Financial Institution or Advisor
Advisors have a key role to play when it comes to putting clients first and educating is part of that process
If your clients ask about non-traditional or self-directed investments in their retirement account, are you prepared to answer them? Make yourself a trusted source, learn about Self-Directed IRAs to be able to provide your clients all the tools they need for financial success. Advisors have a large role to play by educating, inspiring, and allowing your investors to diversify outside the norm. In fact, that is IRA Club’s mission….
Self-direction allows people to invest in alternative assets such as real estate, private placements, and startup companies. As a trusted financial advisor or institution, your knowledge can play a critical part in them achieving financial success in retirement.
How IRA Club Can Help
Our team of professionals understands the self-direction process first-hand, and we are here to help you explore your options. At IRA Club, we take pride in education, we provide you and your clients with all the educational materials you will ever need: case studies, reports, webinars, live events, videos blog articles, and much more. At the IRA Club, you are assigned a personal IRA club specialist to help professionals like yourselves sharpen their knowledge of IRAs to better serve your clients.
What’s in it for you?
What’s in it for your clients?
Investment Sponsor Application
Complete the application prior to referring investors. Our team will use the information you provide to understand the nature of the investment and determine the administrative process.
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IRA Club may terminate the membership to the program if your Account is inactive in any continuous twelve-month period as defined in the program requirements. IRA Club may terminate the membership immediately if; a) the applicant fails to pass the ongoing checks performed by IRA Club) the applicant becomes insolvent, becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or receivership proceeding, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, has a substantial portion of its assets seized or attached, or is no longer authorized to conduct business; c) the applicant is (or will be) merged into or is (or will be) acquired by another entity that IRA Club determines, in good faith, is not financially sound or lacks the experience, ability or capacity to perform the obligations required by this program. IRA Club reserves the right to make changes to its B2B program at any time. IRA Club also reserves the right to make changes to the products and services offered at any time. (ie. Type of accounts offered, fees, marketing, etc.). Upon any termination of this agreement, the applicant will immediately return to IRA Club, or at IRA Club’s request destroy, all copies of IRA Club confidential information in its possession or control or will certify to IRA Club in writing that it has destroyed all such confidential information.
IRA Club Financial Institution and Advisor Program FAQ
Many investors are exploring options beyond traditional publicly traded securities. Some individuals are evaluating whether alternative assets—such as real estate, private equity, or certain custodian-supported digital assets—fit within their long-term retirement strategy under IRS rules. As this interest grows, financial institutions and advisors are considering how Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) can help clients diversify within IRS-regulated accounts.
The IRA Club Financial Institution and Advisor Program provides educational resources to help institutions navigate the operational structure of Self-Directed IRAs. A Self-Directed IRA allows certain alternative assets when permitted by the custodian and administered under IRS requirements for custody, reporting, and prohibited transactions. A qualified IRA custodian or administrator holds and reports the SDIRA assets.
The FAQ outlines how SDIRAs function within a financial institution’s service model. It describes how the IRA Club Financial Institution and Advisors Program supports institutions and advisors with educational materials and administrative processes for a streamlined process for their clients. It also prepares institutions to understand regulatory considerations, operational roles, and how they can address client interest in a broader range of retirement investment options.
The IRA Club Financial Institution and Advisors Program helps banks, credit unions, advisors, and other financial organizations offer Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) in a compliant, IRS-regulated way. This program allows institutions to support clients who choose to include IRS-permitted alternative assets in their retirement accounts.
In this program, a qualified IRA custodian or administrator holds SDIRA assets, keeps records, and handles IRS reporting. At the IRA Club, you are assigned a personal IRA club specialist to help professionals like yourselves sharpen their knowledge of IRAs to better serve your clients.
The program aims to help institutions understand the operational, custodial, and regulatory needs of alternative-asset IRAs. It also offers educational tools and resources for institutions to support clients exploring self-direction in their retirement plans.
