Estate planning at City National
How to protect 15 City National accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through City National's Investments & Trust Services
Client Solutions and Service Enablement
Phone1-800-773-7100
Self-Directed Brokerage Support
Mortgage Servicing
Fraud
WebsiteLearn more →
Investments & Trust Services
Phone1-800-708-8881
Toll-Free1-800-708-8881
Mailing Address
City National Bank, 555 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Verified Feb 2026
City National offers 15 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 13 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Understanding the transfer methods available for each account type helps families keep assets out of probate and ensure they pass to the right people.
Beneficiary designations at City National can be managed in branch and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes in branch. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
City National provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 15 account types at City National.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact City National's Investments & Trust Services to file a claim. 7-step process, 5 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →For questions about any of these procedures, contact City National's Investments & Trust Services at 1-800-708-8881.
City National operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. City National can serve as corporate trustee, co-trustee, or successor trustee. Each client is assigned a dedicated Trust Advisor who works with your existing legal, investment, and accounting advisors. The bank provides objectivity in managing trust distributions without personal bias. Multi-jurisdiction trust situs options are available in Delaware, Nevada, and Tennessee.
Visit a City National office or contact your relationship manager to request a POD (for deposit accounts) or TOD (for investment accounts) beneficiary designation form. Designations can be added when opening an account or at any later time. No attorney is required. If naming multiple beneficiaries, you must specify the percentage each will receive. Designations can be changed or removed at any time by completing a new form.
Yes. All City National deposit accounts -- checking, savings, money market, and CDs -- can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Contact Investments & Trust Services at (800) 708-8881 or visit a branch. You will need your trust agreement, trustee identification, and the trust's EIN. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Yes. City National can serve as executor or administrator, providing estate settlement and probate services. They also handle preparation and filing of income and estate tax returns, testamentary trust administration, conservatorships, and custody reporting. These services are available through the Investments & Trust Services department at (800) 708-8881.
Yes. City National has dedicated trust real estate professionals who hold Certified Property Manager (CPM) designations and average 20+ years of experience. They manage residential and commercial real estate assets held in trusts, including properties within special needs trusts.
Yes. While IRAs cannot be titled directly to a trust, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA. Consult a tax advisor before doing this, as there are significant tax implications for distributions to trust beneficiaries under the SECURE Act rules.
City National offers self-directed brokerage accounts through RBC Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary and FINRA/SIPC member. You can trade stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and options online. Qualifying Private Banking and Preferred Banking clients receive commission-free online equity trades for eligible securities. Options trading requires an approved Option Agreement. For support call (800) 280-1464, available 6:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
City National wealth planners generally do not recommend TOD accounts for high-net-worth individuals with complex estates. They suggest trusts as superior alternatives because trusts provide the opportunity to transfer assets in a way that accounts for tax effects, conditions on inheritance, age requirements for beneficiaries, and more nuanced distribution planning.
Client Solutions and Service Enablement
Phone1-800-773-7100
Self-Directed Brokerage Support
Mortgage Servicing
Fraud
WebsiteLearn more →
Investments & Trust Services
Phone1-800-708-8881
Toll-Free1-800-708-8881
Mailing Address
City National Bank, 555 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Verified Feb 2026
Estate planning resources for City National customers
Tools and documents to help protect your City National accounts.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.
Take the Quiz
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
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