How Do I Open an Estate Account at Associated Bank?

Associated Bank's estate-account opening requirements: where the account can be opened, the documents to bring, and the EIN requirement.

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Opening an estate account at Associated Bank

Account type: Estate Checking (business checking product)

Where to open it

In a branch

Opening channels

In a branch: Available
Online: Not available
By phone: Not stated
By mail: Not stated
Appointment: Not stated
Co-executors: Not stated
Minimum deposit: $100

Documents to bring

Underlying fiduciary documents establishing the personal representative's authority (court order or Letters) -- under the Deposit Account Agreement (Fiduciary provision), the terms of the court order or other document by which the account is opened govern the account, and the bank has the right to review the document and keep a copy on file

Steps at Associated Bank

1
Visit an Associated Bank office or contact an Associated Bank Relationship Manager -- the bank states Estate Checking can be opened through either route
2
Optionally schedule a branch appointment online ("Schedule an Appointment" on the Estate Checking page) or call Business Customer Care at 800-728-3501 (Monday-Saturday)
3
Bring the fiduciary documents establishing your authority (court order or Letters); the bank has the right to review and retain a copy under the Deposit Account Agreement's Fiduciary provision
4
Fund the account with the $100 minimum opening deposit

What to know at Associated Bank

Estate Checking is a business checking product with no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirement, 50 included transactions per month ($0.50 per excess item), free paperless statements ($4 monthly paper statement fee unless enrolled in business online banking with paperless statements), a free Business Debit Mastercard, and access to Associated Bank Digital. Product disclosure effective May 21, 2025. The Estate Checking appointment form lists services as available in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. The bank publishes no document checklist for opening (Letters recency, EIN timing, and co-fiduciary signature requirements are not stated); Business Customer Care: 800-728-3501.

Estate services: 1-800-431-4649View Associated Bank's guidance

This guide summarizes each bank's published estate-account requirements and is not legal or banking advice. Requirements may vary by state and account type.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Associated Bank states an estate account cannot be opened online. Opening is done in person at a branch.

Associated Bank asks for: Underlying fiduciary documents establishing the personal representative's authority (court order or Letters) -- under the Deposit Account Agreement (Fiduciary provision), the terms of the court order or other document by which the account is opened govern the account, and the bank has the right to review the document and keep a copy on file.

Associated Bank's published guidance does not state a co-executor appearance rule. When more than one executor or administrator was appointed, confirm with Associated Bank whether all must attend.

An estate account is a bank account titled to the estate itself — not to the person who died and not to the executor personally. The court-appointed executor or administrator opens it to deposit money owed to the estate (final paychecks, refunds, proceeds from closed accounts), pay the estate's debts and expenses, and distribute what remains. Checks made out to "the Estate of" can only be deposited into an account titled this way.

The estate is its own taxpayer, separate from the person who died. Banks open estate accounts under the estate's Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, not the deceased's Social Security Number. The free EIN application prepares IRS Form SS-4 for the estate.