How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Bell Bank
Beneficiaries are managed in branch or by phone. Trust paperwork is taken in branch or by phone
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 pass through the estate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
Beneficiary form at Bell Bank
POD/beneficiary designation form.
- Beneficiary full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Percentage allocation if naming more than one beneficiary
Required Documents
- Beneficiary's full legal name (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's date of birth (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's Social Security number (for each beneficiary)
- Percentage allocation for each beneficiary (if naming more than one beneficiary)
- Government-issued photo ID (at a branch)
- Trust agreement or Certification of Trust
- Trust tax identification number (the grantor’s SSN for a revocable trust, or an EIN)
Required Documents
- Trust agreement or Certification of Trust
- Government-issued photo ID (for each trustee)
- Trust tax identification number. The grantor’s SSN for a revocable trust, or an EIN
- Beneficiary full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Percentage allocation if naming more than one beneficiary
Required Documents
- Beneficiary's full legal name (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's date of birth (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's Social Security number (for each beneficiary)
- Percentage allocation for each beneficiary (if naming more than one beneficiary)
- Government-issued photo ID (at a branch)
What Bell Bank says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Bell Bank's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary1
- IRA
Variable Rate IRAs are opened and their beneficiaries updated at a branch, not online. Bell states: "IRAs are not available to open online. Visit a Bell Bank location to open an IRA."1
The IRA beneficiary designation is completed with a banker.1
Who can be named2
- A person, payable-on-death accounts
A POD beneficiary does not need to be a Bell Bank customer.1
- A trust, IRAs
A trust may be named as an IRA beneficiary.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- Payable-on-death account
When more than one beneficiary is named, the owner gives a percentage allocation for each.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- Payable-on-death account
A POD beneficiary does not need to be present.1
Beneficiary forms Bell Bank issues1
- POD/beneficiary designation form
Completed by the account owner, in person at a branch. Provided at a branch.1
What Bell Bank's agreement says about beneficiaries2
- A designation and a will
Bell Bank states that "beneficiary designations can override your will if the directions are not consistent" and that "assets with beneficiary designations transfer more quickly than assets covered by a will."2
- Changing or revoking a designation
To add or update a beneficiary on Bell Bank deposit accounts, the owner visits a branch to meet with a personal banker, or calls the customer service team for help connecting with a banker.2
Which accounts a trust can hold2
- IRA
An IRA cannot be retitled to a trust.1
- Payable-on-death account
Existing POD designations on a deposit account are removed before it is retitled to a trust, because a trust-titled account is distributed under the trust terms.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Bell Bank Wealth Management
Trust services; it can serve as trustee or successor trustee1
Phone: 1-800-709-5781
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CT
Not in Bell Bank's published guidance1
- An online way to name a beneficiary
Sources2
- 1.Bell Bank branch and phone guidance
- 2.Steps you can take to leave a legacy
Sources
Data sourced from Bell Bank primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Bell Bank instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Bell Bank primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Bell Bank estate support
Trust and Financial Planning (Bell Bank Wealth Management)
Phone
Toll-free
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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