How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at M&T Bank
Covers 8 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 Apr 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.
Across 12 product types, M&T Bank 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.
EZChoice CheckingMyChoice Plus CheckingMyChoice Premium CheckingMyWay BankingPremium Savings AccountMyChoice Money MarketRelationship SavingsCertificate of Deposit (CD)
1
Visit an M&T Bank branch with government-issued photo ID
2
Request a Payable on Death (POD) designation form for your deposit account
3
Complete the form with beneficiary details:
- Provide primary and contingent beneficiary information including full legal name, date of birth, and relationship
- For trusts as beneficiary: provide the trust name, date established, and Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Specify percentage allocations for each beneficiary (must total 100%)
4
Submit 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 Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your M&T Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
