Equity Trust Company Review

Based in Westlake, Ohio, Equity Trust Company custodian services help investors set up a self directed iras that allow investors to purchase alternative investments in addition to offering brokerage services, mutual funds, and traditional assets.

If your investment strategy includes investing in alternative investments that aren't offered by traditional financial advisor services, Equity Trust Company offers custodial services that allow you to legally hold alternative assets.

I personally use Equity Trust Company. I've used them since 2014.

In today's Equity Trust review, I'll share with you my experience working with them as well as share customer reviews from other websites such as the Better Business Bureau.

Investing in self directed iras can offer unique advantages to investors because they allow investing in many asset classes like private equity, forex trading, brokerage services (I personally swing trade stocks in mine), and of course, precious metals.

Who is Equity Trust?

The Equity Trust Company incorporated back in 1974 and currently has over $34 billion in assets where it services as a custodian.

In addition to having relationships with over 10,000 financial professionals, Equity Trust boasts over 130,000 clients. They also work directly with financial institutions, but they are mostly known as one of the top picks for self directed iras.

Approved to offer custodian services in 1983, they've grown to be a titan in the industry due to the wide offering of options they offer their clients in addition to the financial education they routinely offer.

Several times per month I receive emails about webinars that cover topics like "how to buy property in your IRA," and "lending for self directed retirement accounts."

You can see samples of other financial resources on this page.

What are Self Directed Iras?

Self Directed IRAS (SDIRA) are individual retirement accounts that investors can fully manage themselves, without a financial advisor, to invest in many assets that aren't allowed in regular IRAs.

Self directed retirement accounts require account custodians or trustee's for administration purposes, which is mandated by IRS regulations.

If you understand alternative assets and want to diversify your portfolio like I did, using Equity Trust Company or other IRA custodians is the best way to invest in new opportunities that money in a traditional IRA can't invest in.

Alternative Investments with Equity Trust Company

By using Equity Trust, I've been able to invest in the following asset classes:

• Precious Metals (I used this company to purchase the metals)
• Real Estate
• Private Equity
• Cryptocurrency
• Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds

While those are my personal investments, there's much more you can invest in with an Equity Trust account, including:

• Private Lending
• Futures and Forex Trading
• Promissory Notes
• Foreign Currency

And much more. You can visit their website for more information and talk to employees about your investment strategy and they will help you discover the almost endless opportunities that they support.

To me, the biggest benefits of working with Equity Trust Company is that my account allows me to diversify my portfolio instead of just going with the masses and putting all my money in traditional assets.

I got turned on to this idea by a friend who started a real estate IRA where he has built a portfolio of real estate investments that cash flow into his retirement account.

Do note that on these investments you'll have to follow certain rules and ONLY fund the investments with your Equity Trust Company account as well as return all profits and earnings back to the account.

Customer Reviews

I've had a great experience with Equity Trust Company. I've worked with this leader in the IRA custodians space for over a decade and hold a lot of assets with them. They always answer their phones, and management has been great when I've had to escalate certain issues that were concerning.

The online account access allows me to check in on my investments at any time at TrustETC.com.

Their research and educational services are top notch, so don't sleep on those as they offer a wealth of information of things you can do with your money and expand your investment efforts.

The rollover solutions were where the company really shined. I invested in precious metals seamlessly and can see their value in my account as well as have the ability to transfer in and out of investments using Equity Trust.

As someone with 25+ years of investing experience on many platforms, I found their business to be very reputable.

Equity Trust Complaints

My only complaint about Equity Trust Company is that sometimes transactions take longer than I'd like them to take. While I understand there is a process, I do pay extra for a "Gold Level Services" membership which gets my transfers and transactions expedited.

There have been some hiccups when converting money from my SEP IRA to my Roth IRA as well. The idea was to transfer money on a year I showed less income to an account that grows tax free and if they aren't completed by the end of the year, they will go into the next tax year. I started a transaction in October and the rollover process took several weeks which had me sweating.

