What to do when a The First account holder dies
Report the death to The First at 1-877-367-5371
The First merged into Renasant BankMerged, effective April 2025
The First Bank merged into Renasant Bank on April 1, 2025, and former The First accounts are now Renasant Bank accounts. The systems conversion ran from August 1 to August 4, 2025. Renasant Customer Experience Center: 1-877-367-5371.
When an account holder at The First 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 The First to access and distribute the funds.
To start, call The First. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at The First:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Certification of the fiduciary relationship and the fiduciary's status and authority, for an account held by an executor, administrator or trustee, if Renasant requests it
What happens to each kind of account6
- Account in one name
An individual account "does not create any ownership in any person by survivorship" (Section 13).1
- Joint account with survivorship
"At the death of an account holder, ownership passes to the surviving account holder(s)," subject to holds, pledges, and Renasant's security interest and right of setoff (Section 14).1
- Payable-on-death account
A payable-on-death account is paid in equal shares to the named beneficiaries then living. The money "will not be inherited by the heirs of the owners(s) of the account or controlled by the will of such owners(s)" (Section 15).1
- Fiduciary account
On an account held by a fiduciary such as an executor, administrator or trustee, the fiduciary certifies the fiduciary relationship and the fiduciary's status and authority at Renasant's request (Section 18).1
- Certificate of deposit
A converted certificate of deposit keeps its original rate and term through maturity.2
- IRA
A converted IRA keeps its original rate and term through maturity. A former Investment IRA is now a Saver's Certificate of Deposit maturing February 1, 2027, with no early withdrawal penalty applied during its first 18 months.2
State law on paying a balance without letters4 states
- Florida
Permits a bank to pay up to $2,000 on an affidavitFla. Stat. § 735.303Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Georgia
Permits a bank to pay up to $15,000 on an affidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
- Louisiana
Permits a bank to pay up to $20,000 on an affidavitLa. R.S. 6:315.1Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceLa. R.S. 6:315.1
Permits a bank to pay up to $20,000 on an affidavitLa. R.S. 9:1513Verified Oct 3, 2026View sourceLa. R.S. 9:1513
- Mississippi
Permits a bank to pay up to $12,500 on a signed receipt or releaseMiss. Code Ann. § 81-5-63Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
What The First's agreement and guidance say3
- Debts owed to the institution
If Renasant had a right of setoff at the time of death, it "may be enforced against a successor in interest to such funds, whether a pay-on-death beneficiary, your estate, or otherwise" (Section 4).1
- Powers of attorney
A power of attorney is revoked by notice of death only when the notice "actually, rather than constructively," reaches the person who accepted the power of attorney for Renasant. One business day to act on it is agreed to be a reasonable time (Section 11).1
- Accounts from a merged institution
Most account numbers stayed the same. Where a number changed, Renasant mailed a letter in July 2025 with the new Renasant account and routing number.2
At the close of business on August 1, 2025, Renasant produced a special statement showing all activity on the former The First account since its last statement.2
Each account converted to the Renasant account type shown in the Disclosure Booklet conversion tables. A checking account opened before May 9, 2025 was given its new type by separate letter.3
The Renasant Deposit Account Agreement has governed former The First deposit accounts since August 4, 2025. It states that it "REPLACES THE PRESENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING YOUR DEPOSIT ACCOUNT(S)".1
Not in The First's published guidance4
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A claim form
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A mailing address for claim documents
Frequently asked questions
Yes, where Renasant held a right of setoff at the time of death. Section 4 of the Deposit Account Agreement that now governs former The First deposit accounts says the right of setoff "shall continue following your death to the same extent it existed immediately prior to death" and "may be enforced against a successor in interest to such funds, whether a pay-on-death beneficiary, your estate, or otherwise." Section 15 makes every payable-on-death account subject to Renasant's security interest and right of setoff.
Sources
(3)·
Data sourced from The First primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
The First death claims support
Renasant Customer Experience Center
Phone
Online and Mobile Banking Support
24-hour Automated Account Information
Lost or Stolen Debit Card (after hours)
Credit Card Assistance and Disputes
Hours
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your The First accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
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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