Estate planning at East West Bank
How to protect 19 East West Bank accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through East West Bank's Wealth Management
Phone1-888-895-5650
24-Hour Automated Banking (Domestic)
24-Hour Automated Banking (International)
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-888-895-5650
Toll-Free1-888-895-5650
Mailing Address
East West Bank, 135 N. Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91101
Mortgage Servicing
Verified Feb 2026
East West Bank offers 19 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 17 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Understanding the transfer methods available for each account type helps families keep assets out of probate and ensure they pass to the right people.
Beneficiary designations at East West Bank can be managed in branch, 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.
East West Bank 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 19 account types at East West Bank.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact East West Bank's Wealth Management to file a claim. 9-step process, 5 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →For questions about any of these procedures, contact East West Bank's Wealth Management at 1-888-978-8617.
East West Bank operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
No. East West Bank requires an in-branch visit to complete POD beneficiary designation forms. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your beneficiary's personal information. Multilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish.
Visit a branch with your Certificate of Trust or complete trust agreement, government-issued ID for all trustees, and the trust's EIN if applicable. The bank will retitle your accounts to trust ownership by completing new signature cards. You can also contact Wealth Management at 1-888-978-8617 for guidance. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
No. IRAs cannot be titled to a trust under federal tax law. However, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of your IRA. Consult a tax advisor before doing this, as there may be significant tax implications for trust beneficiaries, particularly regarding required minimum distribution rules.
Yes. East West Bank Wealth Management offers consultations with multilingual Financial Consultants who speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish. Call 1-888-978-8617 for assistance (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm PT). Investment services are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC.
Phone1-888-895-5650
24-Hour Automated Banking (Domestic)
24-Hour Automated Banking (International)
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-888-895-5650
Toll-Free1-888-895-5650
Mailing Address
East West Bank, 135 N. Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91101
Mortgage Servicing
Verified Feb 2026
Estate planning resources for East West Bank customers
Tools and documents to help protect your East West Bank accounts.
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