
| Annual maintenance fee | $350–$2,500, depending on account value |
| Precious metals storage | $110 non-segregated or $160 segregated annually |
| BBB status | Accredited |
| BBB rating | A+ |
| Best suited for | Experienced investors wanting multiple alternative assets in one account |
| Potential drawback | Higher asset-based fees on larger accounts |
| Our rating | 3.8 out of 5 |
Fees and ratings were checked in July 2026 and may change.
What Is Equity Trust Company?
Equity Trust Company is a financial services company specializing in self-directed individual retirement accounts. Unlike conventional brokerage IRAs that primarily offer publicly traded investments, an Equity Trust account can hold a much broader selection of assets.
Its supported self-directed accounts include:
- Traditional IRAs
- Roth IRAs
- SEP IRAs
- SIMPLE IRAs
- Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
- Health Savings Accounts
- Traditional Solo 401(k) plans
- Roth Solo 401(k) plans
Available investment categories include:
- Physical precious metals
- Residential and commercial real estate
- Private companies
- Promissory notes
- Tax liens and deeds
- Cryptocurrency
- Stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds
- Other qualifying alternative investments
The Better Business Bureau reports that Equity Trust is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, and has been in business for more than 50 years. It is currently BBB accredited and carries an A+ business rating. See Equity Trust’s BBB profile.
What Does Equity Trust Company Do?
Equity Trust serves as a directed custodian. Its role is to hold assets, process transactions according to the account owner’s instructions, maintain records, and complete required tax reporting.
It does not generally:
- Recommend specific investments
- Evaluate the quality of a precious metals dealer
- Guarantee an investment’s performance
- Determine whether an investment is suitable for you
- Provide personalized legal, tax, or financial advice
For a precious metals IRA, the responsibilities are normally divided as follows:
| Participant | Primary responsibility |
|---|---|
| IRA custodian | Administers the account and completes required reporting |
| Precious metals dealer | Sells the IRA-approved coins or bars |
| Depository | Stores and safeguards the physical metals |
| Account owner | Selects the investments and authorizes transactions |
| Financial or tax professional | Provides personalized financial or tax advice |
This distinction is crucial when reading Equity Trust Company reviews. Some investors expect the custodian to monitor investment quality or recommend what they should purchase. A self-directed custodian processes the investment instructions; it does not replace a financial adviser or conduct all due diligence for the investor.
Equity Trust expressly states that it provides administrative and reporting services but does not offer investment advice. Review its precious metals custodian explanation.
Is Equity Trust Company Legitimate?
Yes. Equity Trust Company is a legitimate self-directed IRA custodian—not a scam.
Several factors support this conclusion:
- Its predecessor business was established in 1974.
- It has served as a self-directed IRA custodian since 1983.
- It has a physical headquarters in Westlake, Ohio.
- It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
- It maintains an A+ BBB business rating.
- It administers multiple tax-advantaged account types.
- It publishes its primary fee schedule and account agreements.
- It works with established precious metals dealers and depositories.
Legitimacy, however, does not automatically mean a company is the best option for every investor. Fees, transaction speed, service quality, and investment requirements should also be considered.
Equity Trust Company Gold IRA Services
Equity Trust can administer self-directed IRAs containing qualifying gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products.
The company does not function as the precious metals dealer. Instead, the investor chooses a dealer and directs Equity Trust to purchase the metals through the IRA.
A typical transaction works as follows:
- You establish a self-directed IRA with Equity Trust.
- You fund the account through a contribution, transfer, or eligible retirement-plan rollover.
- You select a precious metals dealer.
- You choose coins or bars that meet IRA eligibility rules.
- You submit the investment direction to Equity Trust.
- Equity Trust sends funds from the IRA to the dealer.
- The dealer ships the metals to an approved depository.
- Equity Trust records the assets in your retirement account.
The metals are owned by the IRA—not held personally by the account owner.
Which Metals Can an Equity Trust IRA Hold?
