How to manage a Suncorp Bank account when someone passes away
How to manage a Suncorp Bank account when someone passes away
Helping you during a difficult time
The loss of a family member or friend can be an incredibly difficult time and dealing with their finances may be the furthest thing from your mind. We’re here to help make it as simple as possible.
On this page you’ll find a brief overview of what you may expect from us when managing the banking affairs of someone that has recently passed. For more detailed information, and to understand what steps you may need to take, please refer to our Loss of a Loved One Guide (PDF, 182KB).
You can notify multiple organisations at the same time through the Government’s Australian Death Notification Service. Note: An official Death Certificate must be issued to use this service.
What does deceased estate mean?
An estate comprises of all the assets and liabilities that belong to the deceased. We’ll help you with any bank accounts, mortgages and other debts that the deceased holds with Suncorp Bank.
Each estate is different. Some estates will take a short amount of time to finalise, others will be more complicated and may take longer. For further information on joint accounts, credit cards, loans etc, please refer to our Loss of a Loved One Guide.
Once we receive all required documentation, and upon the instructions of the Executors, Administrators and/or Next of Kin, we’ll close all personal accounts held in the sole name of the deceased and release the funds within 14 days.
Changes to Cheque Deposits
From 14 February 2025, our Terms and Conditions and Product Information Documents will be updated with the removal of cheque deposit functionality. These changes apply to all cheque deposits made to all Suncorp Bank accounts at Suncorp Bank branches and agencies, any Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), Bank@Post outlets and any other bank. Learn more about this change.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need more support, our Loss of a Loved One Guide (PDF, 182KB) details the process and documentation you’ll need.
Please note that the below information is of a general nature only and not to be taken as legal advice. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice for your specific circumstances.
Once we’ve placed a hold on the deceased’s account(s) you’ll only be able to make withdrawals for funeral expenses (including headstones) and approved debts. These may include:
- Hospital or medical expenses accrued up to 6 months prior to the deceased’s passing
- Outstanding debts owed to Federal, State, Local Government, Semi- Government and Public utilities (e.g. telephone, electricity, rates, taxes, return of overpaid Centrelink & Veteran’s Affairs Pensions) accrued before the deceased’s passing
- Rates and Insurance premiums in the deceased’s name
- Partially paid shares
- Suncorp Bank Debts (e.g. Credit Cards, PayLater & Lending)
- Any fees for Probate costs when presented as an itemised invoice on a company letterhead. Unfortunately, we can’t pay for any legal fees incurred during this process
In some instances we will require written authorisation from the executor to pay these debts.
If the deceased’s Credit Card or Home Loan was jointly linked with you, the responsibility for that debt passes on to you.
If the Credit Card or Home Loan was held in their name solely, the person authorised to act on behalf of the estate will need to contact us to help with next steps.
All outstanding loan repayments must continue until the loan is repaid. We recommend that you seek legal guidance before you consider making any voluntary repayments while the estate is being finalised.
Should you have any concerns about meeting repayments we can provide financial assistance. Find out more about how to submit a request for assistance.
As the loan will not cease upon death, it may need to be refinanced. To discuss your options and for more information, please contact Customer Support.
For more information about the steps you need to take, we have prepared this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the first steps after you lose someone close.
It depends on the type of account. For information about the process for specific account types please refer to our Guide to Managing a Deceased Estate (PDF, 182KB).
If a child is 11 or under and a Custodian/Adult on the account passes away, the funds will not form part of the estate and will be held in the child’s account. A hold will be placed on the account to limit access until the Custodian/Adult is replaced on the account. If the child is 12 or over, the deceased custodian/adult will be removed from the account and the child will become the primary account holder. Personal Term Deposits must continue to be held by at least one customer over the age of 18.
For more information about the steps you need to take, we have prepared this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the first steps after you lose someone close.
No debits will be permitted once a hold has been placed on the account. We will provide you with a list of all recurring payments and direct debits for each deposit account(s). This list will be provided to the authorised person for the Estate. We will assist you with handling any direct debits on the account, but you can also contact the merchant. For any recurring payments the authorised party will need to contact the providers to make alternative arrangements (this includes cancelling the authority on any regular debit transactions).
We’ll inform National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) on your behalf. NAB will then contact you directly if you’re the authorised party and advise on what the next steps are for any debt attributed to the account(s).
Home Loan, Personal and Business Banking products are issued by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL No 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882) to approved applicants only. Eligibility criteria, conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on request. Please read the relevant Product Information Document and terms and conditions before making any decisions about whether to acquire a product.
^ We require you to complete the email consent section on the Deceased Notification Form (PDF, 64KB) before we can send you any information and/or documentation electronically.
This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it. Read the disclosure documents for the relevant selected product, including the Terms and Conditions or Product Information Document, before deciding or opening any account with Suncorp Bank. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply and are available on request.
National Australia Bank Limited (ABN 12 004 044 937, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 230686) (“NAB”) is the credit provider and issuer of Suncorp Bank Clear Options Credit Cards. Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL No 229882) promotes and distributes Suncorp Bank Clear Options Credit Cards on NAB's behalf under an agreement with NAB. NAB has acquired the business relating to this credit from Citigroup Pty Ltd (ABN 88 004 325 080, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 238098) (“Citi”) and has appointed Citi to assist to administer the Credit Cards. Suncorp Bank will not guarantee or otherwise support NAB's obligations under the contracts or agreements connected with the Credit Cards (other than those relating to Internet Banking and Telephone Banking).
If you have a complaint, compliment or suggestion, please get in touch by contacting the team on (07) 3135 3525 or through our Customer Relations team Customer Relations & Complaints | Suncorp Bank.
