How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at F&M Bank

Covers 11 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch

F&M Bank

Subsidiary of Farmers & Merchants Financial Group

fmb.com
F&M Bank logo

Customer Service

Mailing Address

Farmers & Merchants Bank, 302 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Main Office (Long Beach)
Online Banking & Technical Support
Mortgage Servicing
Mortgage Payoff Statements
Loan Modification / Workout Assistance

Personal Banking Services

Mailing Address

Farmers & Merchants Bank, 302 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Personal Banking Services

Mailing Address

Farmers & Merchants Bank, 302 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Verified Jul 2026

There are two ways to keep your F&M Bank accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.

Across 15 product types, F&M Bank 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.

Bronze CheckingSilver CheckingGold CheckingPlatinum CheckingSenior CheckingSavings AccountMarket Rate SavingsChristmas Club AccountHealth Savings Account (HSA)Money Market AccountCertificate of Deposit (CD)
1
Visit any F&M Bank branch with a valid government-issued photo ID
2
Request to add or update beneficiary designations on your accounts
3
Provide beneficiary information:
  • For deposit accounts: request POD (Payable on Death) designation with beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship
  • For IRA accounts: complete the IRA Beneficiary Designation form with primary and contingent beneficiary sections
4
Review and sign the updated account documentation

Required Documents

  • Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

  • Trust beneficiary designations may require a copy of the Certification of Trust
  • IRA beneficiary changes for married account holders in California (a community property state) may require spousal consent
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from F&M Bank primary sources (30 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these F&M Bank instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against F&M Bank primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your F&M Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

More estate planning resources

Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs