How Do I Open an Estate Account at Zions Bank?
Zions Bank opens estate accounts for a court-appointed executor or administrator. The documents it asks for, what the account costs, and the steps it lists are below.
Opening an estate account at Zions Bank
Where to open it
Not published by Zions Bank
Documents to bring
- Written documentation establishing the fiduciary appointment
- Taxpayer identification number for the account (SSN, ITIN, or EIN)
What it costs
Zions Bank does not state the opening deposit, monthly fee, or fee-waiver balance for an estate account.
- Schedule that applies
- Not stated for estate accounts; Business Accounts Schedule of Fees or Personal Accounts Schedule of Fees (both Effective June 26, 2026)
- Other charges
- Early Account Closure Fee $25.00 if closed within 90 days of account opening; Paper Statements $3.00 per cycle; Dormant Account $0.00
| Account | To open | Monthly fee | Waiver or condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Launch | $50 | $10 | $500 daily balance or $500 in card deposits |
| Business Elevate | $50 | $15 | $2,500 daily balance or $15,000 combined |
| Business Connect | $50 | $25 | $10,000 combined deposit balance or $50,000 combined |
| Business Beyond | $50 | $50 | $50,000 combined deposit balance across eligible linked accounts |
| Business Interest Checking | $50 | $20 | $3,500 daily balance |
| Non-Profit Checking | $50 | $0 | |
| IOLTA Checking | $50 | $0 | |
| Small Business Trust Checking | $50 | $0 | |
| UARHOF Checking | $50 | $0 | |
| Public Funds Checking | $50 | $20 | $3,500 daily balance |
| Public Funds Interest Checking | $50 | ||
| Anytime Checking | $50 | $0 | |
| Anytime Interest | $50 | $10 | $1,500 daily balance |
| Advantage | $50 | $7.50 | |
| Military Advantage | $50 | ||
| Gold | $50 | $15 | $2,500 |
| Premier | $50 | $25 | $25,000 combined deposits |
| Premier Elite | $50 | $25 | $50,000 combined deposits |
| OnBudget Banking | $25 | ||
| Donation Account | $0 | ||
| Business Savings | $50 | ||
| Business Money Market | $1,000 | ||
| Money Market | $500 | ||
| CD | $1,000 |
What to know at Zions Bank
Zions Bank opens an estate account as a non-consumer account: Estate is an ownership structure on every deposit product except CDs, and the account title must indicate the fiduciary relationship. The Deposit Account Agreement treats an account opened with an EIN as a business account. One agreement governs all seven Zions divisions, including Amegy Bank, California Bank & Trust and Vectra Bank Colorado; fee schedules differ by division and state.
Not in Zions Bank's published guidance
- Whether the estate's EIN is needed before opening
- Whether the deceased must have banked there
- Whether an out-of-state executor can open one
- Whether the death certificate must be a certified copy
- What proof of the EIN it accepts
- Whether the account comes with online banking, checks, a debit card, or mobile deposit
- How the deceased's balances reach the estate account
General information about each bank's published estate-account requirements, not legal or banking advice. Requirements vary by state and account type. Consult the institution for its current requirements. Data verified Sep 17, 2026
Zions Bank's published guidance does not state whether an estate account can be opened online.
Zions Bank asks for: Written documentation establishing the fiduciary appointment; Taxpayer identification number for the account (SSN, ITIN, or EIN).
Zions Bank does not state the opening deposit, monthly fee, or fee-waiver balance for an estate account. Zions Bank's 24 published accounts are listed above with their fees and waivers; the estate account carries the fees of the account it is opened as.
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.
Sources
Data sourced from Zions Bank primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
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Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor can charge for administering an estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Whether your state lets you open probate yourself, and what it costs with a lawyer and without one.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
See the court, petition, bond, and documents needed to be appointed and receive your Letters.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
Find creditor claim deadlines, notice requirements, and payment priority order for your state.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
See the order your state pays an insolvent estate's debts and which claims go unpaid.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
