Midland IRA
Midland IRA, part of the Equity Trust family since 2023, is a self-directed IRA custodian that enables individual investors, investment sponsors, and financial advisors to hold alternative assets — real estate, private equity, crypto, precious metals, and private funds — within tax-advantaged retirement accounts via integrated client and professional portals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersFort Myers, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Midland IRA does
Midland IRA (operating as Midland Trust, part of the Equity Trust family of companies since the 2023 acquisition) is a Fort Myers, Florida-based self-directed IRA custodian founded in 2004, with a predecessor business dating to 1974 and IRS approval as a custodian since 1983. The company specializes in enabling individual investors to hold alternative assets — including real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, cryptocurrency, hedge funds, and closely held LLCs — within tax-advantaged retirement accounts that go beyond the menus offered by conventional brokerage IRAs. Core product lines include Self-Directed IRAs (Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE), Checkbook IRA LLCs, Individual 401(k) plans, Trading Accounts, Futures and Forex trading in IRAs, Gold and Silver IRAs, Cryptocurrency IRAs, 1031 Exchange services (via Equity 1031), and Private Fund Custody with both Full Custody and Document Custody options. The company serves three primary customer segments: individual investors seeking portfolio diversification, investment sponsors (issuers, fund managers) seeking qualified custodians for alternative-asset offerings, and investment advisors/financial planners who need compliant custody for client private-fund and alternative-asset allocations.
The technology stack is a cloud-based custodial platform with three integrated portals: a Client Portal for self-service account management (statements, transfers, contributions, distributions), the Equity Pro Portal for financial professionals to manage client investments and funding status, and Equity OnePath, a complementary online onboarding tool that lets sponsors set up assets while clients complete applications and investment packets in parallel. DocuSign is integrated for electronic subscription documentation, and the company claims next-day investment processing as an industry-leading service metric. Marketing and distribution span content/SEO, email, events, webinars, podcast/video, and referral networks with REIAs, real estate organizations, and financial planning associations, supported by five consecutive years of Investopedia 'Best Overall' Self-Directed IRA recognition (2020-2024).
The business model is fee-based and capital-light, with administrative/custodial fees charged to IRA account holders (subscription-style, monthly billing) and transaction fees for investment processing, while services to investment sponsors and financial professionals are provided free of charge with no setup costs. With 11-50 employees, the company operates a dedicated-service-team model (no call centers) targeting both individual investors and institutional clients, supplemented by self-serve online account opening. The combined Equity Trust/Midland platform reports $71 billion in assets under custody and administration as of June 30, 2025.
Midland IRA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Midland IRA
- Legal name
- Equity Trust Company and Midland Trust Company
- Website
- https://midlandtrust.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Midland IRA, part of the Equity Trust family since 2023, is a self-directed IRA custodian that enables individual investors, investment sponsors, and financial advisors to hold alternative assets — real estate, private equity, crypto, precious metals, and private funds — within tax-advantaged retirement accounts via integrated client and professional portals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Midland IRA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Directed Retirement Custody
- NAICS
- Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Global Custody (Multi-Asset Safekeeping) (FSAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Institutional Qualified Custody (Banks/Trust Companies) (FSADACAA)
Keywords
Where Midland IRA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Myers
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Midland IRA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custodial/Administrative Fees: IRA investors pay administrative fees for account management, record-keeping, and custody services; investment sponsors receive services free of charge with no setup costs
- Investment Processing Fees: Fees associated with processing investments, processing subscriptions, and managing alternative asset investments within retirement accounts
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Administrative fee structure for IRA accounts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Midland IRA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Midland IRA is a self-directed IRA custodian that holds alternative assets—including real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, cryptocurrency, hedge funds, and closely held LLCs—within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. The company provides custodial, record-keeping, and administrative services for individual investors, investment sponsors, and financial professionals, delivered through a cloud-based platform with the Client Portal, Equity OnePath onboarding tool, and Midland Pro professional portal.
Product overview
Midland IRA (now part of Equity Trust family) offers a comprehensive suite of self-directed retirement account services and institutional investment solutions. The core offerings include Self-Directed IRAs with multiple account types (Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE), Checkbook IRA LLCs for direct control, and Trading Accounts for alternative investments. For financial professionals and investment sponsors, the company provides Equity Institutional Services (EIS) including Private Fund Custody with Full Custody and Document Custody options, Equity OnePath for streamlined investment onboarding, and Equity Pro portal for managing client investments. Additional services include 1031 Exchange facilitation through Equity 1031 Exchange, Gold and Silver precious metals investments, Private Lending options, Cryptocurrency investments, and Real Estate IRA services. The Client Portal provides investors self-service access to their accounts, while the RMD Calculator helps with retirement planning.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Equity OnePath: Online investment platform tool for investment onboarding and management.
- Equity Pro
Products and services
- Self-Directed IRA Tax-advantaged self-directed retirement account (Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE) that allows individual investors to hold alternative investments including real estate, private placements, and precious metals, with Midland providing custody, record-keeping, and administration.
- Checkbook IRA LLC Self-directed IRA structure that gives investors direct checkbook control over their retirement funds via an LLC owned by the IRA, enabling faster investment decisions and greater transaction autonomy.
- Individual 401(k) Self-directed 401(k) plan (also known as Solo 401(k)) providing profit-sharing advantages with less complexity and lower cost than typical employer 401(k) plans, designed for sole proprietors and small businesses.
- Trading Accounts Investment accounts for taxable money—including personal savings, corporate savings, or trust funds—that allow investors to buy and sell alternative investments outside of an IRA.
- Private Fund Custody Custodial services for private funds offered in two forms: Full Custody (custody of assets and processing of transactions) and Document Custody (physical custody of original documents). Targeted at investment sponsors, fund managers, and RIAs.
- Equity OnePath Complimentary online investment onboarding platform that allows investment sponsors to set up assets on the platform while clients simultaneously complete applications and investment packets, streamlining investor onboarding for applicable investment types.
- Equity Pro (Midland Pro Portal) Professional portal for investment sponsors and financial professionals to manage client investments, view funding processes, and track investment status.
- Client Portal Self-service online portal for existing clients to manage accounts, view holdings, generate statements, process transfers and contributions, and request distributions.
- Equity 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediary service for 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges, provided as part of the Equity family of companies, facilitating tax-deferred swaps of investment or business real estate.
Quantifiable outcome
- Next-day investment processing after receipt of funds and paperwork
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Midland IRA
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Midland IRA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Midland IRA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Equity Trust CompanycoreMidland Trust is now part of the Equity Trust family of companies; the acquisition combines two major self-directed IRA custodians providing expanded resources, technology, and educational offerings under unified leadership
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Midland IRA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New Direction IRA: New Direction IRA specializes in self-directed retirement accounts for alternative investments including real estate, precious metals, and private placements. Directly comparable product suite and target investors to Midland.
- IRA Financial Group: IRA Financial Group provides self-directed IRA custody with a focus on 'checkbook control' LLC structures and crypto retirement accounts. Overlaps with Midland on Checkbook IRA LLC and Cryptocurrency IRA offerings for individual investors.
- Equity Trust Company: Equity Trust is the parent company of Midland Trust following the 2023 acquisition and offers a directly overlapping suite of self-directed IRA custody services for alternative investments. Both serve the same individual investors, sponsors, and financial professionals with comparable product categories.
- Sunwest Trust: Sunwest Trust is a self-directed IRA custodian serving investors holding alternative assets, including real estate and private securities. Same IRS-approved qualified custodian role and similar customer base as Midland.
- Entrust Group: Entrust Group is a long-established self-directed IRA custodian offering retirement accounts holding alternative investments including real estate, private equity, and precious metals. Directly comparable business model and target customer segments to Midland Trust.
- Strata Trust Company: Strata Trust Company is a qualified custodian providing self-directed IRA and solo 401(k) services for alternative asset investors. Comparable core custody services and target customer segments as Midland.
- Directed IRA (Directed Trust Company): Directed Trust Company provides self-directed IRA custody for alternative investments with checkbook control options. Similar role in the self-directed IRA custodian ecosystem, competing for the same investment sponsor and individual investor base.
- American IRA (American Trust Company): American IRA offers self-directed retirement accounts with access to alternative investments including real estate, precious metals, and private placements. Directly competes with Midland in the same niche.
Emerging players
- Rocket Dollar: Rocket Dollar is a fintech-enabled self-directed IRA platform with an emphasis on digital onboarding and checkbook control LLCs. Competes for the same end customers as Midland but with a different, mobile-first distribution model.
- Alto IRA: Alto IRA is a digital-first self-directed retirement platform offering crypto and alternative asset IRAs through a streamlined app experience. Overlaps with Midland's crypto and alternative IRA offerings but addresses the segment through a modern tech stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Midland IRA social profiles
Digital presenceMidland IRA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Midland IRA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Midland IRA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Midland IRA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Midland IRA
What does Midland IRA do?
Midland IRA is a self-directed IRA custodian that holds alternative assets—including real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, cryptocurrency, hedge funds, and closely held LLCs—within tax-advantaged retirement accounts. The company provides custodial, record-keeping, and administrative services for individual investors, investment sponsors, and financial professionals, delivered through a cloud-based platform with the Client Portal, Equity OnePath onboarding tool, and Midland Pro professional portal.
Is Midland IRA a public or private company?
Midland IRA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Midland IRA founded?
Midland IRA was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Midland IRA based?
Midland IRA is headquartered in Fort Myers, United States, in the North America region.
How does Midland IRA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custodial/Administrative Fees are the primary driver. The others are investment Processing Fees.
Who are Midland IRA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New Direction IRA, IRA Financial Group, Equity Trust Company, Sunwest Trust, Entrust Group, Strata Trust Company, Directed IRA (Directed Trust Company) and American IRA (American Trust Company). Emerging players are Rocket Dollar and Alto IRA.
Does Midland IRA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Midland IRA.
What industry is Midland IRA in?
Midland IRA's product category is Self-Directed Retirement Custody. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAOAA, Global Custody (Multi-Asset Safekeeping), with a secondary code of FSADACAA, Institutional Qualified Custody (Banks/Trust Companies). Its NAICS code is 525 and its SIC code is 6199.