How Do I Open an Estate Account at Associated Bank?

Opening channels

In a branch

Available

Online

Not available

By phone

Not stated

By mail

Not stated

Appointment

Not stated

Co-executors

Not stated

What it costs

Opening deposit

$100

Documents to bring

• Court order or other document establishing the personal representative's authority

Steps at Associated Bank

1. 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. 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. 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. 4
   Fund the account with the $100 minimum opening deposit
5. 5
   Keep the account moving: under the product disclosure, an account with a positive balance and no withdrawals or deposits for 12 months becomes DORMANT -- a real risk in a long administration where the estate simply waits on a court date

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, a $50 Overdraft Grace Zone for Business, a no-fee Overdraft Protection Transfer Service, preferred money market rates, and access to Associated Bank Digital. Current product disclosure and fee schedule effective August 1, 2026. Included transactions count deposits and other credits, items deposited, checks and other debits, Remote Deposit items, wires, ACH debits and credits, and Instant Payment debits and credits, but NOT debit card purchases -- an executor paying estate bills by debit card rather than check stays under the 50-item cap. An account with a positive balance and no transactions for 12 months becomes dormant. The Estate Checking appointment form lists services as available in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin (Nebraska, added through the American National acquisition, is not on that list). The bank publishes no document checklist for opening -- Letters recency, EIN timing, and co-fiduciary signature requirements are not stated anywhere on its site, so ask Business Customer Care (800-728-3501) before the appointment.