Estate planning at HSBC
How to protect 10 HSBC accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file death claims
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
HSBC Premier Service Center, P.O. Box 22, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
HSBC Premier Service Center, P.O. Box 22, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Bereavement
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
ATTN: Legal Paper Processing, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 2929 Walden Ave, Pole C84, Depew, NY 14043
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Feb 2026
HSBC offers 10 consumer accounts that interact with estate planning in distinct ways. Of those, 8 can name a trust as beneficiary or be retitled into a trust. Understanding the transfer methods available for each account type helps families keep assets out of probate and ensure they pass to the right people.
Beneficiary designations at HSBC can be managed in branch and by mail, typically taking 2-3 weeks (mail processing). Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
HSBC provides specific procedures for both proactive estate planning and filing claims after a death.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 10 account types at HSBC.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
8-step process, 8 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →HSBC operates in select states, so estate planning procedures may vary by location. Confirm availability in your state before initiating trust funding or account changes.
Frequently asked questions
Download the Change or Remove Beneficiary Kit from HSBC's website and submit the completed paper form by mail to the HSBC Premier Service Center (P.O. Box 22, Buffalo, NY 14240) or in person at an HSBC International Wealth Center. Beneficiary changes cannot currently be made online.
Yes. HSBC deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs) can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Contact HSBC Premier at 1-888-662-4722 or visit an International Wealth Center. You will need a certified copy of your trust agreement or Certificate of Trust and government-issued photo ID for all trustees. Processing takes approximately 2-4 weeks.
Yes. Your HSBC Self-Directed Brokerage Account through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. can be retitled to a revocable living trust. Contact your Wealth Relationship Manager to initiate the process. You will need to provide your trust documentation and trustee identification.
No. IRAs cannot be titled to a trust under IRS rules. However, you can name your trust as the beneficiary of your Traditional or Roth IRA at HSBC. Consult a tax advisor before doing this, as there are significant tax implications for trust beneficiaries under the SECURE Act distribution rules.
Yes. HSBC provides separate guidance for estates involving non-U.S. resident decedents, including transfer certificate requirements. As a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, the bank is well-positioned to coordinate across jurisdictions for clients with international assets.
HSBC Premier requires at least one of: $100,000 total relationship balance (deposits and/or investments), $5,000 minimum monthly direct deposits, an active HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan, or HSBC Private Bank status. A $50 monthly maintenance fee applies if requirements are not met. Up to 4 family members at the same address may qualify for Premier benefits.
Yes. Named beneficiaries on HSBC accounts (POD for deposit accounts, TOD for brokerage accounts, and beneficiary designations for IRAs) take precedence over anything stated in your will. This is why it is important to keep beneficiary designations updated whenever your circumstances change.
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
HSBC Premier Service Center, P.O. Box 22, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
HSBC Premier Service Center, P.O. Box 22, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims / Bereavement
Phone716-841-6866
Toll-Free1-888-662-4722
Mailing Address
ATTN: Legal Paper Processing, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 2929 Walden Ave, Pole C84, Depew, NY 14043
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Feb 2026
Estate planning resources for HSBC customers
Tools and documents to help protect your HSBC accounts.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.
Take the Quiz
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.
Check Now
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