What the bank does for your plan
MapleMark holds a checking account in the name of your plan entity, the IRA LLC, the IRA Trust, or the Solo 401(k) plan trust. The account holds your plan's cash and processes the transactions you direct when you send funds out or bring them in.
MapleMark operates a specialty division built around self-directed IRA and 401(k) banking, which is why the capabilities that matter for plan setup are already in place. It opens accounts for all three plan structures, supports multiple accounts under a single plan for account holders who want operating cash separated from reserves, and opens accounts regardless of your state of residence. The entity's state of formation does not need to match where you live.
What the bank does not do
MapleMark has no oversight responsibility for your retirement plan. Banks are sometimes assumed to carry that responsibility for accounts connected to a retirement plan, which is one reason many decline these accounts outright.
The bank does not review your investments for suitability, does not approve or decline transactions on IRA or 401(k) compliance grounds, and does not report to the IRS on your plan's behalf. It applies the same identity verification and anti-money-laundering policies it applies to any business account, in compliance with US banking regulations.
How the three roles divide
Three parties touch an IRA-based plan, and each one's role is narrower than people expect.
| Party | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| MapleMark Bank | Holds the entity's cash and processes transactions you direct | Review investments or report to the IRS for the plan |
| IRA Resources | Holds the IRA and reports IRA-layer activity to the IRS | Approve individual investments made by the entity |
| Self-Directed Plans | Builds the structure: entity formation, plan documents, account setup | Hold funds, select investments, or give advice |
A Solo 401(k) has no custodian layer at all. As plan trustee, you hold plan assets directly in the plan's own accounts, so the bank and Self-Directed Plans are the only two outside parties involved.
Our relationship with MapleMark Bank
Self-Directed Plans and MapleMark Bank have a strategic partnership under which Self-Directed Plans receives compensation.
The partnership is non-exclusive on our side, and it does not restrict where you open your plan's account. If you prefer a different institution, you can open the account elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is my cash at MapleMark FDIC insured?
Yes. MapleMark is an FDIC-insured institution, and standard federal deposit insurance limits apply to the plan entity's deposit account. Deposit insurance covers bank failure only. It does not cover the investments your plan holds.
Do I have to use MapleMark?
No. The banking partner is where accounts are opened by default, and account holders who prefer another institution can open the account there instead.
Does MapleMark know my account belongs to a retirement plan?
Yes. The entity documents disclose the ownership structure, and MapleMark's self-directed division works with these entities routinely. Disclosure does not give the bank any role in the plan beyond holding the account.