How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at DCU
Beneficiaries are managed in branch, by phone or by mail. Trust paperwork is taken in branch, by phone or by mail
DCU merged into First TechMerged, effective January 2026
Digital Federal Credit Union and First Tech Federal Credit Union legally combined into First Technology Federal Credit Union on January 1, 2026 (NCUA charter #23521). DCU states members "are now members of the same credit union" and that the organizations operate as two divisions under the assumed business names Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) and First Tech Federal Credit Union until operations are fully combined, with complete integration anticipated in 2027. DCU account numbers, digital banking, branches, the 800-328-8797 line, and existing POD/trust/IRA designations remain in place. One estate-relevant consequence: NCUA share insurance now aggregates balances across BOTH divisions into a single $250,000 limit per individual, so a member with accounts at DCU and First Tech may hold less coverage than before the merger. Shruti Miyashiro is President and CEO of the combined credit union. The separate Digital Federal charter no longer appears in the NCUA Credit Union Locator.
Estate planning at DCU means getting each account set up so it transfers automatically when you die—either through a POD beneficiary or trust ownership. Because DCU is a membership-based institution, trust retitling must maintain the membership eligibility requirement. Without one of these in place, accounts may require probate before your family can access the funds.
With 11 product types, DCU 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.
Beneficiary form at DCU
Totten Account Membership Application (for payable-on-death accounts).
Open the form →- Two current forms of identification, one with a picture and one showing your current US residential address (a US government or military ID is accepted in person only)
- Legal name, date of birth and Social Security number for each beneficiary
- At least $5 for the opening deposit
- Totten Account Membership Application for a Payable on Death designation on a DCU Savings or Checking account
- For IRA beneficiary changes, ask for access to the Ascensus IRA Service Center
- Enter each beneficiary's legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Attach copies of the Trustee's two forms of identification unless already a DCU member
- Mail to Digital Federal Credit Union, Attn: New Accounts, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130, or fax to 508-463-1369
- Part 1: Trustee and optional Co-Trustee information, including membership eligibility if the Trustee is not yet a DCU member
- Part 2: Beneficiary legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Sign the application; DCU returns incomplete or unsigned applications
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Two current forms of identification (for the Trustee (the account owner)). One with a picture and one showing the current US residential address. A US government or military ID is accepted in person only
- Copies of the Trustee's two forms of identification (by phone or mail, unless already a DCU member)
- Trustee and optional Co-Trustee information (on Part 1 of the application). Including membership eligibility if the Trustee is not yet a DCU member
- Opening deposit of at least $5. By mail, a check or money order made payable to Digital Federal Credit Union
- Most current notarized Certification of Trust, or the first and last page of the trust agreement
- EIN Letter for an irrevocable trust (optional for a revocable trust)
- Two forms of ID per trustee; a US government or military ID is accepted in person only
- Trust name exactly as it appears on the trust agreement, date of trust, and trust tax identification number
- Complete the form and gather the Certification of Trust or first and last page of the trust agreement, the EIN Letter if the trust is irrevocable, and trustee identification
- Fax to 508-463-1369 or email specializedaccounts@dcu.org for faster handling, or mail to New Accounts, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
- Most current notarized Certification of Trust, or the first and last page of the trust agreement
- EIN Letter if the trust is irrevocable
- Copies of two forms of identification for each trustee
- A check for at least $5.00 for the opening deposit, if applicable
Required Documents
- Certification of Trust or first and last page of the trust agreement. The most current notarized Certification of Trust, or a copy of the first and last page of the trust agreement
- EIN Letter (for an irrevocable trust). Optional for a revocable trust, required for an irrevocable trust
- Two forms of identification (for each trustee). One with a picture, one reflecting the current address. A US government or military ID is accepted in person only
- Social Security number or ITIN (for all applicants)
- Name of a successor trustee. Listed on the membership
- Trust name, date of trust and trust tax identification number. The trust name exactly as it appears on the trust agreement
- Opening deposit of at least $5.00. To a Savings Account, to open the membership
- Two current forms of identification, one with a picture and one showing your current US residential address (a US government or military ID is accepted in person only)
- Legal name, date of birth and Social Security number for each beneficiary
- At least $5 for the opening deposit
- Totten Account Membership Application for a Payable on Death designation on a DCU Savings or Checking account
- For IRA beneficiary changes, ask for access to the Ascensus IRA Service Center
