Trust Administrative Services Joins

Market Leader, Sterling Trust

Elyria, Ohio - March 11, 2010 - Sterling Trust, a division of Equity Trust Company, announced today that it has acquired the accounts and assets of Trust Administrative Services Corporation of Carlsbad, CA.

The acquisition further strengthens Equity Trust Company as the leading custodian in the self-directed retirement account market. With the addition of Trust Administrative Services Corporation’s approximately 8,000 accounts, Equity Trust now serves more than 140,000 clients in all 50 states and has nearly $10 billion in assets under management.

"Today is a great day for Equity Trust, Sterling Trust and our new clients from Trust Administrative Services Corporation," said Equity Trust Company CEO Jeffrey Desich. "Our growth and success is a direct result of a determined commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients and our more than 35 years of experience in this industry."

Equity Trust will transition Trust Administrative Services Corporation accounts to its Sterling Trust brand. Both Sterling Trust and Equity Trust Company are well known in the industry for providing exceptional service to their clients.

"The clients of Trust Administrative Services have been through some uncertainty as the company was affected by the down economy," noted Desich. "The move to Sterling Trust restores to these clients the full capabilities of a strong and stable custodian. We want them to begin experiencing the enhanced services of Sterling Trust as soon as possible and it is our intention to make the transition quick and seamless for our new clients. By joining Sterling Trust, the clients of Trust Administration Services move to the market leader in size, stability and client service"

Self-Directed IRAs and other retirement plans continue to grow in popularity, since the accounts allow individuals to fully control their financial future and create wealth by investing in areas where they have knowledge, expertise, and comfort. In addition to traditional retirement investments such as stocks and bonds, clients at Equity Trust and Sterling Trust can diversify their retirement plans into assets such as real estate, private placements, notes, tax liens, precious metals, foreign currency and much more.