Provident Trust Group, LLC is a self-directed IRA custodian headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company operates under the Ascensus retirement services umbrella and reports more than 26,000 clients and over 14 billion dollars in assets under custody on its official site. If you are working with a precious metals dealer that uses Provident as its preferred custodian, or if you are evaluating custodian options for a self-directed retirement account, this review covers what is verifiable about the firm, what to ask before opening an account, and how the custodian role fits into the broader gold IRA decision.
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 name | Provident Trust Group, LLC (now operating as Provident Trust Group by Ascensus) |
| Headquarters | 7450 Arroyo Crossing Parkway, Suite 230, Las Vegas, NV 89113-4082 |
| Phone (per BBB profile) | (702) 434-0023 |
| Years in business (per BBB) | 18 |
| Service type | Passive, directed self-directed IRA custodian |
| Scale (per official site) | 26,000+ clients, $14 billion+ assets under custody |
| IRA account types | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Inherited IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Individual/Solo 401(k) |
| Alternative assets listed | Real estate, LLCs, secured notes, partnerships and limited partnerships, precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium), private placements, private stocks, oil and gas rights, equipment financing, tax liens, private mortgages, notes receivable |
| Investment advice | None. Official site states: “Provident Trust Group is a passive, directed custodian and as such does not provide any type of investment advice or due diligence.” |
| BBB rating | A+ (not BBB accredited) |
| BBB profile | Verify current rating directly at BBB.org |
What Provident Trust Group Actually Does
Provident Trust Group 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 any third-party storage facility where physical assets are held. The custodian does not sell you gold or silver, does not recommend a dealer, and does not give investment advice.
On its official site, Provident describes itself in plain language: “Provident Trust Group is a passive, directed custodian and as such does not provide any type of investment advice or due diligence.” It also states: “You are responsible for performing due diligence on your 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.
Regulatory Status: Nevada-Based Trust Company
Provident Trust Group, LLC is a Nevada-based entity. Trust companies operating in Nevada are supervised by the Nevada Division of Financial Institutions. Investors who want primary-source confirmation of the current regulatory standing can contact the Nevada regulator directly, since charters, accreditations, and supervisory status can change over time.
Two practical points to keep in mind:
- State trust company oversight. Provident operates under the Nevada regulatory regime for trust companies. This is the standard structure for many self-directed IRA custodians, and is distinct from a full-service commercial bank.
- FDIC and SIPC coverage do not apply to physical assets. Physical precious metals or real estate held in an IRA are not insured by the FDIC or the SIPC. Cash sweep balances inside the IRA may carry coverage depending on where the cash is held. Confirm specifics in writing with Provident before relying on any particular protection.
Published Fee Schedule (Rare Custodian Transparency)
One useful aspect of Provident Trust Group for comparison shoppers is that it publishes a baseline annual fee schedule directly on its account-type page, rather than gating all numbers behind a request. Many custodians in the self-directed IRA space disclose fees only on request, so a published baseline supports apples-to-apples comparison.
As published on the official site at the time of this review:
| Account type | Annual fee (per official site) | Establishment fee (per official site) |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | $395 | $50 |
| Roth IRA | $395 | $50 |
| Inherited IRA | $395 | $50 |
| SEP IRA | $445 | $150 |
| SIMPLE IRA | $445 | $150 |
| Individual or Solo 401(k) | $495 | $150 |
Important caveats. The numbers above are the baseline custodian maintenance and establishment fees. They do not include transaction fees, wire fees, asset-level fees, or third-party depository storage fees for physical metals. Custodian fee schedules for self-directed IRAs typically have multiple line items, and the all-in cost depends on the asset mix and the depository chosen. Request the full schedule in writing from Provident and from your chosen depository before funding an account. Our gold IRA fees comprehensive breakdown walks through typical industry ranges so you can compare the Provident schedule against peers when you receive it.
