Gold IRA Review · Updated 2026-06
Lear Capital Review 2026
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.
Editorial score
The bottom line
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.
Lear Capital is reviewed on publicly available information using the same criteria as every company. Newmont Capital Group is our featured partner and #1 overall pick.
Our scoring
How we scored it
Sub-scores are our editorial opinion, not user reviews. See how we review.
The facts
Lear Capital at a glance
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- Los Angeles, California
- BBB rating
- A+ · Accredited
- Account minimum
- $10,000
- Fees
- 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).
- Metals offered
- Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium
- Custodian(s)
- Equity Trust, STRATA Trust
- Depository(ies)
- Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS)
- Best for
- Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors
What stands out
Standout features
- Publicly published flat-rate fee schedule
- Flat storage pricing regardless of account growth
- Low $10,000 minimum
- Long operating history (since 1997)
The verdict
Pros & cons
What we like
- 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
Watch-outs
- 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
Our take
Is Lear Capital right for you?
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. Best for: Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors.
Questions, answered
Lear Capital FAQ
What is the minimum investment for Lear Capital?+
Lear Capital's stated account minimum is $10,000. Minimums can change, so confirm the current figure directly with the company before opening an account.
Is Lear Capital BBB accredited?+
Lear Capital carries a BBB rating of A+ and is BBB-accredited, based on public BBB.org information reviewed as of 2026-06. Always verify the current rating yourself.
What metals does Lear Capital offer in an IRA?+
Lear Capital offers Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium for IRA accounts, based on publicly available information.
What does Lear Capital charge in fees?+
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).
Sources & last updated
This profile is based on publicly available information, last reviewed 2026-06. Editorial ratings are our independent opinion, not user reviews. Verify all figures (rating, minimum, fees) directly with the company before investing. See our review methodology.
- https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/los-angeles/profile/precious-metal-dealers/lear-capital-inc-1216-13059407
- https://www.learcapital.com/knowledgebase/gold-ira/gold-ira-fee-structure/
- https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/petition_6.17.2021.pdf
- https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2023/08/04/states-recoup-overcharges-for-investors-in-commodity-firm-bankruptcy
- https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/coin-dealer-lear-capital-files-bankruptcy-to-corral-legal-woes