How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at M&T Bank
Covers 7 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Customer Service
Phone1-800-724-2440
Toll-Free1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
Estate Administration Services / Wilmington Trust
Phone1-800-982-4620
Toll-Free1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Estate Services
Phone1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
M&T Bank Estate Services, PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Preparing your M&T Bank accounts for estate transfer involves two primary strategies: designating beneficiaries on individual accounts and, where supported, retitling accounts into a revocable living trust. Both approaches bypass probate, but they work differently depending on the account type.
With 11 product types, M&T Bank offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
EZChoice CheckingMyChoice Plus CheckingMyChoice Premium CheckingMyWay BankingPremium Savings AccountMyChoice Money MarketCertificate of Deposit (CD)
1Visit an M&T Bank branch with government-issued photo ID
2Request a Payable on Death (POD) designation form for your deposit account
3Complete the form with primary and contingent beneficiary information including full legal name, date of birth, and relationship
4For trusts as beneficiary: provide the trust name, date established, and Employer Identification Number (EIN)
5Specify percentage allocations for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
6Submit the signed form to the branch representative for processing
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as POD beneficiaries with trust name, date, and EIN
- Primary and contingent beneficiaries allowed
- POD designations override instructions in a will
- Assets with POD designation automatically transfer to beneficiaries without probate
Customer Service
Phone1-800-724-2440
Toll-Free1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
Estate Administration Services / Wilmington Trust
Phone1-800-982-4620
Toll-Free1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteLearn more →
Estate Services
Phone1-800-724-2440
Fax(716) 274-1087
Mailing Address
M&T Bank Estate Services, PO Box 1850, Buffalo, NY 14240
WebsiteNotify online →
Verified Mar 2026
Estate planning documents for M&T Bank customers
Free documents designed to protect your M&T Bank accounts.