EB-5 and Banking: How the Right Partner Can Make All the Difference

The EB-5 (Employment-Based, Fifth Preference) visa program is a U.S. Immigrant Investor initiative that offers foreign nationals a path to permanent residency by investing in a commercial enterprise that creates or maintains at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Established by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the economy, the EB-5 program allocates up to 10,000 visas annually and is overseen by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Investors, along with their spouses and unmarried children, may qualify for permanent residency by contributing to domestic, job creating projects, typically in rural or high-unemployment areas, without relying on taxpayer dollars.

How Investors and Projects Connect

EB-5 capital is raised through FINRA-regulated securities offerings in sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, and energy. Investor proceeds generally make up 10 to 30 percent of a project’s total capitalization. Most investors are introduced to these opportunities through international marketing events, migration agents, and U.S.-based broker-dealers. After evaluating available offerings, investors select projects that best align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.

The Bank’s Crucial Role

A trusted banking partner is essential to any EB-5 structure. Banks serve not only as escrow agents and depository institutions but also as compliance gatekeepers. At Customers Bank, our internal processes begin with a review of the project’s offering documents to confirm EB-5 statute compliance while minimizing risk. Each incoming investor is individually vetted to ensure adherence to OFAC regulations and to screen for negative news or potential concerns.

What Makes Customers Bank Different

Only a limited number of U.S. banks actively serve the EB-5 space due to the program’s complexity. Customers Bank stands out by dedicating a specialized EB-5 team that stays current with USCIS updates and program changes. Our commitment to compliance and due diligence is central to our approach. We carefully select projects based on developer expertise and overall investment quality, evaluating each one with the same critical eye an investor would use.

Our onboarding process is thorough, involving collaboration between EB-5 bankers, external counsel, and our internal Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) team. We vet not only the project and its affiliates but also each investor and transaction, ensuring full documentation and transparency. This disciplined, high-touch approach minimizes risk while delivering an exceptional level of service.

Customers Bank is also proud to be part of the Leadership Circle of Invest in the USA (IIUSA), the EB-5 trade association that works closely with Congress and program stakeholders. Thanks to our rigorous standards and deep industry knowledge, we were the most active bank in the EB-5 industry in 2024, supporting over 30 percent of all EB-5 investors. We are on track for even greater success in 2025.

Customers Bank does not offer investment advice or sell EB-5 securities. This content is informational only.