GoldStar Trust Company is a self-directed IRA custodian based in Amarillo, Texas that holds precious metals IRAs and several other alternative asset types. It is a division of Centennial Bank. If you are working with a gold or silver dealer that uses GoldStar as its preferred custodian, this review covers what is verifiable about the firm, what to ask before opening an account, and how a custodian fits into the broader gold IRA picture.
GoldStar Trust Company holds precious metals IRAs and other alternative assets at 701 S. Taylor, Amarillo, TX, with a main line at 800-486-6888 and partner depositories at Delaware Depository (Delaware and Dallas) and IDS. As a directed custodian, it does not sell metals, recommend dealers, or give investment advice. FDIC coverage applies only to uninvested cash up to $250,000; physical metals are not FDIC insured. Verify current fees and the BBB rating directly before opening.
This review is for educational purposes only. Goldiew is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Consult a licensed advisor and a tax professional before making any retirement account decision. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Precious metals carry investment risk.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | What We Verified |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Division of Centennial Bank |
| Headquarters (visit) | 701 S. Taylor, Suite 260, Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Mailing address | 701 S. Taylor, LB 110, Amarillo, TX 79101-2425 |
| Phone (main) | 800-486-6888 |
| Hours | Mon-Thu 7am to 5pm CST; Fri 7am to 4pm CST |
| Service type | Directed self-directed IRA custodian and escrow services |
| Asset specialties | Precious metals, real estate, publicly traded securities, REITs, church bonds, LLCs, privately offered investments, crowdfunding |
| Precious metals depositories | Delaware Depository (DE), Delaware Depository (Dallas, TX), IDS (International Depository Services Group) |
| FDIC coverage | Uninvested cash only, up to USD 250,000. Metals are not FDIC insured. |
| BBB | Verify rating directly at BBB.org |
| Founding year | Not prominently published on current official site. Industry sources commonly cite 1989. Verify directly before relying on this date. |
What GoldStar Trust Actually Does
GoldStar Trust Company is a custodian, not a precious metals dealer. The distinction matters. A custodian holds the legal title to assets inside your self-directed IRA, processes contributions and distributions, files the required tax forms with the IRS, and coordinates with the depository where physical metals are stored. The custodian does not sell you gold or silver, does not recommend a dealer, and does not give investment advice.
On its own website, GoldStar describes itself as “a directed custodian” that “does not provide tax, legal or investment advice.” That language is standard for self-directed IRA custodians and is meaningful: the account holder, not the custodian, is responsible for the suitability of every investment. Under IRS Publication 590-A, the IRA owner must follow contribution limits, prohibited transaction rules, and required minimum distribution rules regardless of which custodian holds the account.
For a broader overview of how a self-directed gold IRA actually works, see our gold IRA basics guide and our step-by-step 401(k) to gold IRA rollover guide.
Parent Company: Centennial Bank
The GoldStar Trust website states clearly in its footer that the company operates as “a division of Centennial Bank.” Centennial Bank is a Conway, Arkansas-based bank held by Home BancShares, Inc., which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HOMB. The parent-company structure is relevant because it gives the trust operation banking-grade compliance oversight beyond what a standalone non-depository trust company would have.
Two practical implications for IRA holders:
- Banking compliance carries over. Centennial Bank is regulated as a state-chartered bank, which means the GoldStar division operates under that regulatory umbrella in addition to whatever state trust company rules apply to its IRA custody activity.
- FDIC coverage is limited. Per disclosures on GoldStar’s site, “the uninvested cash, up to $250,000, is the only portion of your account insured by the FDIC.” Physical precious metals held at the depository are insured by the depository, not by FDIC. This is normal for the industry, not a flaw, but it is important to understand.
Precious Metals IRA Service Specifics
GoldStar lists three depositories for precious metals held in its IRAs:
- Delaware Depository (Wilmington, DE): one of the most widely used IRS-approved depositories in the gold IRA industry. See our Delaware Depository storage guide for a full breakdown of how that facility works.
- Delaware Depository (Dallas, TX): a Texas-based vault option run by the same operator.
- IDS (International Depository Services Group): a separate Delaware-based depository operator with its own insurance arrangements.
