This is a third party review of Chicago Trust Administration Services. This due diligence report reviews over 100 different data points for Chicago Trust Administration Services to provide you with a thorough due diligence report of the company to help you make a better decision. The public version provides only 20 of these data points. If you want to see the full version of this review, you can click the button below.
Information last updated on: 11/17/2025

Company certified on: 11/17/16
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Introduction
Chicago Trust Administration Services is a boutique self directed IRA administrator that provides highly individualized information on permitted IRA structures that prove economically viable several years after the initial investment.
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Contact Information
Website: | None |
|---|---|
Phone Number: | (312) 869-9394 |
Email: |
Offices:
Corporate Office: | 40 E. Chicago Ave, Suite 148, Chicago, IL 60610 |
Business Hours: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST (Monday - Friday) |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Company Details
Company Classification: | Administrator |
Date Established (under current name): | 2004 (Former Entrust Group franchise) |
Type of entity: | LLC |
Who provides custody for client assets: | First Midwest Bank |
Company is registered in: | Wyoming |
Primary Line of Business: | Providing self-directed IRA custody to clients for alternative investments |
Other Lines of Business: |
|
Typical Client: | Retail |
Capable of working with Financial Advisory Firms | Yes |
Governmental Agency Oversight: | Department of Labor |
Company's Last Audit: | None |
Summary of Assets Under Custody
Number of Active Clients: | 100+ |
Number of Active accounts: | 175+ |
Amount of assets company provides custody for: | $25+ Million |
Self-Directed IRA Industry Affiliations
Self-Directed IRA industry affiliations (outside of this company): | None |
Ownership of industry related websites: | None |
Industry related company affiliations: | None |
Industry related non-profits: | None |
Industry related associations: | None |
Industry related board of trustee positions: | None |
Industry related publications: | None |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Fee Schedule
Account Setup Fee: | $100 |
Account Termination Fee: | 0.5% of assets transfered or $350 whichever is greater |
Service Fee Classification: (flat, transaction-based, asset-based, hybrid) | Hybrid of asset-based and transaction-based fees |
Company Fee Schedule: | Chicago Trust Administration Services Fee Schedule* (as of 11/18/16) |
* Use the Chicago Trust Administration Services Trust Fee Calculator (click button below) to calculate your estimated fees based on the company's published fee schedule. This is a useful tool when comparing different custodians based on your cost to use them. Please note, if you have never before used a self-directed IRA custodian or administrator to administer your account, the fees will be different than most broker dealers that provide transactional services for stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Available Account Types
Type of Account: | Available at Chicago Trust Administration Services |
|---|---|
Traditional IRA | Yes |
Roth IRA | Yes |
SEP IRA (or SERSEP) | Yes |
SIMPLE IRA | Yes |
Individual 401(k) | Yes |
Defined Contribution Plan (Group plan e.g. 401k, 403b 457) | Yes |
Defined Benefit Plan (pension) | Yes |
ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) | No |
Health Savings Account (HSA) | Yes |
Education IRA (ESA) (Coverdell Education Savings Account) | No |
Non-Qualified Account (Individual) | Yes |
Non-Qualified Account (Joint Tenants) | Yes |
Trust Account | Yes |
Partnership / Limited Partnership | Yes |
UTMA / UGMA Custodial Account | No |
C-corp, S-corp, or LLC account | No |
Other: | N/A |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
List of Allowable Assets
Type of Asset | Allowed For Custody? |
|---|---|
Real Estate | Yes |
Private Placement (Reg A) | Yes |
Private Placement (Reg D) | Yes |
Private Placement (e.g. REIT, BDC, etc) | Yes |
Precious Metals | No |
Futures or Managed Futures | No |
Options or Hedges (non-publicly Traded) | No |
Bitcoin (or other virtual currency) | No |
FOREX | No |
Hedge Funds | No |
Limited Partnerships | Yes |
Single-member LLC (or Checkbook LLC) | Yes |
Multi-member LLC | Yes |
REITs | Yes |
Annuities (fixed or Variable) | No |
Viaticles or Life Settlements | No |
Insurance (other) | No |
Trust Deeds | Yes |
Tax Liens | Yes |
Private Lending (Unsecured Notes) | Yes |
Private Lending (Secured Notes) | Yes |
Private Company Stock | Yes |
Public Company Stock (or ETFs) | Yes |
Publicly Traded Options | No |
Church Bonds | No |
Mutual Funds or Closed-End Funds (CEF) | Yes |
Livestock, Horses, or similar animals | No |
Business Development Company (BDC) | No |
International Real Estate | Yes |
International Asset (other than real estate) | No |
Other | N/A |
Does Chicago Trust Administration Services sub-custody certain assets at other firms: | No |
Does Chicago Trust Administration Services provide sub custody services to other firms: | No |
Asset Specialization: | No specialization |
Most popular assets held: |
|
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Operations
Client account title format: | UNATCO/First Midwest Bank FBO: [ Participant Name ] IRA |
Number of full-time employees: | 3 |
Process for setting up a new account:
Completes application forms and disclosures. Sets up online access for client.
