What to do when a First Interstate account holder dies
Contact First Interstate's Wealth Management - Trust and Estates — 9-step process, and 7 required documents
Phone1-406-255-5000
Toll-Free1-855-342-3400
Emailpcbank@fib.com
Mailing Address
First Interstate Bank, 401 N 31st St, Billings, MT 59101
Telephone Banking
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-855-342-3400
Toll-Free1-855-342-3400
Mailing Address
First Interstate Bank, 401 N 31st St, Billings, MT 59101
Verified Mar 2026
When a First Interstate account holder passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with First Interstate's Wealth Management - Trust and Estates (1-855-342-3400) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting First Interstate. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at First Interstate:
Filing a claim
1Contact your local First Interstate Bank branch or call the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400
2Notify the bank of the account holder's passing and provide the account information
3For accounts with a POD beneficiary: provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid ID for the beneficiary
4For joint accounts with right of survivorship: provide a certified copy of the death certificate for account update
5For accounts without a beneficiary: obtain and provide probate documents, Letters Testamentary, or small estate affidavit as required by state law
6For trust accounts: provide the death certificate, trust documentation, and successor trustee identification
7For IRA accounts: provide the death certificate, beneficiary ID, and complete any required distribution forms
8Submit all documents in person at a branch, by mail, or as directed by the bank representative
9The bank will review documents and process the claim according to account type and state requirements
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee)
- Account information for the deceased (account number, name on account)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or small estate affidavit
- For trust accounts: trust documentation including successor trustee provisions and signature pages
- For IRA accounts: IRA distribution or transfer forms as applicable
- Court-issued documents if probate is required
Processing times vary based on account type, completeness of documentation, and state-specific requirements. Visiting a local branch is the most efficient way to initiate a death claim. First Interstate Wealth Management can assist with trust account settlements and estate administration through their Trust and Estates team. Wealth Management Specialist line: 1-888-791-4075, Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm MST.
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower's revocable trust.
1Notify First Interstate Bank of the borrower's death by calling mortgage servicing at 1-866-295-1339 or the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400
2Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
3Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
4Request the Successor in Interest application and provide documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, or trust document)
5First Interstate will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
6Once confirmed, you will have access to loan information and can discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
7Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property (probated will, court order, recorded deed, or trust document)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Marriage certificate (if surviving spouse)
- Trust document showing successor trustee or beneficiary (if applicable)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), First Interstate Bank cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust. Confirmed Successors in Interest are treated as borrowers under CFPB mortgage servicing rules and are entitled to account information and loss mitigation options. Client Contact Center: 855-342-3400.
First Interstate requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee), and Account information for the deceased (account number, name on account), 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
You can add a Pay on Death (POD) beneficiary through online banking, by visiting any First Interstate branch, or by calling the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400. You will need to provide the beneficiary's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Both primary and contingent beneficiaries can be designated.
The process depends on the account type and ownership. Accounts with a POD beneficiary pass directly to the named beneficiary upon presentation of a death certificate and valid ID. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner. Trust accounts are administered by the successor trustee. Accounts without a beneficiary or joint owner may require probate. Contact your local branch or call 855-342-3400 to begin the process.
No. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust at any financial institution due to IRS regulations. However, you can name a trust as the beneficiary of your IRA. This allows the IRA assets to flow into the trust upon your death. Contact the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400 or visit a branch to update your IRA beneficiary designation.
First Interstate's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-855-342-3400 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple First Interstate accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Wealth Management - Trust and Estates can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-406-255-5000
Toll-Free1-855-342-3400
Emailpcbank@fib.com
Mailing Address
First Interstate Bank, 401 N 31st St, Billings, MT 59101
Telephone Banking
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-855-342-3400
Toll-Free1-855-342-3400
Mailing Address
First Interstate Bank, 401 N 31st St, Billings, MT 59101
Verified Mar 2026
Tools for settling a First Interstate estate
Calculators and checklists to help navigate estate settlement after a First Interstate account holder passes away.
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