What to do when a HSBC account holder dies
Report the death to HSBC at 1-888-662-4722
After an account holder at HSBC dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact HSBC at 1-888-662-4722 with the proper legal authority documents.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what HSBC requires:
Filing a claim
- Citizens took over 80 HSBC East Coast branches and HSBC's national online deposit business effective February 18, 2022, and re-branded the branches as Citizens
- Report a death on one of those accounts to Citizens Estate Services at 877-579-2667, Option 2 (Monday - Friday: 9am-4pm ET)
- Citizens takes a mortgage loan at 800-234-6002 or homeloandocuments@citizensbank.com
- Cathay Bank completed its purchase of HSBC's West Coast mass retail market consumer banking business, with 10 retail branches in California, on February 7, 2022. Cathay Bank's number is 800-922-8429
- HSBC's announcement says the remaining balances "represent Premier, Jade and Private Banking customers". It exited "certain Premier banking customers (those with balances below US$75k)"
- Book the appointment through the HSBC online dashboard
- Or call 888.662.4722, or 716.841.6866 from outside the US or Canada. The line is available 24/7
- Before accepting instructions to transfer assets from an affected account, HSBC requires a copy of the IRS Transfer Certificate
- Affected accounts include individual, joint, transfer on death, trust, qualified, sole proprietorship and custodial accounts (for example traditional IRA, Roth IRA and 529)
- HSBC's guidance says "the IRS states that its time frame to process Transfer Certificates is six to nine months from when the IRS receives all required documentation"
- None is needed for probate property administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and acting within the United States. Joint and transfer on death accounts still need one
- HSBC may, at its discretion, release a nonresident non-U.S. citizen's assets without one where the estate held only non-U.S. situs assets, or U.S. situs assets under the amount in its guidance
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- US Consular Report of Death, or Apostille copy of a foreign death certificate, in place of a certified death certificateHSBC's glossary lists the US Consular Report of Death of US Citizen Abroad, and an Apostille copy of a foreign death certificate with certified translation, as "the legal document issued when a person dies".
- Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or Certification of Appointment
- Valid photo identification for the personal representativeHSBC names a passport or driving license.
- Confirmation of the personal representative's residential addressCertified "in accordance with our requirements".
- Small estate affidavit, for a small estateHSBC says other documentation may be provided for small estates, such as a small estate affidavit.
- Trust agreement, birth or marriage certificate, or proof of legal name change
- Copy of the IRS Transfer Certificate, for an affected account of a nonresident decedentNot required for property administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and acting within the United States. Joint and transfer on death accounts still need one.
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, or the legal equivalent, for a nonresident decedentIssued by an appropriate court or governmental authority in the country of the decedent's tax residence at the time of death.
- Letter of instruction signed by the executor or administrator, for a nonresident decedentOr the legal equivalent in the country of the decedent's tax residence at the time of death.
- Certified English translation of foreign documents, for a nonresident decedent's documents issued abroadTranslated by an accredited translation service and certified as a true and complete translation. Foreign notarized documents need an Apostille or other legalization.
- Notarized affidavit in lieu of a Transfer Certificate, where HSBC agrees, at its discretion, to release a nonresident non-U.S. citizen's assets without a Transfer CertificateCompleted by the executor or another responsible person familiar with the decedent's financial affairs. HSBC may ask for an opinion of the estate's counsel on the U.S. situs assets.
Forms HSBC issues1
- Bank forms for transferring funds or opening and maintaining accounts
Sent by the institution on request.1
What happens to each kind of account3
- Joint account with survivorship
"The Bank will assume that when you open a joint account you intend to create a right of survivorship, unless you establish the account under the Bank's procedures for Tenants in Common." With survivorship, the money belongs entirely to the surviving depositor or depositors.2
- Joint account without survivorship
A Tenants in Common account designates "the percentage of the funds to be paid to the survivor(s) on the death of a joint owner." Until the bank receives notice of a tenant's death, all funds may be treated as the property of each tenant in common without limitation.2
- Certificate of deposit
For consumer accounts, HSBC may not charge the early withdrawal penalty if an owner of the CD dies, but it will require proof of death before a withdrawal is allowed.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersFlorida, New York, Washington
- Florida
Fla. Stat. § 735.303
Florida law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit made under oath, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.Fla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: family member (surviving spouse; else adult child; else adult descendant; else parent)
Limit: $2,000 held at the institution and $2,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 6 months after the date of the decedent’s death
The section permits the payment. It does not require the bank to make it. The section sets further conditions.
