June 6, 2018

Texas Comptroller's Office Begins Operation of Texas Bullion Depository

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today the official opening of the Texas Bullion Depository, the first state-administered precious metals depository in the country.

"We're proud that the nation's first state-administered bullion depository is now a reality — this is a big day for Texans who want to secure their precious metal assets," said Hegar, who became the depository's first customer. "I deposited some gold. The process was easy, and I hope people will go to TexasBullionDepository.gov and set up an account."

"I can't think of anyplace else in the world that could create a bullion depository this way, and I've heard from legislators across the country who want to do what we are doing, from Tennessee to Utah," said State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, author of the legislation that created the depository as a state agency under the Comptroller's purview. "We will see a lot of financial interest in this depository, with gold, silver and other commodities coming here."

Depositors can buy bullion from a dealer and have it shipped to the depository directly or send in precious metals they already own. Metals admitted to the depository will undergo three types of non-destructive testing, including a density scan to ensure purity.

Depository personnel will take a photo of metals upon deposit, and that digital image will be displayed on the depositor's online account dashboard. The depository will accept deposits of gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium.

In 2017, the Comptroller's office partnered with Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA) as the vendor to build and operate the depository. LSTA, a Texas-based company, is operating a highest-rated, Class 3 vault as the depository's initial location.

"Private depositories are not regulated, but ours is overseen by the same agency that has helped grow the Texas economy to the 10th largest in the world," said Matthew Ferris, LSTA chairman. "You can feel comfortable storing your precious metals with us, knowing that we test and verify your items before they are deposited to your account."

Planning for a permanent home for the Texas Bullion Depository began earlier this year, at a site in Leander that should be completed in 2019. Tom Smelker, director of the Comptroller's Treasury Operations Division, was named administrator of the depository in 2017.

"This facility is going to have state-of-the-art security, layered with cameras, alarms and biometric access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," Smelker said. "And everything you store with us will be completely insured."

"Combining the entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise of the private sector with the trusted oversight of the Comptroller's office is what makes this so special," Hegar added. "Texans can rest easy knowing their precious metals are right here in the Lone Star State."

For more information, go to TexasBullionDepository.gov.

About Lone Star Tangible Assets: Based in Austin, Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA) is the parent company of numerous businesses engaged in commerce in the physical, tangible investment asset industry. The operating companies include USGoldBureau.com and WholesaleCoinsDirect.com. The companies owned by LSTA are responsible for facilitating, clearing, delivering and storing high-value assets for hundreds of thousands of clients across the United States and around the globe.