Estate planning at First Western Trust
How to protect 11 First Western Trust accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through First Western Trust's Trust and Estate Services
First Western Trust Bank Client Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
Trust and Estate Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
Trust and Estate Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
First Western Trust offers 11 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 8 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.
First Western Trust lets account holders update beneficiary designations in branch and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
First Western Trust 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 11 account types at First Western Trust.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact First Western Trust's Trust and Estate Services to file a claim. 5-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Reach First Western Trust's Trust and Estate Services at (303) 531-8100 for help with any of these procedures.
Because First Western Trust serves a limited number of states, procedures for trust funding and beneficiary changes may differ depending on your location. Verify availability before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. First Western Trust Bank offers corporate trustee services including successor trustee, directed and delegated trust arrangements, custody, irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) administration, Wyoming Asset Protection Trust administration, conservatorships, and revocable trust management. The bank provides fiduciary oversight and trust administration designed to preserve and transfer wealth across generations.
A Wyoming Asset Protection Trust is a self-settled trust that provides asset protection, tax benefits, privacy, and flexibility under Wyoming trust law. First Western Trust administers Wyoming Asset Protection Trusts through its Wyoming offices in Jackson Hole, Pinedale, and Rock Springs. Contact a relationship manager to discuss whether this trust structure is appropriate for your situation.
The Insured Cash Sweep service distributes large cash deposits across a network of FDIC-insured banks, extending FDIC coverage beyond the standard $250,000 limit per depositor per bank. This allows you to earn interest on large balances while maintaining full FDIC protection. The ICS account can be retitled to a revocable living trust and supports POD beneficiary designations.
ConnectView is First Western Trust's proprietary relationship service model. It begins by understanding the four dimensions of wealth -- relationships, experiences, spirit, and finances -- then creates tailored solutions spanning wealth planning, private banking, investment management, trusts and estates, insurance, philanthropic advisory, and retirement services. This holistic approach is central to the bank's service across all product lines.
Yes. Deposit accounts at First Western Trust -- including checking, savings, money market, CDs, and Insured Cash Sweep accounts -- can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Contact your relationship manager to initiate the retitling process. You will need to provide a copy of your trust agreement or Certificate of Trust and government-issued photo ID for all trustees. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, but a trust can be named as an IRA beneficiary.
First Western Trust operates offices across five western states: Colorado (Denver, Cherry Creek, Denver Tech Center/Cherry Hills, Boulder, Broomfield, Northern Colorado/Fort Collins, Aspen, Vail/Avon), Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale), Wyoming (Jackson Hole, Pinedale, Rock Springs), Montana (Bozeman), and California (Century City/Los Angeles). The public locations page lists 15 offices; additional offices may be commercial or administrative.
Yes. First Western Trust offers mortgage loans (including jumbo loans, second home conforming loans, professional loans, construction loans, and first-time homebuyer programs with down payments as low as 3%) through mortgage.myfw.com, as well as personal loans for major purchases, vehicles, and other financing needs. Mortgage professionals are available seven days a week.
Sources
Data sourced from First Western Trust primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
First Western Trust Bank Client Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
Trust and Estate Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
Trust and Estate Services
First Western Trust Bank, 1900 16th St. Mall, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80202
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your First Western Trust accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
