How to designate beneficiaries at WaFd Bank
Beneficiaries are managed in branch
There are two ways to keep your WaFd 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.
Each of WaFd Bank's 13 accounts has different rules for how it transfers at death. The sections below explain the options for each.
- Bring each beneficiary's full name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number
Required Documents
- Beneficiary's full name (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's date of birth (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's address (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's Social Security number (for each beneficiary)
- WaFd can request a certified copy of the trust instrument, or a certification of trust in its place
- WaFd asks for the name, address, date of birth and other identifying information of the person opening the account, and may ask to see a driver's license or other identifying documents
- Closing a WaFd Bank account requires a physical signature; contact a local WaFd Bank branch
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the trust instrument or a certification of trust (if WaFd requests one). WaFd takes a certification of trust in place of the trust instrument
- Name, address and date of birth of the person opening the account. WaFd may ask to see a driver's license or other identifying documents
- Bring each beneficiary's full name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number
Required Documents
- Beneficiary's full name (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's date of birth (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's address (for each beneficiary)
- Beneficiary's Social Security number (for each beneficiary)
What WaFd Bank says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is WaFd Bank's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
What WaFd Bank's agreement says about beneficiaries2
- What the owner keeps while living
On a payable-on-death (POD) account the owner keeps complete withdrawal rights during their lifetime, and the named beneficiaries have no withdrawal rights until then.2
- Changing or revoking a designation
The owner may change or close the POD account or change beneficiaries, and WaFd may continue to honor the named beneficiaries until it is notified of a change.2
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Trust account
Rewards, Premium Rewards and Interest Checking benefits are not available to trusts.3
What WaFd Bank says about trust accounts2
- Who signs for the trust
Only the trustee may withdraw funds or transact business on a WaFd trust account, as the trust instrument or court order designates.2
- Review of the trust document
WaFd is not responsible for enforcing the terms of the trust and may rely on the documents and statements a trustee gives it.2
Not in WaFd Bank's published guidance1
- A procedure for holding an account in a trust
Sources3
- 1.FAQ
- 2.Personal Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosures, Effective July 27, 2026
- 3.Rewards Checking
Sources
(1)·
Data sourced from WaFd Bank primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these WaFd Bank instructions
A printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details, verified against WaFd Bank primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
WaFd Bank estate support
Client Care Center
Phone
Toll-free
Hours
Website
Estate requests go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your WaFd Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate
Free forms for planning your estate: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for your state and download the PDF.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Last Will and Testament
Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.
Codicil to a Will
Add, revoke or replace provisions of your will and republish the rest, signed as your state requires for a will.
Tools for Planning Your Estate
Free tools for planning your estate: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for your state and read its answer.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare revocable living trust costs across providers including online services and attorneys.
How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Find out if a revocable trust makes sense based on your state, estate value, and family situation.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
Compare the cost of probate vs a trust for your state and estate value.
How Much Is the Federal Gift Tax?
Whether a gift owes federal gift tax, how much of the annual exclusion and lifetime exemption it uses, and whether Form 709 is due.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
Compare costs across estate planning providers including online services and attorneys.
