What to do when a Hanmi account holder dies
Contact Hanmi — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and pod and joint accounts typically process within 5-10 business days after receiving complete documentation. accounts requiring probate may take longer depending on estate complexity.
H
Customer Call Center
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Electronic Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Call Center
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Electronic Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Services
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Verified May 2026
What happens to Hanmi accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Hanmi's Death Claims / Estate Services ((855) 773-8778) to claim the funds.
The first step is contacting Hanmi at (855) 773-8778 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate in hand.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Hanmi requires:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Hanmi Bank by calling customer service at (855) 773-8778 or by visiting a local branch
2
Provide the deceased account holder's name, account number (if known), and date of death
3
Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
4
Provide additional documentation based on account type:
- For POD accounts: the named beneficiary provides a certified death certificate and valid government-issued photo ID to receive funds
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: the surviving account holder provides a certified death certificate to remove the deceased from the account
- For accounts without POD or survivorship: the estate representative provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- For trust-owned accounts: the successor trustee provides the trust document and death certificate
- For IRA accounts: the designated beneficiary provides a death certificate, photo ID, and completes IRA distribution paperwork
5
Hanmi Bank reviews all submitted documentation
6
Assets are distributed according to the beneficiary designation, trust terms, or estate instructions
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (at least one original)
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, surviving joint owner, or estate representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD, trust, or survivorship designation)
- Trust documents and successor trustee identification (if trust is the account owner or beneficiary)
- Account numbers for the deceased's accounts (if available)
- IRA beneficiary distribution forms (for IRA accounts)
Hanmi Bank customer service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM PT at (855) 773-8778. Bilingual support (English and Korean) is available at most branches.
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 Hanmi Bank of the borrower's death by calling customer service at (855) 773-8778
2
Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
3
Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
4
Provide documentation proving your interest in the property:
- Probated will naming you as heir
- Court order of succession
- Recorded deed transferring ownership
- Trust document showing you as successor trustee or beneficiary
5
Once confirmed as a Successor in Interest, discuss available options:
- Continue making payments on the existing loan
- Assume the loan or refinance
- Pay off the remaining 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, deed, or trust document)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), Hanmi 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.
Processing timelines at Hanmi: POD and joint accounts typically process within 5-10 business days after receiving complete documentation. Accounts requiring probate may take longer depending on estate complexity. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Documentation required by Hanmi includes Certified death certificate (at least one original), Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, surviving joint owner, or estate representative, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no POD, trust, or survivorship designation), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Most Hanmi Bank branches offer bilingual support in English and Korean. While the bank retitles accounts and processes death claims based on U.S. legal documents, branch staff can walk Korean-speaking trustees and beneficiaries through the process in Korean. Trust agreements, court orders, and death certificates issued in a language other than English typically require a certified English translation before the bank can act on them. Call (855) 773-8778 or visit a branch to confirm requirements before bringing documents.
Hanmi Bank operates branches in nine states (California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington). You can present probate documents from any state at any Hanmi branch, regardless of where the deceased lived or where the account was opened. POD and trust-titled accounts pass without probate. Accounts requiring probate are governed by the laws of the state where the decedent was domiciled; ancillary probate may apply if Hanmi accounts are treated as situs property in another state. Call (855) 773-8778 to confirm which documents are required for your situation.
Call Hanmi Bank customer service at (855) 773-8778 or visit a local branch to report the death. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and government-issued photo ID. For POD accounts, the named beneficiary can receive funds directly. For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the surviving owner retains the account. Accounts without a POD or survivorship designation require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court.
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), Hanmi 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. Heirs should contact Hanmi Bank at (855) 773-8778 to discuss options including continuing payments, assuming or refinancing the loan, or paying off the balance.
Hanmi's Death Claims / Estate Services can be reached by phone at (855) 773-8778 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Hanmi accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Death Claims / Estate Services can clarify what's needed for each account type.
H
Customer Call Center
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Electronic Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Call Center
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Electronic Banking Support
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims / Estate Services
Phone(855) 773-8778
Mailing Address
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Verified May 2026
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