Asset Types Provident Trust Group Supports
Provident lists a broad menu of alternative and traditional assets that can be held in its self-directed IRAs. The categories on the official site include:
- Real estate (commercial real estate, rental homes, multifamily complexes, mobile homes, raw land)
- LLCs and limited partnerships
- Secured notes and promissory notes
- Loans and notes receivable
- Private placements
- Private stocks
- Tax liens
- Private mortgages and non-performing notes
- Oil and gas rights
- Equipment financing
- Convertible notes, secured and unsecured notes
- Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium)
This breadth signals an established alternative-asset custody operation rather than a metals-only shop. The explicit inclusion of precious metals in the published asset list is helpful for investors evaluating Provident specifically for a gold IRA, since some self-directed custodians do not market metals as a primary category.
Precious Metals: Confirm Before You Sign
Even though precious metals appear in the published asset list, the operational details for a metals IRA must be confirmed account-by-account. If a dealer has placed you with Provident for a gold or silver IRA, ask Provident to confirm in writing, before you fund the account, the following:
- Acceptance of the specific metals and products you intend to buy. IRA-eligible coins and bars must meet the fineness standards in IRS Publication 590-A. Confirm Provident accepts your dealer’s specific product list.
- The depository (or depositories) Provident uses. IRS rules require physical IRA metals to be held by an approved trustee or depository. Get the depository name in writing.
- The full fee schedule that applies to your account. Custodian maintenance, transaction fees, wire fees, and depository storage fees can add several hundred dollars per year on top of the baseline numbers above.
- Insurance arrangements on the metals at the depository. The depository carries private insurance on stored metals. Request the coverage details from the depository, not just the dealer.
Who Typically Ends Up at Provident Trust Group
Most retail self-directed IRA investors do not pick the custodian first. They pick the dealer (for metals) or the deal sponsor (for real estate or private placements), and that party routes them to its preferred custodian. Provident Trust Group appears in the back office of several alternative-asset platforms and a portion of precious metals dealers that use it as a default IRA custody partner.
If your dealer or sponsor has placed you with Provident, the practical questions to ask are:
- What is the full annual cost? Custodian maintenance plus storage (if metals) plus any transaction or wire fees. Get the number in writing on Provident letterhead or by direct email from a Provident representative.
- What is the timeline from account opening to assets fully transferred? Industry-typical timelines for a metals IRA run 5 to 15 business days after the funded transfer arrives, but the actual range varies by account type and rollover source.
- How are distributions handled? Confirm the process and any fees for both cash distributions and in-kind distributions of physical metals, since taking physical possession outside an in-kind distribution may trigger a taxable event under IRS rules. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
- Who is the named depository on the application? If you have a preference for a specific depository, confirm compatibility with the dealer and with Provident before signing.
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
Provident Trust Group is a legitimate, long-running trust company with published fees. 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 a custodian that markets itself primarily as a precious metals specialist. Some custodians publish detailed precious metals pages with named depositories, accepted products, and metals-specific fee tables. Provident lists metals among many asset categories but is not positioned as a metals-first shop.
- You want hand-holding through the rollover. Some precious metals dealers walk customers through the entire rollover process with their own back-office teams, and the custodian relationship is bundled in. Provident’s role with the investor tends to be more administrative.
- You want the lowest possible flat custodian fee. The published Provident baseline (395 to 495 dollars per year depending on account type) is in the middle of the self-directed IRA custodian market. Some peers publish lower flat rates, and others use tiered or asset-based pricing that may be cheaper or more expensive depending on account size. Compare schedules.
- 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 relationship the dealer recommends.
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 at the time of writing.
Independent Verification: BBB and Customer Reviews
Provident Trust Group, LLC is listed on the Better Business Bureau under its Las Vegas profile. At the time of this review, the BBB shows an A+ rating, notes that Provident is not BBB accredited, and lists 18 years in business. Both an A+ rating and the non-accredited status are common combinations among self-directed IRA custodians, since BBB accreditation is a paid program that not every firm elects to join.
The BBB profile also lists recent customer reviews. As is common for any custodian working across thousands of accounts and processing time-sensitive distributions, some reviews are critical (typical themes include the pace of paperwork processing and the structure of administrative fees), and others are positive. We recommend reading the current BBB reviews directly at the BBB profile for Provident Trust Group rather than relying on a snapshot in any third-party article, because reviews and ratings update over time.
