How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Synovus
Covers 9 deposit, 1 retirement, 1 investment, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Brand change
Synovus completed an all-stock merger with Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.: the bank holding company merger completed January 1, 2026 and the bank merger completed January 2, 2026, with Synovus Bank merged into Pinnacle Bank (Pinnacle Bank surviving). The Synovus brand continues operating during the transition; systems and brand conversions, consolidating under the Pinnacle brand, are expected in early 2027. Source: synovus.com merger completion release, verified 2026-07-17. Effective January 2026.
Synovus is now part of Pinnacle Bank. The procedures below reflect Synovus's accounts during the transition. View the Pinnacle Bank estate planning page.
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Death Claims
Synovus Bank, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Estate planning for your Synovus accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
Synovus offers 13 accounts, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
- Request to add or update POD beneficiaries on your account
- Complete the POD beneficiary designation form with a banker
- Name primary and contingent beneficiaries
- For trusts: provide trust name, trustee information, and trust EIN
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Name primary and contingent beneficiaries for all accounts
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries with trust name, trustee, and EIN
- Assets in POD accounts pass outside of probate to named beneficiaries
- Review beneficiaries periodically, especially after marriage, divorce, or birth of children
- Named beneficiaries override your will
Sources
Data sourced from Synovus primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Synovus instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Synovus primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Death Claims
Synovus Bank, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
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