What to do when a Great Plains Bank account holder dies
Report the death to Great Plains Bank's Branch Customer Service at 1-605-725-9400
When an account holder at Great Plains Bank 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 Great Plains Bank's Branch Customer Service (1-605-725-9400) to access and distribute the funds.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-605-725-9400. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Great Plains Bank requires:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account7
- Payable-on-death account
The named beneficiary presents a copy of the death certificate and government-issued photo ID at the branch, and the funds are paid out directly, without probate.1
- Joint account with survivorship
The surviving owner presents a copy of the death certificate and photo ID to have the deceased owner removed from the title.1
- Trust account
The successor trustee presents the trust agreement or Certification of Trust, a copy of the death certificate and the trustee's photo ID.1
- IRA
The named beneficiary of a Traditional or Roth IRA presents a copy of the death certificate and photo ID and completes the bank's IRA beneficiary claim and distribution-election paperwork at the branch.1
- Coverdell education savings account
The named beneficiary of a Coverdell ESA presents a copy of the death certificate and photo ID and completes the bank's IRA beneficiary claim and distribution-election paperwork at the branch.1
- Account in one name
An account with no payable-on-death beneficiary, no joint owner and no trust titling is collected with a South Dakota small estate affidavit or with Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the South Dakota circuit court.1
- Safe deposit box
The branches rent safe deposit boxes. A payable-on-death or joint designation on a deposit account does not give a claimant access to the box, and the box contents are handled apart from the account funds.2
Not in Great Plains Bank's published guidance5
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form to download
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- Terms in its agreements for a customer's death
- A list of required documents
Sources2
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.
- Give the deceased borrower's full legal name, loan number and property address
- Submit a copy of the death certificate. Ask the branch at (605) 725-9400 whether a plain copy will do before paying for certified copies
- Request the Successor in Interest application from your branch
- Complete and return it with proof of ownership interest in the property, such as a probated will, court order, deed or trust document
- Continue making payments on the existing loan
- Assume the loan
- Refinance the mortgage
- Pay off the remaining balance
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-605-725-9400
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 Great Plains Bank's published guidance2
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
- A list of required documents
Great Plains Bank's Branch Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-605-725-9400 and fax at 1-605-725-9405 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Great Plains Bank primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Great Plains Bank death claims support
Branch Customer Service
Phone
Eden branch
Eureka branch
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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