Latest Media

John Bowens on Pros, Cons of Real Estate in an IRA: BiggerPockets Money Podcast

Our Director of Education sat down with Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench of BiggerPockets to discuss potential tax advantages and other topics around real estate in a self-directed IRA. 

Equity Trust Company Launches a Single-Platform Self-Directed IRA for Alternatives, Traditional Assets

Universal IRA aims to eliminate the need for investors to manage multiple self-directed portfolios to access alternatives.

Equity Trust’s George Sullivan announced as new Heart Walk Chair

The American Heart Association’s Greater Cleveland Heart Walk raises critical funds for research and overall health and well-being.

Equity Trust Company Named Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2024

From Investopedia: “Equity Trust has forged the right combination of experience, investment capabilities, and customer focus to stand out as the best overall SDIRA company.”

John Bowens Discusses Self-Directed IRAs on ThriveLouD Podcast

John appeared on Lou Diamond’s podcast to discuss this powerful wealth-building tool.

Think Realty Podcast Talks Real Estate in an IRA

John Bowens joined the podcast to talk through the details of using an IRA to invest in real estate.>

Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan Receives Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award

Smart Business magazine recognized George Sullivan among the region’s top leadership for a second straight year.

Benzinga TV Welcomes John Bowens to Talk About Alternative Investments in an IRA

Our Director, Head of Education and Investor Success discusses the basics of self-directed IRAs.

John Bowens Discusses Pros and Cons of Real Estate Investing with an IRA on Passive Real Estate Investing Podcast 

John spoke with Marco Santarelli about how investors snowball their IRA balances with real estate and other investments.

Rich Dad Radio Show Hosts Equity Trust’s Jeff Desich, John Bowens to Discuss the Self-Directed IRA

Bowens and Desich talked about the pros and cons of this wealth-building strategy with Robert Kiyosaki, bestselling author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” as well as Kim Kiyosaki and Tom Wheelwright.

Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan Named a 2022 Notables in Finance Honoree

Crain’s Cleveland Business named George Sullivan to the list of notable Northeast Ohio professionals in finance.

Equity Trust Named to U.S. News & World Report’s List of 7 Best IRAs for 2021

“The best IRA companies make it easy to open an account and start saving for retirement,” the article says. Of the seven companies listed, Equity Trust is the lone self-directed IRA custodian.

Equity Trust Co.’s George Sullivan On Finding Opportunity In Disruption

CEO George Sullivan joined the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast to discuss the potential advantages to alternative assets – not just during turbulent times, but in any market.

Alternative Assets and Private Markets

Equity Trust Company CEO George Sullivan shares in Crain’s Cleveland Business why investors should consider adding private investing to their portfolios.

Press Releases

2025

• New Equity Solo 401(k) Integrated Platform Simplifies DIY Retirement Investing
• StartEngine, Equity Trust Unlock Pre-IPO Investment Opportunities for IRA Investors
• Equity Trust Company and tastyfx Announce Collaboration to Enable Forex Trading with Self-Directed IRAs
• Equity Trust Honored as One of the Best Places to Work In 2025, A Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award Winner
• Holdfolio and Equity Trust Announce Strategic Collaboration to Expand IRA Access to Private Real Estate Investments
• BiggerPockets and PassivePockets Announce Collaboration with Equity Trust Company to Empower Real Estate Investors

2024

• New CES® Designation Strengthens Equity 1031 Exchange’s Service
• Equity 1031 Exchange Introduces Cash Incentive Program for 1031 Exchange Referrals
• Equity Trust Company Launches Comprehensive Private Fund Custody Solutions
• Swan Bitcoin, Equity Trust Collaboration Unlocks New Retirement Account Features for Bitcoin Investors
• Equity Trust Company Revolutionizes Retirement Investing with the Universal IRA
• Centra Capital Partners Teams up with Equity Trust Company to Simplify Investing in Single-Family Home Developments
• Equity Trust Company Celebrates 50 Years of Empowering Investors

2023

• CEO George Sullivan Recognized with Smart 50 Award for Third Straight Year
• Equity Trust Company is a NorthCoast 99 Award Winner for a 10th Time
• Self-Directed IRA Custodian Equity Trust Acquires Midland Trust
• SponsorCloud and Equity Trust Providing Automated Solution for Alternative Investment Offerings in IRAs
• Yieldstreet and Equity Trust Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand IRA Access to Private Markets
• John Kish Joins Equity Trust Company as Chief Information Officer

2022

• CEO George Sullivan Named a Smart 50 Award Winner for Second Straight Year
• Equity Trust Company is a NorthCoast 99 Award Winner for a Ninth Year
• Equity Trust and Onbe Partner to Deliver Faster, Convenient Disbursements to Real Estate Investors
• FusionIQ Eliminates Barriers to Digital Asset Class Through Partnership with Equity Trust Company
• Equity Trust Company Streamlines Precious Metals Investing with Groundbreaking MetalsConnect Platform
• CEO George Sullivan Named to Crain’s Cleveland Business’ 2022 Notables in Finance List
• Equity Trust Company Named Among the Top IRA Custodians in Investopedia, U.S. News & World Report
• Equity Trust Expands Its Precious Metals Storage Options to Delaware Depository’s New Nevada Facility

2021

• Equity Trust Company Integration with iintoo Makes Alternative Investments More Accessible to IRA Investors
• Equity Trust Company and Delaware Depository Maintain Business Continuity for Precious Metals IRA Investors During Pandemic
• Equity Advisor Solutions Celebrates 10 Years of Continual Growth in the Custody Space by Exceeding 2020 Goals
• Equity Trust Company Launches myEQUITY Connect Suite of APIs to Streamline IRA Investing

Awards

2025

• Smart Culture Award – Smart Business Magazine’s list of 31 Northeast Ohio organizations with cutting-edge practices in sustaining a Smart Culture. sbnonline.com
• Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2025 – Equity Trust tops the financial publication’s list of best self-directed IRA custodians for a sixth straight year. Investopedia.com
• Best Places to Work 2025 – Equity Trust Company was named a winner of Glassdoor’s 17th annual Employees’ Choice Awards. Glassdoor.com

2024

• Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2024 – Investopedia.com
• Best Self-Directed IRA for Private Equity 2024 – Chosen by Forbes Advisor. Forbes.com
• Best Self-Directed IRA for Precious Metals 2024 – Chosen by Forbes Advisor. Forbes.com
• Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award – Smart Business magazine named Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan among the region’s top leadership for a fourth straight year. sbnonline.com
• ERC’s NorthCoast 99 – Top 99 Workplaces in Northeast Ohio Recognized by ERC for the 11th time as one of 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. northcoast99.org

2023

• Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2023 – Investopedia.com
• ERC’s NorthCoast 99 – Top 99 Workplaces in Northeast Ohio northcoast99.org
• Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award – Presented to Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan.  sbnonline.com

2022

• Cigna Well-Being Award for Honorable Culture of Well-Being
• Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award – Presented to Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan.
• Notables in Finance 2022 – Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan was named a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2022 Notables in Finance honoree. Crainscleveland.com
• Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2022 – Investopedia
• ERC’s NorthCoast 99 – Top 99 Workplaces in Northeast Ohio

2021

• Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award – Presented to Equity Trust CEO George Sullivan.
• ERC’s NorthCoast 99 – Top 99 Workplaces in Northeast Ohio
• Best Overall Self-Directed IRA Company of 2021 – Investopedia
• Healthy Workplace Practices Gold Award Winner