East West Bank Review: Global Banking With Local Reach
Written by
Daria Uhlig
Edited by
Melanie Grafil, M.A., CHFCâ„¢
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Checking and Savings Accounts for Every Life Stage
East West Bank offers checking and savings accounts for students, seniors and everyone in between. Excellent online and mobile banking platforms make managing accounts easy, but you can also bank in person at over 100 locations stateside, or in Hong Kong or Shantou or Shenzhen, China. East West Bank is one of a handful of U.S. banks fully licensed in China, which makes it an excellent choice for expats and frequent travelers.
East West Bank was founded over 50 years ago to serve the immigrant Chinese-American community. Today, it’s a full-service commercial bank operating in eight U.S. states and in China and Hong Kong. The bank offers an expansive selection of checking, savings and CD accounts, plus robust digital tools, including a mobile app that placed as a finalist in GOBankingRates’ Best Mobile Banking Apps 2026 rankings.
East West Bank Checking Accounts
No matter what your life stage or financial situation, East West Bank has a checking account to meet your needs. Minimum balances and fees are on the high side, though, and you’ll have to call the bank to find out the rates for interest-bearing accounts.
- Value Checking balances don’t earn interest, but you only need $100 to open this basic checking account. Your first two out-of-network ATM withdrawals incur no East West ATM fees.
- The interest-bearing Premier Checking account allows unlimited checks and requires just $100 to open. A $2,500 average balance or $10,000 across qualifying East West accounts gets your $20 monthly fee waived.
- The Premier Maximizer Money Market Checking account earns higher interest than the bank’s other checking accounts, and allows you to write up to six checks per month. The minimum balance to avoid the $20 monthly fee is $2,500.
- Student Plus Checking, for university and vocational students ages 17 and up, has a low $100 minimum opening deposit, but offers unlimited check-writing and no monthly fee.
- Seniors ages 62 and up qualify for Senior Checking, a non-interest-bearing account with unlimited check-writing, a low $100 minimum opening deposit and no monthly fee.
- Customers in specific low- to moderate-income areas can qualify for a Community Checking account with special perks such as a $25 minimum opening deposit and the ability to receive one non-sufficient funds fee refund in the first year the account is open.
East West Bank Checking Accounts
Where It Stands Out
Global Banking
In-Person Banking
Full-Service Accounts
Mobile App
Low Minimums
Accounts Designed With You in Mind
East West Bank checking accounts appeal to a wide range of customers. Many have low opening balance requirements, and all come with a Visa Debit Card and access to feature-rich online and mobile platforms.
Fees
Up to $20 per month
APY
Call bank for current rates
Min Opening
$25 to $2,500
Pros
- Excellent choice of accounts
- Minimum opening balances as low as $100
- Special accounts for students, seniors and individuals who might not qualify for accounts at other banks
- Branches in the U.S., Hong Kong and China
- Fee-free access to Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs
Cons
- High minimum opening deposits with Premium Checking and Premier Maximizer Money Market Checking accounts
- Fees can be difficult to avoid
- Some accounts must be opened in person
- Must speak with a bank representative to get rates
Why We Like East West Bank
Speciality checking accounts make banking easier and more cost-effective for students and seniors, but East West Bank has accounts suitable for anyone looking for an efficient and convenient way to manage their cash.
Show Pros, Cons and More
Hide Pros, Cons and More
East West Bank Savings Accounts
East West Bank offers three savings accounts, each of which corresponds to one of the checking accounts listed above. All have low, $100 minimum opening deposits and allow unlimited deposits and teller withdrawals. Link your savings account to an East West Bank checking account for ATM access to your funds.
- Premier Savings is a standard savings account with a modest $5 monthly fee, waived when you maintain a $2,500 average balance or $10,000 across qualifying accounts.
- Student Plus Savings has no monthly fee with direct deposit or auto-transfer deposits.
- Senior Savings has no monthly maintenance fee.
East West Bank Savings Accounts
Where It Stands Out
Global Banking
In-Person Banking
Full-Service Accounts
Mobile App
Low Minimums
Grow Your Savings in a Low- or No-Fee Account
East West Bank offers three savings options that make it easy to open and maintain your account. Senior accounts have no monthly fee; fees for other accounts are low and easy to waive.
Fees
$3 to $5
APY
Call bank for current rates
Min Opening
$100
Pros
- No fees or easily avoidable fees with student and senior accounts
- Unlimited free deposits and teller withdrawals
- Low minimum opening balance
- Interest compounds daily
Cons
- High minimum balance to avoid fee on Premier Savings account
- No ATM card available without a linked checking account
Why We Like East West Bank
Low, $100 minimum opening balances make East West Bank’s savings accounts accessible to just about everyone. No fees for seniors accounts is a nice perk.
