What to do when a FNBO account holder dies
Report the death to FNBO's Personal Banking and Lending Customer Service at 1-800-642-0014
When an account holder at FNBO 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 FNBO's Personal Banking and Lending Customer Service (1-800-642-0014) to access and distribute the funds.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at FNBO works as follows:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificate, when a joint owner dies, if FNBO requests itThe Deposit Agreement says FNBO "may request a death certificate or other documents."
- Copy of the death certificate, to withdraw a CD or IRA CD early without the early-withdrawal penalty
What happens to each kind of account7
- Payable-on-death account
Funds belong to the owners while they are alive. When the last owner dies, they are payable to the named beneficiaries, "paid in equal shares unless our records say otherwise."1
For an FNBO Direct Online Savings Account with a POD beneficiary, the sums on deposit pass to the named beneficiary at the owner's death and may not pass to the heirs or be controlled by the will.2
- Trust account
FNBO Direct does not title its accounts in the name of a trust; a trust can be added to the account as a payable-on-death beneficiary instead.2
- Joint account with survivorship
When an owner dies, the account generally belongs to the surviving owner or owners.1
- Joint account without survivorship
For an account titled "without right of survivorship" or "tenants in common", a deceased owner's interest may transfer to his or her estate.1
- Custodial account (UTMA/UGMA)
Funds in a custodial account belong to the minor. When the minor dies, the custodian must notify FNBO.1
- Fiduciary account
FNBO may require specific documents before it opens a trust account or a similar account for an executor or conservator, and it is not responsible for what any trustee, executor or conservator does or does not do.1
- Certificate of deposit
The early-withdrawal penalty on a CD or IRA CD can be waived at any time on the CD owner's death "with copy of death certificate."3
State law on paying a balance without lettersTexas
- Texas
Tex. Est. Code § 152.051
Texas law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an order of the court, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Tex. Est. Code § 152.051Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: a funeral home or the applicant, for funeral and burial expenses
Limit: $5,000 in total from every holder
When: the application may be filed "not earlier than the third day after the date of the decedent's death and not later than nine months after the date of the decedent's death"
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere6
- Credit Card Customer Service
FNBO credit cards4
Phone: 1-888-295-5540
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Credit Card Customer Service
FNBO credit cards, the number listed on fnbo.com5
Phone: 1-888-530-3626
- FNBO Mortgage customer care
FNBO mortgages6
Phone: 1-877-217-9714
Email: 1mortgage@fnni.com
- Wealth Customer Service
FNBO Wealth accounts5
Phone: 1-888-916-8378
- FNBO Direct
FNBO Direct online deposit accounts7
Phone: 1-877-370-3707
Mailing address: FNBO Direct, P.O. Box 3707, Omaha, NE 68103-0707
- FNN Trust Company
Trusts and estate services of FNBO's South Dakota trust company8
Phone: 1-800-994-2445
What FNBO provides to the estate1
- Statement copies
FNBO Direct statements are available online and are viewable for up to 7 years.2
Help FNBO offers survivors1
- Trust & Estate Services
FNBO Wealth's Trust & Estate Services offers estate settlement and administration, and revocable and irrevocable trust administration.9
What FNBO's agreement and guidance say10
- Telling the institution
If another owner of a joint account dies, the surviving owner "must notify us immediately."1
- What it does when notified
FNBO "may request a death certificate or other documents." Until it receives them, it "may suspend all further activity on the account."1
FNBO "may allow your account to remain open after your death." After a death, it "may require documentation to act on those claims" and "may decide what documentation is required."1
- Payments after the death
FNBO may continue to honor transactions until it has had a reasonable opportunity to act after actual notice of the death. "Generally, we may pay checks for up to ten (10) days after we receive a death notice."1
For an FNBO Direct account, the death does not revoke FNBO's authority until it has actual knowledge and a reasonable opportunity to act, and FNBO "may, even with knowledge of your death, pay transfers and payments for up to ten days after the date of death."10
- Deposits after the death
The government may require FNBO to reimburse benefit payments made after the death, and the estate is responsible for that claim.1
For an FNBO Direct account, FNBO's rights to deduct reclaimed deposits apply to "deposits made after your death (including deposits of checks made payable to you)." "Your estate is responsible for this claim if you are deceased."10
- Debts owed to the institution
For a claim such as a benefit reimbursement: "If your account does not have a sufficient balance, we may deduct that claim from any account you have with us."1
