How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at BankUnited
Beneficiaries are managed in branch or by phone. Trust paperwork is taken in branch or by phone
There are two ways to keep your BankUnited accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
Each of BankUnited's 15 accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
Beneficiary form at BankUnited
Signature card (BankUnited account documentation).
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- For an IRA CD, complete the separate IRA beneficiary designation
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Government-issued photo ID (at a banking center)
- The trust agreement or a Certificate of Trust
- The trust's tax identification number
- Photo ID for each trustee
Required Documents
- Trust agreement or Certificate of Trust
- Government-issued photo ID (for every trustee)
- Trust tax identification number
- Account documentation and signature card in the trust's name
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- For an IRA CD, complete the separate IRA beneficiary designation
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's full legal name and identifying information
- Government-issued photo ID (at a banking center)
What BankUnited says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is BankUnited's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary3
- Payable-on-death account
At BankUnited a Payable on Death account is also called an "In Trust For" or "Totten Trust" account. That is a beneficiary designation, not a funded living trust.1
- IRA
An IRA CD takes its own beneficiary designation. A deposit-account POD designation does not carry over to it.2
- Health savings account
The HSA takes its own beneficiary designation. A deposit-account POD designation does not carry over to it.2
Who can be named1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- Payable-on-death account
BankUnited does not record percentage splits. Its agreement says: "If more than one beneficiary is named in our records, they will share equally in the account proceeds."1
Beneficiary forms BankUnited issues1
- Signature card (BankUnited account documentation)
Completed by the account owner, at a banking center. Provided at a branch.2
What BankUnited's agreement says about beneficiaries2
Which accounts a trust can hold3
- Trust account
Checking, savings, money market and CD accounts can be titled to a revocable trust. IRA CDs and the HSA cannot.2
- IRA
An IRA CD is left out of a retitling. It passes by beneficiary designation.2
- Health savings account
The HSA is left out of a retitling. It passes by beneficiary designation.2
What BankUnited says about trust accounts3
- Whether a new account is opened
BankUnited "may require you to close the account in order to remove a co-owner or authorized signer, terminate a joint ownership or change a pay-on death or trust designation," so expect a new account rather than an in-place edit.1
- Account numbers
A retitling into a trust can mean a new account number.1
- Claims against the account
BankUnited's right of setoff does not apply to trust, fiduciary, IRA or tax-qualified retirement accounts.1
Not in BankUnited's published guidance3
- A beneficiary form to download
- An online way to name a beneficiary
- Mail-in beneficiary form
Sources2
- 1.Deposit Account Agreement, Rev. 08/2025
- 2.Find a branch or ATM
Sources
Data sourced from BankUnited primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these BankUnited instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against BankUnited primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
BankUnited estate support
BankUnited Client Care Center
Phone
Corporate headquarters (BankUnited, Inc.)
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
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