Show Pros, Cons and More
Hide Pros, Cons and More
East West Bank CD Accounts
Certificates of deposit let you invest in an FDIC-insured account at a fixed rate of interest, with no risk to your principal. In return for earning higher rates than you’ll typically get with a savings account, you agree to lock in your funds until the CD matures.
- East West Bank’s CDs are for checking or savings account holders only.
- Terms ranging from 32 days to five years are available.
- CD accounts have no fees, but you’ll need a $1,000 deposit to open one.
East West Bank CD Accounts
Where It Stands Out
Global Banking
In-Person Banking
Full-Service Accounts
Mobile App
Low Minimums
Lock in a Guaranteed Rate
East West Bank has several CD terms to choose from. Although you’ll need a checking or savings account to have one, and you might pay fees on that account, CD accounts are fee-free and FDIC-insured, and your returns are guaranteed.
Fees
None
APY
Call bank for current rates
Min Opening
$1,000
Pros
- No fees
- Several terms to choose from
Cons
- $1,000 minimum opening deposit
- Most have an East West Bank checking or savings account
Why We Like East West Bank
CDs are one of the safest investments you can have. Your account is FDIC-insured, and your rate is guaranteed for the full term of the CD.
Show Pros, Cons and More
Hide Pros, Cons and More
Banking Experience
Your experience with East West Bank is likely to be positive whether you bank in person or use online or mobile banking. Most of the relatively few customers who have reviewed the bank express appreciation for friendly, knowledgeable staff and the professional service they receive at branch locations.
Physical branches are located in major metropolitan areas. But even outside of those areas, you’ll have plenty of ATMs to choose from. In-network options include East West Bank-owned ATMs, as well as ATMs in the Allpoint and MoneyPass networks. That access, along with robust online banking tools and a mobile app rated 4.8 stars on the App Store and Google Play, makes East West Bank a solid choice for those who prefer digital banking.
Customers are also likely to be happy with East West Bank’s customer service. You can call with general questions during extended business hours Monday through Saturday, or chat with a representative online or via the mobile app. Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish support is available in the U.S. Mandarin and English support is available in China and Hong Kong.
East West Bank vs. Competitor Options
Find out how East West Bank compares to similar financial institutions.
SELECTED BANK
East West Bank Checking Accounts
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Up to $20 per month
$0 to $25 monthly — can be waived
$0 to $25
APY
APY
APY
Call bank for current rates
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$25 to $2,500
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
East West Bank Savings Accounts
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$3 to $5
$5 monthly
$0 to $4.99
APY
APY
APY
Call bank for current rates
–
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$100
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
East West Bank CD Accounts
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
None
Early withdrawal penalties may apply
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
Call bank for current rates
Up to
–
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$1,000
$500 to $5,000
$1,000- $25,000
East West Bank vs. Webster Bank
Connecticut-based Webster Bank is a full-service commercial bank with a comprehensive selection of checking and savings accounts. It doesn’t have special accounts for students and seniors, but its savings accounts are noteworthy for their ultra-low $25 minimum opening deposits and easy-to-waive fees.
East West Bank vs. Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank offers a mobile app that’s about equal to East West Bank’s, and it has a better selection of CDs. But East West Bank has more checking and savings options.
East West Bank vs. Citizens Bank
If you’re looking to avoid fees, Citizens Bank might be the better choice. Its basic, One Deposit accounts require just one deposit per statement period, per account, to have the fees waived.
Final Take
East West Bank’s many checking and savings options, and its outstanding mobile app and ATM network, make it a solid choice for anyone who lives in the metro areas the bank serves. It’s especially well suited for people who have ties to Hong Kong or China and need to bank across borders. Keeping account balances above the minimums offsets the East West Bank’s primary weakness, which is its fees.
East West Bank FAQ
Learn more about East West Bank with these frequently asked questions.- What digital banking features does East West Bank provide?
- In addition to account management and bill pay, East West Bank digital banking allows Zelle, bank-to-bank and Alipay money transfers.
- Are there minimum balance requirements for East West Bank's accounts?
- In most cases, yes. The exceptions are student, senior and Community Checking accounts.
- Does East West Bank charge monthly maintenance fees on its accounts?
- Yes, with the exception of student, senior and Community Checking accounts. In most cases, fees are waivable.
- Does East West Bank offer nationwide access to ATMs?
- Yes. Customers can use Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs, in addition to ATMs owned by East West Bank.
- Does East West Bank offer promotions?
- East West Bank might offer promotions on occasion, but there are no East West Bank bonus offers available as of this writing.
Data is accurate as of Dec. 30, 2025, and is subject to change.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