A self-directed IRA cannot hold every gold or silver product sold by a dealer. Most collectible coins are not permitted, although the Internal Revenue Code provides exceptions for certain coins and sufficiently refined bullion.
Common IRA-eligible products can include:
- American Gold Eagle coins
- American Gold Buffalo coins
- Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins
- Australian Gold Kangaroo coins
- Gold bars meeting the required fineness
- American Silver Eagle coins
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins
- Qualifying silver, platinum, and palladium bars
Eligibility must be confirmed before completing the purchase. The IRS explains that qualifying bullion must generally remain in the physical possession of a bank or approved nonbank trustee rather than being stored at the investor’s home. See the IRS guidance on IRA-held bullion.
Equity Trust Company Fees
Equity Trust’s published Universal IRA fee schedule uses an account-value-based annual fee structure. This means the cost increases as the total value of the account grows.
Account Establishment Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online account application | $50 |
| Paper account application | $75 |
| Gold Level Service membership | $249 annually |
| Gold Level Prime membership | $499 in the first year; $249 annually thereafter |
Annual Maintenance Fees
| Account value | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | $350 |
| $50,000–$99,999 | $500 |
| $100,000–$249,999 | $750 |
| $250,000–$499,999 | $1,000 |
| $500,000–$749,999 | $1,500 |
| $750,000–$999,999 | $2,000 |
| $1 million or more | $2,500 |
Under this model, an investor with a $100,000 account could pay $750 annually before precious metals storage and certain transaction-related expenses are included.
Investors with large retirement balances should compare this structure with custodians that charge a flat annual administration fee. Asset-based pricing can become considerably more expensive as the account grows.
Precious Metals Fees
| Precious metals service | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Non-segregated storage | $110 annually |
| Segregated storage | $160 annually |
| Precious metals liquidation | $10 per asset, maximum $30 |
| Coin shipping and handling | Cost plus $10, with a $50 minimum |
| In-kind distribution or transfer out | $50 per transaction |
Segregated storage keeps the investor’s metals physically separated and specifically identified. Non-segregated storage allows equivalent products belonging to different investors to be held together while ownership is tracked through the depository’s records.
Equity Trust notes that storage fees are assessed when metals arrive at the selected depository and each January afterward. Additional depository expenses may apply. View Equity Trust’s current fee information.
Other Potential Fees
Additional charges can include:
- $30 for a domestic or international wire
- $50 for overnight mail
- $75 for express transfer processing
- $75 for expedited processing
- $60 annually for paper statements
- $15 for a paper bill payment or distribution
- $50 late-payment fee
- $250 full account termination fee
- $100 partial termination fee per asset
- $100 distribution or asset re-registration fee
Many routine charges can be avoided by using the myEQUITY online portal and electronic statements.
Important: The custodian’s fees are only one part of the cost of a Gold IRA. Ask for written details covering dealer premiums, bid-ask spreads, shipping, storage, insurance, annual administration, liquidation, and account termination.
Equity Trust Company Reviews and Ratings
Equity Trust has received both positive and negative customer feedback. This is not unusual for a large custodian handling complex, paperwork-intensive alternative investments, but the recurring themes deserve attention.
Better Business Bureau
As of July 2026, Equity Trust Company is:
- BBB accredited
- Rated A+ by the BBB
- Listed as having more than 50 years in business
Its complaint page displayed 143 complaints closed during the preceding three years, including 54 within the previous 12 months when reviewed. These figures can change as cases enter or leave the BBB’s reporting period. Check the latest BBB complaint totals.
An A+ rating should not be confused with a perfect customer-review score. BBB business ratings are based on factors such as complaint responsiveness and business practices; they are separate from individual customer reviews.
Trustpilot and Other Review Platforms
Equity Trust’s website displayed a 4.4 rating based on more than 3,000 reviews when checked in July 2026. Its featured reviews frequently praised professional representatives, straightforward online processes, and successfully completed transactions.
