Fees for custodian - comparing providers for silver bars

Ronald Morris

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Fees for custodian - comparing providers for silver bars

ronald_morris👑Elite (1m-5m)

about 2 hours ago

Key Takeaways

•I've been looking at diversifying my precious metals portfolio a bit more aggressively into silver bars, specifically 100oz and 1000oz sizes.
•Currently, my gold holdings are with Equity Trust, and their fee structure has been perfectly acceptable for my portfolio size (north of $2M).
•I'm primarily interested in comparing annual custodian fees, storage charges, and any transaction fees for buying/selling within the IRA.

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I've been looking at diversifying my precious metals portfolio a bit more aggressively into silver bars, specifically 100oz and 1000oz sizes. My current Gold IRA is fairly well established, but I’ve been thinking of setting up a separate self-directed IRA just for silver to take advantage of its industrial demand long-term. Currently, my gold holdings are with Equity Trust, and their fee structure has been perfectly acceptable for my portfolio size (north of $2M). However, I’ve heard mixed things lately about their silver storage fees and I’m wondering if there are better options out there, especially for larger bars that need secure vaulting.

I'm primarily interested in comparing annual custodian fees, storage charges, and any transaction fees for buying/selling within the IRA. My current gold setup is mostly in allocated storage, and I’d prefer allocated for silver as well. I'm based here in Virginia Beach, and while I understand storage is rarely local, I like to know the options. Has anyone here done a deep dive into comparing custodians specifically for silver bars? I'm talking providers like Equity Trust, Kingdom Trust, U.S. Bank Trust, etc. – the major players.

My concern is minimizing the drag on returns. I'm taking a disciplined, long-term view, much like I did during my Navy career, so I want to ensure I'm not leaving money on the table due to excessive fees. For those who hold significant silver in an IRA, what have your experiences been like with custodian fees? Any hidden costs to watch out for? I typically rebalance my portfolio annually, so transaction fees are also a consideration. Appreciate any insights from individuals who have navigated this.

5 comments

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Best Answer▲ 10 upvotes

ruth_perez📊Growing (50-100k)

Totally agree with looking at those bigger bar sizes. The premiums on those can be significantly lower than smaller coins or bars, especially for silver. It's a smart move for maximizing your metal holdings.

I ended up going with [Broker Name] for my silver a few years back for this very reason. Their storage fees were super competitive for the larger bars, and they had a good selection of 100oz. Definitely worth checking out different custodians for those specific sizes, as the fee structures can vary a lot.

Comments (5)

brian_edwards🌟Ultra (5m+)Real Investor✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Hey, I've actually been in a super similar spot recently! I was looking to add some bigger silver bars to my metals holdings and got a bit overwhelmed by the custodian fee structures. It's like everyone has their own way of doing it, right? Definitely pays to shop around and get some real quotes, not just the advertised rates.

elizabeth_johnson💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor✓ Verified•less than a minute ago

Interesting! When you say you're looking at "diversifying... more aggressively into silver bars," does that mean you're considering a heavier allocation to silver than your current Gold IRA has to gold, or just that you're aiming for larger silver bar sizes within a similar overall portfolio percentage?

dorothy_lopez💰Established (100-250k)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Honestly, with silver, I'm not sure a separate IRA is always the *most* efficient way to go, especially with those larger bar sizes. You factor in the custodian fees, storage fees (which can add up on bulkier silver), and the transactional costs of getting it into and out of an IRA... sometimes just buying physical and holding it yourself in a secure location, or using a non-IRA allocated storage solution, can be more cost-effective for pure silver. Especially if you're not planning on touching it for decades. Just a thought!

frank_rivera💎Premium (500k-1m)Real Investor•less than a minute ago

Hey, good move looking into those larger silver bars for your IRA! One thing that often gets overlooked when comparing custodian fees is the storage method. Some charge more per ounce for segregated storage versus commingled, which can really add up with 100oz+ bars. Make sure you get clear quotes on both to see which makes more sense for your specific bar sizes and comfort level!