Why won’t AET process a transfer request for a Trust account?

At American Estate & Trust (AET), we offer a Trust account type that allows clients to hold personal (non-retirement) funds and invest through our platform. While these accounts provide flexibility for personal investing, many clients and partners have asked why AET does not process "Transfer In" requests for Trust accounts the same way we do for IRA accounts.

Here’s why:

✅ Trust Accounts Are Not Custodial Accounts

Unlike Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs), which are custodial retirement accounts held under AET’s care, Trust accounts are non-qualified accounts. This means:

• The client owns the funds personally.

• AET does not take legal ownership or custodianship of those funds.

• We provide the platform for investing, but we do not act as custodian or fiduciary for Trust account assets.

Because there is no change in legal ownership when personal funds are deposited, there is no formal custodian-to-custodian "transfer" to process.

🔒 We Do Not Accept Custodial Responsibility for Personal Funds or Assets

When AET processes a transfer request for an IRA account, we are transferring funds from one IRA custodian to another—a process that requires regulatory compliance and documentation of custodianship.

With a Trust account, the client remains the legal owner of the funds at all times. If AET were to process a transfer request of personal funds or assets, it would imply that we are accepting custodial responsibility—something we are not licensed or structured to do outside of our IRA custodianship services.

⚖️ Maintaining Compliance with Financial Regulations

Processing personal asset transfers outside of custodial retirement accounts could raise serious regulatory concerns, including:

• Money transmission or broker-dealer implications

• Custodial liability for assets we don’t control

• Misunderstandings about our legal role

To avoid regulatory risk and protect both AET and our clients, we maintain a strict policy:

AET will only process Transfer Requests for qualified IRA accounts, not for Trust accounts or any personal (non-retirement) funds.

🏦 How Can I Fund My Trust Account?

While we don’t process “Transfer In” requests for Trust accounts, you can still fund your Trust account easily using one of the following methods:

• Bank Wire Transfer

• ACH Transfer (E-check)

• Paper Check

These funding options allow you to deposit personal funds into your Trust account without AET taking custody of the money.

🤝 What Should Business Partners Know?

If you’re a business partner working with a client who holds a Trust account at AET, please note:

• All personal funds or assets must be directed by the client.

• AET does not accept transfer paperwork for Trust accounts.

• Clients must initiate funding using standard deposit methods (wire, ACH, or check).

We’re happy to support investment activity once funds are deposited, but we will not assume custody of personal assets or handle transfers from outside institutions on a client’s behalf.

Still Have Questions?

If you have questions about how to fund a Trust account or the differences between account types at AET, please contact our Support team. We’re here to help!