However, Trustpilot’s summary also identified negative feedback involving customer service, payments, charges, and general service experiences. Read the current Trustpilot reviews.
Because review scores change, investors should examine:
- The most recent reviews
- Both positive and negative experiences
- Whether complaints describe the custodian, dealer, or investment sponsor
- How the company responds to complaints
- Whether several reviewers report the same operational problem
Common Positive Themes in Equity Trust Reviews
Satisfied customers frequently mention:
Helpful Representatives
Some reviewers praise individual representatives for walking them through paperwork, answering questions, and helping resolve account issues.
Wide Investment Selection
Investors appreciate being able to hold traditional securities and alternative assets within the same broader account environment.
Long Operating History
More than four decades of self-directed IRA custody provides a track record that newer administrators cannot match.
Online Account Access
The myEQUITY portal allows customers to view balances, submit documents, authorize transactions, and pay certain expenses electronically.
Experience With Complex Assets
Equity Trust has experience administering real estate, private investments, promissory notes, precious metals, and other assets requiring more documentation than conventional stocks or mutual funds.
Equity Trust Company Complaints
Negative reviews and BBB complaints do not, by themselves, prove wrongdoing. Nevertheless, repeated themes can identify potential service limitations.
Processing Delays
Some customers report that transfers, distributions, investment authorizations, or account changes took longer than expected.
Alternative investments frequently require document review and third-party coordination. Even so, delays can be consequential when a precious metals price is moving quickly or an investment has a closing deadline.
Difficulty Reaching the Right Department
Some reviewers describe being transferred between departments or having to make repeated contacts before receiving a complete answer.
Confusion About Fees
Although Equity Trust publishes a fee schedule, some customers say they did not fully understand annual, transaction, paper-statement, transfer, or termination charges.
Investors should download the complete fee schedule and ask the company to estimate their first-year and ongoing costs before funding an account.
Distribution and Account-Closing Issues
Some complaints involve delays or unexpected expenses when transferring assets, taking distributions, liquidating holdings, or closing accounts.
Illiquid alternative assets can be particularly challenging to transfer because ownership documentation or valuations may have to be updated first.
Investment Losses Blamed on the Custodian
Some self-directed IRA complaints originate from losses involving an investment sponsor, dealer, private company, or property rather than the custodian itself.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned that self-directed IRA custodians generally do not evaluate the quality, legitimacy, or financial viability of investments. Investors remain responsible for due diligence.
Has Equity Trust Company Been Sued?
Like many long-established financial companies, Equity Trust and affiliated entities have appeared in litigation and regulatory records over the years. The existence of a lawsuit does not necessarily prove that a company acted improperly; allegations must be distinguished from findings, settlements, and dismissals.
Before opening an account, prospective clients should review:
- Current regulatory disclosures
- Recent court records
- State banking or trust-company records
- The company’s account agreement
- BBB complaint responses
- Any litigation involving the specific dealer or investment sponsor
The more immediate concern for most Gold IRA investors is usually not whether the custodian has ever been named in a lawsuit, but whether all parties involved are transparent about fees, responsibilities, storage, pricing, and liquidation procedures.
Equity Trust Pros and Cons
Pros
- Established predecessor business dating to 1974
- Self-directed IRA custodian since 1983
- BBB accredited with an A+ business rating
- Supports numerous alternative investments
- Offers Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs
- Can custody IRA-approved precious metals
- Provides an online account-management portal
- Publishes a detailed fee schedule
- Useful for experienced investors holding several asset types
Cons
- Asset-based annual fees become expensive on larger accounts
- Gold IRA investors must choose a separate metals dealer
- Additional storage and transaction fees apply
- Mixed customer-service reviews
- Some complaints cite delays and communication problems
- Full account termination costs $250
- Custodian does not evaluate or recommend investments
- May be more complicated than a coordinated, full-service Gold IRA arrangement
Equity Trust vs. a Full-Service Gold IRA Company
Equity Trust and Gold IRA dealers perform different functions.
