What to do when a First Intl Bank account holder dies
Contact First Intl Bank's Wealth Enhancement Trust Services (formerly FIBT Wealth Services Division) — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and joint accounts transfer immediately. pod accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks after receipt of certified death certificate. estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days.
Customer Service
Phone(800) 359-8092
Toll-Free(800) 359-8092
Mailing Address
100 North Main, Watford City, ND 58854
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealth Enhancement Trust Services (formerly FIBT Wealth Services Division)
Phone1-833-307-3750
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone(800) 359-8092
Mailing Address
First International Bank & Trust, 100 North Main, Watford City, ND 58854
Verified May 2026
What happens to First Intl Bank accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with First Intl Bank's Wealth Enhancement Trust Services (formerly FIBT Wealth Services Division) ((800) 359-8092) to claim the funds.
To start, call First Intl Bank at (800) 359-8092. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
The death claim process at First Intl Bank works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Contact First International Bank & Trust at (800) 359-8092 or visit any branch to report the death of an account holder
2
Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
3
Distribution depends on account type and ownership structure:
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: the surviving joint owner continues to use the account normally
- Single-owner accounts with POD: account is closed and funds are disbursed directly to the named beneficiaries
- Single-owner accounts without POD: funds are distributed to the estate; executor provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- IRA accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and completes IRA distribution paperwork
- HSA accounts: beneficiary provides certified death certificate and completes distribution paperwork
4
For small estates in North Dakota: a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted (personal property under $50,000 per NDCC 30.1-23-01)
5
For small estates in South Dakota: a Small Estate Affidavit may be accepted (personal property under $100,000 per SDCL 29A-3-1201)
6
FDIC insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for up to six months following the date of death
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary or claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (when account has no POD designation and no joint owner)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under applicable state law)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (when trust is named as beneficiary)
- IRA distribution election form (for IRA beneficiaries)
POD beneficiary designations on deposit accounts pass funds directly to surviving beneficiaries on the death of the owner(s), bypassing probate. North Dakota has no state estate or inheritance tax. South Dakota has no state estate or inheritance tax. Minnesota imposes a state estate tax on estates exceeding $3 million. Arizona has no state estate or inheritance tax. For IRA accounts, a separate beneficiary designation governs distribution. FIBT handles death claims on deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs), IRAs, and HSAs directly. Death claims involving previously administered trust assets transitioned to Wealth Enhancement Trust Services, LLC in March 2025; contact Wealth Enhancement at 1-833-307-3750 for those accounts.
Processing timelines at First Intl Bank: Joint accounts transfer immediately. POD accounts are typically processed within 2-4 weeks after receipt of certified death certificate. Estate accounts requiring probate documentation may take 30-90 days. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
First Intl Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for each beneficiary or claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (when account has no POD designation and no joint owner), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. POD beneficiary designations are available on all FIBT deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs). A trust can also be named as POD beneficiary. POD designations pass funds directly to surviving beneficiaries on the death of the owner(s), bypassing probate under North Dakota Uniform Probate Code (NDCC 30.1-31). FIBT does not offer online beneficiary designation; to add or update a POD beneficiary, visit any branch, call (800) 359-8092, or request a form by mail.
The process depends on account type and ownership structure. Joint accounts with right of survivorship transfer to the surviving owner immediately. Accounts with a POD beneficiary designation are disbursed directly to the named beneficiaries after the bank receives a certified death certificate, typically within 2-4 weeks. Accounts without a beneficiary or joint owner require probate documentation. North Dakota allows a Small Estate Affidavit for personal property under $50,000 (NDCC 30.1-23-01); South Dakota allows one for personal property under $100,000 (SDCL 29A-3-1201). FDIC insurance continues to cover joint and POD funds for six months following the date of death. Contact (800) 359-8092 or visit any branch to initiate the process.
First Intl Bank's Death Claims can be reached by phone at (800) 359-8092 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple First Intl Bank accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Wealth Enhancement Trust Services (formerly FIBT Wealth Services Division) can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Customer Service
Phone(800) 359-8092
Toll-Free(800) 359-8092
Mailing Address
100 North Main, Watford City, ND 58854
WebsiteLearn more→
Wealth Enhancement Trust Services (formerly FIBT Wealth Services Division)
Phone1-833-307-3750
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone(800) 359-8092
Mailing Address
First International Bank & Trust, 100 North Main, Watford City, ND 58854
Verified May 2026
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