Can you compare the pros and cons of opening a self-directed IRA account with a sole provider vs. a one-stop shop?
First of all, to make things clear, a one-stop shop would include companies that provide a whole variety of other investment services. One-stop shops are companies like Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Etrade, Edward Jones, Scottrade, and Sterling Trust Company. Dedicated providers such as Guidant Financial focus almost entirely on self-directed IRAs and are experts in this area. The larger companies’ do provide self-directed IRA services, but this is just one of the many things that they do. Ultimately, you need to decide whether you want more personalized services or the resources of a larger company.
