What to do when a City National WV account holder dies
Contact City National WV's City Wealth Management — 5-step process, 7 required documents, and 5-10 business days after all documentation is received, though complex estates may take longer
Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-816-8064
Mailing Address
City National Bank, PO Box 7520, Cross Lanes, WV 25356-0520
Telephone Banking (24-hour)
After Hours Support (24/7)
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Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-816-8064
Mailing Address
City National Bank, PO Box 7520, Cross Lanes, WV 25356-0520
After Hours Support (24/7)
Mortgage & Loans
Verified Apr 2026
When a City National WV account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with City National WV's City Wealth Management (1-888-816-8064) to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting City National WV, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at City National WV works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Notify City National Bank of the account holder's death by visiting a local branch or calling Customer Care at (888) 816-8064
2
Gather required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant
3
Choose the appropriate settlement path:
- For accounts with POD beneficiary: provide the death certificate and beneficiary ID to claim funds directly without probate (WV Code 31A-4-33A)
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: provide the death certificate; surviving owner retains access to the account
- For accounts without beneficiary or survivorship: obtain Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a Small Estate Affidavit from the court and provide along with the executor or administrator's ID
4
If needed, open an estate account at a City National Bank branch to manage estate proceeds and pay bills
5
City National Bank will review submitted documentation and process the claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or administrator)
- Account information for the deceased (account numbers if available)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court
- For small estates: Small Estate Affidavit as permitted under WV Code 44-1-14a
- For trust accounts: trust documentation including successor trustee provisions and trustee ID
- For IRA accounts: IRA beneficiary claim forms and applicable distribution election forms
Visiting a local branch is the most direct way to initiate the estate settlement process. City National Bank's City Wealth Management division can also assist with estate and trust administration, including serving as executor, trustee, or agent. The bank handles all aspects of court-supervised processes including inventorying and safeguarding assets, recordkeeping, court appearances, tax filings, and asset distribution.
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower’s revocable trust.
1
Notify City National Bank of the borrower's death by calling (800) 896-0769 or visiting a local branch
2
Provide initial information:
- Deceased borrower's full legal name and loan number
- Certified copy of the death certificate
3
Request the Successor in Interest documentation package from the mortgage servicing department
4
Complete and return the Successor in Interest form with supporting documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
5
City National Bank will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
6
Once confirmed, choose from available options:
- Continue making payments on the existing loan
- Assume the loan
- Refinance in your own name
- Pay off the remaining balance
7
Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Completed Successor in Interest form (obtained from mortgage servicing department)
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property: probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document showing you as successor trustee or beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), City National Bank cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Contact the mortgage department at (800) 896-0769 for assistance.
How long the process takes at City National WV: 5-10 business days after all documentation is received, though complex estates may take longer. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
City National WV requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or administrator), and Account information for the deceased (account numbers if available), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
When an account holder with a POD (Payable on Death) designation dies, the named beneficiary can claim the account funds by visiting a City National Bank branch with a certified copy of the death certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID. Under WV Code 31A-4-33A, POD accounts bypass the probate process and pass directly to the named beneficiary or beneficiaries surviving at the time of the owner's death.
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), City National Bank cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Heirs should contact City National Bank's mortgage department at (800) 896-0769 to request the Successor in Interest documentation package. Once confirmed as a Successor in Interest, heirs can continue making payments, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance.
City National WV's Customer Care Center can be reached by phone at 1-888-816-8064 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple City National WV accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The City Wealth Management can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-816-8064
Mailing Address
City National Bank, PO Box 7520, Cross Lanes, WV 25356-0520
Telephone Banking (24-hour)
After Hours Support (24/7)
Mortgage/Home Equity/Consumer Loans
Loan Payments
Debit Card Issues/Activation
Lost/Stolen Card (Domestic)
Lost/Stolen Card (International)
Wealth Management
Cash Management
Bill Pay Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Care Center
Phone1-888-816-8064
Mailing Address
City National Bank, PO Box 7520, Cross Lanes, WV 25356-0520
After Hours Support (24/7)
Mortgage & Loans
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your City National WV accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
