Interest Paid & Outside Investments

Sterling accountholders are paid interest on the funds in their accounts at prevailing bank savings rates.

In order to self-direct your investments, Sterling accountholders may choose to transfer funds in their accounts to a joint brokerage account that would be titled "Sterling HSA Administrator For The Benefit Of (Name Of Sterling Accountholder)". There is a minimum balance requirement for the HSA account. The monthly maintenance fee on the HSA account will continue to be charged. An annual fee of $16 will also be charged for the outside investment account. Sterling recommends all accountholders keep an amount equal to their annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum in their HSA account at a minimum.

Sterling HSA has made arrangements with Partnervest Securities LLC to offer investment services at a discounted fee for Sterling accountholders. Partnervest also provides Sterling with monthly account balance information to ensure the outside investment information contained in Sterling HSA account records is current. Contact Al Deininger of Partnervest for information at adeininger@partnervest.com or by calling 619-589-9994 (direct) or 877-266-1444 (toll-free).

Partnervest and Sorrento Pacific Financial provide an online trading platform for Sterling HSA accountholders who want to manage investment transactions and trades at their convenience and discretion, giving the accountholder more direct control of their HSA investment account. For accountholders who use the online trading platform, the equity trade fees are also reduced. To use the platform, Sterling HSA accountholders must have an HSA investment account with Partnervest and create an online account here. Once HSA accountholders have opened the online account and submitted the required documents, they can go directly to the trading link to transact business. Please note that this online investment service is not provided through Sterling. Please direct questions to Eric Manese of Partnervest as noted above.

As an alternative, Sterling accountholders may use a brokerage firm of their choice if that firm will accept HSA funds and title the joint account "Sterling HSA Administrator For The Benefit Of (Name Of Sterling Accountholder)".

Once the joint brokerage account has been established, Sterling will transfer funds from the HSA account to the joint brokerage account upon completion of the Transfer of Assets Form.