What to do when a First Interstate account holder dies
Contact First Interstate's Wealth Management - Trust and Estates — 5-step process, 7 required documents, and joint accounts transfer immediately upon presentation of death certificate. pod accounts typically processed within 2-4 weeks. trust accounts depend on successor trustee documentation. accounts requiring probate may take 30-90 days or longer depending on state requirements.
Client Contact Center
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
Credit Card Support
Debit Card Disputes
Debit Card PIN Activation/Reset
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
Mortgage Servicing
Verified Apr 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.
Before contacting First Interstate, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at First Interstate works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Contact your local First Interstate Bank branch or call the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400
2
Notify the bank of the account holder's passing and provide the account information
3
Gather and submit documents based on account type:
- POD beneficiary accounts: certified death certificate and valid ID for the beneficiary
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship: certified death certificate for account update
- Accounts without a beneficiary: probate documents, Letters Testamentary, or small estate affidavit as required by state law
- Trust accounts: death certificate, trust documentation, and successor trustee identification
- IRA accounts: death certificate, beneficiary ID, and completed distribution forms
4
Submit all documents in person at a branch, by mail, or as directed by the bank representative
5
The 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.
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.
1
Notify 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
2
Provide initial identification details:
- Deceased borrower's full legal name and Social Security number
- Loan number
- Certified copy of the death certificate
3
Request 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)
4
First Interstate will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
5
Once confirmed, discuss available options with the bank:
- Continue making payments on existing terms
- Apply for loss mitigation
- Assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
6
Continue 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.
Processing timelines at First Interstate: Joint accounts transfer immediately upon presentation of death certificate. POD accounts typically processed within 2-4 weeks. Trust accounts depend on successor trustee documentation. Accounts requiring probate may take 30-90 days or longer depending on state requirements. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
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
Yes. First Interstate Bank allows beneficiary designations through online banking. Log in at https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/login and navigate to account settings or beneficiary management. You can also add or update beneficiaries by visiting any branch with valid ID or by calling the Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400. The Beneficiary Designation Disclosure is available at https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/disclosures/disclosure/137. Trust beneficiary designations may require a branch visit.
The process depends on account type and ownership. Joint accounts with right of survivorship transfer to the surviving owner upon presentation of a death certificate. Accounts with a POD beneficiary designation are disbursed to the named beneficiaries, typically within 2-4 weeks after receiving a certified death certificate and beneficiary identification. Accounts without a beneficiary or joint owner require probate documentation (Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a small estate affidavit under applicable state law). Trust accounts require a death certificate and successor trustee documentation. Contact 855-342-3400 or visit any branch to initiate the process.
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.
Client Contact Center
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
Credit Card Support
Debit Card Disputes
Debit Card PIN Activation/Reset
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
Mortgage Servicing
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your First Interstate accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
