How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Cathay Bank
Covers 12 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Phone(626) 582-7380
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Wealth management and estate planning advisory
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone(626) 582-7380
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Wealth management and estate planning advisory
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-922-8429
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
Cathay Bank, 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Verified Apr 2026
There are two ways to keep your Cathay Bank 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.
Cathay Bank has 16 accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
Basic CheckingEveryday CheckingPersonal CheckingCathay ValuePlus CheckingStudent Advantage CheckingCathay Teen BankingPassbook SavingsStatement SavingsStudent SavingsSmart Money MarketOptima Money MarketCertificate of Deposit
1
Visit any Cathay Bank branch location with valid government-issued photo ID
2
Request to add or update POD beneficiary designation on your account
3
Provide details for each beneficiary:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Allocation percentages if naming multiple beneficiaries
4
Sign the updated account agreement
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trust beneficiary designations may require a copy of the Certification of Trust
- IRA beneficiary changes require completion of a separate IRA beneficiary designation form
- Community property state residents may need spousal consent to name a non-spouse IRA beneficiary
Phone(626) 582-7380
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Wealth management and estate planning advisory
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone(626) 582-7380
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Wealth management and estate planning advisory
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-800-922-8429
Toll-Free1-800-922-8429
Mailing Address
Cathay Bank, 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Cathay Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
