Editorial Review · 2026

Lear Capital Review

Best for: Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors.

Our editorial score

3.9 / 5

Outbound link to the company's own site.

Lear Capital is a long-established Los Angeles dealer with an unusually transparent, publicly posted fee schedule and a low $10,000 minimum. Honesty requires noting the other side of the ledger: a documented regulatory and financial history, including a 2022 Chapter 11 filing and multistate investor-refund settlements. We list it for completeness — and urge extra diligence.

At a glance

Editorial rating: 3.9 / 5 (our opinion)
Best for: Fee-schedule-conscious entry investors
Account minimum: $10,000
Founded: 1997
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Metals offered: Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium
Storage partners: Delaware Depository, Brink's, International Depository Services (IDS)
Custodian partners: Equity Trust, STRATA Trust
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).
Last reviewed: 2026-06

Standout features

Publicly published flat-rate fee schedule
Flat storage pricing regardless of account growth
Low $10,000 minimum
Long operating history (since 1997)

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

What to weigh

▲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

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.

Questions savers ask about Lear Capital

What is the minimum investment for Lear Capital?+

Lear Capital's stated account minimum is $10,000. Confirm the current figure directly with the company before opening an account.

Is Lear Capital BBB accredited?+

Lear Capital holds a A+ Better Business Bureau rating and is BBB-accredited as of our last review (2026-06). Verify the current status on BBB.org.

What metals does Lear Capital offer?+

Lear Capital offers Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium for precious-metals IRA accounts, using IRS-approved depositories such as Delaware Depository and Brink's.

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 consulted

Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews.

This content is for general education only and is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing in precious metals carries risk, including loss of principal. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.

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