How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Gate City

Covers 10 deposit, 2 retirement, and 3 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch

Gate City

Bank · Regional

gatecity.bank
Gate City logo

Customer Service

Toll-Free800-423-3344
Mailing Address

Gate City Bank, P.O. Box 2847, Fargo, ND 58108-2847

Customer Service

Toll-Free800-423-3344
Mailing Address

Gate City Bank, P.O. Box 2847, Fargo, ND 58108-2847

Death Claims / Estate Services

Toll-Free800-423-3344
Mailing Address

Gate City Bank, P.O. Box 2847, Fargo, ND 58108-2847

Verified Jul 2026

Estate planning for your Gate City accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.

Gate City offers 15 accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.

Totally Free CheckingBenefit Interest CheckingPremium Interest CheckingBankOn CheckingRegular SavingsRelationship SavingsMoney Market SavingsHigh Yield SavingsCertificate of Deposit (CD)Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)
1
Visit any of Gate City Bank's 45 branches in North Dakota or Minnesota
2
Request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation form for deposit accounts, or a beneficiary designation form for IRAs
3
Provide beneficiary details:
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Primary or contingent designation
  • Percentage allocation if naming multiple beneficiaries
4
Complete and sign the designation form with a banker
5
Receive confirmation that the beneficiary designation has been added to your account

Required Documents

  • Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)

Special Requirements

  • Account owner(s) may change beneficiaries at any time
  • On death of the last surviving account owner, ownership passes to the POD beneficiaries
  • Beneficiary designation forms must be completed in person at a branch
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Gate City primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these Gate City instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate

A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Gate City primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Gate City accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

More estate planning resources

Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs