Overview
East West Bank is a premier bank focused on the United States and Greater China markets, headquartered in California. It operates over 110 locations in the U.S., primarily in California, Texas, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Illinois, and Washington. When an account holder passes away, the estate representative must notify East West Bank to secure the assets and initiate the transfer process.
East West Bank does not maintain a public-facing "Estate Services" web portal. Instead, death notifications are handled through their general customer service line or local branches, which then route the case to their back-office legal or operations team.
This guide covers the step-by-step notification process, required documents, and realistic timelines for settling accounts at East West Bank.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Laws and institutional procedures change — verify current requirements directly with East West Bank and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Notify East West Bank of a Death
Step 1: Gather Initial Information
Before contacting East West Bank, have the following ready:
- Decedent's full legal name and date of birth
- Date of death
- Social Security number
- Account numbers (checking, savings, CDs, loans)
- Your name and relationship to the decedent
- A certified copy of the death certificate
Step 2: Call Customer Service or Visit a Branch
Since East West Bank does not have a direct public estate line, you should start by calling their general customer service or visiting a local branch.
- Phone: (888) 895-5650
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 6 AM – 7 PM PT; Sat, 9 AM – 5 PM PT
What to expect:
Inform the representative that you are reporting the death of an account holder. They will verify your identity and the decedent's information. If you are at a branch, bring the certified death certificate with you. If calling, they will provide instructions on where to mail or fax the death certificate.
Step 3: Account Freeze and Review
Once notified, East West Bank will:
- Place a deceased flag on the account(s), freezing all withdrawals, automatic payments, and online access.
- Review the account ownership structure (joint, individual, trust, or beneficiary).
- Advise you on the specific documents required to release funds based on the account type and state laws.
Step 4: Submit Required Documents
If you cannot visit a branch, you may be instructed to mail documents to their headquarters or a specific operations center. Unless given a specific case-reference address, use the corporate address:
Mail to:
East West Bank
Attn: Estate Services / Legal Dept
135 N. Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor
Pasadena, CA 91101
Note: Always send original certified documents via certified mail with return receipt.
Step 5: Receive Funds / Transfer Assets
Once all documents are approved, the bank will disburse funds. This is typically done via:
- Cashier's check made payable to the estate or beneficiary
- Transfer to an existing East West Bank account
- Wire transfer (fees may apply)
Required Documents
Documents East West Bank Requires
The exact documents depend on account type, account value, and whether the estate is going through probate.
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Original certified copy (not a photocopy) |
| Government-issued photo ID | Of the person claiming the account (Driver's License, Passport) |
| East West Bank Affidavit of Domicile | May be required for accounts over a certain value (ask the representative) |
If There Is a Will (Testate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters Testamentary | Issued by the probate court — must be certified and dated within 60 days |
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | For the estate, if opening an estate account |
If There Is No Will (Intestate Estate)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Letters of Administration | Issued by the probate court appointing the Administrator |
| EIN | For the estate |
Small Estate (Below Probate Threshold)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit | State-specific form (e.g., California Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property) |
Beneficiary / POD / TOD Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Usually the only document needed |
| Beneficiary's ID | Valid government-issued photo ID |
Trust Accounts
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Trust Certification | Confirming the successor trustee's authority |
| Successor Trustee ID | Government-issued photo ID |
| Certified death certificate | Of the deceased trustee |
Account Types
How East West Bank Handles Different Account Types
Joint Accounts (JTWROS)
For accounts held as "Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship," the surviving owner typically needs only to present a certified death certificate to remove the decedent's name. The account remains open and accessible to the survivor.
Timeline: 1–5 business days
POD (Payable on Death) / TOD (Transfer on Death) Beneficiary Accounts
Named beneficiaries can claim funds directly by providing a death certificate and ID. These assets bypass probate.
Timeline: 5–10 business days
Trust Accounts
If the account is titled in a Living Trust, the successor trustee named in the trust document takes control. They must provide a Trust Certification and the death certificate.
Timeline: 7–14 business days
Individual Accounts (Probate Required)
Accounts solely in the decedent's name without a beneficiary must go through probate. The executor or administrator must present Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to access funds.
Timeline: 3–6+ months (depending on court process)
Small Estates
If the total value of the estate is below the state's probate threshold (e.g., $184,500 in California), you may use a Small Estate Affidavit instead of full probate.
Timeline: 2–4 weeks (varies by state waiting periods)
Credit Cards and Loans
Outstanding balances on credit cards or personal loans are generally the responsibility of the estate. East West Bank will freeze credit lines upon notification.
Timeline: Settled during estate administration
State Considerations
How Your State Affects the East West Bank Process
East West Bank operates primarily in California, Texas, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Illinois, and Washington. Probate laws vary significantly by state.
- California: The small estate threshold is currently $184,500. There is a 40-day waiting period after death before a Small Estate Affidavit can be used.
- Texas: Offers a "Small Estate Affidavit" for estates under $75,000 (excluding homestead).
- New York: "Voluntary Administration" is available for estates under $50,000.
Key State Variations
| State | Small Estate Threshold | Community Property? | Notable Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $184,500 | Yes | 40-day waiting period for affidavits |
| Texas | $75,000 | Yes | Excludes homestead and exempt property |
| New York | $50,000 | No | Voluntary Administration for small estates |
| Nevada | $25,000 (Set Aside) | Yes | Different tiers for summary administration |
For detailed probate requirements, see our state and county probate guides.
Timelines
How Long East West Bank Takes to Release Funds
| Account Type | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Joint account | 1–5 business days | Immediate access for survivor usually maintained |
| POD/TOD beneficiary | 5–10 business days | Verification of beneficiary ID and death cert |
| Trust account | 7–14 business days | Review of trust documents by legal dept |
| Small estate affidavit | 2–4 weeks | Legal review of affidavit + state waiting period |
| Probate (simple estate) | 3–6 months | Court issuance of Letters Testamentary |
| Probate (complex estate) | 6–12+ months | Tax clearance, creditor claims, or disputes |
Note: Timelines start once East West Bank receives all correct and valid documents.
Tips & Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Do Not Use Online Banking After Death
Logging in with the decedent's credentials after their death is a violation of the user agreement and can be flagged as fraud.
Automatic Payments Will Stop
Once the "deceased flag" is placed, all auto-drafts (utilities, mortgages, subscriptions) will be rejected. You must make alternative payment arrangements immediately.
FDIC Coverage Limits
For joint accounts, FDIC insurance coverage may decrease from $500,000 to $250,000 six months after the death of a co-owner.
Visit a Branch if Possible
Because East West Bank relies on branch networks for service, visiting in person with the death certificate is often faster than mailing documents to headquarters.
Keep the Case Reference Number
If you call customer service, ask for a case reference number or the name of the specific back-office agent handling the file to speed up follow-up calls.