Equity Trust Company Reviews, Self-Directed IRA & Gold IRA Custodian

Summary of Equity Trust Company

Custodian Type	Directed, non-bank trust company
IRS-Approved Custodian	Yes
Gold IRA Support	Yes
Founded	1974
Custodian Since	1983
Assets Under Custody	Over $77 billion
Fee Structure	Tiered annual fees based on account value
BBB Rating	A+

Equity Trust Company review for 2026, focusing on its role as a Gold IRA and self-directed IRA custodian. Focus on the User breaks down Equity Trust’s fees, services, reputation, pros and cons, and how it works when used as a Gold IRA custodian.

• What is Equity Trust Company?
• Equity Trust Gold IRA Custodianship
• Fees Structure
• Depository Options
• Dealer Policy
• Processing Speed
• Equity Trust Company Reputation & Client Experience
• Is Equity Trust Company Legit?
• Should You Choose Equity Trust Company?
• Pros
• Cons
• How to Get Started With Equity Trust as Your Gold IRA Custodian
• FAQ

What is Equity Trust Company?

Equity Trust Company is a U.S.-based, state-chartered trust company that provides custodial and administrative account management services for self-directed retirement accounts. The predecessor business to Equity Trust was founded in 1974, and the company was approved by the IRS to act as a self-directed IRA custodian in 1983. Since then, Equity Trust has grown into one of the largest custodians in the self-directed IRA industry, serving clients nationwide, including those opening Gold IRAs.

As a directed, non-bank custodian, Equity Trust does not provide investment advice, tax advice, or legal advice. Instead, it specializes in recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance services that allow account holders to invest in traditional and alternative assets within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. These assets may be held within Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts and can include precious metals, stocks, bonds, ETFs, real estate, and other alternative investments (depending on account type). Equity Trust also supports investor and industry education initiatives and provides resources in connection with organizations such as the Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA).

Equity Trust provides custodial services across all 50 U.S. states and supports individual investors, businesses, and financial professionals. Clients can manage their accounts through Equity Trust’s myEQUITY online platform (online login portal), which provides access to account information and submitting custodial requests. As of November 30 2025, Equity Trust reported more than $77 billion in assets under custody.

Equity Trust Gold IRA Custodianship

When opening a Gold IRA account, Equity Trust serves as the directed custodian responsible for administering the account in accordance with IRS rules. Equity Trust's Gold IRA custodianship services are outlined below, including its fee structure, storage coordination, dealer interaction, investment flexibility, and processing timelines.

Fees Structure

Equity Trust charges a combination of setup fees, management fees, transaction-based fees, and third-party depository storage costs for an Equity Trust Gold IRA. Fees vary based on account value, transaction activity, and optional service level selected. Below Focus on the User outlines the primary fees associated with using Equity Trust as a Gold IRA custodian, based on its published fee schedule.

Setup Fees

Equity Trust charges a one-time account establishment fee when opening a self-directed IRA, including Gold IRA accounts:

• Online application: $50
• Paper application: $75

Equity Trust also offers optional service membership tiers, such as Gold Level Service and Gold Level Prime memberships, which carry additional annual costs with enhanced service features. These memberships are optional and are not required to open or maintain a Gold IRA.

Metals Transaction Fees

Certain transaction-based fees may apply when buying, selling, transferring, or distributing precious metals within an Equity Trust Gold IRA:

• Precious metals liquidation: $10 per asset, capped at $30
• Coin shipping and handling: Cost plus $10, with a $50 minimum. Additional depository fees may apply
• In-kind distribution or transfer out: $50 per transaction
• Wire transfer (domestic or international): $30 per transaction

Annual Admin Fees

Equity Trust charges an Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) based on the total value of assets held in the IRA. Fees increase on a tiered basis as account value rises:

• 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
• $1,000,000 and above: $2,500

Storage Fees (via Depository)

Precious metals storage fees are charged by the selected third-party depository, not by Equity Trust directly. Storage costs vary depending on the depository used, storage type selected, and the metals being stored. Approximate storage costs published by Equity Trust include:

• Non-segregated storage: approximately $110 per year
• Segregated storage: approximately $160 per year

Depository Options

Equity Trust does not store precious metals directly. Gold IRA assets held with Equity Trust are stored with an IRS-approved third-party depository. When using Equity Trust as a custodian for a Gold IRA, investors can choose the depository used to store their metals.

