How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at BCU
Covers 7 deposit, 3 retirement, and 7 lending accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
B
BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Emailaskbcu@bcu.org
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteLearn more→
BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Emailaskbcu@bcu.org
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteLearn more→
BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning at BCU means getting each account set up so it transfers automatically when you die—either through a POD beneficiary or trust ownership. Because BCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Without one of these in place, accounts may require probate before your family can access the funds.
With 17 product types, BCU offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
BCU PowerPlus CheckingBCU Go CheckingBCU Regular SavingsBCU Rainy Day SavingsBCU Money Market AccountBCU Certificate of DepositBCU No Penalty Certificate of Deposit
1
Log in to BCU Digital Banking at bcu.org
2
Navigate to account settings or beneficiary designation section
3
Add or update beneficiary information
4
Confirm changes and submit
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Eligible accounts: checking, savings, money market, and certificate accounts
- IRA accounts use a separate beneficiary designation process (see https://help.bcu.org/s/article/IRA-Beneficiaries-How-to-Create-Update-Remove-or-Confirm-Who-Is-Designated-Beneficiary)
- All account holders must authorize changes on joint accounts
- Business accounts are not eligible for POD beneficiary designations
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BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Emailaskbcu@bcu.org
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteLearn more→
BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Emailaskbcu@bcu.org
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteLearn more→
BCU Member Relations
Phone1-847-932-8166
Toll-Free1-800-388-7000
Mailing Address
BCU, P.O. Box 8133, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BCU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
