Do banks offer self-directed IRAs?
Most traditional banks do not offer self-directed IRAs, and this is one of the most important distinctions investors need to understand before trying to open an account. Standard financial institutions like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo offer IRAs, but those accounts are limited to FDIC-insured deposits, CDs, and in some cases mutual funds. They do not have the legal infrastructure to hold title to real estate, process private lending transactions, or store physical precious metals.
Major brokerages like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade also do not offer true self-directed IRAs in the alternative asset sense. While investors sometimes ask whether Fidelity offers a self-directed IRA or whether Charles Schwab self-directed IRA accounts include real estate, the answer is no for physical real estate or other truly alternative assets. These platforms offer brokerage-controlled accounts where your choices are limited to publicly traded securities and approved investment products.
True self-directed IRA custodians are a separate category of IRS-approved non-bank trustees. These are companies specifically licensed to hold and administer alternative assets. Examples include Equity Trust, Madison Trust, IRA Services Trust Company, and Strata Trust. Each has different fee structures, investment specialties, and service levels, which is why doing a self-directed IRA custodian fee comparison matters before committing.
These custodians are not investment advisors. A self-directed IRA administrator or custodian processes transactions at your direction but does not evaluate the quality or suitability of your investments. This is a key point. The due diligence responsibility rests entirely with you as the investor.
If you are looking for the best self-directed IRA custodian for real estate, you want a company with experience processing real estate closings, established relationships with title companies, and a clear process for handling ongoing property-related expenses from IRA funds. BullioniteAssetGroup has vetted multiple top self-directed IRA custodians and can recommend options that fit your specific investment goals and budget.
