Need input. Elderly parents found a "Time Savings Certificate" [View All]

[glinda]

in their mountain of paper. I have been attempting to help sort out their finances since they are too old (and below poverty level) and can no longer deal with all of this.
The bank is no longer in existence but after three days searching, I located the Bank that bought up their old bank. Located a person at the Bank that I spoke with. Was able to verify that that social security number on the certificate was listed on her records. (they said they moved their money but maybe not this money????) Don't know what that means exactly. But told her I wanted to save them time and energy because of their age and I wondered if that meant they had money there. She said she could not answer that but wanted them to call her direct line. She sounded happy. (????)
Firstly, it says they made a deposit of a certain amount back in 78 at a rate of 7.250. It also says it cannot be cashed for four years. It is not cashed nor stamped nor signed on the back at all so appears to be something that never was dealt with? I mean.... if not signed or anything... isn't it basically something that might have grown? It is compounded and quarterly "checked" on the certificate also.
I do not know how my parents could have forgotten this as they do not remember making such a deposit but that is what it appears to be. And unsigned/ un-cashed. They had closed their account years ago but yet the Bank that bought up their old Bank has something listed under my mom's number.
What do I need to know about this stuffs as they are calling the Bank Monday to ask about it. I am financially ignorant in regards to such matters.
Guess I should be getting power of attorney soon also, huh?