How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Heartland
Covers 13 deposit, 2 retirement, and 3 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Brand change
Heartland BancCorp was acquired by German American Bancorp, Inc. on February 1, 2025. Heartland Bank continues to operate under its own brand as a division of German American Bank in the Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati markets, with its own Customer Care line at (800) 697-0049 and its own branches. Integration has progressed: heartland.bank now publishes German American Bank routing number 083904563, and trust administration and estate planning services are delivered under the German American Bank wealth management group. Effective February 2025.
The procedures below reflect Heartland's accounts. Account servicing may transfer as the change takes effect.
Customer Care Center
430 North Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213
Trust Administration and Estate Planning (German American Bank wealth management)
Customer Care Center / branch banking (estate settlement)
430 North Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213
Estate planning for your Heartland 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.
Across 18 product types, Heartland accounts vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through Payable on Death (POD) designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
- POD beneficiary cards for deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CD)
- IRA beneficiary designation form for a Traditional or Roth IRA or IRA CD
- HSA beneficiary designation for a Health Savings Account
- Certification of Trust or trust agreement if a trust is the beneficiary
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- No online beneficiary designation — Heartland handles this in-branch
- A trust named as beneficiary requires a Certification of Trust or the trust agreement so the bank records the exact trust name and trustee
- IRA beneficiary changes are made on Heartland's IRA beneficiary designation form, not on a deposit POD card
- The HSA carries its own beneficiary designation, separate from any deposit-account POD
Sources
Data sourced from Heartland primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Heartland instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Heartland primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Customer Care Center
430 North Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213
Trust Administration and Estate Planning (German American Bank wealth management)
Customer Care Center / branch banking (estate settlement)
430 North Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Heartland accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
