HomeStreet
Subsidiary of Mechanics Bancorp (NASDAQ: MCHB) — HomeStreet, Inc. renamed at the closing of the 2025-09-02 merger; HomeStreet Bank merged into Mechanics Bank
homestreet.comWhat to do when a HomeStreet account holder dies
Report the death to HomeStreet's Mechanics Bank Customer Care at 1-800-797-6324
HomeStreet merged into Mechanics BankMerged, effective September 2025
HomeStreet Bank merged with and into Mechanics Bank on September 2, 2025; the holding company HomeStreet, Inc. survived and was renamed Mechanics Bancorp (NASDAQ: MCHB). Deposit accounts and online banking converted to Mechanics Bank systems on Monday, March 23, 2026 — the vast majority of account numbers carried over unchanged, the old routing number still works, and 121102036 is used for new checks and new ACH set-ups. For a former HomeStreet mortgage, HELOC or personal loan the transition hub directs customers to Customer Care at 800-719-8080 or a banking center; Mechanics Bank Loan Servicing, which runs the Check My Loan platform, is 800-237-3194. A loan number may have changed in the March 2026 conversion (the bank said it would mail the new number). homestreet.com redirects to mechanicsbank.com, and former HomeStreet accounts log in through Online Banking Plus. Former HomeStreet client support: 800-719-8080 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-6:00pm PT). Mechanics Bank Customer Care: 800-797-6324. Mortgage servicing: 800-237-3194.
What happens to HomeStreet 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 HomeStreet's Mechanics Bank Customer Care (1-800-797-6324) to claim the funds.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
The death claim process at HomeStreet works as follows:
Filing a claim
- A cover letter with the deceased person's full legal name, date of death, Social Security number and account numbers, and your name, capacity and contact details
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Your authority document: a small estate affidavit, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, or the trust instrument or Certification of Trust
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID
What happens to each kind of account7
- Joint account with survivorship
On a Joint Tenancy account, the deceased owner's share passes automatically to the surviving owner or owners, unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a different intent on the signature card.1
- Joint account without survivorship
On a Tenancy in Common account, the deceased owner's share goes to that owner's estate or legal representative. The co-owner does not inherit it.2
- Community property account
On a Community Property account (Washington, California or registered domestic partners), ownership is determined by community property law and may be affected by the will.1
- Payable-on-death account
On a P.O.D. or Totten Trust account, the surviving named beneficiaries take automatically, in equal shares unless the bank's records say otherwise. They present the death certificate and their ID.2
- Trust account
The successor trustee presents the death certificate, the trust instrument or Certification of Trust, and their own ID.2
- Account in one name
With no beneficiary and no surviving owner, the personal representative presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.2
- Fiduciary account
An estate account can be opened at a banking center to collect estate funds and pay the deceased person's bills. An EIN for the estate is required.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon, Washington
- Oregon
ORS 708A.430
Oregon law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 708A.430Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- Washington
RCW 30A.22.190(2)
Washington law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(2)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $2,500 held at the institution
Paid to: the surviving spouse, next of kin, funeral director, or other creditor who may appear to be entitled thereto
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
RCW 30A.22.190(1)
Washington law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.RCW 30A.22.190(1)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: The section sets no dollar limit.
Paid to: the surviving spouse (party to a community property agreement with the decedent that reaches the funds)
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- Mechanics Bank Loan Servicing
Mortgages on the Check My Loan platform, payoffs and Successor in Interest correspondence2
Phone: 1-800-237-3194
Email: loanservice@mechanicsbank.com
Mailing address: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Mechanics Bank Wealth Management
Estates and trusts it administers as trustee, executor or co-executor, or agent2
Phone: 1-925-482-8060
Email: wealth@mechanicsbank.com
What HomeStreet's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
"You agree to notify us immediately of the death or court-declared incompetence of any owner, authorized signer or designated beneficiary on your account."1
- Payments after the death
Even with knowledge of the death, the bank may pay checks drawn on the account for ten days after the date of death.1
- Deposits after the death
The bank may freeze, offset, refuse and reverse deposits and transactions payable to the deceased, such as government and retirement benefit payments. If it must return funds already removed from the account, the other owners agree to reimburse it.1
- Disputes between claimants
If the bank has any question about who owns the funds or how much belongs to a claimant, it may freeze all or part of the account until it receives proof, satisfactory to it, of each claimant's right to the funds.1
- Debts owed to the institution
The agreement gives the bank a right of setoff and a security interest in the accounts.1
- Accounts from a merged institution
Former HomeStreet deposit accounts are now governed by the Mechanics Bank Personal Account Agreement (March 23, 2026 edition), and its "Death or Incapacity" clause controls.1
A former HomeStreet loan number may have changed in the March 2026 conversion, which the transition guide said would come with a separate mailing, or in the later Check My Loan platform upgrade. Confirm the current number before sending anything.3
Not in HomeStreet's published guidance1
- A list of required documents
Sources3
- 1.Mechanics Bank Personal Account Agreement, effective March 23, 2026
- 2.Contact Us
- 3.HomeStreet Personal Banking Transition Guide
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.
- If the loan was sold to another servicer, the package must be sent there
- Put the loan number and a brief description of the issue in the email, and send no personal or confidential information by email
- Emails and secure messages are generally answered within 48 hours
- Payoffs, correspondence and address changes: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Notices of error and requests for information: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing/QA, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
- Payments only: Mechanics Bank, PO Box 34610, Seattle, WA 98124
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-237-3194
Automated line: 1-800-237-3194, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Email: loanservice@mechanicsbank.com
Fax: 1-206-903-3094
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM PT
Mailing address: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
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
What HomeStreet's agreement and guidance say1
- Accounts from a merged institution
The March 2026 HomeStreet conversion warned that a consumer loan account number may change, with a separate mailing.1
The separate Check My Loan platform upgrade reissued some loan numbers for legacy Mechanics Bank borrowers, so the number on an old statement may no longer work.2
Not in HomeStreet's published guidance1
- A list of required documents
- Pay it off from estate assets
- Refinance it in your own name
- Sell the property and clear the lien at closing
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-800-237-3194
Mailing address: Mechanics Bank, Attn: Loan Servicing, 33405 8th Ave South, Suite 100, Federal Way, WA 98003
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
No further draws are possible once the borrower dies: the line closes, the draw period ends, and the balance stays secured by the home.1
Not in HomeStreet's published guidance1
- A list of required documents
Sources1
HomeStreet's Mechanics Bank Customer Care can be reached by phone at 1-800-797-6324 and email at loanservice@mechanicsbank.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from HomeStreet primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
HomeStreet death claims support
Mechanics Bank Customer Care (deposit death claims, completed at a banking center or by mail; mortgage death claims go to Loan Servicing at 800-237-3194)
Phone
Former HomeStreet client support
Mortgage servicing / Successor in Interest
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your HomeStreet 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: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
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.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
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A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
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