What to do when a Banc of California account holder dies
Report the death to Banc of California's Client Care Center at 1-877-770-2262
What happens to Banc of California accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Banc of California's Client Care Center (1-877-770-2262) to claim the funds.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Banc of California:
Filing a claim
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
- Any supporting documents, such as trust or probate documents
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Your government-issued photo ID
- The completed claim forms
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the claimantThe claimant is the beneficiary, executor or successor trustee.
- Account information for the deceased personThe account number and account type.
- Written notice of the deathThe agreement ties the bank's duty to stop honoring items to written notice, not a phone call.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, for an account without a beneficiaryIssued by the probate court.
- California small estate affidavit, for a qualifying estate, in place of letters, where the account has no beneficiaryBanc of California may accept one for a qualifying estate.
- Trust documentation, including the successor trustee provisions, for a trust account
- Successor trustee identification documents, for a trust account
- IRA distribution or transfer forms, for an IRA
- Completed claim forms
- Written instructions on how the funds are to be distributedA new account, a transfer, or a check.
- Any additional documents the bank requires, such as a court orderThe agreement says the bank "may require additional documentation, including but not limited to a court order, prior to acting on any notice of death or incompetence".
Forms Banc of California issues1
- Claim forms
Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account7
- Account in one name
An account without a beneficiary designation is settled with Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court, or with a California small estate affidavit for a qualifying estate.1
- Payable-on-death account
The beneficiary can withdraw only once every person who created the account has died and the beneficiary is then living. Several surviving beneficiaries take equal shares, without right of survivorship.2
- Joint account with survivorship
A certified death certificate removes the deceased owner from the account. Ownership passes to the surviving owners unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a different intent on the signature card.2
- Joint account without survivorship
On a tenancy in common account, the deceased owner's share passes to that owner's own payable-on-death payee, or to the owner's estate if there is none, not to the surviving co-owner.2
- Trust account
When a successor trustee is appointed, the bank may require any documents it reasonably requests and may withhold withdrawals until it has them.2
- IRA
Banc of California is the IRA custodian. A beneficiary provides a certified death certificate and ID and completes the applicable distribution forms.2
- Safe deposit box
The bank may refuse access to a box it has classified as dormant if it cannot reach the renter to confirm authorized access.2
State requirements Banc of California statesCalifornia
- California
After a spouse's death, ownership of a community property account is determined by California community property law and may be affected by the will. The account stays subject to the bank's right of setoff and security interest.2
What Banc of California's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
The agreement requires the bank to be told of a death immediately. Until it receives written notice and has a reasonable opportunity to act on it, the bank may keep honoring items drawn on the account by the authorized signers.2
- What it does when notified
Once an owner dies, the bank may freeze, offset, refuse or reverse deposits and transactions, including government or retirement benefit payments payable to the deceased person.2
The bank "may require additional documentation, including but not limited to a court order, prior to acting on any notice of death or incompetence".2
- Deposits after the death
Social Security and Railroad Retirement electronic payments are subject to reclamation after the recipient dies. The bank may charge the account for the full amount and hold a joint owner or authorized signer responsible for repaying it if the funds are gone.2
- Debts owed to the institution
Any pledge of the account must be satisfied before the rights of a surviving owner or account beneficiary take effect.2
- Disputes between claimants
If there is any question about ownership or the amount that belongs to any person, the bank may freeze all or part of the account until it has proof satisfactory to it of each person's right to the funds.1
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
An account with no customer-initiated activity for 24 consecutive months is dormant. The bank may refuse withdrawals or safe deposit box access on a dormant account if it cannot reach the customer.2
Property inactive for more than three years may be sent to California or the state of residence. The funds must then be claimed from the State Controller's office in Sacramento, not from the bank.2
Sources2
- 1.Contact Us
- 2.Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosure (50001.FORM1018), revised 1.1.26
10 to 15 business days after the bank receives all the required documents.
Banc of California's Client Care Center can be reached by phone at 1-877-770-2262, email at ClientCareCenter@bancofcal.com, and fax at 1-855-661-8155 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Banc of California primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Banc of California death claims support
Client Care Center
Phone
Outside U.S.
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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