Quest Trust Company was a self-directed IRA custodian based in Houston, Texas, founded in 2003 by H. Quincy Long and rebranded twice during its operating history. On November 15, 2024, Quest Trust permanently closed and client accounts transitioned to Inspira Financial Trust, LLC. If a precious metals dealer has mentioned Quest Trust as a possible custodian for your gold IRA, this review covers what was verifiable about the firm, why the brand still appears in search results, and what you should actually be evaluating today.
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.
Most Important Fact First: Quest Trust Closed in November 2024
Before any fee comparison or feature review, the central fact: Quest Trust Company is no longer an operating custodian. A transition notice published on the company’s own website during the wind-down stated, “Quest will be permanently closing on Nov. 15. Learn more about the transition to Inspira Financial.” Per disclosure language attached to client account pages, the new custodial entity is Inspira Financial Trust, LLC.
That changes how to read the rest of this article. If you are a 2026 reader landing on a “Quest Trust gold IRA” page through a precious metals dealer, the dealer’s onboarding flow may still mention Quest by name out of habit, but the custodian holding the assets is no longer Quest Trust. Confirm in writing the legal name of the custodian listed on your account application before signing.
If you were already a Quest accountholder before the closure, your account migrated to Inspira Financial Trust, LLC under the transition. Your existing assets, including precious metals stored at the dealer-selected depository, did not change; the legal custodian name on your statements did. Review your most recent statement to confirm the new entity is correctly reflected.
Key Facts at a Glance (Historical)
| Detail | What We Verified |
|---|---|
| Current operating status | Closed November 15, 2024. Accounts transitioned to Inspira Financial Trust, LLC. |
| Legal status during operating period | Licensed Texas trust company, regulated by the Texas Department of Banking |
| Founded | 2003 (as Entrust Retirement Services in Houston, Texas) |
| Brand history | Entrust Retirement Services (2003), Quest IRA (2011), Quest Trust Company (2018) |
| Headquarters | 17171 Park Row Drive, Houston, TX 77084 |
| Phone (during operating period) | 281-492-3434 and 855-386-4727 |
| Founder and CEO | H. Quincy Long (licensed Texas attorney since 1991, CISP) |
| Service type | Passive, non-discretionary self-directed IRA custody |
| Asset specialties | Real estate, promissory notes, oil and gas, private placements, precious metals, and other alternative assets |
| Account types | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Inherited IRA, Checkbook Control IRA, HSA, Coverdell ESA, Solo 401(k) |
| Regulatory examinations | Conducted multiple times per year by the Texas Department of Banking, per Quest’s published About statement |
| BBB | Verify any historical profile directly at BBB.org (search “Quest Trust Company”, Houston TX) |
| Successor custodian | Inspira Financial Trust, LLC |
What Quest Trust Did While Operating
Quest Trust Company was a custodian, not a precious metals dealer. The distinction matters when evaluating any gold IRA setup. A custodian holds the legal title to the assets inside your self-directed IRA, processes contributions and distributions, files the IRS tax forms (Form 5498, Form 1099-R) on time, and coordinates with the depository where physical bullion is stored. The custodian does not sell you gold or silver, does not recommend a dealer, and does not give investment advice.
Quest operated as a passive, non-discretionary custodian. That language is industry standard for self-directed IRA custodians and it is meaningful: the account holder, not the custodian, is responsible for the suitability of every investment and for ensuring each transaction complies with IRS rules. 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.
Origin: From Entrust Retirement Services to Quest Trust Company
Quest’s history begins in 2003 in Houston, Texas, when H. Quincy Long opened Entrust Retirement Services. Per the firm’s own About page, the original positioning was investor education and customer service, with a heavy real estate focus consistent with Quincy Long’s background as a Texas attorney specializing in real estate transactions.
The firm was renamed Quest IRA in 2011, then chartered as Quest Trust Company in 2018. The 2018 charter shifted regulatory supervision under the Texas Department of Banking, which according to Quest’s own About statement examined the firm multiple times per year alongside independent auditors. Quest’s public materials described this as a structural advantage for client asset protection compared with non-trust facilitators that operate without state banking-style supervision.
Two practical takeaways for anyone evaluating the firm’s historical track record:
- Texas trust charter. Texas is an established jurisdiction for state-chartered trust companies and Quest’s supervision by the Texas Department of Banking placed it in the same regulatory category as several other precious-metals-eligible self-directed IRA custodians.
