IRA providers

[Guest cecile]

I'm trying to find out which fianicial management companies (fidelity, merrill lynch, etc.) provide IRAs and to how many people - a market survey or sorts. Does anyone know where/how I might find such information? The information can but does not need to be limited to Roth IRAs. Please share any thoughts on the subject.

[John G]

You are not likely to get company specific info from mutual funds or brokerages for competitive reasons. You may want to consider these sources: (1) IRS definitely compiles this info but it will be persons with IRA accounts not how many mutual funds they have, probably done on a sample basis, (2) Congressional committees that have studies IRA/tax policies or individuals (such as Senator Roth) that serve on these committees or have sponsored legislation, (3) Investment Company Inst or similiar associations that may have an interest in tabulating this data (assoc for accountants or tax preparers). I am assuming that you have already tried the WWW for possible disertations and white papers on the topic. Some of these sources will be interested in the raw count of persons, others the percent of households, and others just the total $$. Good luck in your search.

If you are asking a personal question of which companies provide IRA services that you may need, then the answer is just about every bank, thrift, brokerage and mutual fund.... tens of thousands.