When the will makes you the executor can the bank change that designation?

My father passed away leaving a valid will which made me executor of his estate. I went to the bank to close out his accounts and the bank chose to split the money evenly among those listed in the will. As executor I have incurred expenses, like the funeral, and various other final medical expenses and it was expected of me to pay that money and honor my fathers estate. The bank deciding to overlook my clear status as executor puts me in the awkward position of asking family to pay me for valid expenses. Was what the bank did legal? Can they overlook a named executor and decide to disburse money as they see fit?