What to do when a Bank of Hope account holder dies
Report the death to Bank of Hope's Customer Contact Center at 1-855-325-2226
What happens to Bank of Hope 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 Bank of Hope's Customer Contact Center (1-213-639-1700) to claim the funds.
Begin by calling Bank of Hope at 1-213-639-1700. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate to get the process started.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Bank of Hope:
Filing a claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Deceased account holder name and account number(s) if available
- Certified copies of the death certificate
- Copy of your government-issued photo ID
- Probate documents (if applicable)
- Cover letter with your contact information, relationship to the deceased, and account details
Required Documents
- Death certificateA certified copy.
- Valid government-issued photo ID, for the claimant: the beneficiary, executor or successor trustee
- Account information for the deceased personAccount numbers, if known.
- Beneficiary identification, for a payable-on-death account
- Probate documents, Letters Testamentary or of Administration, or a small estate affidavit, for an account with no beneficiary or payable-on-death designation, as applicable
- Trust documentation, for a trust accountIncluding the successor trustee provisions, the signature and notary pages, and every amendment.
- Successor trustee identification, for a trust account
- IRA distribution or inherited IRA application forms, for an IRA
- Court-issued documentation, if applicableSuch as probate orders or guardianship letters.
- Cover letter, when sending documents by mailWith your contact information, your relationship to the deceased person, and the account details.
Forms Bank of Hope issues1
- Inherited IRA distribution or transfer paperwork
Completed by the IRA beneficiary. Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account2
- Joint account with survivorship
The surviving account holder provides a certified copy of the death certificate to transfer ownership of a joint account.1
- IRA
On an IRA CD the beneficiary designation on file controls. The beneficiary completes Bank of Hope's inherited IRA distribution or transfer paperwork rather than a payable-on-death claim.1
State law on paying a balance without letters4 states
- Georgia
Permits a bank to pay up to $15,000 on an affidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- New York
Permits a bank to pay up to $30,000 on an affidavitN.Y. SCPA § 1310Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Texas
Permits a bank to pay up to $5,000 on an order of the courtTex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Washington
Permits a bank to pay up to $2,500 on an affidavitRCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(2)
Permits a bank to pay on an affidavit; the section sets no dollar limitRCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceRCW 30A.22.190(1)
Accounts handled elsewhere4
- Territorial Savings, a division of Bank of Hope
Hawaii accounts opened at Territorial Savings1
Phone: 1-800-951-8418
Email: ebank@territorialsavings.net
Hours: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Hawaii Time
Mailing address: Territorial Savings, P.O. Box 1481, Honolulu, HI 96806
- Bank of Hope Mortgage Customer Service
Mortgages, under the Successor in Interest process, separate from the deposit claim1
Phone: 1-855-816-1347
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
- Elan
Territorial Savings consumer credit cards1
Phone: 1-800-558-3424
- Elan
Territorial Savings business credit cards1
Phone: 1-866-552-8855
What Bank of Hope's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
Distribution options include a transfer to an existing Bank of Hope account, opening a new account, or a check.1
- Accounts from a merged institution
Accounts opened at Territorial Savings did not convert in the April 2, 2025 merger. They are serviced on Territorial's own Hawaii line and settled at a former Territorial branch, not through the mainland call center.1
Territorial's merger FAQ says "Full access to accounts at Bank of Hope branches will not be available to Territorial Savings customers until a future date," so a Territorial account cannot be settled at a mainland Bank of Hope branch.2
Not in Bank of Hope's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form
- A mailing address for claim documents
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
Sources2
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust.
- The deceased borrower's full legal name
- Social Security number
- Loan number
- Probated will
- Court order
- Deed
- Trust document
- Continue making payments
- Apply for loss mitigation
- Assume the loan
- Refinance
- Pay off the balance
Required Documents
- Death certificateA certified copy.
- Government-issued photo ID, for the heir or personal representative
- Completed Successor in Interest formObtained from the mortgage servicing department.
- Proof of ownership interest in the propertyA probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document showing you as successor trustee or beneficiary.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if the estate is going through probate
- Marriage certificate, for a surviving spouse
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-855-816-1347
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
Forms Bank of Hope issues1
- Successor in Interest form
Completed by the successor in interest. Sent by the institution on request.1
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Sources1
Bank of Hope's Customer Contact Center can be reached by phone at 1-855-325-2226 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Bank of Hope primary sources (41 pages reviewed). How we research.
Bank of Hope death claims support
Customer Contact Center (deceased account notification)
Phone
Toll-free
Territorial Savings (Hawaii accounts) - Oahu
Territorial Savings (Hawaii accounts) - toll-free
Mortgage Customer Service (Successor in Interest)
Korean-language customer service
Lost/Stolen ATM or Debit Card
Territorial Savings - lost/stolen Visa debit or ATM card
Consumer Credit Cards
Business Credit Cards
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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