East West Bank

The available balance excludes money currently on hold and changes as transactions post. Use that figure when planning a payment, even if a deposit already appears in recent activity. Online Bill Pay supports one-off and recurring instructions; mobile banking adds check deposits and chat with customer service.

Two account choices with different entry rules

Value Checking opens with $100 and normally costs $12 monthly. The charge is waived with a $1,500 monthly average balance or a $5,000 prior-month-end combined average balance in qualifying consumer deposits. New York residents opening Value Checking at a New York branch receive a $25 opening requirement and a monthly-fee waiver.

Community Checking opens with $25 and has no monthly maintenance fee. It is for residents of areas officially classified as low or moderate income. Every account owner must qualify, and each person can hold only one Community Checking account.

Both provide free withdrawals at East West Bank, Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs. The bank also waives its fee for the first two other ATM withdrawals per statement cycle; later withdrawals cost $1 each, and an outside operator may charge separately. Mailing a debit card outside the US costs $20.

Opening and digital access

An app application is subject to review, with account availability depending on location and the mobile carrier’s country. Identity documents vary by country or region, and a current ID scan may be required. Existing account holders enroll in online banking before using mobile access.