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You don ’t have to sacrifice traditional investments to invest in alternative assets
Learn more about self-directed IRAs
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Self-Directed IRAs
Traditional assets are generally considered stable, long-term investments, and you may already be familiar with many of the investment options.
If you ’re interested in opening a self-directed IRA to take advantage of private investment opportunities but don ’t want to eliminate traditional investments entirely, there ’s good news: it ’s possible to hold both public and private investments in the same IRA at Equity Trust Company.
Equity Trust provides easy, online mutual fund investing with free trades, and ETC Brokerage Services provides a simple solution for integrating stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and other public securities into your self-directed IRA.
If you are investing in assets other than mutual funds, opening an ETC Brokerage account in addition to an Equity Trust Company account will allow you to combine your traditional and alternative assets.
One of our specialized counselors will walk you through the process, or you can do it online with myEQUITY .
Choose your stock, mutual fund, ETF, or other opportunity.
Most mutual funds can be purchased online using the myEQUITY Mutual Fund Wizard .
For other assets, you can direct your investments by calling ETC Brokerage at 855-673-4721. Visit the brokerage website for more details.
Equity Trust Client
“I chose to place some funds in Equity Trust so that I could invest them in real estate. Rather than having the funds just sit idle, I worked with Equity –and for no cost- was able to invest the funds temporarily in mutual funds. The people at Equity are knowledgeable. The online system is easy to use. And, I know I will be able to make the funds grow with a combination of real estate purchases and mutual fund investments.”
Equity Trust Client
“I ’ve been offered similar services by traditional brokerage houses at, no exaggeration, 10 times the cost …This represents an economical and reasonably convenient solution I recommend it highly.”
Equity Trust Client
“I have traded in mutual funds, stocks, and a real estate transaction. I have had excellent customer service whenever I ’ve needed them. The trading platform is very simple to use, making it a joy whether purchasing or selling …My only regret is that I didn ’t know about these self-directed IRAs years ago, but I ’m happy I finally found out about Equity Trust!”
What are you investing for? Whether your “why ”is retirement, healthcare expenses, or a loved one ’s education, we make the journey easy with innovative technology and first-class service.
Traditional financial institutions limit your account to traditional investments. With Equity Trust, you can truly diversify into a range of options including real estate, private entities, cryptocurrency, precious metals, and more, in addition to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds –all in one IRA.
Our size, experience, and technology help us ensure that we ’re there when you need us most. With more than 500+ associates focused on processing 2.1M+ transactions each year, we work diligently to enhance your experience with us.
While you ’re in control, rest assured knowing you ’re not alone: our knowledgeable, client-focused associates are here to provide dedicated, personalized service from opening your account to assisting you with investment transactions. You can lean on our 50+ years of experience in the financial services industry. Talk to a knowledgeable IRA Counselor.
Don ’t have an investment in mind? Most custodians establish your account and leave you on your own to figure it out. Our WealthBridge portal and Investment District online marketplace enable you to find potential investment opportunities with the click of a button. Start your search
What you need to know to quickly and easily invest in mutual funds in your Equity Trust account.
Browse the tax-advantaged accounts and find one that matches your savings goals- from retirement to education to health care savings.
Learn more about the simple solution for adding public investments to your Equity Trust Company account.
Ready to Get Started?
Our knowledgeable IRA Counselors can answer your questions about the self-directed investing process and share insight and education about our self-directed accounts to help you decide what options may be best for you.
1 Equity Way|Westlake, OH 44145
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© 2026 Equity Trust®. All rights reserved.
Equity Trust Company is a directed custodian and does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. Any information communicated by Equity Trust Company is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Whenever making an investment decision, please consult with your tax attorney or financial professional. Equity Institutional services institutional clients of Equity Trust Company. Brokerage Services Available Through ETC Brokerage Services, Member SIPC, and FINRA. *Founded in 1974 | Self-Directed IRA Custodian since 1983. The predecessor business to Equity Trust Company was established in 1974 and the IRS approved as a custodian in 1983. **Assets under custody and administration as of 03/31/2026.
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Client Resources
Self-Directed Accounts
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Why Equity Trust
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Subscribe to our newsletter:
Terms of Use|Privacy Policy|Site Map
© 2026 Equity Trust®. All rights reserved.
Equity Trust Company is a directed custodian and does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. Any information communicated by Equity Trust Company is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Whenever making an investment decision, please consult with your tax attorney or financial professional. Equity Institutional services institutional clients of Equity Trust Company. Brokerage Services Available Through ETC Brokerage Services, Member SIPC, and FINRA. *Founded in 1974 | Self-Directed IRA Custodian since 1983. The predecessor business to Equity Trust Company was established in 1974 and the IRS approved as a custodian in 1983. **Assets under custody and administration as of 03/31/2026.