- Transparent pricing
- 46,000 investors
- 1,000's of 5 star reviews
- $5 billion assets under custody
- U.S. investors only
- Excessive admin fees
STRATA Trust Company is a self-directed IRA provider ideal for investors seeking a mix of traditional assets and alternative options like gold.
While the company doesn’t offer a lot of variety, it has a good reputation.
This review looks at STRATA to help you decide if it’s right for you.
The Verdict for STRATA Trust Company
I’ve given them a rating of 7.7 out of 10.
STRATA Trust Company is a respectable SDIRA provider and a custodian to a number of top rated gold IRA companies.
While it gives investors the option to add alternative assets to a variety of IRA accounts, it’s limited in the types of investment options available.
The company has a transparent fee structure and easy process, making it a good option for busy investors who want to know exactly what they’re getting into.
| Category | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Investment Options | 8 |
| Pricing & Fees | 7 |
| Account Setup & Maintenance | 9 |
| Customer Service & Support | 6 |
| Security & Compliance | 9 |
| Reputation & Reviews | 7 |
| Resources & Tools | 8 |
| Overall Rating | 7.7 |
In this review of STRATA Trust, I’ve followed GIC’s detailed criteria for evaluating the self-directed IRA custodian.
About STRATA Trust Company
STRATA Trust Company was founded in 2008 as Self Directed IRA Services Inc., a subsidiary of Horizon Bank.
Headquartered in Waco, Texas, the company is led by Kelli Click and offers 350 years of combined SDIRA industry experience.
Today it serves 35,000 clients and has $2 billion in assets under custody.
STRATA Trust’s mission is focused on serving customers by helping them secure their financial future.
It offers tools and investment management services to provide investors with flexibility and asset diversification.
STRATA Trust is not BBB accredited, but it is a member of the Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA).
Investment Options
STRATA Trust specializes in self-directed IRAs, offering account holders a variety of account types.
Investors can choose from:
In a SDIRA, you can choose from traditional assets – like stocks and bonds – to alternative assets including:
- Real estate
- Precious metals
- Private equity
- Debt
- Crowdfunding
- Public investments
- Futures
STRATA offers Basic, Flex, and Precious Metals accounts based on what you want to invest in.
STRATA Trust is a top-rated gold IRA custodian.
The company does not have any recommended preferred partners and encourages investors to do due diligence on brokers or dealers they work with.
Investors can make investments that meet IRS guidelines. While SDIRAs do come with more flexibility, they also come with added risks.
STRATA’s team works with investors to provide support and ensure compliance with IRS rules.
Pricing & Fees
STRATA Trust Company offers transparent pricing, publishing its fee schedule right on its website.
There is a $50 setup fee and annual fees start at $125, depending on the account type:
| Account Type | Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Basic IRA | $125 |
| Precious Metals IRA | $150 |
| Flex IRA (for alternative investments) | $350 |
Gold investors can choose between segregated and non-segregated storage at vaults managed by Delaware Depository or Brinks Global.
Non-segregated storage is $100 per year while segregated storage costs $1.60 per $1,000 worth of gold held annually.
Depending on the investment, STRATA charges transaction fees for both purchasing or selling an asset:
- Precious metals: $40
- Private investment: $50
- Real estate: $150
STRATA also charges a $10 precious metals shipping fee and a $35 precious metals handling fee, in addition to other fees assessed by the depository.
The company assesses a number of miscellaneous administrative fees including:
- $50 annual paper statement
- $250 account closure
- $75 in-kind distribution or asset reinstatement
- $50 cashier’s check
- $50 Roth conversion
- $100 corrected 5498 or 1099-R
STRATA’s baseline account fees are comparable to other SDIRA custodians and it is one of the few that charges a flat rate.
The company does charge several additional administrative fees which has drawn ire from some customers.
Account Setup & Maintenance
Investors can open an account with STRATA Trust right online.
- Select which type of account you’d like to open: Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA
- Verify your identity. New clients may be asked to provide documentation for:
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Driver’s license for identity verification
- Legal Address
- Fund your account. You can add funds through rollover, direct transfer, or cash contribution. STRATA Trust’s recommends the following time window for processing rollovers:
- Direct transfer: 10–14 days
- Rollover: 2–6 weeks
- Cash contribution: 1–2 business days
- Choose your preferred partner. STRATA is a custodian of assets it doesn’t sell them directly. You’ll need to work with a preferred partner to add assets to your portfolio.
