As retail brokerages begin to offer cryptocurrency futures, self-directed investors have long had access to a wider range of alternative assets through self-directed IRAs. Next Generation Trust Company, a full-service administrator and asset custodian for self-directed IRAs, is working with independent fee-based financial advisors to expand clients' access to real estate, precious metals, private placements, and other alternative investments. The move matters because it allows advisors to keep clients who are interested in alternatives from walking away, while maintaining their assets under management and customary fee structure.
According to CEO Jaime Raskulinecz, many financial advisors turn clients away from alternative investments because those assets are not in their usual advisory wheelhouse. In an article published on the company's website, Raskulinecz explained that by partnering with Next Generation, independent fee-based advisors retain their assets under management, customary fee structure, and valued client relationships without the burden of handling asset custody, administration, and transaction execution. Because Next Generation does not offer investment advice, it never competes with advisors. This arrangement addresses a key pain point for advisors who want to serve clients' growing interest in alternatives but lack the infrastructure to do so.
Next Generation Trust Company is chartered in South Dakota and acts strictly as a neutral, administrative third-party custodian. It does not evaluate, recommend, or endorse any investment product or strategy. Its sister firm, Next Generation Services, provides comprehensive account administration and transaction support. Advisors who work with Next Generation also gain opportunities to diversify their practice and expand their own investment portfolios through increased knowledge about alternative assets. More information about the company's advisory structure is available here.
The collaboration comes at a time when alternative assets are gaining mainstream attention, yet many traditional advisory firms remain focused on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. By providing a custody and administration solution, Next Generation enables advisors to offer clients access to alternatives without becoming experts in asset custody or transaction execution. This could help advisors attract and retain clients who are seeking diversification beyond conventional investments. Independent fee-based advisors are invited to sign up for emails that provide details about working with the company, as well as education about alternative assets, at NextGenerationTrust.com. The implications are significant for the advisory industry: as more investors seek alternative assets, partnerships like this may become essential for advisors looking to stay competitive and meet evolving client demands.