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
The deceased owner's estate "is responsible for any claims made against us concerning your account."1
- Disputes between claimants
If FNBO pays any claimant, it "will be considered released from the claims of all other claimants and your estate."1
For an FNBO Direct account, if FNBO pays a claimant that has submitted the documentation it requires, it "shall be deemed released from any and all claims of Other Claimants with respect to this account or your estate."10
- Which state governs the account
For an FNBO Direct account, FNBO may require a claimant such as a personal representative or successor to provide "the documentation we deem necessary", which "may be based upon Nebraska law notwithstanding the state in which you were domiciled prior to death."10
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
An account with no activity for 90 days is inactive, and a dormant account may be assessed a service charge. State law may require FNBO to turn the funds over to the state of residence on file (last known address), and they may then have to be claimed from the state.1
- Arbitration
For the arbitration provision, "you" could include "a beneficiary of your account or a legal heir or a trustee acting on behalf of your estate."1
Not in FNBO's published guidance5
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A mailing address for claim documents
- How long a claim takes
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
Sources10
- 1.The Deposit Agreement, 9-14-2026
- 2.Product FAQs (FNBO Direct)
- 3.Certificate of Deposit (CD) Accounts, Last Updated: 6/26/2025
- 4.Contact Us (Card by FNBO)
- 5.Contact Us
- 6.Managing Your FNBO Mortgage Account
- 7.Contact Us (FNBO Direct)
- 8.FNN Trust Company
- 9.Trust & Estate Services
- 10.Online Deposit Accounts Terms & Conditions (FNBO Direct)
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.
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-888-295-5540
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Mailing address: First National Bank of Omaha, P.O. Box 2340, Omaha, NE 68103
What happens to each kind of account1
- Credit card
The cardmember agreement says "you are responsible for paying back all the money we loan to you on the account. If this is a joint account, you are each responsible for the entire amount owed."1
An authorized user may make purchases on the account but cannot be enrolled online or make changes to the account.2
What FNBO provides to the estate1
- Statement copies
Credit card statements can be viewed online for up to seven years, and copies of past statements can be requested in the Service Requests tab.2
What FNBO's agreement and guidance say1
- Arbitration
For the cardmember agreement's arbitration provision, "you" includes "Your Related Parties", which the agreement defines to include "Your heirs."1
Not in FNBO's published guidance3
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
Sources2
- 1.Cardmember Agreement, FBC317-0325
- 2.Account FAQs (Card by FNBO)
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-877-217-9714
Email: 1mortgage@fnni.com
Federal law on calling a home loan after a death
These exemptions apply to a loan secured by residential real property containing less than five dwelling units.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d); 12 CFR 191.5(b), 141.14Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer by devise, descent, or operation of law on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(3); 12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(iii)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(5)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- A lender may not exercise a due-on-sale clause upon a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property.12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(d)(6)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
A federal regulation sets further conditions on these transfers.12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Not in FNBO's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
- A claim form
- How long a claim takes
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-642-0014
Not in FNBO's published guidance2
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
FNBO's Personal Banking and Lending Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-642-0014 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from FNBO primary sources (27 pages reviewed). How we research.
FNBO death claims support
Personal Banking and Lending Customer Service
Phone
Credit Card Customer Service
Mortgage Customer Service
Wealth Customer Service
FNBO Direct
FNN Trust Company
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your FNBO accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for your state.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
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Do I Need Probate?
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What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
See what your state records when a joint tenant with right of survivorship dies: an affidavit, the death certificate or a new deed.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
