Editorial Review

Lear Capital review

Lear Capital is a long-established Los Angeles dealer (since 1997) with an A+ BBB rating, a $10,000 minimum, and a transparently published custody fee schedule. Prospective buyers should weigh that against its well-documented regulatory and financial history, including a 2022 Chapter 11 filing and multistate investor-refund settlements.

Our editorial score

3.5

Best for: Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors

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Informational link to the company's own website. Not a sponsored placement.

When we look at a gold IRA company, we read it the way you should: through fees, storage, and custodians — the three structural things that actually decide what an account costs you over time. Lear Capital works with Equity Trust on the custodial side and stores metal with Delaware Depository, with a stated $10,000 account minimum. Below we lay out the factual picture from public sources, then give our editorial read on where Lear earns its marks and where it asks you to confirm details in writing.

The facts

Public data reviewed 2026-06. Verify current figures directly before acting.

Founded: 1997
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
BBB rating: A+ · Accredited
Account minimum: $10,000
Metals offered: Gold · Silver · Platinum · Palladium
Custodian partners: Equity Trust, STRATA Trust
Depository / storage: Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS)

Fees & storage

Publishes a flat-rate schedule: first year about $315 (non-segregated) or $365 (segregated) — roughly $50 application, $30 wire, $125 maintenance, and $110/$160 storage — then about $235/$285 recurring. These are custody/storage fees only; dealer coin markups are separate. Note: Lear's pricing on some collector coins was the subject of regulatory action (see cons).

Any fee figures above are illustrative and drawn from publicly stated information — not a quote. Dealer spreads over spot are typically separate from custody/storage fees and are the single biggest cost variable. See our fees guide for how the four cost categories work.

Standout features

Publicly published flat-rate fee schedule
Flat storage pricing regardless of account growth
Low $10,000 minimum
Long operating history (since 1997)

Where it earns marks

＋Unusually transparent, publicly posted flat-rate fee schedule
＋Low $10,000 minimum with predictable flat storage pricing
＋Long track record (since 1997) with a full range of IRS-approved metals
＋Insured, top-tier depository options

Where to look closely

−Documented regulatory and financial history: a 2021 New York AG settlement, a 2022 Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and a 2023 multistate investor-refund resolution
−Dealer coin markups are separate from the published custody fees and have historically been high on some collector coins
−Has faced repeated criticism over sales tactics around moving retirement funds into metals

The bottom line

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Questions about Lear

What is Lear Capital's account minimum?+

Lear Capital states a minimum investment of $10,000 for a precious-metals IRA. Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors per our editorial read. Confirm current minimums directly before opening an account.

Which custodian and depository does Lear Capital use?+

Publicly, Lear Capital works with custodian partner(s) Equity Trust, STRATA Trust and stores metal at Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS). Availability can vary by account; verify the specifics for your situation.

What fees does Lear Capital charge?+

Is Lear Capital BBB accredited?+

Lear Capital holds a BBB rating of A+ and is BBB-accredited, per public BBB information reviewed 2026-06.

Sources

Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.

This content is for general education only and is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing in precious metals carries risk, including loss of principal. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.