The FINRA precious metals fraud alert remains a useful general-purpose checklist when evaluating any party in a precious metals IRA transaction. The SEC investor bulletin on self-directed IRAs covers risks specific to alternative-asset retirement accounts and is worth reading regardless of which custodian you ultimately use.
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.
Provident Trust Group 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 (Provident Trust Group, Equity Trust, The Entrust Group, Strata Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust, Mainstar Trust, Madison Trust) only after narrowing your dealer choice, since the custodian is often determined by the dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provident Trust Group a real trust company?
Yes. Provident Trust Group, LLC is a Nevada-based self-directed IRA custodian headquartered in Las Vegas, now operating under the Ascensus retirement services umbrella. The company reports more than 26,000 clients and over 14 billion dollars in assets under custody on its official site, and its BBB profile shows 18 years in business with an A+ rating.
Where is Provident Trust Group located?
The address listed on the BBB profile is 7450 Arroyo Crossing Parkway, Suite 230, Las Vegas, NV 89113-4082. The phone number is (702) 434-0023. The company also operates online portals for account access.
Does Provident Trust Group handle precious metals IRAs?
Yes. Provident lists precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) among the asset categories it supports in self-directed IRAs. Investors should still confirm in writing the specific products the dealer plans to purchase are accepted, which depository will hold the metals, and the full fee schedule that applies to the metals IRA, before opening or funding an account.
Does Provident Trust Group give investment advice?
No. Provident states on its official site that it is a “passive, directed custodian and as such does not provide any type of investment advice or due diligence.” The account holder selects the assets and is responsible for due diligence and compliance with IRS rules.
What does Provident Trust Group charge for a self-directed IRA?
The official site publishes baseline numbers. Traditional, Roth, and Inherited IRAs are listed at 395 dollars per year plus a 50 dollar establishment fee. SEP and SIMPLE IRAs are listed at 445 dollars per year plus a 150 dollar establishment fee. An Individual or Solo 401(k) is listed at 495 dollars per year plus a 150 dollar establishment fee. Asset-level fees, transaction fees, and depository storage fees may apply on top of these baselines. Confirm the full schedule in writing with Provident.
How can I verify Provident Trust Group on the BBB?
Visit bbb.org and search for Provident Trust Group, LLC under the Las Vegas, Nevada listing, or use this direct link: BBB profile for Provident Trust Group. Check the current letter grade, accreditation status, complaint history, and recent customer reviews directly rather than relying on a third-party claim.
How does Provident Trust Group compare to other gold IRA custodians?
Provident is one of several self-directed IRA custodians active in the alternative asset space, alongside Equity Trust, The Entrust Group, Strata Trust, Kingdom Trust, GoldStar Trust, Mainstar Trust, and Madison Trust. Each has its own published or on-request fee schedule, depository relationships for metals, asset acceptance criteria, and application process. Most retail investors meet their custodian only after their dealer routes them to its preferred partner.
Sources and Methodology
This review is based on direct review of Provident Trust Group’s official website (trustprovident.com) and its Better Business Bureau profile, both reviewed in June 2026. We verified the following information at the source: that Provident Trust Group, LLC is headquartered at 7450 Arroyo Crossing Parkway, Suite 230, in Las Vegas, Nevada; that the company operates under the Ascensus umbrella as “Provident Trust Group by Ascensus”; that the company reports more than 26,000 clients and over 14 billion dollars in assets under custody; that the supported IRA account types include Traditional, Roth, Inherited, SEP, SIMPLE, and Individual or Solo 401(k); that the published baseline annual fees and establishment fees are as listed in the fee schedule above; that the supported asset categories include precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) among many others; that the company self-describes as a passive, directed custodian and explicitly states it does not provide investment advice or due diligence; and that the BBB profile shows an A+ rating, 18 years in business, and a non-accredited status.
We did not quote a fixed all-in cost because actual costs depend on asset mix, transaction volume, and depository selection. The all-in number must be requested for the specific account being opened.
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 the SEC investor bulletin on self-directed IRAs.
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 Provident Trust Group, LLC or of any precious metals investment.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-11.