Process for adding a new asset to client account:
Has client complete a Buy Direction Letter. Reviews all investment documents. Has client initial and authorize same.
Procedures in place to protect client information:
All documentation is held within custodian- First Midwest Bank.
Procedures for annual valuations:
Client must complete with supporting documentation prior to December 31st.
Procedures for when an investment is suspected to be or is found to be fraudulent:
Notify client and obtain written direction form client and/or their counsel.
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Technology
Does company participate in DTC system: | No |
Details of DTC: | N/A |
Does company accept Fed Funds wires: | Yes |
Fed Funds wire details: | Funds sent to: First Midwest Bank. Routing number: 0719-0160-4 Custodian receives funds directly on behalf of IRA account holder. CTAS never receives client funds in their name. |
Client account access: | Online Access via First Midwest Bank |
Accounting: | Metavante banking services software. |
Account reporting: | Metavante banking services software. |
Trading investments: | Metavante banking services software. |
Safekeeping of client assets: | Metavante banking services software. |
Record keeping of client assets: | Metavante banking services software. |
Document storage: | Metavante banking services software. |
Compliance: | Metavante banking services software. |
Security and client information protection: | Metavante banking services software. |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Management Team
- Steven Miszkowicz, Managing Member
- Michelle Taylor, Administration
- Rosa Bibian, Compliance
- Joseph Monocchio, Accounts
Access Company Management Profiles (Not available)
Glassdoor Ratings: (How company rates as an employer) (No available)
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Client Protection
Insurance coverage limits for client assets: | None |
Coverage for uninvested cash balances: | All cash deposits are held in FDIC insured accounts |
Errors & Omissions coverage (E&O): | None |
Additional or supplemental insurance coverage for client accounts: | None |
Have any owners or managing members of the company been charged with a felony, theft, or fraud: | No |
Has the company itself ever been investigated, charged, or convicted of a felony, fraud, theft, or industry related violation: | No |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Customer Satisfaction
Better Business Bureau: (click to review BBB overview) | Read BBB Review |
Accredited Business since: | Not Accredited |
BBB Rating: | No Rating |
Yelp Ratings: (click to review yelp ratings) | No Rating |
Number of people on customer service team: | 3 |
Number of people on the "premier" or " institutional" customer service team: | N/A |
Number of people on the team that performs investment reviews for client assets: | 3 |
Average turnaround time for a client's new investment (assuming all documents required have been send in by client): | 48 Hours |
Average turnaround time for setting up a new client account (assuming all documentation required has been sent in by client): | 48 Hours |
Method of client account access: | Online access and Quarterly Statements |
Is client education provided by company: | Yes |
Is financial advice provided by company to client: | No |
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Self Direct Your Retirement Transparency Index
The Self Direct Your RetirementTransparency Index is a metric we have developed to indicate how transparent self-directed IRA custodians and administrators are about their company. We value transparency as an ideal trait from a company that is providing custody or administration of your retirement accounts. It shows that the company has nothing to hide about their activities. You should consider this when you are making your choice.
