What to do when a S&T Bank account holder dies
Report the death to S&T Bank at 1-800-325-2265
When an account holder at S&T Bank passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with S&T Bank to access and distribute the funds.
The claim process begins with a phone call to the institution. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what S&T Bank requires:
Filing a claim
What happens to each kind of account5
- Joint account with survivorship
S&T may continue to honor checks, withdrawals and requests by any surviving person named on the account, and may treat the account as that person's sole property.1
- Joint account without survivorship
On notice of the death, S&T may freeze the account until it is satisfied that all legal documents necessary to make payment have been delivered, or a court orders the disposition of the account.1
- Payable-on-death account
The named beneficiary or the beneficiary's legal representative can withdraw the balance. S&T releases no funds until all legal documents have been delivered, and pays by a check made payable to all beneficiaries.1
- Certificate of deposit
S&T may allow an early withdrawal and waive the early withdrawal penalty when any owner of the time deposit dies. The joint-account and named-beneficiary rules apply to time deposits as well.2
- Loan
For an S&T mortgage, a person who received an ownership interest in the home through the death of a co-owner or relative can request successor-in-interest status with the Successor in Interest form.3
State law on paying a balance without lettersPennsylvania
- Pennsylvania
20 Pa.C.S. § 3101(b)
Pennsylvania law directs a bank to pay from a deceased depositor's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.20 Pa.C.S. § 3101(b)Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Limit: $20,000 held at the institution
When: at any time after the death of a depositor, member or certificate holder
Paid to: the spouse; any child; the father or mother; any sister or brother
The section sets further conditions.
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- S&T Loss Mitigation Department
Successor-in-interest requests on an S&T mortgage3
Phone: 1-888-549-1127
What S&T Bank's agreement and guidance say1
- What it says about taxes
S&T's agreement states that the title or ownership of an account may cause inheritance tax implications when any of the listed owners dies.1
Not in S&T Bank's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
Sources3
- 1.Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosures, Rev 12/31/25
- 2.Time Deposit Account Terms and Conditions, REV 5/18/2026
- 3.Successor in Interest form
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.
Required Documents
- Successor in Interest Cover Sheet
- Application Identification Verification FormThe form must be notarized.
- Certified copy of the death certificate, on the death of a co-owner or of a relative
- Copy of the most recently executed deed, on the death of a co-ownerThe deed shows the joint ownership or the transfer of the deceased owner's interest at death.
- Document confirming you are a relative, on the death of a relativeSuch as a birth certificate or marriage license.
- Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary, on the death of a relative, as one of four accepted proofsSent with a copy of the will or an affidavit confirming you as an heir or beneficiary.
- Court order or other judicial determination of heirs, on the death of a relative, in place of letters
- Trust agreement or trust certification signed by the trustee, on the death of a relative, in place of letters, showing you as the beneficiary; or on a transfer to a living trust
- Most recently executed deed conveying title to you, on the death of a relative, in place of letters, if available
Claims Contact
Phone: 1-888-549-1127
Email: LossMitigation@stbank.com
Mailing address: S&T Bank, Loss Mitigation Department, Attn: Manager, 355 N. 5th Street, Indiana, PA 15701
Forms S&T Bank issues2
- Successor in Interest Cover Sheet
Completed by the person asking to be confirmed as a successor in interest. Available to download.1
- Application Identification Verification Form
Completed by the person asking to be confirmed as a successor in interest. Available to download. Must be notarized.1
What happens to each kind of account1
- Loan
A successor-in-interest request does not change who is financially responsible for the loan. Once S&T confirms a successor in interest, it sends that person communications and information about the mortgage loan.1
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 S&T Bank's agreement and guidance say1
- Fees
S&T states that it charges no fee for making the change.1
Sources1
Sources
Data sourced from S&T Bank primary sources (33 pages reviewed). How we research.
S&T Bank death claims support
S&T Solution Center
Phone
Toll-free
ExpressLine (automated)
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
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