- Founder credentials. H. Quincy Long was a Texas attorney since 1991, held a Master of Laws from the University of Houston (1997), held the Certified IRA Services Professional designation, and co-authored the book “Real Estate Investment Using Self-Directed IRAs and Other Retirement Plans” with Dyches Boddiford and George Yeiter, CPA. The founder’s depth in alternative-asset IRA rules was a public differentiator.
Asset Types and Account Structures (Historical)
During its operating period, Quest Trust supported a broad set of self-directed IRA asset types and account structures, not only precious metals. Its publicly listed categories included:
- Real estate (titled in the name of the IRA, or held via LLC or LP interests)
- Promissory notes and private lending
- Private placements and private equity
- Oil and gas interests
- Precious metals (IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products held at an approved depository)
- LLC interests and other entity holdings
- Checkbook Control IRA structures, Solo 401(k), HSA, and Coverdell ESA accounts
The breadth signaled an established alternative-asset custody operation rather than a precious-metals-only shop. Real estate was historically the firm’s strongest specialty, reflecting Quincy Long’s background. Precious metals were one supported category among many, not a marketing centerpiece. For an investor whose interest is purely gold and silver, the breadth offered no specific advantage but did not introduce a problem either.
Fees: What Was Verifiable
Quest’s public-facing fee schedule was distributed primarily through its account-opening flow and IRA Specialist consultations rather than as a fixed pdf on the public site indexable by search engines. Self-directed IRA custodian fees in this category typically break into setup fees, annual account maintenance fees, transaction fees per investment purchase, and wire or distribution fees. Storage charges for physical precious metals were and are paid separately to the depository, not to the custodian.
Because Quest is no longer an operating custodian, the only relevant fee schedule today is the one published by Inspira Financial Trust, LLC, the successor custodian. Request that schedule directly from Inspira or from the precious metals dealer routing your account to it. Our gold IRA fees comprehensive breakdown walks through typical ranges so you can spot anomalies in any quote you receive.
Who Typically Ended Up at Quest Trust
Most retail gold IRA investors did not pick the custodian first. They picked the dealer, and the dealer routed them to its preferred custodian. Quest Trust appeared in the back office of several precious metals dealers and alternative-asset platforms that used it as a default IRA custody partner, especially among real-estate-heavy self-directed IRA networks where the same dealer ecosystem touched multiple asset classes.
For accounts that migrated to Inspira Financial after the November 2024 transition, the practical questions are the same ones you would ask any custodian:
- What is the full annual fee on my account today? Custodian maintenance plus depository storage plus any transaction, wire, or distribution fees. Get a current number in writing.
- Which depository holds the metals? This usually was and is determined by the dealer, not by the custodian. Confirm the depository name, address, and insurance arrangement.
- How are in-kind distributions handled if I want metals shipped 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 a funded transfer to metals delivered to the depository? Industry-typical timelines run 5 to 15 business days, but it varies by custodian, dealer, and depository.
- What support do I get during a rollover? The custodian processes the paperwork. The dealer typically owns the customer relationship for the rollover itself.
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 Beyond the Quest or Inspira Pairing
Quest Trust was a legitimate, chartered trust company during its operating period, and the Inspira successor is itself a regulated trust custodian. That does not mean the pairing is the right fit for every investor. A different custodian or a different overall path may suit you better if any of the following applies:
- You want a single bundled experience with hand-holding through the rollover. Some precious metals dealers, including Augusta Precious Metals, walk customers through the entire rollover with their own back-office teams, including the custodian relationship. If you prefer a single point of contact rather than coordinating directly with a successor custodian, evaluate dealer-led pairings.
- You want to choose a specific depository. If you have a strong preference for a particular depository that is not among the dealer’s standard options, ask whether a different custodian is available within the dealer’s network.
- Your dealer is still marketing the Quest Trust name in 2026. Treat this as a verification flag rather than a deal-breaker. Ask in writing what the operating custodian legal name is on the account application. If the answer is not Inspira Financial Trust, LLC or another currently operating chartered custodian, request a written explanation before signing.
- 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 was recognized as Money Magazine’s Best Overall Gold IRA Company from 2022 through 2026.
Independent Verification: BBB, Regulator, and Successor
The Better Business Bureau profile for Quest Trust Company under the BBB serving Greater Houston is best treated as a historical record rather than a current service signal, given the November 2024 closure. Verify the historical letter grade and any complaint record at BBB.org (search Quest Trust Company, Houston). For an active custodian assessment, verify the BBB profile of Inspira Financial Trust, LLC directly.