The Self Direct Your Retirement Transparency Index is split into two parts. The first part is whether they voluntarily provided this information to us or whether we had to find this data on our own. Companies that provided us with the data were given the "company certified seal". If they did not participate, the seal does not show up in their profile. The second part of the index is how transparent the companies were in providing us with this information. A higher transparency number indicates a more transparent company. A number above 80% is ideal. There may be legitimate reasons companies do not want to share certain information, but you should consider this when making your decision.
Below the seal, we have listed the last time the company provided us with information. As long as the company has the certified seal, the information should be considered up-to-date. We contact the company periodically to ensure the information is accurate. If the company chooses not to verify the information, then we remove the seal. Transparency is only one factor you should consider when choosing a self directed IRA custodian or administrator.
Willingness to provide information - Extremely High
Company Certified Information
Information last updated on: 11/17/2016
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Compared to Peers
Visit the Self-Directed IRA custodian & administrator comparison page to see how Chicago Trust Administration Servcies compares to its peers.
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Company Spotlight - Industry Trends
We asked Chicago Trust Administration Services to provide their individual insight into the following questions. This section is a bit more personal. The idea is that it will give you more insight into the company you are considering to provide custody of your investments.
What trends do you see in the self-directed IRA industry? | Increased regulatory oversight. |
What trends in asset types do you see at your firm? | More PPM's and private notes and less real estate. |
What is your firm's biggest concern about the self-directed IRA industry? | Lack of knowledge by competitors and blatant misinformation. |
Please list some additional concerns your firm has about the industry? | Allowing gold IRA to be held by the client. Allowing prohibited transactions. |
Do you see any changes in regards to what investors want from custodians and administrators? | All our knowledge at little or no cost. It hasn't changed in years. |
What are your company's biggest challenges? | Educating clients and receiving the commensurate compensation for that knowledge. |
What are the self-directed IRA industry's biggest challenges? | Uniformity of interpretation of DOL/IRS guidelines. |
What needs to be changed in the Self-Directed IRA industry? | Misinformation of advice to clients on what is a prohibited transaction. |
How could the Self-Directed IRA Industry improve? | License or certification with bi-annual CEU's. |
What is the biggest reason for the company's success? | Great Knowledge or Expertise. 35+ years of real estate investment experience. |
Company's view of important of the following items (ranked in order of importance)
- Transparency - Providing clients with transparent information
- Legitimacy - The important of making sure fraudulent investments are not held at our firm
- Visibility - Creating greater visibility about self-directed IRAs to investors
- Coordination - Coordinating with other custodians, administrators, and professionals
Other relevant information:
Assets are deeded and held in the Custodial bank's name from the onset never in our name. Cash deposits the same...directly to the bank under IRA and not our company.
Chicago Trust Administration Services
Conclusion
Chicago Trust Administration Services has an extremely high level of transparency. This is exactly what we look for in a custodian or administrator. Without this high level of transparency, we would not have access to the information we would need to make the best decision possible.
Looking for companies with this high level of transparency is only the first step in the process of finding a suitable self-directed IRA custodian or administrator. With this information, you can make a determination about whether Chicago Trust Administration Services is the best choice for your retirement investing needs.
Please use our Self Directed IRA Custodian & Administrator Comparison Tool to help you assess whether Chicago Trust Administration Services is the right choice for you.
One of the biggest areas of frustration we see from self-directed IRA investors is when they realize they have chosen the wrong self-directed IRA custodian or administrator. It takes time to set up an account and fund your investment. The last thing you want to do when you are trying to fund your investment is to think about changing to a different custodian. Choose your Self-Directed IRA custodian or administrator wisely. If you put the time in now to find the right company, you will save time, money, and aggravation later. Read our Choosing a Self-Directed IRA Custodian report for more information.
Next Steps... Once you have located your ideal Self-Directed IRA Custodian or Administrator, you will be on your way to self-directing your retirement. If you decide that this process seems too complex and you need assistance or financial advice, feel free to contact us. Our firm specializes in providing financial advice pertaining to alternative investments held in self-directed IRAs and 401ks. We are fiduciaries and provide unbiased financial advice to our clients. Contact us if you want to learn more about our wealth management services.
Copyright 2026 Self Direct Your Retirement LLC