- Enter each beneficiary's legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Attach copies of the Trustee's two forms of identification unless already a DCU member
- Mail to Digital Federal Credit Union, Attn: New Accounts, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130, or fax to 508-463-1369
- Part 1: Trustee and optional Co-Trustee information, including membership eligibility if the Trustee is not yet a DCU member
- Part 2: Beneficiary legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Sign the application; DCU returns incomplete or unsigned applications
Required Documents
- Each beneficiary's legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Two current forms of identification (for the Trustee (the account owner)). One with a picture and one showing the current US residential address. A US government or military ID is accepted in person only
- Copies of the Trustee's two forms of identification (by phone or mail, unless already a DCU member)
- Trustee and optional Co-Trustee information (on Part 1 of the application). Including membership eligibility if the Trustee is not yet a DCU member
- Opening deposit of at least $5. By mail, a check or money order made payable to Digital Federal Credit Union
What DCU says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is DCU's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
Which accounts take a beneficiary2
- Payable-on-death account
A POD designation at DCU is a membership type, not a checkbox: the Account Agreement lets DCU designate "an Account, or your membership (and all Accounts under the membership) as Payable-On-Death".1
A Totten (Payable on Death) membership can be set up as a DCU Savings or Checking account.2
- IRA
IRA beneficiary designations are governed separately and are not affected by a deposit-account POD designation.1
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- Payable-on-death account
When more than one beneficiary survives, DCU distributes the Totten funds in equal shares. Unequal shares cannot be set on the form.1
What a designation takes to be effective
- Payable-on-death account
The application must be signed; DCU returns incomplete or unsigned applications.2
Beneficiary forms DCU issues1
- Totten Account Membership Application
For payable-on-death accounts. Completed by the Trustee (the account owner). Available to download.2
Return to
Email: specializedaccounts@dcu.org
Fax: 1-508-463-1369
Mailing address: Digital Federal Credit Union, Attn: New Accounts, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
What DCU's agreement says about beneficiaries4
- What the owner keeps while living
Only the Trustee or Co-Trustee may transact while living. The beneficiary has no access to funds while either Trustee is living.2
Debit or ATM cards on a Totten account are issued in the Trustee or Co-Trustee names only, upon approval.2
- Membership
Membership eligibility requirements apply to the Trustee.2
- Claims against the account
The Account Agreement reserves a right of offset and lien on shares for any amount a deceased Accountholder or a POD beneficiary owes DCU, so a beneficiary who owes DCU may receive less than the account balance.1
- Who can see the designation
DCU "is not obligated to notify any beneficiary of the existence of any Account, or Totten membership, or the vesting of the beneficiary's interest," except as otherwise provided by law.1
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Trust account
Trust accounts can be DCU Savings or Checking accounts.3
Trust account forms DCU issues1
- Trust Application and Disclosure
For trust accounts. Available to download.3
Return to
Email: specializedaccounts@dcu.org
Fax: 1-508-463-1369
Mailing address: Digital Federal Credit Union, New Accounts, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
What DCU says about trust accounts6
- Whether a new account is opened
The Trust Application states "DCU cannot convert or retitle a personal membership to a trust membership." A separate trust membership is opened and the funds are moved into it.3
- Membership
For a revocable trust, all trustors must be DCU members. For an irrevocable trust, either all trustors or all beneficiaries must be members.3
- Who signs for the trust
Only the trustees may transact; the beneficiary reaches the funds only through the trustee, upon the death of the trustors. DCU states it "is not responsible for the distribution of the funds to the beneficiary(ies)" and that the funds are always released to the trustee.3
DCU does not offer accounts requiring two or more signatures, so each trustee is authorized to act individually.3
- Successor trustees
A successor trustee is required to be listed on the membership even if not named in the trust documents.3
- Review of the trust document
DCU states it "does not manage if the funds are being used according to the trust documentation."3
- Checks and cards on a trust account
Debit or ATM cards are issued in the trustees' names only, upon approval.3
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Ascensus IRA Service Center
Beneficiary designations on DCU IRAs4
Not in DCU's published guidance1
- An online way to name a beneficiary, for deposit accounts
Sources
Data sourced from DCU primary sources (22 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these DCU instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against DCU primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
DCU estate support
Specialized Accounts (New Accounts; Trust and Totten memberships)
Phone
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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