What Are the Requirements to Open an East West Bank Business Account?« Back to Previous Page

Opening an East West Bank business account generally requires both company documents and identity verification for the business owners or authorized signers. The exact requirements may vary depending on your business structure, ownership, and risk profile, but most applicants should prepare the following.

1. Business Formation Documents

You’ll typically need documents proving that your business is legally registered, such as:

• Articles of Organization (LLC)
• Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
• Certificate of Formation or Incorporation
• Operating Agreement (for LLCs, if requested)
• Corporate Bylaws (for corporations, if requested)

These documents help verify the legal existence of your business.

2. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Most US business accounts require an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS.

The EIN is used to identify your business for tax and banking purposes.

3. Personal Identification

Each beneficial owner, authorized signer, or person with control of the business is generally required to provide government-issued identification, such as:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• State-issued ID

Banks are also required to verify the identity of beneficial owners under US Customer Identification Program (CIP) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

4. Business Information

East West Bank may ask for additional information about your company, including:

• Business address
• Industry and business activities
• Expected monthly transaction volume
• Source of funds
• Company website
• Major customers or suppliers

Providing complete and accurate information can help speed up the review process.

5. Compliance Review

Opening an East West Bank business account is subject to the bank’s internal compliance and risk review.

Depending on your business model, the bank may request additional documents, such as:

• Business contracts or invoices
• Proof of business operations
• Ownership information
• Beneficial ownership declarations
• Financial statements (for established businesses)

Submitting all requested documents does not guarantee approval, as each application is reviewed individually.

Can Foreign Owners Open an East West Bank Business Account?

Yes. Foreign-owned US companies may be eligible to open an East West Bank business account, provided they satisfy the bank’s identification and compliance requirements. Additional documentation may be requested depending on the company’s ownership structure, business activities, and country of residence. Approval is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Bottom Line

To open an East West Bank business account, you’ll typically need:

• Business formation documents
• An EIN
• Valid identification for owners and signers
• Business information and operating details
• Any additional documents requested during the bank’s compliance review

Meeting these requirements improves your application, but the final approval depends on East West Bank’s internal compliance policies and risk assessment.