Preparing your Columbia Bank accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.

With 11 product types, Columbia Bank offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.

Foundation CheckingEmbark CheckingPinnacle CheckingGrow SavingsThrive Money MarketProsper Money MarketCertificate of Deposit (CD)

1Schedule an appointment at a Columbia Bank branch

2Bring the Certification of Trust or complete trust agreement

3Provide government-issued ID for all trustees

4Complete a new signature card for the trust account

5Complete a W-9 form with the trust tax identification number (EIN or grantor SSN for revocable trusts)

6Bank will retitle existing accounts or open new accounts under trust ownership

7Verify account titling format matches trust name and date (e.g., "John Doe, Trustee of the Doe Family Trust dated 01/01/2025")

8Any existing POD designations will no longer apply once the account is retitled to the trust

Required Documents

Certification of Trust or full trust agreement
Government-issued ID for all trustees
Completed W-9 form with trust EIN or grantor SSN
New signature card for each account

Special Requirements

Trust accounts cannot be opened online. A revocable living trust does not need its own EIN -- income is reported under the grantor's SSN. When accounts are retitled to a trust, any existing POD/TOD designations no longer apply; the trust document controls who inherits. Columbia Trust Company provides professional trust administration, estate settlement, and fiduciary services through offices in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and is licensed to administer trusts in all 50 states.