ANNOUNCEMENT

Welcome Precious Metals Investors!

A self-directed account provides you with the opportunity to invest in alterative assets, like precious metals, using funds from your tax-advantaged savings accounts. 

Whether you are looking to diversify your retirement assets outside of the stock market or simply want to access additional capital to maximize your purchasing power, New Direction Trust Company is here to help. 

AN OVERVIEW

What to Know About Self-Directed Accounts

Most people think retirement and tax-advantaged savings can only be invested in stocks and bonds. However, the IRS actually allows you to invest in almost anything—you just have to find a financial custodian who will support you in doing so. 

That’s where New Direction Trust Company comes in: we allow our clients to invest in alternative assets like precious metals, real estate, or private equity, using a tax-advantaged account, like a Traditional or Roth IRA. 

The specific account type you open with NDTCO carries the same tax benefits and rules that you would find in that account opened anywhere else. A Traditional IRA with us is the same as a Traditional IRA at your local bank—the “self-direction” part simply allows you to invest in an alterative asset like precious metals. 


It’s important to note that as an independent self-directed custodian, New Direction Trust Company does not sponsor, endorse or sell any investment and is not affiliated with any investment sponsor, issuer, or dealer. We do not provide investment, legal, or tax advice. Individuals should consult with investment, legal, or tax professionals for such services.

STEP ONE

How to Open a Self-Directed Account

The first step is to complete our online application. This will allow us to create an account number and provide you with access to our online Client Portal so you can easily manage your profile and future investments. 

STEP TWO

How to Fund a Self-Directed Account

You have essentially two ways to fund your account

  1. Contribution
  2. Transfer/Rollover from another financial account

One thing to keep in mind if you are planning on rolling over funds from an employer-sponsored 401(k) is that not all plans will allow you to take an in-service rollover, which means you may not be able to move over any assets into an IRA without taking a distribution. 

Please contact your current plan provider to see if you are eligible for an in-service rollover. 

STEP THREE

How to Purchase Precious Metals

Once your account is funded, our transactions team will work with you and your precious metals sponsor to purchase your desired precious metals. 

To initiate your purchase, we will need: 

  1. An invoice from your sponsor outlining what product you are purchasing and at what price
  2. A buy-direction letter that outlines how you want to purchase your precious metals using your self-directed account
  3. A depository election form so we know where your precious metals will be stored

Don’t worry if this seems confusing! We will walk you through each of these steps and communicate directly with your sponsor and depository to make your purchase as easy as possible. 

AN OVERVIEW

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Are you owned or affiliated with any specific precious metals dealers or sponsors? 
  • No! New Direction Trust Company is an independent self-directed custodian. We do not sponsor or endorse any specific investment or investment sponsor. 
 
What precious metals can I own in my self-directed account?
  • You can own gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your tax-advantaged, self-directed account.
    • Gold must be 99.5% pure.
    • Silver must be 99.9% pure. 
    • Platinum must be 99.95% pure. 
    • Palladium must be 99.95% pure.
      • Note: Gold American Eagles do not meet the 99.5% purity minimum for gold, but they are allowed in tax-advantaged accounts thanks to an IRS expectation. 
 
Can I rollover funds from my employer-sponsored 401(k)? 
  • Maybe! You need to check with your current plan provider to see if in-service rollovers are allowed or if you will need to distribute your funds first.  
 
What does NDTCO charge? 
  • All NDTCO fees are listed on our website: ndtco.com/fees. Please note that precious metals investments are subject to annual NDTCO account fee, a per-transaction fee, an annual depository fee (set by your elected depository), and any fees required by your dealer. 
 
Do I have to use a depository? I would rather keep my precious metals at home. 
  • Unfortunately, the IRS requires that all self-directed precious metal investments be stored in a third-party depository for safe-keeping. 
 
How can I view my account balance? 
  • You can manage your self-directed investments and view your account balance at any time using our secure client portal. 
 
How do I access my previous application? I am ready to finish it.  
  • You can simply use a new email address to start a brand-new application. If you would like to continue with the email address you used previously, please contact us at 877-742-1270 so we can reset your application.