How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Tri Counties Bank
Covers 11 deposit, 2 retirement, and 3 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Tri Counties Bank Customer Service
Phone1-800-922-8742
Mailing Address
Tri Counties Bank, 63 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973
Automated Telephone Banking
Corporate Headquarters
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-922-8742
Mailing Address
Tri Counties Bank, 63 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
There are two ways to keep your Tri Counties Bank accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
Across 16 product types, Tri Counties 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.
TriCo Essential CheckingTriCo Premier CheckingMoney Smart CheckingSavings AccountTiered SavingsLinked SavingsMoney Market SavingsCertificate of Deposit (CD)Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS)Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)Health Savings Account (HSA)
1
Visit any Tri Counties Bank branch with a valid government-issued photo ID
2
Request to add or update beneficiary designations on your accounts
3
Provide beneficiary information:
- For deposit accounts: request POD (Payable on Death) designation with beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and relationship
- For IRA accounts: complete the IRA Beneficiary Designation form with primary and contingent beneficiary sections
4
Review and sign the updated account documentation
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- The Consumer Deposit Account Agreement (effective July 1, 2025) offers two informal death-transfer titles: a Payable on Death (P.O.D.) Account and a Totten Trust Account (an informal trust reflected on the bank's records without a written trust agreement). Both work the same way at death, and either one keeps the balance out of probate
- Under that agreement, a P.O.D. payee or Totten Trust beneficiary must survive the death of ALL account owners to take anything. If the payee dies first and no contingent is on record, the funds fall back into the last owner's estate
- Where more than one P.O.D. payee or Totten Trust beneficiary survives, each takes an equal share unless the bank's records expressly reflect otherwise. Ask the banker to record uneven percentages in writing if you do not want an equal split
- Trust beneficiary designations may require a copy of the Certification of Trust
- IRA beneficiary changes for married account holders in community property states (CA) may require spousal consent
Sources
Data sourced from Tri Counties Bank primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Tri Counties Bank instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Tri Counties Bank primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Tri Counties Bank Customer Service
Phone1-800-922-8742
Mailing Address
Tri Counties Bank, 63 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973
Automated Telephone Banking
Corporate Headquarters
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service (Death Claims)
Phone1-800-922-8742
Mailing Address
Tri Counties Bank, 63 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Tri Counties Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
