An IRA Custodian is a financial institution or company that’s approved by the IRS to hold and manage the assets in your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). They make sure your IRA follows all the legal rules and help with tasks like tracking your contributions, handling investment transactions, and sending you required tax forms. Depending on the custodian, you may have access to a wide range of investment options—like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or even alternative assets. While the custodian holds your account, you still control how your money is invested within the choices they offer.