Based on Equity Trust's published precious metals depository list, commonly supported depositories include:

• AMGL (A-Mark Global Logistics, Loomis Intl.)
• Brink’s, Inc.
• Delaware Depository (DDSC)
• International Depository Services (IDS)
• Texas Bullion Depository

Depository availability, storage type, and pickup options may vary depending on the location and type of metals being stored. Storage arrangements are reviewed by Equity Trust for IRS compliance.

Dealer Policy

As a client with Equity Trust, you may choose your own precious metals dealer (Gold IRA company), as long as the metals purchased meet IRS eligibility standards. There are no specific dealers that Equity Trust endorses. Before releasing funds, Equity Trust requires a dealer invoice detailing the metals being purchased and processes payment directly to the dealer as custodian FBO (for benefit of) the IRA owner, based on client authorization.

Processing Speed

Processing timelines with Equity Trust vary by transaction type, including IRA transfers and Gold IRA rollover services. New account setup takes 1 to 3 business days. IRA transfers and rollovers take 3 to 14 business days (depending on the releasing institution). Precious metals purchase authorizations take 1 to 3 business days after receiving a complete dealer invoice. Some clients report longer processing times when there is a high transaction volume.

Equity Trust Company Reputation & Client Experience

Equity Trust Review Sentiment

Client feedback about Equity Trust often reflects long-term account usage, self-directed IRA structure experience, and a compliance-focused custodial approach.

• Long-term account stability: Reviews from long-standing clients frequently reference multi-year account usage without reported asset issues.
• Experience with self-directed & alternative assets: Client feedback commonly mentions familiarity with non-traditional IRA holdings, including precious metals like gold and silver.
• Compliance and documentation standards: Some reviews reference strict adherence to IRS rules, required paperwork, and custodial procedures.

Equity Trust Client Complaints

Client complaints about Equity Trust relate to operational experience rather than asset security or legitimacy.

• Processing delays during high transaction periods: Complaints frequently mention slower timelines for transfers, rollovers, distributions, or purchase authorizations.
• Customer service response delays: Some reviews cited difficulty reaching support or delays in follow-up for time-sensitive requests.
• Expectation mismatch regarding advisory support: Some complaints mentioned expectations for guidance or recommendations, which Equity Trust does not provide as a directed custodian.

Is Equity Trust Company Legit?

Equity Trust is a legitimate and established Gold IRA and self-directed IRA custodian. This company is IRS-approved, operating as a state-chartered trust company in Ohio. Equity Trust has an A+ BBB rating, over 40 years of experience, and more than $77 billion in assets under custody.

Should You Choose Equity Trust Company?

Equity Trust is one of the top Gold IRA custodians we've reviewed for retirement investors. Below Focus on the User lists the top benefits and drawbacks of using Equity Trust as your custodian for a Gold IRA.

Pros

• Long-Standing IRS-Approved Custodian Since 1983: Has over four decades of experience handling self-directed IRAs and alternative assets.
• Broad Self-Directed Investment Flexibility: Supports precious metals and other alternative asset classes such as real estate, crypto, and private equity within the same IRA framework.
• Widely Supported by Leading Gold IRA Companies: Many top Gold IRA companies support Equity Trust as an available custodian option for their clients.

Cons

• Tiered Annual Fees Compared to Some Newer Custodians: Larger account balances may incur higher administrative costs.
• Processing Times Can Vary During High-Volume Periods: Some customers report delays in transfers, purchase authorizations, or service response times.

How to Get Started With Equity Trust as Your Gold IRA Custodian

If you want to use Equity Trust as your Gold IRA custodian, choose a Gold IRA company that supports this custodian. These companies handle the account setup and coordinate all necessary custodial paperwork with Equity Trust throughout the process.

FAQ

Equity Trust Company Alternatives

• STRATA Trust Company
• New Direction Trust Company
• GoldStar Trust Company
• Millennium Trust Company
• Entrust Group
• Advanta IRA
• Kingdom Trust
• Forge Trust