| Feature | Equity Trust | Full-service Gold IRA company |
|---|---|---|
| Custodies the IRA | Yes | Usually coordinates with an independent custodian |
| Sells precious metals | No | Yes |
| Helps select eligible metals | Limited administrative role | Usually yes |
| Coordinates the rollover | Provides custodial paperwork | Often provides hands-on assistance |
| Arranges depository storage | Processes approved arrangements | Often coordinates the selection |
| Offers investment advice | No | Dealers provide product information, not fiduciary advice |
| Best for | Experienced self-directed investors | Investors wanting a guided rollover |
A full-service Gold IRA company does not replace the custodian. Instead, it works alongside a custodian and depository so the investor has a central representative coordinating the process.
For someone transferring a substantial 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or IRA balance, that additional guidance can reduce paperwork errors and make it easier to compare products, storage options, and total costs.
Is Equity Trust Good for a Gold IRA?
Equity Trust may be suitable if you:
- Understand how self-directed IRAs work
- Have already selected a reputable precious metals dealer
- Want to hold multiple alternative assets
- Are comfortable directing your own transactions
- Do not mind an asset-based fee schedule
- Prefer a large, established custodian
It may be less suitable if you:
- Want one representative coordinating the entire rollover
- Need help comparing precious metals products
- Prefer flat annual fees
- Have a high-value account that would fall into an expensive fee tier
- Want extensive assistance with every step
- Are primarily interested in precious metals rather than several alternative assets
How to Evaluate a Gold IRA Company Working With Equity Trust
A qualified custodian cannot protect you from overpaying for metals. Before choosing a dealer, ask the following questions.
1. What Is the Minimum Investment?
Some Gold IRA providers accept $10,000–$25,000, while companies focused on high-net-worth clients may require $50,000 or more.
2. What Are the Dealer’s Markups?
Ask for the exact price of each product and compare it with the current wholesale or spot value. Avoid relying only on terms such as “competitive pricing.”
3. What Is the Buyback Price?
Request an explanation of how the company calculates its repurchase price. No legitimate dealer can guarantee future liquidity or a profit.
4. Are Promotions Included in the Pricing?
“Free” silver, waived fees, and other incentives may be funded through product spreads. Compare the complete transaction—not just the promotion.
5. Which Depository Will Hold the Metals?
Confirm the depository’s name, location, insurance arrangements, audit practices, and segregated-storage options.
6. Who Pays Each Fee?
Obtain a written breakdown separating:
- Custodian fees
- Dealer premiums
- Depository charges
- Shipping costs
- Insurance
- Wire fees
- Liquidation costs
- Transfer or termination charges
7. Are High-Markup Collectible Coins Being Recommended?
IRA eligibility does not automatically make a coin a sensible investment. Compare bullion and collectible-coin spreads carefully before authorizing a transaction.
How to Open a Gold IRA With Equity Trust
The general process involves five stages.
Step 1: Choose a Gold IRA Dealer
Compare reputable dealers based on pricing, minimum investment, buyback policies, customer reviews, and service quality.
Step 2: Establish the Self-Directed IRA
Complete Equity Trust’s online or paper application and select the appropriate account type.
Step 3: Fund the Account
Funding may come from:
- A direct IRA-to-IRA transfer
- An eligible employer-plan rollover
- A new annual contribution
- A combination of permitted funding methods
A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer or direct rollover usually reduces the risk of accidentally missing an applicable deadline.
Step 4: Select IRA-Eligible Metals
Review the products, quantities, prices, spreads, and storage arrangements before signing the purchase direction.
Step 5: Send the Metals to an Approved Depository
The dealer ships the metals to the chosen depository, where they remain under the IRA’s custodial arrangement.
Do not arrange personal delivery or home storage without obtaining qualified legal and tax advice. Improper possession may cause the IRS to treat the transaction as a taxable distribution.
