How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Bell Bank
Covers 10 deposit, and 1 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
B
Customer Service
Phone701-298-1550
Toll-Free800-450-8949
24-Hour Phone Banking
Personal Online Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Bell Bank Wealth Management — Trust and Financial Planning
Phone701-451-3000
Toll-Free800-709-5781
Mailing Address
Bell Bank, PO Box 10877, Fargo, ND 58106-0877
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service (Death Notification)
Phone701-298-1550
Toll-Free800-450-8949
Mailing Address
Bell Bank, PO Box 10877, Fargo, ND 58106-0877
Trust and Financial Planning
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jun 2026
Estate planning for your Bell Bank accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
Bell Bank has 11 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support Payable on Death (POD) designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
America’s Best Checking™America’s Best Interest CheckingAmerica’s Best Premier Interest CheckingRegular SavingsMoney Market SavingsPremier Money Market SavingsElite Money Market SavingsFixed Rate Certificate of DepositFlexible Certificate of DepositAmerica’s Best Checking™ for Students
1
Visit any Bell Bank branch in North Dakota, Minnesota, or Arizona with government-issued photo ID
2
Provide the beneficiary details for each Payable on Death (POD) designation:
- Beneficiary full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Percentage allocation if naming more than one beneficiary
3
For retirement accounts (IRAs), complete the IRA beneficiary designation with a banker
4
Review and sign the beneficiary/POD designation form
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- A POD beneficiary does not need to be present or a Bell Bank customer
- Named POD beneficiaries pass outside of probate and override instructions in a will
- Variable Rate IRAs must be opened and updated at a branch, not online
B
Customer Service
Phone701-298-1550
Toll-Free800-450-8949
24-Hour Phone Banking
Personal Online Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Bell Bank Wealth Management — Trust and Financial Planning
Phone701-451-3000
Toll-Free800-709-5781
Mailing Address
Bell Bank, PO Box 10877, Fargo, ND 58106-0877
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service (Death Notification)
Phone701-298-1550
Toll-Free800-450-8949
Mailing Address
Bell Bank, PO Box 10877, Fargo, ND 58106-0877
Trust and Financial Planning
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jun 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Bell Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