According to GoldStar’s website, the dealer the investor buys metals through typically determines which depository is used. That is consistent with how the industry operates. Investors who want a specific depository should ask their dealer to confirm compatibility before opening an account.
GoldStar discloses on its precious metals page that “depository storage fees are due when the account is established and billed annually thereafter on the account opening anniversary date” and that “storage fees are assessed annually in the month the depository first received the metals.” Maintenance and storage fees may vary year over year based on the market value of the account. The site directs prospective investors to its fee schedule for specific dollar amounts; for current numbers, request the fee schedule directly from GoldStar before opening an account.
One quick check: when you receive the fee schedule, compare the all-in annual cost (custodian maintenance plus storage) against industry norms. Our gold IRA fees comprehensive breakdown walks through typical ranges so you can spot anomalies.
Asset Types Beyond Precious Metals
GoldStar Trust is not exclusively a precious metals custodian. Its self-directed IRA platform supports a wider range of alternative assets, including:
- Real estate (titled in the name of the IRA, or shares of LLCs or LPs holding real property)
- Publicly traded securities
- REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)
- Church bonds
- Closely held stocks and LLC interests
- Privately offered investments
- Crowdfunding investments
This breadth signals an established alternative-asset custody operation rather than a precious-metals-only shop. For investors who already work with GoldStar on another asset type, adding a precious metals sleeve under the same custodian can simplify administration. For investors whose only interest is gold and silver, the breadth offers no specific advantage but does not introduce a problem either.
Who Typically Ends Up at GoldStar Trust
Most retail gold IRA investors do not pick the custodian first. They pick the dealer, and the dealer routes them to its preferred custodian. GoldStar Trust appears in the back office of several precious metals dealers that use it as their default IRA custody partner.
If your dealer has placed you with GoldStar, the practical questions to ask are:
- What is the full annual fee? Custodian maintenance plus depository storage plus any transaction or wire fees. Get the number in writing.
- Which depository will my metals go to? This usually depends on the dealer, not GoldStar.
- How are distributions handled if I want metals shipped to me later? Confirm the process and any fees, since taking physical possession outside an in-kind distribution triggers a taxable event under IRS rules.
- What is the timeline from account opening to metals delivered to the depository? Industry-typical timelines run 5 to 15 business days after funded transfer, but it varies.
For a full pre-purchase due-diligence framework, our 30-question pre-purchase checklist covers what to verify with both the dealer and the custodian before signing paperwork.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
GoldStar Trust is a legitimate custodian. That does not mean it is the right fit for every investor. Consider whether a different custodian or a different overall path may suit you better if any of the following applies:
- You want to choose your own depository. If you have a strong preference for a depository that is not in GoldStar’s listed partners, ask your dealer if a different custodian is available.
- You want hand-holding through the rollover. Some precious metals dealers (Augusta, Birch Gold, Noble Gold) walk customers through the entire rollover process with their own back-office teams. The custodian relationship is part of that bundle. If you would rather work directly with a custodian, GoldStar’s role is more administrative.
- You want a published, fixed fee schedule on the public site. GoldStar’s current site directs prospective customers to request a fee schedule rather than displaying numbers prominently. Some investors prefer a custodian that publishes its fees openly.
- You are not yet sure a gold IRA is right for you. Spending time on a custodian comparison before settling the upstream question is putting effort in the wrong order. Read our gold IRA basics guide first, then evaluate dealers, then look at the custodian.
For a side-by-side look at the gold IRA companies Goldiew tracks closely, see our best gold IRA companies guide. Among the firms we cover, Augusta Precious Metals has operated since 2012 and has been recognized as Money Magazine’s Best Overall Gold IRA Company from 2022 through 2026, with a BBB A+ rating and zero complaints on its BBB page at the time of writing.
Independent Verification: BBB and Regulatory Status
GoldStar Trust Company is listed on the BBB serving the Texas Panhandle. Rather than quoting a rating that may change after this article is published, we recommend verifying the current grade, accreditation status, and any complaint history directly at the BBB business profile for GoldStar Trust Company.
Centennial Bank is regulated as a state-chartered bank. Home BancShares, Inc., the publicly traded parent, files quarterly and annual reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available through the SEC EDGAR system. Investors who want a deep look at the parent company can consult those filings directly.
