Trust accounts
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Open
Application and account options
Account application
Use this application to open a trust account. Include the supporting documentation requested on the application.
Complete the Application for Entities.Account options
Log in to the client's account to add account options like automatic investment, exchange or rebalance plans, as well as to change dividend and capital gains payment options. Use the Mutual Fund Account Options form when adding other options, such as wire transfers, check writing or withdrawals via Automated Clearing House (ACH).
Log in to Client Accounts.Transfers and registration updates
Open a trust account with funds from another institution
Use this form, along with the application and supporting documentation, to move non-retirement/nonqualified assets to American Funds via check or in-kind transfer. This form should be submitted directly to the resigning institution.
Complete the Request to Move Non-retirement/Nonqualified Assets.Re-register an individual or joint account to a new trust account
Use this form, along with the application and supporting documentation, to change an existing account’s registration to a new trust account. A signature guarantee may be required.
Complete the Transfer/Registration Change Request..png/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.png?ch_ck=1631577223000)
For information on cost basis and how transfers affect your client’s taxes, visit Trust account tax information.
Common questions
Complete the Application for Entities and include one of the following documents to verify the legal existence of the trust:
- A copy of the trust title page, trustee assignment page and signature page
- Certificate of Incumbency
- Certification of Trust by Trustee (if the state allows the form)
In addition, the Entity Beneficial Owners form is required when an entity is acting as the trustee.If the account is an individual trust and the trustor/grantor is living, the trust account can be aggregated with:
- Any accounts established by the trustor/grantor and/or the trustor/grantor’s spouse or equivalent, if recognized under local law
- Accounts for minor children
- ABLEAmerica® accounts for disabled adult children
Other guidelines apply for testamentary trusts, charitable remainder trusts or in cases where the trustor/grantor is deceased.Note: The trustee of a trust can be different than the trustor.
Visit Share classes and breakpoints for additional information on reducing the sales charge. Some exclusions may apply. Refer to a prospectus for full details about the American Funds aggregation policy.
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Update
Update client’s personal information
Update trustee’s name
Complete this form and submit it with supporting documentation. See the form for requirements.
Complete the Name Change Request.Update trustee’s address
Update the address via the client’s online account. Use the options on the right side of the page.
Note: There is a 10-calendar-day wait to process a withdrawal to the new address unless the request is submitted in writing with a signature guarantee.
Log in to Client Accounts.
Update trustee’s contact information
A trustee’s email address and/or phone number can be updated on DST Vision or by contacting us.
Log in to DST Vision.If your client has experienced a major life event, visit Life events for checklists to assist with account updates they may need to consider.
Add/update trustee bank accounts
Link a bank account to buy shares
Add/update the bank information via the client’s online account. Use the options on the right side of the page.
Log in to Client Accounts.Link a bank account to sell shares
Use this form.
Note: Unless the form is signature guaranteed, there is a 10-calendar-day wait to process a withdrawal to the new bank account.
Complete the Add/Update Bank Information form.
Review eligibility, restrictions, requirements and more in Managing client banking information.
Modify account options
Manage dividend and capital gains distributions
Options to modify dividends and capital gains payments or to cross-reinvest can be updated online in the client’s account under Profile & Settings.
Log in to Client Accounts.Change the cost basis method
Log in to the client′s account and click Profile & Settings to change the cost basis method for covered shares.
Log in to Client Accounts.
Order checks
Order additional checks online for clients who have the check-writing option on their account. Locate their account and click Profile & Settings. Under Other, next to Money Market Checks, click Order.
Log in to Client Accounts.Update check signers
Use this form to update the authorized signers for the check-writing option. A signature guarantee is required.
Complete the Signature Card Update form.Common questions
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Transact
Investments
Make a one-time investment online
Access the client’s account online and click Buy. Be sure to have the client’s bank account information on hand if it’s not already on file.
Log in to Client Accounts.Make a one-time investment via check
Checks should be made payable to American Funds Service Company and should include the account number and investment instructions. Mail the check to the service center near you.
Find a service center.
Set up automatic investments
Access the client’s account online and click Automatic Transactions to add or update an automatic investment plan.
Log in to Client Accounts.Visit Trust account investments for additional details about investment options, maximums, restrictions and more.
Withdrawals
Take a one-time withdrawal
Funds can be sent via check or by Automated Clearing House (ACH) if the client’s bank account is already linked. Access the client’s account online and click Sell.
Log in to Client Accounts.Set up automatic withdrawals
Funds can be sent automatically by check or via ACH by setting up an automatic withdrawal plan.
Complete the Mutual Fund Account Options form.
Visit Trust account withdrawals for additional details about one-time withdrawals and setting up and managing automatic withdrawal plans.
Exchanges and rebalances
Complete a one-time exchange or rebalance
A one-time exchange or rebalance can be processed by logging in to Client Accounts and selecting either Exchange or Rebalance.
Log in to Client Accounts.Set up an automatic exchange or rebalance plan
Access the client’s account online and click Automatic Transactions to add or update an automatic exchange or rebalance plan.
Log in to Client Accounts.
Visit Trust account exchanges and rebalances for additional details about one-time and automatic exchanges and rebalances.
Common questions
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Contact us
Have questions or need additional support?
Contact us 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
For financial professionals only. Not for use with the public.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
The guidelines and procedures provided in the Account Resource Center may not apply to networked accounts or accounts not directly held by American Funds. The guidelines and procedures provided also apply only to those retirement accounts or Coverdell ESAs invested in American Funds with Capital Bank and Trust Company (CB&T) as custodian. The guidelines and procedures provided in the Account Resource Center do not apply to plans held in our retirement plan solutions — PlanPremier, PlanPremier-TPA or RecordkeeperDirect. Information on the Account Resource Center may change periodically, and previously printed information may not be current. Please refer to capitalgroup.com for the most current information available.
Financial professionals should always contact their back office to determine if there are any restrictions on the use of American Funds products, tools, services, websites and literature.