Webster
Subsidiary of Santander Bank, N.A. (Santander Holdings USA, Inc., Banco Santander, S.A.); Webster Bank, N.A. merged into Santander Bank, N.A. on 2026-08-20 and Webster Bank operates as its division
websterbank.comEstate planning options at Webster
Webster is now part of SantanderAcquired, effective August 2026
Webster Bank, N.A. merged into Santander Bank, N.A. on August 20, 2026 and now operates as a division of it. Webster banking centers remain open under the Webster name and service Webster accounts; Santander-branded locations cannot assist with Webster Bank accounts.
The key to protecting your Webster accounts is making sure each one has a transfer mechanism in place—either a beneficiary designation or trust ownership. Without one, the account goes through probate, adding time, cost, and court involvement for your family.
Webster has 16 accounts with different estate transfer rules. Here is how beneficiary designations, trust ownership, and probate apply to each one.
- Call Personal Banking Client Service Support at 1-800-325-2424 or visit a Webster banking center; Santander-branded locations cannot assist with Webster Bank accounts
- Changes in the designated beneficiaries must be made on the forms Webster requires
Required Documents
- The form Webster requires (to change the designated beneficiaries)
- The account's form of ownership is set from the information given when the account is opened
- A trustee must be designated as such on the account records; otherwise Webster treats the trustee as owning the account in their own capacity
- Webster asks for name, address, date of birth and other identifying information, and may ask to see identifying documents such as a driver's license
- The account opens once Webster has accepted the application and received any other documents it requires
Required Documents
- Name, address, date of birth and other identifying information
- Identifying documents such as a driver's license (if Webster asks)
- Any other documents Webster requires to establish the account
- Call Personal Banking Client Service Support at 1-800-325-2424 or visit a Webster banking center; Santander-branded locations cannot assist with Webster Bank accounts
- Changes in the designated beneficiaries must be made on the forms Webster requires
Required Documents
- The form Webster requires (to change the designated beneficiaries)
What Webster says about beneficiaries and trusts
Each section is Webster's own statement, with the document it comes from numbered under Sources.
How many beneficiaries, and how shares are split
- All accounts
Unless the designation provides otherwise, two or more surviving beneficiaries own the account in equal shares as joint tenants with right of survivorship.1
What Webster's agreement says about beneficiaries6
- Changing or revoking a designation
Changes in the designated beneficiaries must be made on the forms Webster requires.1
- When a designation takes effect
The most recent beneficiary designation Webster has received terminates, supersedes and replaces any prior payable on death designation for that account.1
- What the owner keeps while living
No rights vest in designated beneficiaries until the account owner dies. During life the owner may change the beneficiaries, change account types, withdraw all or part of the funds, or close the account.1
- A beneficiary who dies first
A beneficiary acquires the right to the account only if all account owners have died and the beneficiary is then living.1
- No beneficiary survives
If no designated beneficiary is living when the last surviving owner dies, Webster may pay the funds to the legal representative of the last surviving owner.1
- Joint accounts
A consumer account opened by two or more persons is treated as a joint account with right of survivorship unless state law requires otherwise or Webster agrees in writing.1
Which accounts a trust can hold1
- Trust account
Webster's Deposit Account Agreement provides for a trust agreement account, established under a will or written trust agreement.1
What Webster says about trust accounts1
- Successor trustees
If the trustee dies or is replaced, Webster releases no funds from a trust agreement account until all required legal documents have been delivered and all other legal requirements for release are met.1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Webster Private Bank
Personal trust services, including serving as trustee or agent for the trustee2
Sources2
- 1.Deposit Account Agreement, Effective: August 20, 2026
- 2.Fiduciary services
Sources
Data sourced from Webster primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Webster instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Webster primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Webster estate support
Fiduciary and Trust Services (Webster Private Bank)
Website
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