How to apply for East West Bank

Discover the unique benefits presented by the different checking account choices offered by East West Bank—you have a total of eight options to explore!

Opening an East West Bank Account: A Unique Banking Experience

Established in 1973, East West Bank was initially created to cater to the needs of the immigrant Chinese-American community in Los Angeles, operating as a federally chartered savings institution.

Today, East West Bank has expanded and is now headquartered in Pasadena, California, with over 120 locations in both the United States and Asia.

The bank has a distinct focus on the US and China markets, uniquely positioned as one of the few US banks holding a full banking license in China. With decades of cross-border banking experience, East West Bank offers unparalleled expertise in serving customers with international banking needs.

East West Bank prides itself on its broad traditional customer base, which includes over 550,000 deposit accounts distributed geographically and diversified across various industries and depositor types.

When it comes to checking accounts, East West Bank goes above and beyond with a remarkable selection of eight different options. Whether you’re looking for simplicity or a more robust banking experience, you’ll find the perfect account to meet your current and future financial needs.

All East West Bank checking accounts come with a comprehensive set of features:

  • Mobile and Online banking.
  • Online bill payment*
  • Direct deposit.
  • Visa® Debit Card.
  • Overdraft protection.
  • 24-Hour automated telephone banking -800-809-6761.

Requirements for Opening an East West Bank Account

While the specific requirements for opening an account at East West Bank may differ depending on the account type, here are the general prerequisites:

  1. Personal Information: Provide essential personal details, including your name, address, date of birth, and other identifying information.4
  2. Identification Document: Present a valid and current identification document with a photo and signature. Accepted forms of identification may include a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued ID.
  3. Additional Documents Required for:
    • Minors: Submit an original and clear copy of the NSO Birth Certificate. If a guardian or administrator is involved, provide the original and clear copy of the Court Order appointing them.
    • Tax-Exempt Individuals: Include a notarized Tax Exemption Affidavit executed by the applicant/depositor along with a Certification of Tax Exemption issued by the Revenue District Office (RDO).
    • Non-Resident Individuals and OFWs: Submit a passport along with the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) or Immigrant Certificate of Registration (ICR) for non-citizens of the Philippines. Philippine citizens working abroad must provide a Contract of Employment.

How to Get Started with East West Bank

If you’re a new deposit customer, here’s a simple guide to getting started with East West Bank:

  1. Visit the bank’s website and download the account opening form.
  2. Fill out the form completely.
  3. Email the completed form and necessary requirements.
  4. Upon receiving email confirmation, visit your preferred store to claim your EastWest Visa Debit Card and/or passbook.

East West Bank provides excellent customer support through various channels, including telephone banking, online banking, and chat support. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin to accommodate diverse customer needs and preferences.

Explore City National Bank for Your Banking Needs

City National Bank, with its rich 60-year legacy, remains committed to offering innovative and exceptional financial solutions as a trusted institution.

City National Bank presents three checking account options. While we encourage you to explore all of them, let’s take a closer look at the Premium Checking Account:

The Premium Checking Account is an interest-bearing account that comes bundled with up to three additional accounts and other valuable services.

For this account, the monthly maintenance fee is $35. However, you can enjoy a waiver of the fee by maintaining combined qualifying balances of $50,000 or more. Additionally, there are no monthly maintenance fees for up to three supplementary checking or savings accounts, and the interest rates increase as your balances grow. As an added benefit, City National Bank offers a waiver of the first year’s annual fee on a new Personal Line of Credit.

Claire Harrison
Written by

Claire Harrison