Looking for the login? This is not Equity Trust and we are not connected to them. Their client portal is myEQUITY and their contact details are on trustetc.com. If what you actually want is to know whether they are reputable before you move retirement money there, that is what the rest of this page is for.
What the record shows
Short answer. The SEC did charge them in 2015, and the case was dismissed. Both halves matter, and the reason for the dismissal is the single most useful thing on this page: a custodian is not a due diligence service. They hold title and process what you direct them to buy. They do not check whether the investment is sound, and no law requires them to.
SEC charged Equity Trust over accounts tied to two Ponzi schemes
The SEC Enforcement Division alleged Equity Trust took an active role in marketing investments offered by Ephren Taylor and Randy Poulson, whose offerings defrauded more than 100 investors of around $5 million through accounts held at Equity Trust, and that Equity Trust processed those investments despite serious red flags. Those were allegations by the Enforcement Division.
Source: SEC press release 2015-121
The case was dismissed, and the reasoning is the lesson
An administrative law judge dismissed the proceeding, finding that the standard of care the SEC sought to impose on an IRA custodian was, in the judge's words, essentially made up of whole cloth. Read that carefully, because it is the whole point: there was no legal duty on the custodian to vet the investment. That is not a loophole, it is what a custodian is. If you take one thing from this page, take that.
They were the custodian when Oxford Gold Group collapsed
Equity Trust held custody for many of the accounts affected by the Oxford Gold Group failure. They told reporters they take direction from clients and custody what is actually purchased, and that they stopped working with Oxford Gold in February 2024. That statement is not evasive, it is accurate, and it is exactly why the check below matters: money left those accounts, the dealer took it, and no one whose job it was to notice was watching.
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles reporting on the Oxford Gold Group failure
"You hold my account, but who is checking that the metal I paid for actually arrived here?"
Ask it before you pay and get the answer in writing. A dealer who answers plainly has told you more than any rating could, and one who will not has told you something too. Every enforcement action we have documented is collected in our enforcement dossier.
Checked 1 August 2026. We do not publish star ratings, BBB complaint counts or Trustpilot scores, because those move and a figure without a date is worse than none. Look those up at the source.
The Verdict
Our editorial position, not a score. We do not publish star ratings.
Equity Trust is a solid choice for investors who want an established, reputable custodian with diverse investment options. Their 50+ years of experience and $34B+ in assets provide stability, though fees can be higher than newer competitors.
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Equity Trust at a Glance
Founded
1974
Assets Under Custody
$34+ billion
Headquarters
Cleveland, Ohio
BBB Rating
A+
Years in Business
50+ years
Best For
Established custodian seekers
What is Equity Trust?
You've worked 30+ years building your retirement. Now you're looking for more control over where your money goes, not just the stocks and bonds your 401k manager picks. That's where Equity Trust comes in.
Equity Trust Company has been around since 1974, that's 50 years in business. They manage over $34 billion for more than 300,000 accounts. Unlike your typical bank or brokerage that limits you to stocks and bonds, Equity Trust lets you hold real estate, gold, and other alternative investments in your retirement account.
That is the appeal of a self-directed account in one sentence. It moves the investment decision from a fund manager you will never meet to you, and it lets the account hold assets such as rental property that a standard brokerage IRA simply cannot.
Pros & Cons
The Good
- 50+ years in business - proven track record
- A+ BBB rating with strong reputation
- $34+ billion in assets - financially stable
- Wide range of account types (IRA, 401k, HSA, ESA)
- Educational resources and investor support
- Online platform for account management
The Bad
- Higher fees than some newer competitors
- Per-transaction fee model can add up
- Some users report slower customer service
- No checkbook control without additional fees
Equity Trust Fee Structure
Equity Trust uses a tiered fee structure based on your account value. Here are the typical fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Account Setup | $50 |
| Annual Administration Fee | $225 - $2,250 (based on account value) |
| Transaction Fees | $75 - $250 per transaction |
| Wire Transfer | $25 |
| Precious Metals Storage | Varies by depository |
Fee Analysis: Equity Trust's per-transaction model works well for buy-and-hold investors. However, if you plan to make frequent transactions, a flat-fee custodian like Rocket Dollar may be more cost-effective.
Account Types Offered
Equity Trust offers a comprehensive range of self-directed account types:
Investment Options
Equity Trust supports a wide range of alternative investments:
Customer Reviews Summary
Equity Trust has a mixed but generally positive reputation:
- BBB Rating: A+ with accreditation
- Google Reviews: 3.8/5 average
- Trustpilot: 3.5/5
Common Praise: Longevity in the industry, wide investment options, helpful educational resources, and reliable processing of transactions.
Common Complaints: Customer service wait times, fee structure complexity, and processing delays during high-volume periods.
Equity Trust vs Competitors
| Feature | Equity Trust | Rocket Dollar | Entrust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 | 2018 | 1982 |
| Pricing Model | Per-transaction | Flat monthly | Per-transaction |
| Checkbook Control | Extra fee | ||
| Best For | Buy-and-hold | Active investors | Real estate focus |
Who Should Use Equity Trust?
- Long-term investors who value stability and reputation
- Buy-and-hold investors who make fewer transactions
- Those needing multiple account types (IRA, 401k, HSA, ESA)
- Investors wanting educational support and resources
Who Should NOT Use Equity Trust?
- Active traders - per-transaction fees add up quickly
- Those wanting checkbook control - Rocket Dollar is better
- Budget-conscious investors - newer custodians may be cheaper
Final Verdict - Steady and Established
Equity Trust is a solid choice for hardworking folks who want an established custodian they can trust with their retirement. Fifty years in business and an A+ BBB rating mean they're not going anywhere.
The tradeoff? Their fees can add up if you're making frequent transactions. If you plan to buy and hold, say, a rental property or gold that you'll keep for years, their per-transaction model works fine. If you want to be more active, look at flat-fee options like Rocket Dollar.
For a custodian, age is a genuine feature rather than marketing copy. This is the entity that holds legal title to your retirement assets, so how long it has done that, and under whose supervision, is a fair thing to weigh.
Rating: 4.3/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Equity Trust legit?
Yes, Equity Trust is a legitimate and well-established SDIRA custodian with over 50 years in business. They have an A+ BBB rating and manage $34+ billion in assets for 300,000+ accounts.
What are Equity Trust's annual fees?
Equity Trust charges annual administration fees ranging from $225 to $2,250 depending on your account value. Transaction fees range from $75 to $250. There's also a $50 account setup fee.
Does Equity Trust offer checkbook control?
Equity Trust offers checkbook control through their ETC Brokerage Services, but it requires additional fees. If checkbook control is important to you, Rocket Dollar includes it in their standard plans.
Can I hold precious metals with Equity Trust?
Yes, Equity Trust allows you to hold IRS-approved precious metals in your SDIRA. They work with approved depositories for secure storage.
Looking for a Gold IRA Instead?
Custodians like Equity Trust work with Gold IRA companies. If you want a premium Gold IRA experience with fee waivers, consider Augusta Precious Metals.
$50k minimum | Up to 10 years fees waived | A+ BBB Rating