Equity Trust Company Reviews: Final Verdict
Equity Trust Company is a legitimate and highly experienced self-directed IRA custodian. Its long operating history, A+ BBB rating, broad asset support, and online platform make it a credible choice for investors who want substantial control over alternative investments.
However, it is not necessarily the best fit for every Gold IRA investor.
Its annual fees rise with account value, and additional storage, transaction, transfer, and termination fees can increase the total cost. Customer feedback is also mixed, with complaints frequently mentioning processing delays, communication difficulties, and fee misunderstandings.
Most importantly, Equity Trust is a custodian—not a precious metals dealer or financial adviser. Investors must select the dealer, evaluate prices, choose the metals, and perform their own due diligence.
If your main goal is to move a substantial retirement balance into physical gold, consider comparing full-service Gold IRA companies before selecting a custodian. A highly rated provider can help coordinate the rollover, custodian, precious metals purchase, and insured depository while explaining the total costs in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Equity Trust Company a legitimate company?
Yes. Equity Trust is an established self-directed IRA custodian headquartered in Westlake, Ohio. Its predecessor business dates to 1974, and it has served as a self-directed IRA custodian since 1983. It is BBB accredited and currently has an A+ BBB rating.
Is Equity Trust Company a bank?
Equity Trust is a South Dakota-chartered trust company that provides custodial and administrative services for self-directed accounts. It should not be confused with a conventional consumer bank or an investment-advisory firm.
Does Equity Trust sell gold?
No. Equity Trust serves as the IRA custodian. Investors purchase qualifying metals from a separate precious metals dealer, and Equity Trust processes the transaction according to the account owner’s instructions.
Can Equity Trust store my gold?
Equity Trust administers the account and works with approved depository arrangements. The physical gold must be held at the selected qualified depository, not at Equity Trust’s corporate office.
How much does an Equity Trust Gold IRA cost?
Published costs include a $50 online application fee, annual maintenance fees ranging from $350 to $2,500 depending on account value, and annual precious metals storage of $110 for non-segregated or $160 for segregated storage. Dealer premiums and other charges are separate.
Does Equity Trust have a minimum investment?
Its published fee schedule does not establish a universal Gold IRA minimum. However, the chosen precious metals dealer may impose its own minimum purchase or rollover requirement.
Can I roll a 401(k) into an Equity Trust Gold IRA?
Potentially, yes. Eligibility depends on the employer plan and your circumstances. Former-employer plans are commonly eligible, while active plans may restrict in-service rollovers. Check with the current plan administrator and a qualified tax professional.
Can I store Equity Trust IRA gold at home?
Generally, IRA-held bullion must remain in the physical possession of a bank or approved nonbank trustee. Home-storage arrangements create serious tax and prohibited-transaction risks. Consult an experienced tax attorney before considering any nontraditional storage structure.
Does Equity Trust insure investments against losses?
No custodian can insure an investor against normal market losses or guarantee that a private investment will succeed. Depository insurance may protect stored metals against specified physical risks, but it does not protect against falling metal prices or dealer markups.
Is Equity Trust better than a traditional brokerage?
It depends on the intended investments. A conventional brokerage may be cheaper and simpler for stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. Equity Trust may be more appropriate when an investor specifically needs a custodian for precious metals, real estate, private equity, or other alternative assets.
What is the biggest drawback of Equity Trust?
For large Gold IRAs, the biggest potential drawback is the asset-based annual maintenance fee. An account worth $1 million or more carries a published annual fee of $2,500 before precious metals storage and other applicable costs.
Should I use Equity Trust for my Gold IRA?
Equity Trust may be a reasonable option for experienced self-directed investors. Investors wanting flat fees, extensive rollover assistance, and coordinated dealer-to-depository service should compare it with other custodians and full-service Gold IRA providers first.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Precious metals can decline in value and may involve dealer spreads, custodial fees, storage costs, and liquidity risks. Consult qualified professionals before moving retirement funds.
