What Is GoldStar Trust?
GoldStar Trust Company is a self-directed IRA custodian based in Amarillo, Texas. It started in 1989 as Colonial Trust Company in Phoenix, was acquired by Happy State Bank in 2004, and today operates as a division of Centennial Bank, following Home BancShares' 2022 acquisition of Happy Bancshares. GoldStar says it serves more than 60,000 customers.
A custodian is the IRS-approved institution that holds your IRA, keeps records, and reports to the IRS. GoldStar holds self-directed IRAs that own precious metals, private investments, real estate, publicly traded securities, church bonds, and more. It does not sell gold or silver itself. It states it is not affiliated with any dealer and doesn't earn compensation from your investments.
| Based in | Amarillo, Texas |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1989 (as Colonial Trust Company) |
| Parent | Centennial Bank (Home BancShares) |
| Role | IRA custodian; doesn't sell metals |
| Accounts | Traditional, Roth, SEP, and other self-directed IRAs |
| Online access | Client portal (new portal launching October 2026) |
Source: GoldStar Trust About and Precious Metals pages; SEC filing on the Happy Bancshares acquisition.
Logging In to Your GoldStar Account
If you're an existing GoldStar client looking to sign in, use the client portal link on goldstartrust.com. GoldStar says it's moving to a new client portal in October 2026 and that documents created before then won't carry over, so it advises downloading statements and tax forms you want to keep. We're an independent site and can't access accounts.
GoldStar Trust Precious Metals IRA Fees
GoldStar publishes its fee schedule (form revised January 2026). The main charges for a precious metals IRA:
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Account establishment | $50 | Once |
| Annual maintenance | $150 | Yearly |
| Annual asset holding fee | $150 | Yearly |
| Commingled storage | $125 | Yearly |
| Segregated storage | $225 minimum | Yearly |
| Metals value above $125,000 | $1.80 per $1,000 | Yearly |
| Liquidation or in-kind distribution | $10 plus shipping may apply | As incurred |
Source: GoldStar Trust Fee Schedule (GTC Rev. 01/2026). Annual fees are billed on the account anniversary and are not prorated. Confirm current fees with GoldStar.
Estimated Yearly Cost Under $125,000
Adds GoldStar's maintenance, asset holding, and storage lines; Noble Gold from its published $275 yearly fee. Your exact bill depends on which lines apply.
Compare that with flat all-in pricing at some gold IRA companies. See gold IRA fees by company or run your numbers in the fee calculator.
How a GoldStar Gold IRA Works
- Open the IRA. Complete GoldStar's application, often with your dealer's help.
- Fund it. Transfer from another IRA or roll over a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or TSP.
- Choose a dealer. You pick the dealer and negotiate price; GoldStar doesn't.
- Sign a buy direction. You submit a Precious Metals Investment Direction form; GoldStar pays the dealer.
- Metals ship to a depository. GoldStar says a purchase typically takes 2 to 4 weeks or more.
Depositories GoldStar Uses
- Delaware Depository, Wilmington, Delaware
- International Depository Services (IDS), New Castle, Delaware and Dallas, Texas
- TPMD of Texas, Shiner, Texas (segregated only)
- AMGL of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
GoldStar notes the dealer usually determines the depository. See gold IRA storage.
What Metals GoldStar Allows
GoldStar follows the IRS fineness standards: gold .995, silver .999, platinum and palladium .9995, plus American Eagles and state-issued coins. It lists coins such as the Maple Leaf, Philharmonic, and Kangaroo as acceptable, and excludes collectible or graded coins, Krugerrands, and U.S. Liberty coins. See IRA-approved gold.
GoldStar vs Using a Full-Service Gold IRA Company
| GoldStar Directly | Gold IRA Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Who finds the dealer | You | The company is the dealer |
| Paperwork | You and your dealer | Handled with you |
| Price negotiation | You | Written quote from the company |
| Fees | Several separate lines | Often flat or bundled |
| Custodian | GoldStar | Company's partner custodian |
Most people never deal with a custodian directly. A gold IRA company opens the account with its partner custodian, coordinates the transfer, and ships metals to storage. Augusta Precious Metals names Equity Trust as its preferred custodian; Noble Gold's reported custodian is Equity Institutional. See best gold IRA custodians.
Our Picks If You'd Rather Not Do It Yourself
Augusta Precious Metals
Helps with most of the paperwork, coordinates with the custodian, and supports you for the life of the account (company-stated). Typical minimum $50,000.
Noble Gold Investments
$80 setup and $275 a year including segregated storage, per its support page. Reported minimum $20,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoldStar Trust Legit?
Yes. It's a long-running trust company in Amarillo, Texas, operating as a division of Centennial Bank.
Does GoldStar Trust Sell Gold?
No. It's a custodian. You buy metals from a dealer you choose.
How Much Does a GoldStar Gold IRA Cost?
$50 to open, plus yearly maintenance, asset holding, and storage fees, per its 2026 fee schedule.
Can I Store GoldStar IRA Metals at Home?
No. IRA metals must be held at an approved depository. See gold IRA home storage.
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