How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at WaFd Bank
Covers 11 deposit, and 2 retirement accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Client Care / Estate Services
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
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.
Across 13 product types, WaFd 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.
- Request to add or update a Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary on your account
- Provide beneficiary full name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Complete and sign the beneficiary designation form provided by the branch
- For IRA accounts, complete the IRA beneficiary designation form with primary and contingent beneficiaries
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary designations for deposit accounts require completing a POD form in branch or by mail; online self-service is not currently available
- Trust beneficiary designations may require a Certification of Trust document
Sources
Data sourced from WaFd Bank primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these WaFd Bank instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA 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, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Client Care / Estate Services
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your WaFd Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