The FINRA precious metals fraud alert remains a useful general-purpose checklist when evaluating any party in a precious metals IRA transaction.
The Bigger Picture: Custodian vs Dealer Decision
The most common mistake retail gold IRA investors make is treating the custodian decision as a primary one. In practice, the dealer drives the experience. The dealer determines how the rollover is paced, which products are offered, what the markups look like over spot, which custodian is used, and which depository receives the metals.
GoldStar Trust being a sound back-office choice does not, by itself, make any specific dealer the right choice for your retirement account. Conversely, a dealer with strong customer ratings, transparent pricing, and a clean compliance record is the right starting point, regardless of which custodian ends up holding the assets.
Our recommended sequence:
- Read the gold IRA basics guide to confirm a precious metals IRA fits your situation. Consult your financial advisor on this question.
- Use the 30-question pre-purchase checklist to vet any dealer you contact.
- Read the hidden fees warning guide before signing any agreement.
- Compare custodians (GoldStar, Equity Trust, The Entrust Group, Strata Trust, Kingdom Trust) only after narrowing your dealer choice, since the custodian is often determined by the dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoldStar Trust Company a real trust company?
Yes. GoldStar Trust Company operates as a division of Centennial Bank, a state-chartered bank held by Home BancShares, Inc. (NYSE: HOMB). It provides self-directed IRA custody and escrow services from offices in Amarillo, Texas.
Where is GoldStar Trust Company located?
The visit address is 701 S. Taylor, Suite 260, Amarillo, TX 79101. The mailing address is 701 S. Taylor, LB 110, Amarillo, TX 79101-2425. The main phone number is 800-486-6888.
Which depositories does GoldStar Trust use for precious metals IRAs?
GoldStar lists Delaware Depository (Wilmington, DE), Delaware Depository’s Dallas, Texas location, and IDS (International Depository Services Group) as its depository partners for IRA-held metals. The depository used often depends on which dealer the investor purchases through.
Is cash in a GoldStar Trust IRA FDIC insured?
Per disclosures on GoldStar’s website, only the uninvested cash portion of an account is FDIC insured, up to $250,000. Physical precious metals held in IRA depositories are not FDIC insured. The depositories carry their own private insurance on stored metals. Investors should review the depository’s insurance details directly.
Does GoldStar Trust sell gold or recommend a dealer?
No. GoldStar is a directed custodian, which means it holds the account and processes transactions but does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice and does not recommend specific precious metals dealers. The investor chooses the dealer.
How does GoldStar Trust compare to other gold IRA custodians?
GoldStar is one of several self-directed IRA custodians active in the precious metals space, alongside Equity Trust, The Entrust Group, Strata Trust, and Kingdom Trust. Each has its own fee schedule, depository partners, and acceptance criteria. Most retail investors end up with a specific custodian because their precious metals dealer uses that custodian as its default partner.
How can I verify GoldStar Trust’s BBB rating?
Visit bbb.org and search for GoldStar Trust Company under the BBB serving the Texas Panhandle, or use this direct link: BBB profile for GoldStar Trust Company. Verify the current letter grade, accreditation status, and complaint history directly rather than relying on third-party claims.
Sources and Methodology
This review is based on direct review of GoldStar Trust Company’s official website (goldstartrust.com), reviewed June 2026. We verified the following information on-site: parent company (Centennial Bank), mailing and visit addresses in Amarillo, Texas, main phone number, business hours, service categories (precious metals IRAs and broader self-directed IRA asset types), depository partners (Delaware Depository and IDS), FDIC coverage disclosures, and the disclaimer that GoldStar is a directed custodian and does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice.
We were unable to confirm a founding year prominently on the current official site. Industry sources commonly cite 1989 as the founding date, but we recommend verifying this directly with GoldStar if it matters to your decision.
We did not pull the current BBB letter grade programmatically because the BBB site requires JavaScript-enabled access. The direct BBB profile link is provided above.
Regulatory references: IRS Publication 590-A (Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements), IRS Publication 590-B (Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements), FINRA Investor Insights on precious metals fraud, and Home BancShares filings via the SEC EDGAR system.
Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation. Goldiew is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. This review is for educational purposes only and is not an endorsement of GoldStar Trust Company or of any precious metals investment.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-09.