ABSTRACT
The trust company then opens the individual retirement account (IRA) trust account, wrapping any new assets and any existing assets from other IRAs that may be transferred in. The interest level of the customer has been very high in the test marketing phase for this self-directed IRA menu of investment. The funds have come from a variety of places including foreign IRAs that were transferred from other institutions, ranging all the way from insurance companies, stock brokerage, savings and loans, and banks. So the menu includes the safety and stability of the life insurance industry in the self-directed IRA program. Another advantage of having an annuity involved in the investment mix is that the savings and loan or bank may become less eager to be interest competitive with its certificate of deposit, which allows an escape valve for the program.
