Equity Trust empowers individual investors and financial professionals by removing the barriers to investment freedom. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and support investors to achieve more.
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Is Equity Trust Company legit?
Equity Trust Company (trustetc.com) has a 2.9 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 103 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Money & Insurance and its reputation is poor. Opinions are polarized: 44% rate it 4 stars or higher while 36% give 1 star; The business has replied to 49% of negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss Customer service, Price, User experience. Last updated 2026-08-12.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. People frequently complained about expensive annual fees, unexpected extra charges, and complicated transaction processes that added up quickly over time. Consumers noted that customer support was extremely frustrating, remarkably slow, and often completely unhelpful when trying to resolve urgent daily account issues.
Some reviewers were happy with the overall service, finding the platform quite easy to navigate and very helpful for managing their long-term investments. Consumers also mentioned that company representatives were consistently polite, highly responsive, and effectively assisted them with keeping their necessary paperwork properly organized.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
One of the worse companies I have ever worked with. They helped me fill out the paperwork for a transaction over the phone. I waited almost 2 months before they contacted me to tell me I used the wrong form. They told me what form to use and what info to put in. I re-submitted the new forma and this issue has STILL not resolved. It has been 3 additional weeks and counting. Every person I email or call has a different answer. No company standards or over site here. DO NO USE.
Also their advertisements are miss leading as you CAN NOT trade different asset classes in the same account.
This is not a one off occurrence every interaction I have with them is a dis-appointment.
If you open an account make sure you do not need and extra $250, they steal that amount from your account just to close your account.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-05-01
Hi there, we regret to hear your experience with Equity was not a positive one. We take your concerns seriously, and have sent a contact information request over to you so that our team can look into your situation. Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback.
This is the second time I've asked for an IRA distribution that involved Equity Trust. In both cases, it took over 2 weeks after they received my money for them to deposit it in my bank account. This is an absolutely ridiculous time frame. One representative told me last week that would be three business days. When I saw my money was not there after four business days, I called again and they told me it would take 17 days to receive it. I am so thankful I will not have to deal with them ever again.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-05-01
Hi Cathleen, we regret to hear your experience with Equity was not a positive one. We take your concerns seriously, and will use this feedback to improve going forward.
They CHARGE to much annually and when you try and leave them
I've been with Equity Trust since 2015. Their fees are much too high, so I decided to leave them. They charged $250 to do so! How is that OK? After checking other Self-Directed IRA's Companies, I was shocked to see Equity Trust fees were seven times MORE than my new Custodian.
Dennis listened and answered all the questions. Helped with every concern. No need to rephrase to ask again.
P.s
Pl change the wait music before the agent picks up at the start of the call. Its very bad and annoying. Make it toned down.. Is it on purpose drum beat type?
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-05-01
Hi Gregory, thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience with our team!
Don't use this company. My husband got duped by them and then he died, and I've been trying to get the funds out for 3 years.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-25
We’re very sorry for your loss and for the frustration you’ve experienced trying to access the funds. This is certainly not the experience we want for our clients, especially during such a difficult time.
We would like the opportunity to look into your situation and help move this forward. Please reach out to our team at [email protected] so we can review your account and assist you directly.
My experience began on January 7, 2026, when I requested an in-kind precious metals distribution and specifically indicated expedited processing. I was told that expedited requests are processed within approximately 3–5 calendar days, and I was instructed to provide pickup dates at least one week from my request, which I relied upon when planning.
Because this was an in-person metals pickup, their website does not support the required logistics. I was required to complete an additional step by email, providing pickup dates, identification, and other depository-related details, which I promptly submitted.
Despite complying with all instructions and indicating expedited processing, the request was not processed for approximately 20 days. I was later informed there were significant backlogs and that my request had not been addressed until I followed up directly.
I was then given a valuation tied to the company’s internal processing date (January 26), rather than my request date, and no written documentation was provided. Different valuation dates were discussed during the process, and I have still not received a final valuation in writing.
During this delay, the value of silver increased significantly (approximately 40%), materially affecting the outcome and tax implications, even though the timing was entirely outside my control.
I submitted a written request for the company’s valuation policy and supporting documentation, but received no response.
The company’s practice of tying valuation to internal processing timing, while delays occur, places all market risk on the customer without providing any meaningful control over timing. This raises serious concerns regarding transparency, consistency, and how valuation determinations are made.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-25
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed account of your experience. We sincerely apologize for the delays, lack of communication, and frustration you encountered throughout your in-kind precious metals distribution request.
We understand how important timing, clear expectations, and transparent valuation are—especially when market fluctuations can materially impact outcomes. The processing delays you described, along with the lack of written documentation and inconsistent communication, are not the experience we aim to provide.
We would appreciate the opportunity to review your situation in detail, including the timeline, valuation concerns, and your request for documentation. Please reach out to our team at [email protected] so we can investigate further and work toward a
Equity trust is very slow to work with and many of their employees do not know how to deal with the assets they are entrusted to hold. I have had to wait over two months to move items. When they have needed permission to execute a trade. Equity Trust has left messages that are far to hard to hear and are far to quick to cancel transactions in progress. Stay away from this company.
I have been trying to get the cash in my Equity account for 5 weeks now and no closer to getting it than i was 5 weeks ago. No customer service at all. Do not use Equity Trust. You will be as disappointed as i am.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-25
We’re sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating delays like this can be. This is not the level of service we aim to provide, and we’d like the opportunity to help move this forward for you. Please reach out to our team at [email protected] so we can review your situation and assist you directly.
I paid a Farmer's insurance bill recently on February 25, 2026 Farmers did not show payment until March 14, 2026. It was due March 17th so it was on time. Why does it take 12 business days to receive this payment?
Run on Cash during the gold sale in February 2026 ?
During the gold sale in February 2026,Equity Trust changed their processing time to 8 -12 days to process to sale stock) distribution and be paid. I think there was a run on cash... Scary! I am still waiting on my distribution to be processed and paid. I am moving all my money A.S.A.P.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-12
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We understand how concerning delays around distributions can be, especially during periods of increased transaction activity. We’d like the opportunity to review the status of your request and provide an update. Please reach out to our team at [email protected] so we can look into this for you directly.
It has been very difficult to get a cash distribution and taken way too long. It involved paper, faxes and phone calls and two weeks later I am still waiting for MY cash. Your processes and antiquated.
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-12
Thank you for sharing your experience. We understand how frustrating delays in cash distributions can be, especially when multiple steps such as paperwork, faxes, and phone calls are involved. If you’re still waiting on a distribution, we encourage you to contact our team at [email protected] so we can review your request and assist you directly.
This trust dose not seam to care about clients, they don't stay in contact even when they say they will call you within this time limit. They like to give excusess.
well I don't trust you any more!
Customer service is cumbersome as is signing in online.
The website is clunky as well. Transferring money out of ET has been a hassle at times.
However this pales in comparison to the outrageous fees!
I am moving my money elsewhere.
Been using them for just over 2 years. I’ve written several reviews and here is another bad one. The company can’t originate and send alerts to their customers about paid bills, rental income deposits and, more important, income reversals??? Seriously. Stay away!!!!!
Reply from Equity Trust Company2026-03-12
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience has been frustrating, particularly regarding account notifications and alerts. We understand how important it is to stay informed about account activity such as bill payments, deposits, and reversals. Please feel free to contact our team at [email protected] so we can look into this with you directly.
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