Takeaway:
The IRA Club Financial Institution and Advisors Program provides a clear way for financial organizations to offer SDIRA access, backed by defined custodial roles, administrative help, and resources that explain IRS requirements for alternative-asset retirement accounts.
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is different from a standard IRA in the assets it can hold. Standard IRAs usually invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. In contrast, an SDIRA allows for alternative assets like real estate, private equity, promissory notes, and IRS-approved precious metals, when permitted by the custodian and compliant with IRS rules, including restrictions under Internal Revenue Code §408 and §4975.
Both account types have the same IRS contribution limits for 2025 and 2026. However, SDIRAs require additional administrative review because alternative assets involve specific requirements for valuation, documentation, and prohibited transaction compliance.
A qualified IRA custodian or administrator must hold and report all IRA assets, keep records, and issue required IRS reporting, such as Forms 5498 and 1099-R.
Takeaway:
A Self-Directed IRA provides access to a wider range of IRS-permitted asset types you can include in an IRS-regulated retirement account. The main difference is the variety of investments and the extra custodial and compliance responsibilities for alternative assets.
Financial institutions are seeing more clients interested in retirement accounts that hold both traditional and alternative assets. By offering Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) access, institutions can meet this demand while following IRS rules on custody, reporting, and prohibited transactions. With SDIRAs, institutions can expand their retirement services for clients interested in assets such as real estate, private placements, or other permitted alternative assets, depending on custodian support and IRS rules.
SDIRA access also helps institutions support clients who want additional retirement account options. Through the IRA Club, participating institutions receive educational support, operational guidance, and administrative resources.
Offering SDIRAs helps institutions understand the regulatory framework for alternative-asset IRAs. This positions them to meet changing client expectations while remaining compliant.
Takeaway:
SDIRA access enables financial institutions to meet the growing client interest in alternative-asset retirement accounts while adhering to custodial, administrative, and IRS requirements. This broadens their service offerings and supports clients who want access to a wider range of IRS-permitted retirement assets.
A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) allows a broader range of IRS-approved alternative assets than a traditional IRA. The specific assets depend on the custodian’s policies. Examples may include real estate, private equity, certain limited partnerships, promissory notes, and IRS-approved precious metals, depending on the custodian’s permitted asset list. Some custodians may also support specific digital assets. All assets must follow Internal Revenue Code rules, especially §408 and §4975, which cover prohibited transactions, disqualified persons, and custodial oversight.
Since alternative assets aren’t publicly traded, they require additional documentation and may involve asset-specific IRS rules for valuation and recordkeeping. A qualified IRA custodian or administrator must hold legal title to the assets, keep records, and issue necessary IRS forms like Forms 5498 and 1099-R.
Takeaway
An SDIRA can hold many alternative assets if the custodian supports them and the IRS permits them. Knowing custodial requirements, documentation standards, and prohibited transactions helps individuals understand how these assets function within an IRS-regulated retirement structure.
Yes, financial institutions face many misconceptions about Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) when deciding whether to offer them. A common belief is that SDIRAs are “too complex” to add to retirement offerings. In reality, the complexity lies in managing alternative assets, not in the SDIRA structure itself. The workload decreases significantly when institutions work with a qualified IRA custodian or administrator.
Another misconception is that SDIRAs increase institutional risk. IRS rules under Internal Revenue Code §408 and §4975 apply to all IRAs, not just SDIRAs. With defined custodial duties, clear processes, and investor education resources, institutions can offer SDIRAs without needing to manage asset selection or investment suitability.
Some institutions assume SDIRAs primarily serve high-net-worth clients. However, interest in alternative assets—like real estate, private placements, and non-public investments—grows among many investors seeking diversification in IRS-regulated accounts.
Takeaway:
Financial institutions may overestimate the complexity or risk of SDIRAs. With clear custodial roles and structured support from the IRA Club Financial Institution Program, institutions can offer SDIRA access in a compliant, well-supported manner that aligns with evolving client interest.
