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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-10-033698.txt : 20100614
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-10-033698.hdr.sgml : 20100614
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100614152317
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-10-033698
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100611
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100614
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100614

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EAST WEST BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001069157
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				954703316
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24939
		FILM NUMBER:		10894721

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. 7TH FLOOR
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6267686000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		EAST WEST BANCORP INC
		STREET 2:		135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. 7TH FLOOR
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91101
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a10-11963_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>

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<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Current Report</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">June&nbsp;11, 2010</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EAST WEST BANCORP,&nbsp;INC.</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Commission file number&nbsp;<b>000-24939</b></font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">   <tr>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>    </td>    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">95-4703316</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .000
1pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other jurisdiction of</font></p>    </td>    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(I.R.S. Employer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">incorporation or organization)</font></p>    </td>    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New
 Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">135 N Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, California 91101</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(626) 768-6000</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2.):</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR230.425)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.14a-12)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.13e-(c))</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Purchase and Assumption Agreement</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On June&nbsp;11, 2010, East West Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. issued a press release announcing that its wholly-owned subsidiary, East West Bank (the &#147;Bank&#148;) acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed substantially all of the liabilities of Washington First International Bank, a Washington state-chartered bank based in the Seattle, Washington area, in a transaction with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver of Washington First International Bank (&#147;the Acquisition&#148;). A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Acquisition was made pursuant to the terms of a purchase and assumption agreement entered into by the Bank and the FDIC on June&nbsp;11, 2010. East&nbsp;West will receive approximately $504 million in assets, including $403 million in loans, and assume approximately $478 million in liabilities, including $415 million in deposits. These foregoing amounts represent Washington First International Bank&#146;s book value for these assets and liabilities and do not necessarily reflect fair value. These amounts are estimates and, accordingly, are subject to adjustment based upon final settlement with the FDIC. The Bank agreed to purchase substantially all of the assets at a discount of 15.9% and paid the FDIC a 0.50% deposit premium.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In connection with the Acquisition, the Bank entered into a loss-sharing arrangement with the FDIC that covers approximately $403 million in loans and $24 million in real estate owned. Pursuant to the terms of the loss-sharing arrangement, the FDIC is obligated to reimburse the Bank for 80% of all eligible losses on covered assets. The loss-sharing agreement commences immediately and there is no first loss tranche for the Bank. The Bank has a corresponding obligation to reimburse the FDIC for 80% of all eligible recoveries on covered assets.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">East West currently estimates that the acquisition will result in an after-tax bargain purchase gain of approximately $10 million to $15 million. After the completion of integration, East West expects cost savings of 40% from the current operating expense levels at Washington First International Bank. Further, East West estimates that the accretion to earnings will be approximately $0.04 to $0.05 per share on an annual basis.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM&nbsp;2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information set forth under Item&nbsp;1.01 &#147;Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement&#148; is incorporated by reference into this Item&nbsp;2.01.</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_173440_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURE</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;June&nbsp;11, 2010</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">   <tr>    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">EAST   WEST BANCORP,&nbsp;INC.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr> 
   <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/   Irene H. Oh</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size
="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Irene   H. Oh</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Executive   Vice President and</font></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padd
ing:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief   Financial Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_173518_5335"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</font></b></p>
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<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">   <tr>    <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit<br>   Number</font></b></p>    </td>    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>    <td width="90%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>   <tr>    <td wid
th="6%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.66%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press   Release, dated&nbsp;June&nbsp;11, 2010, issued by East West   Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT&nbsp;99.1</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EAST WEST BANK ACQUIRES THE BANKING OPERATIONS</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON-BASED</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Transaction Protects All Washington First International Bank Deposits</font></i></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">PASADENA, Calif.&#151;(BUSINESS WIRE)&#151; East West Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. (Nasdaq:EWBC), parent company of East West Bank, announced today that it has acquired the banking operations of Seattle, Washington-based Washington First International Bank (WFIB) in a transaction with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Under the terms of the transaction, East&nbsp;West will receive approximately $504 million in assets, including $403 million in loans, and assume approximately $478 million in liabilities, including $415 million in deposits. The FDIC and East West have entered into a loss sharing agreement covering the acquired loans.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">East West Bank is the largest bank in the nation focused on serving the Asian American community and this strategically attractive transaction expands East West&#146;s operations in Washington&#146;s Puget Sound area. With today&#146;s transaction, East West adds four branches to its Seattle area branch presence for a combined total of 6 branches in the Puget Sound area. East West is now the largest Asian-American bank in Washington.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;The acquisition of Washington First International Bank reflects our commitment to the Asian-American community in the Seattle region,&#148; said Dominic Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of East West. &#147;We look forward to providing the customers of Washington First International Bank with our expanded array of deposit and loan products and services immediately, and access to our nationwide branch network after integration is complete. This acquisition further strengthens our vision to be recognized as the premier bridge between East and West and our position as the largest bank in the U.S. focused on serving the Asian-American community,&#148; continued Ng.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All WFIB branches will reopen as branches of East West Bank under normal business hours &#151; on Saturday for the International District branch, and on Monday for the branches that operate Monday through Friday. Depositors can continue to access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. All outstanding checks will be processed as usual, and customers can continue using their WFIB checks. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as they always have.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;We welcome WFIB&#146;s customers and employees to the East West Bank family,&#148; said Ng. &#147;All customers can rest assured that all of their deposits are safe and accessible, continue to be covered under the FDIC insurance program, and are now backed by the security and strength of East West Bank,&#148; Ng concluded.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About East West</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">East West Bancorp is a publicly owned company with over $20 billion in assets and is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol &#147;EWBC&#148;. The Company&#146;s wholly owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is one of the largest independent commercial banks headquartered in California with over 130 locations worldwide, including the U.S. markets of California, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington. In Greater China, East West&#146;s presence includes a full service branch in Hong Kong and representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei.&nbsp; Through </font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">a wholly-owned subsidiary bank, East West&#146;s presence in Greater China also includes full service branches in Shanghai and Shantou and representative offices in Beijing and Guangzhou. For more information on East West Bancorp, visit the Company&#146;s website at www.eastwestbank.com.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Contact:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">East West Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Irene Oh</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">626.768.6360</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">irene.oh@eastwestbank.com</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">or</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Emily Wang</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Media Relations</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">626.768.6266 (office); 626.825.0890 (cell)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">emily.wang@eastwestbank.com</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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