The company’s online portal allows clients to pay invoices, track investments, submit purchase requests, and monitor account activity.
STRATA also manages administrative tasks, such as tax reporting and asset registration.
Customer Service & Support
New clients can request a meeting with a STRATA Trust representative right from the company’s website.
Investors who are interested in precious metals can call STRATA directly at 866-320-9082.
Existing account holders can call STRATA directly at 866-928-9394 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT.
Alternatively, you can connect with STRATA Trust via email at [email protected].
Some customers report that customer service staff is responsive and professional in handling a variety of requests ranging from handling administrative paper to understanding RMDs.
Other customers report difficulty connecting with representatives to complete forms or close accounts.
Security & Compliance
STRATA Trust adheres to IRS regulations and industry standards to ensure compliance across all account types.
The company is regulated by the Texas Department of Banking and undergoes regular account audits.
Uninvested funds are held in interest-bearing Custodial NOW accounts insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000.
The company offers professional liability insurance through Horizons Bank, but you can elect to add additional coverage for your assets.
Reputation & Reviews
STRATA is recognized as a top SDIRA provider in the industry. It has 4.8 stars out of 1,547 reviews on Trustpilot and 1.25 stars on BBB.
The majority of customers are pleased with STRATA’s professionalism and expertise in managing SDIRAs.
Some customers have expressed concerns over lack of support in closing accounts and unnecessarily high fees.
Three complaints have been filed against STRATA with the BBB in the last 12 months.
Complaints include excess administrative fees and difficulty accessing customer service, especially for account transfers.
STRATA Trust maintains social media accounts on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
Resources & Tools
STRATA Trust offers a robust resource library on its website.
The Trending Now section of reports on changes that affect IRAs while its blog provides information to help you expand your investing knowledge.
The company also has several calculators including:
● Taxable vs. Tax Deferred vs. Tax-Free Investment
● Traditional IRA Calculator
● Roth IRA Calculator
● Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
● Roth vs. Traditional IRA Calculator
Investors who want to dive deeper into a specific topic can book a meeting with a STRATA advisor to learn more.
STRATA Trust Alternatives
STRATA Trust is a well-regarded SDIRA custodian but it isn’t the only one out there.
Here are some alternatives to consider.
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Our Rating:
4.8
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Our Rating:
4.5
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Our Rating:
4.2
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Setup fee for IRA:
$360-$600
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Setup fee for IRA:
$50
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Setup fee for IRA:
$85
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Rocket Dollar
Rocket Dollar is a cost-friendly SDIRA provider that’s ideal for investors who want the most flexibility at an affordable rate.
It offers self-directed IRAs and solo 401(k)s and investors can choose from a variety of assets, including the option to “bring your own deal.”
Get started with Rocket Dollar today!
Equity Trust Company
With decades of experience, Equity Trust is one of the oldest SDIRA custodians out there. It offers a wider range of account types including HSAs.
There is a $50 setup fee and annual account maintenance fees start at $225, slightly higher than STRATA. Equity Trust is ideal for investors who want diverse account options beyond an IRA.
Alto IRA
Alto IRA is ideal for budget-conscious investors. The platform gives you access to over 75 alternative assets and 200 cryptocurrencies.
With accounts starting at just $10 per month, Alto IRA is good for investors looking to diversify their portfolio without high fees.
Is STRATA Trust Company legit?
STRATA Trust Company is a legitimate and reputable SDIRA provider.
With over $2 billion in assets under custody and serving 35,000 clients, the company demonstrates it is an expert at offering SDIRA services.
Schedule a meeting with a representative to learn more if STRATA Trust is the right partner for you.
FAQs
Who is the CEO of STRATA Trust Company?
Kelli Click is the president and CEO of STRATA Trust Company.
Does STRATA Trust have any pending lawsuits or complaints?
STRATA Trust does not have any pending lawsuits but it does have a few complaints reported to the BBB concerning high fees and inadequate customer support.
Where is STRATA Trust located?
STRATA Trust is located at 7901 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712.
STRATA Trust Company
STRATA Trust Company is a custodian of alternative assets, like real estate, crowdfunding investments and more in self-directed IRAs.
Product Brand: STRATA Trust Company
3.85
STRATA Trust Company
STRATA Trust Company is a custodian of alternative assets, like real estate, crowdfunding investments and more in self-directed IRAs.
Product Brand: STRATA Trust Company
3.85