How do I set up a checking account in the name of a trust?

Asked by: Prof. Christian Klocko Jr.  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (40 votes)

To open a Trust checking account, you will need documentation proving the identity of the Trust. This may include the original Trust Agreement and IRS form SS-4, which grants the Trust a tax ID number.

Can you open a checking account in the name of a trust?

Setting Up a Trust Checking Account

Settlors can establish trust checking accounts during the trust creation process while they're still living, or trustees can open these accounts after a settlor's death, following the instructions outlined in the trust agreement.

How do you put bank accounts in a trust?

Most banks prefer that you and your spouse come to a local branch of the bank and complete their trust transfer form. Typically this is a one or two page document that will ask you to list the name of your trust, the date of the trust and who the current trustees are.

What bank account for a trust?

Statutory Trust Accounts. Accounts for custodians who are legally required to hold money for clients.

Do I need an EIN to open a bank account for a trust?

Yes, an EIN is required to set up an irrevocable trust, so you'll need to acquire one at the start. Caution: As mentioned above, a revocable trust becomes irrevocable upon the grantor's death. That means if no EIN exists, the estate — trustee, beneficiaries, or executor — must go through the process of acquiring one.

How to Set Up a Trust Fund Bank Account (Step by Step)

16 related questions found

What type of bank account is best for a trust?

A Trust checking account makes it easy for your Trustees to pay off debts and distribute inheritances without draining other assets or relying on outside funds. It also makes it easy to track the money going out and its Beneficiaries.

Does it cost to get an EIN number for a trust?

Beware of websites that charge for an EIN. You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.

Which bank account is best for trust?

Axis Bank's Trust/NGO/ Institutional Savings Accounts are tailor-made to suit the specific needs of institutions such as NGOs, clubs, associations, educational institutes, hospitals and other Trusts.

What is the difference between a trust account and a checking account?

The main difference between a trust account and a regular bank account is that with a trust account, owners provide instructions on how funds should be used, while with regular accounts they make decisions on how to use their money themselves.

What bank does trust use?

What is Trust? Trust Bank (known as Trust) is a digitally-native bank, backed by a unique partnership between Standard Chartered Bank and FairPrice Group.

Does a trust need a special bank account?

When the trust is finalised, the trustees set up a separate joint bank account to hold the funds. That account must hold only compensation from the personal injury action and any income received on that money. If you intend some expenditure, the first account for the trust should be a current account.

What is the biggest mistake parents make when setting up a trust fund?

Selecting the wrong trustee is easily the biggest blunder parents can make when setting up a trust fund. As estate planning attorneys, we've seen first-hand how this critical error undermines so many parents' good intentions.

What accounts should not be in a trust?

There are a variety of assets that you cannot or should not place in a living trust. These include: Retirement accounts. Accounts such as a 401(k), IRA, 403(b) and certain qualified annuities should not be transferred into your living trust.

How to set up a trust checking account?

Visit the Bank: Go to the bank branch or website to initiate the account opening process. Provide Documentation: Submit the required documents to the bank representative. Complete the Application: Fill out the account application form, providing details about the trust and the trustee.

Why not put checking account in trust?

Not all bank accounts are suitable for a Living Trust. If you need regular access to an account, you may want to keep it in your name rather than the name of your Trust. Or, you may have a low-value account that won't benefit from being put in a Trust.

Who controls the bank account of a trust?

Trust accounts are managed by a trustee on behalf of a third party. Parents often open trust accounts for minor children. An account in trust can include cash, stocks, bonds, and other types of assets.

What are the disadvantages of a trust account?

What Are the Disadvantages of a Trust in California? Trusts are costly to create. Creating a trust without an attorney may be less expensive, but doing so leaves the trust much more vulnerable to trust contests and other legal litigation. It is also more time-consuming to properly set up a trust than to create a will.

What happens to a trust bank account when someone dies?

Bank Accounts Held in Trust

After your death, when the person you chose to be your successor trustee takes over, the funds will be transferred to the beneficiary you named in your trust document. No probate will be necessary. To transfer the account to your trust, tell the bank what you want to do.

Why have banks stopped doing trust accounts?

Why have banks stopped doing trust accounts? A lot of banks have discontinued their trust services because of the expertise and time required to offer trusts. Not all banks are equipped to advise clients on the complexities of opening and providing ongoing management for a trust.

Should I open a bank account in the name of my trust?

Conclusion. Opening a bank account in the name of a trust is a crucial step in administering and managing the trust's assets.

Which bank is best for trust?

We've rounded up five of the best banks for trust accounts below to help you as you narrow your search.
  • What is a trust account?
  • Best banks for trust accounts.
  • Compare the best bank accounts for trusts.
  • Ally Bank.
  • Fidelity.
  • Synchrony Bank.
  • Alliant Credit Union.
  • Charles Schwab.

Can a trust account have a debit card?

You could have a debit card linked to a trust account. I would not suggest giving such a card to a beneficiary, other than a beneficiary who is also the grantor/trustee. There could be all sorts of problems with doing so, such as that the trustee is breaching their fiduciary duty by doing so.

Can I open a trust bank account without an EIN?

Whether a trust needs a tax ID number depends on the type of trust. A trust account that is “revocable” is still an account that can be controlled by the original grantor of the trust. Consequently, it's going to be filed under the grantor's own social security number or individual taxpayer identification number.

What happens to a revocable trust when the grantor dies?

Upon the death of the grantor, grantor trust status terminates, and all pre-death trust activity must be reported on the grantor's final income tax return. As mentioned earlier, the once-revocable grantor trust will now be considered a separate taxpayer, with its own income tax reporting responsibility.

How much does an EIN cost?

Applying for an EIN for your California LLC is completely free. The IRS doesn't charge any service fees for the EIN online application.