Texas chartered trust companies are regulated by the Texas Department of Banking, which publishes a public list of currently chartered trust companies. This is the appropriate starting point for verifying that any Texas trust company is in good regulatory standing today.
The FINRA precious metals fraud alert remains a useful general-purpose checklist when evaluating any party in a precious metals IRA transaction. It is particularly useful for evaluating the dealer side of the relationship, which is typically where misrepresentation risk is highest.
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 the metal’s spot price, which custodian is used, and which depository receives the metals.
Quest Trust being a chartered Texas custodian during its operating period did 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.
- Verify the operating custodian on the account application today (Inspira Financial Trust, LLC for migrated Quest accounts), and compare that custodian’s current fee schedule against industry norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quest Trust Company still operating?
No. Quest Trust Company permanently closed on November 15, 2024. Per a transition notice published on the firm’s own website during wind-down, client accounts transferred to Inspira Financial Trust, LLC. If a precious metals dealer in 2025 or 2026 mentions Quest Trust as a possible custodian, ask in writing for the legal name of the operating custodian on your account application.
Where was Quest Trust Company located?
Quest Trust’s corporate office was at 17171 Park Row Drive, Houston, TX 77084. Customer support phone numbers listed on the public site during the operating period were 281-492-3434 and 855-386-4727. Ongoing account administration moved to Inspira Financial after November 15 2024.
Who founded Quest Trust Company?
Quest Trust was founded in 2003 by H. Quincy Long, a licensed Texas attorney since 1991. The firm opened in Houston as Entrust Retirement Services, was renamed Quest IRA in 2011, and became Quest Trust Company in 2018. Quincy Long held the Certified IRA Services Professional designation and was published on self-directed IRAs and real estate.
Did Quest Trust sell gold or recommend a dealer?
No. Quest Trust operated as a passive, non-discretionary self-directed IRA custodian. It held the account and processed transactions but did not provide tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice and did not sell precious metals or recommend specific dealers. The account holder selected the dealer separately.
Who regulated Quest Trust Company?
Quest Trust Company operated as a licensed Texas trust company under the supervision of the Texas Department of Banking. Per Quest’s public About statement, its activities were monitored by independent auditors and by the Texas Department of Banking through examinations conducted multiple times each year. After the Inspira transition, the operating custodian is Inspira Financial Trust, LLC, with its own regulatory profile.
Did Quest Trust handle precious metals IRAs?
Yes. Quest Trust supported precious metals as one of several self-directed IRA asset types, alongside real estate, promissory notes, oil and gas, and private placements. The custodian held the account; an IRS-approved depository held the physical metal. The list of supported metal products and approved depositories was determined by the precious metals dealer selected by the account holder, within IRS purity and form standards under IRC 408(m).
How can I verify Quest Trust Company’s BBB rating?
Search bbb.org for Quest Trust Company under the BBB serving Greater Houston. The BBB profile lists the historical letter grade, accreditation status, and complaint record. Because Quest closed in November 2024, treat any current BBB rating as a historical record rather than an active service signal. Verify the BBB profile of Inspira Financial Trust, LLC instead for current decision-making.
Sources and Methodology
This review is based on direct review of archived Quest Trust Company website snapshots (questtrustcompany.com), including the company’s own About page and the November 2024 transition alert banner that announced the closure and Inspira Financial transition. We verified the following from Quest’s published organizational schema and public About content: legal status as a licensed Texas trust company, founding year (2003) and original name (Entrust Retirement Services), Houston corporate address, public customer support phone numbers, founder credentials for H. Quincy Long, brand history through Quest IRA (2011) and Quest Trust Company (2018), Texas Department of Banking supervision, and the company’s stated examination cadence.
We did not republish a current fee schedule because Quest Trust is no longer operating and any historical fee figures would not apply to the migrated accounts at Inspira Financial Trust, LLC. Investors evaluating the Quest successor pairing for a precious metals IRA should obtain the current Inspira Financial fee schedule in writing, the depository fee schedule from the chosen depository, and a current quote on metal markups from the precious metals dealer.
We did not pull the current BBB letter grade programmatically because the BBB site requires JavaScript-enabled access and Quest’s BBB profile is now historical. The direct BBB search link is provided above for manual verification.
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 Texas Department of Banking for state trust company supervision.
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 Quest Trust Company, Inspira Financial Trust, LLC, or any precious metals investment.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-11.