Country：美国（特拉华） · Banking & Funds
United States (Delaware) · Banking & Funds
The U.S. banking system is mature but KYC/AML is extremely strict; Chinese-background companies need an EIN, business proof, and UBO traceability to open accounts. Options include local banks, international banks, or Chinese-bank New York branches. Cross-border fund flows are free but subject to reporting.
Key points
- Account opening requirements: EIN, incorporation documents, business plan, UBO, director IDs
- Mainstream: large banks (JPM, BoA, Citi), regional banks, Chinese-bank New York branches
- Chinese background: stricter compliance review; some banks reject high-risk industries
- Free funds: no foreign exchange controls, but large cross-border amounts require FinCEN reporting (e.g., FBAR/8938)
Procedure
- Obtain EIN
- Prepare KYC (contracts, source of funds, UBO)
- Book account opening (some require director in person or video)
- Get approved and activate multi-currency account
Hard requirements
- EIN; substantive business; UBO traceability
Costs
Account fee / minimum balance vary by bank⏱ ⏱ Timeline：2–6 weeks (longer for Chinese background)⚠ Common risks
- Account rejected due to Chinese background
- Unfiled cross-border account (FBAR) penalty
- Anti-money-laundering investigation
Handbook
📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)
Applies to：Opening a U.S. bank account and managing cross-border funds for a Delaware-incorporated, Chinese-background company. The U.S. has no foreign exchange controls, but KYC/AML is extremely strict and Chinese-background review is tighter.
Prerequisites
- Delaware entity incorporated and EIN obtained
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) information traceable to natural persons
- Substantive business materials (contracts, business plan, source of funds) available
- Multi-currency account and cross-border reporting obligations planned
| Step | Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | Official form / system | Notes & penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain EIN Prerequisite for account opening is EIN (see incorporation dimension); Chinese-background entities keep a fax channel (Form SS-4 fax ~4 weeks). | Finance + tax agent | Instant / 4 weeks | Free | IRS Form SS-4 | No EIN, no account. Penalty：None |
| 2 | Prepare KYC materials Organize incorporation documents, EIN, business plan, source of funds, UBO and director IDs; some banks require director in person or video attestation. | Company + bank compliance | 1–2 weeks prep | Internal cost | KYC questionnaire + UBO declaration | Some banks reject high-risk industries for Chinese-background entities. Penalty：False materials → account rejection |
| 3 | Choose bank and book opening Choose large banks (JPM / BoA / Citi), regional banks, or Chinese-bank New York branches; book opening, open multi-currency account as needed. | Finance + bank | 2–6 weeks (may be longer for Chinese background) | Account fee / minimum balance by bank | Account opening application | Compare China-friendly stance and DD intensity first. Penalty：Rejected → switch bank and restart |
| 4 | Activation and cross-border reporting Account approved and activated; large cross-border funds require FinCEN reporting (e.g., FBAR / 8938 for U.S. persons / entities in specific cases); Chinese parent side also requires ODI filing. | Finance + compliance | Ongoing | Reporting cost | FinCEN filing + domestic ODI | No foreign exchange controls, but anti-money-laundering reporting is strict. Penalty：Unfiled cross-border account (FBAR) → high penalty |
| 5 | Account maintenance and AML Maintain minimum balance, respond promptly to bank DD updates; proactively disclose business changes to avoid investigation/freeze. | Finance | Ongoing | Account fee | KYC annual review | Long-dormant or suspicious flows easily trigger investigation. Penalty：AML investigation → freeze / account closure |
✅ Self-check list
⚠ Common pitfalls
Account rejected due to Chinese background影响：Account opening fails, operations stall.规避：Prefer Chinese-bank New York branches or SME/China-friendly institutions; prepare complete substantive business materials.
Unfiled cross-border account影响：FBAR etc. unfiled → high penalty.规避：Identify the applicable filer (U.S. citizen / U.S. tax resident / specific entity) and file on time.
Anti-money-laundering investigation影响：Account frozen, funds unavailable.规避：Maintain genuine business flows, respond to bank DD promptly, avoid long-dormant accounts.
UBO not traceable影响：KYC failure → rejection.规避：Accurately trace beneficial owner to natural persons, with board structure explanation.
Chinese-controlled remote U.S. corporate account rejected by multiple banks, no USD channel影响：Cannot receive USD, delays business launch规避：Prefer banks with Chinese-language service (East West / Cathay, etc.) or open a cross-border payment account first; prepare EIN / contracts / ultimate beneficial owner documents
📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations
- Maintain minimum balance and account activity
- KYC / UBO information annual update
- Cross-border funds FinCEN reporting (if applicable)
- Domestic ODI profit repatriation filing
- Proactively disclose business changes
🔗 Official portals
📎 Source：https://www.federalreserve.gov ; https://www.occ.treas.gov
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