How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Comerica
Covers 9 deposit, 4 retirement, 2 investment, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Brand change
Fifth Third Bancorp completed its merger with Comerica Incorporated on February 2, 2026, forming the 9th largest U.S. bank (approximately $294 billion in assets). Comerica banking centers continue to operate under the Comerica brand; as of mid-2026 comerica.com identifies the bank as "Comerica Bank, a division of Fifth Third Bank, N.A." The full brand and system conversion to Fifth Third Bank, N.A. is expected in the third quarter of 2026 (over Labor Day weekend, per Fifth Third), when account numbers, debit/credit cards, and digital banking credentials migrate to Fifth Third's platform. Until then, existing Comerica accounts, debit cards, phone numbers, and online banking remain active. Effective February 2026.
Comerica is now part of Fifth Third Bank. The procedures below reflect Comerica's accounts during the transition. View the Fifth Third Bank estate planning page.
Death Claims
Phone1-800-266-3742
Fax(313) 963-6347
Mailing Address
Comerica Bank, PO Box 75000, Detroit, MI 48275
Mortgage Loan Specialist
Pension Death Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning for your Comerica accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
Across 17 product types, Comerica accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Payable on Death (POD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Access CheckingRich Rewards CheckingPlatinum Circle CheckingPremier CheckingStatement SavingsMoney Market Investment Account (MMIA)High Yield Money Market Investment Account (HY MMIA)Fixed Rate CDFlexible Rate CD
1
Visit a Comerica banking center with government-issued ID
2
Request the appropriate form:
- POD beneficiary designation form for deposit accounts
- Beneficiary change form for IRAs
3
Complete form with beneficiary details:
- Primary and contingent beneficiary full name, date of birth, and relationship
- Percentage allocations for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
4
Sign and submit form at the branch
Special Requirements
- POD accounts are not part of the estate and bypass probate
- On death of the account owner, ownership passes directly to POD beneficiaries
- Beneficiary designations can supersede your will or revocable trust
- IRA accounts use a separate beneficiary form from the POD form used for deposit accounts
- Regularly review beneficiary designations after major life events
Sources
Data sourced from Comerica primary sources (26 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Comerica instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Comerica primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Death Claims
Phone1-800-266-3742
Fax(313) 963-6347
Mailing Address
Comerica Bank, PO Box 75000, Detroit, MI 48275
Mortgage Loan Specialist
Pension Death Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Comerica accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
