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
Toll-Free1-800-773-7100
Self-Directed Brokerage Support
Mortgage Servicing
Check Card/ATM
Credit Card - Personal
Fraud
International Banking
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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 Apr 2026
City National has 15 accounts, each with different rules for what happens when the account holder dies. Of those, 13 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. The right combination of beneficiary designations and trust ownership can keep the entire portfolio out of probate.
Managing beneficiaries at City National is straightforward—changes can be made 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. 5-step process, 5 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →City National's Investments & Trust Services can answer questions about beneficiaries, trusts, or death claims at 1-800-708-8881.
City National is not available nationwide. Estate planning procedures may vary by state, so confirm that your location is served before making 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.
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.
Sources
Data sourced from City National primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Client Solutions and Service Enablement
Phone1-800-773-7100
Toll-Free1-800-773-7100
Self-Directed Brokerage Support
Mortgage Servicing
Check Card/ATM
Credit Card - Personal
Fraud
International Banking
Equipment Leasing
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 Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your City National accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