- New York
N.Y. SCPA § 1310
New York law permits a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit made under oath, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.N.Y. SCPA § 1310Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $30,000 in total from every holder
When: forthwith
Paid to: surviving spouse, children eighteen or older, either parent, brother or sister, niece or nephew, or at their request a creditor or the person who paid the funeral expense
Limit: $15,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than thirty days after the death
Paid to: a distributee, a creditor, or the person who paid the funeral expenses
Limit: $5,000 held at the institution and $5,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 6 months after the death
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 elsewhere5
- Citizens Bank
Accounts from the 80 HSBC East Coast branches and HSBC's national online deposit business, moved to Citizens in 20223
- Citizens Estate Services
Death claims on the accounts Citizens took from HSBC4
Phone: 1-877-579-2667 (option 2)
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
Mailing address: Citizens Estate Services, Attn: JCB270, One Citizens Bank Way, Johnston, RI 02919
- Cathay Bank
Accounts from HSBC's West Coast mass retail market consumer banking business and its 10 California retail branches5
- Cathay Bank Client Care
Customer contact for the accounts Cathay took from HSBC6
Phone: 1-800-922-8429
- HSBC Mortgage customer service
HSBC mortgages7
Phone: 1-855-527-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET; Saturday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
Mailing address: HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Mail stop 1290, 1 Corporate Drive, Suite 360, Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8945
What HSBC's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
HSBC's glossary defines the informant as "the person who notifies the bank of the death of a customer. This may be a personal representative, a family member, friend or relative."8
- Who can get account information
HSBC says it is "only able to share information regarding a deceased customer's account with individuals that have legal authority to act."1
- What it does when notified
The Rules list "An account or CD owner dies, and the Bank has not received all documents required by law" among the cases in which HSBC may refuse a withdrawal.2
- Debts owed to the institution
The Rules give HSBC a lien on a customer's accounts for any amount the customer owes it or its affiliates, and let it set off against the accounts to pay that debt. If one joint depositor owes HSBC money that is due, it can use any money in the joint account.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
The Rules say an account left inactive for several years may be treated as abandoned and its funds turned over to the state, in general the state of the last known address on HSBC's records. The funds can then be reclaimed from the state abandoned property administrator.2
- Which state governs the account
The Rules apply the law of the state where the account was opened, if it was opened in person. An account opened by telephone or online is governed by New York law, to the extent federal law does not supersede it.2
Not in HSBC's published guidance4
- A mailing address for claim documents
- A fax number for claim documents
- An email address for claim documents
- How long a claim takes
Sources8
- 1.Bereavement help
- 2.Rules For Consumer Deposit Accounts, Rev. 05/19/2025
- 3.Citizens Financial Group Closes Acquisition of HSBC East Coast Branches and National Online Deposit Business
- 4.Estate Services: What to Do After a Death
- 5.Cathay General Bancorp Completes HSBC West Coast Acquisition, February 7, 2022
- 6.Contact Us
- 7.Contact us
- 8.Bereavement support glossary
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.
- Premier Mortgage customer service: 855.806.4660
- Private Bank Mortgage customer service: 855.806.4664
- HSBC says: "HSBC Bank USA, N.A. should be your starting point for finding options to resolve delinquency or avoid foreclosure"
- HSBC Bank USA, N.A., paid in full after 11/30/2018: Dovenmuehle Mortgage Inc. (DMI), releasedocs@yourmortgageonline.com
- HSBC Bank USA, N.A., HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) or Marine Midland, paid in full before 11/30/2018 or date unknown: legacy.lien.release.requests@us.hsbc.com
- HSBC/Household Finance Corporation (HFC), Beneficial, HSBC/Household Mortgage Services (HMS), Decision One, or CML, any date: hsbc.mtg.cml.lien_release@us.hsbc.com
- HSBC asks you to allow up to 30 business days, and to get a copy of the document from the county website or the local recorder's office
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-855-527-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET; Saturday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
Mailing address: HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Mail stop 1290, 1 Corporate Drive, Suite 360, Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8945
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
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Dovenmuehle Mortgage Inc. (DMI)
Lien releases for HSBC Bank USA, N.A. loans paid in full after 11/30/2018, as HSBC's current mortgage subservicer1
What HSBC provides to the estate1
- Payoff statement
Request a payoff statement through Personal Internet Banking for an instant statement, or by calling 855-527-8400. A mailed statement generally goes out within 2 business days.1
HSBC says the payoff reflects the unpaid principal balance, interest due and any outstanding fees (late charges, escrow advances, recoverable balances, attorney fees), and includes the county's fee to release the lien.1
Not in HSBC's published guidance3
- Successor-in-interest form
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A list of required documents
Sources1
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-855-527-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET; Saturday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
Mailing address: HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Mail stop 1290, 1 Corporate Drive, Suite 360, Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8945
What HSBC provides to the estate1
- Payoff statement
HSBC says the payoff reflects the unpaid principal balance, interest due and any outstanding fees, and includes the county's fee to release the lien. Request one through Personal Internet Banking or at 855-527-8400.1
Not in HSBC's published guidance3
- Draw period at a borrower's death
- Successor-in-interest form
- A list of required documents
Sources1
HSBC can be reached by phone at 1-888-662-4722 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from HSBC primary sources (17 pages reviewed). How we research.
HSBC death claims support
Phone
International
Mortgage customer service
HSBC SPOC Team (mortgage loss mitigation)
Legacy HSBC East Coast account, now Citizens Estate Services
Legacy HSBC California branch account, now Cathay Bank
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
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Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
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.
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