In the end, with persistent phone calls to support, I was able to persevere and get the value of my SEP account into my Roth account.

I'm probably nitpicking here because I'm impatient at times, but I do expect IRA custodians I pay a "Gold Level" fee for each year to offer expedited services and better account administration of very routine transactions.

Is Equity Trust a Reputable Company?

I always judge third party ratings with a grain of salt.  For example, on TrustPilot they don't have a rating that would draw me to them.

However, being the deep researcher that I am, I dug into some of the 1 star Equity Trust reviews and found that people were unhappy with their investment choices, and NOT EquityTrust.

To me, this is is very unfair.  Investments always come with risk.  This is a SELF-DIRECTED account meaning you and only YOU are making these investment choices.  Here's a few examples of what I found to be unfair Equity Trust complaints.

Self Directed Retirement Accounts Alternatives

There are many options out there in terms of serving as a custodian for your IRA. Equity Trust alternatives are abundant, and I've covered some of them below.

• • Strata Trust Company
  • Udirect IRA
  • Broad Financial
  • The Entrust Group

Final Words

Self directed IRA investing has been a very prosperous journey for me, and I couldn't have done it without EquityTrust.  I hope this Equity Trust Company review helped you answer any questions you had before deciding on using them as your IRA Custodian.

Equity Trust Company FAQ

General Information

Where is Equity Trust located?
Equity Trust Company is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio.

Does Equity Trust provide investment advice?
No, Equity Trust is a directed custodian, meaning it does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice. Investors should consult financial professionals before making investment decisions.

Opening an Account

How do I open an account with Equity Trust?
You can open an account online through their website or by calling an IRA counselor at (888) 925-1578.

What types of accounts does Equity Trust offer?
Equity Trust provides self-directed IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other tax-advantaged accounts.

Managing Your Investments

What types of investments can I hold in my Equity Trust IRA?
You can hold alternative assets such as real estate, private placements, tax liens, notes, precious metals, and cryptocurrency.

How do I title an investment in a self-directed IRA?
Investments should be titled in the name of your IRA, not in your personal name. Equity Trust provides guidelines to ensure compliance with IRS rules.

How do I complete a Fair Market Valuation (FMV) update?
FMV updates must be submitted periodically for assets like real estate and private equity. You can update your FMV through myEQUITY, their online account management platform​

Transfers and Contributions

How do I transfer funds to Equity Trust?
You can complete an incoming transfer from another IRA provider or roll over funds from a 401(k). Outgoing transfers can also be initiated through myEQUITY.

Can I contribute to my IRA via ACH?
Yes, you can set up ACH contributions and link your bank account for deposits and distributions​

Distributions and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

When can I take distributions from my IRA?
Once you reach age 59½, you can take distributions without penalties. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) must begin at age 73, depending on your account type.

How do I withdraw funds from an illiquid asset like real estate?
You may need to sell the asset or distribute a portion of it. If distributing a portion, re-titling the asset is required. Equity Trust can guide you through the process​

Can I donate my RMD to charity?
Yes, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualifying charity​

Tax Considerations

What is Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT)?
UBIT applies to certain investments within an IRA that generate business income. If applicable, IRS Form 990-T must be filed, and taxes must be paid from the IRA itself​

Is UBIT applicable to Roth IRAs?
Yes, UBIT rules apply even to Roth IRAs, despite their tax-free growth benefits​

Are Solo 401(k)s subject to UBIT?
Solo 401(k)s are generally exempt from UBIT on debt-financed real estate but are subject to UBIT from LLC or LP investments​

Customer Support and Account Access

How do I access my Equity Trust account?
You can manage your account through myEQUITY, where you can process contributions, distributions, and investment transactions.

What is the customer support number for Equity Trust?
For general inquiries, call (855) 233-4382. For IRA-related questions, call (888) 925-1578.