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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" xlink:label="PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:label="PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:label="PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" xlink:label="AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" xlink:title="AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" order="5.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_MinimumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:label="MinimumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="MinimumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="MinimumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to MinimumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" order="6.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_MaximumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:label="MaximumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="MaximumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="MaximumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to MaximumPercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" order="7.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:label="TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" order="8.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:label="TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" order="9.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" xlink:label="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" xlink:title="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" order="10.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:label="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:title="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" order="11.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" xlink:label="NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" xlink:title="NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" order="12.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfExcess" xlink:label="PercentageOfExcess" xlink:title="PercentageOfExcess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfExcess" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfExcess" order="13.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" xlink:label="PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" xlink:title="PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" order="14.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfAssetDiscount" xlink:label="PercentageOfAssetDiscount" xlink:title="PercentageOfAssetDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfAssetDiscount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfAssetDiscount" order="15.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" xlink:label="PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" xlink:title="PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" order="16.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" xlink:label="EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" xlink:title="EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" order="17.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAxis to BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_WashingtonFirstInternationalBankMember" xlink:label="WashingtonFirstInternationalBankMember" xlink:title="WashingtonFirstInternationalBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="WashingtonFirstInternationalBankMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to WashingtonFirstInternationalBankMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_UnitedCommercialBankMember" xlink:label="UnitedCommercialBankMember" xlink:title="UnitedCommercialBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="UnitedCommercialBankMember" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain to UnitedCommercialBankMember" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:label="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:title="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AdditionalAdvancesUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:label="AdditionalAdvancesUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="AdditionalAdvancesUnderSharedLossAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:to="AdditionalAdvancesUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems to AdditionalAdvancesUnderSharedLossAgreements" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_VtotalAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:label="VtotalAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:title="VtotalAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:to="VtotalAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems to VtotalAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:label="PercentageOfAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:title="PercentageOfAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems to PercentageOfAllowanceAllocatedToAdditionalAdvances" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table" xlink:label="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table" xlink:title="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems" xlink:to="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030LineItems to CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansNotAccountedForUnderAsc31030Table to CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis to CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain_2" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentAxis to CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:label="CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:to="CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain to CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:label="CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:to="CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain to CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:label="ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:to="ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain to ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:label="ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain" xlink:to="ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoansSegmentDomain to ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:label="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:title="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_LoanReceivableCoveredLoansGross" xlink:label="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansGross" xlink:title="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansGross" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to LoanReceivableCoveredLoansGross" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredDiscount" xlink:label="CoveredDiscount" xlink:title="CoveredDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="CoveredDiscount" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to CoveredDiscount" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NetValuationOfLoans" xlink:label="NetValuationOfLoans" xlink:title="NetValuationOfLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="NetValuationOfLoans" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to NetValuationOfLoans" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AllowanceForLoanLossesCoveredLoans" xlink:label="AllowanceForLoanLossesCoveredLoans" xlink:title="AllowanceForLoanLossesCoveredLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="AllowanceForLoanLossesCoveredLoans" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to AllowanceForLoanLossesCoveredLoans" order="5.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_LoanReceivableCoveredLoansNet" xlink:label="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansNet" xlink:title="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="LoanReceivableCoveredLoansNet" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to LoanReceivableCoveredLoansNet" order="6.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:label="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:title="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems" xlink:to="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansLineItems to CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable to CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis to CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain_2" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryAxis to CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_RealEstateLoansMember" xlink:label="RealEstateLoansMember" xlink:title="RealEstateLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:to="RealEstateLoansMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain to RealEstateLoansMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_OtherThanRealEstateLoansMember" xlink:label="OtherThanRealEstateLoansMember" xlink:title="OtherThanRealEstateLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain" xlink:to="OtherThanRealEstateLoansMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByLoanProductCategoryDomain to OtherThanRealEstateLoansMember" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable to CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis to CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_2" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis to CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ResidentialSingleFamilyMember" xlink:label="ResidentialSingleFamilyMember" xlink:title="ResidentialSingleFamilyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="ResidentialSingleFamilyMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to ResidentialSingleFamilyMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ResidentialMultifamilyMember" xlink:label="ResidentialMultifamilyMember" xlink:title="ResidentialMultifamilyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="ResidentialMultifamilyMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to ResidentialMultifamilyMember" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CommercialAndIndustrialRealEstateMember" xlink:label="CommercialAndIndustrialRealEstateMember" xlink:title="CommercialAndIndustrialRealEstateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="CommercialAndIndustrialRealEstateMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to CommercialAndIndustrialRealEstateMember" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ConstructionAndLandMember" xlink:label="ConstructionAndLandMember" xlink:title="ConstructionAndLandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="ConstructionAndLandMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to ConstructionAndLandMember" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CommercialBusinessMember" xlink:label="CommercialBusinessMember" xlink:title="CommercialBusinessMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="CommercialBusinessMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to CommercialBusinessMember" order="5.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsumerOtherFinancingReceivableMember" xlink:label="ConsumerOtherFinancingReceivableMember" xlink:title="ConsumerOtherFinancingReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain" xlink:to="ConsumerOtherFinancingReceivableMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain to ConsumerOtherFinancingReceivableMember" order="6.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" xlink:title="definition: CarryingAmountsAndCompositionOfCoveredLoansTable to CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis to CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:label="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain_2" xlink:title="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis" xlink:to="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsAxis to CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PassMember" xlink:label="PassMember" xlink:title="PassMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:to="PassMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain to PassMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SpecialMentionMember" xlink:label="SpecialMentionMember" xlink:title="SpecialMentionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:to="SpecialMentionMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain to SpecialMentionMember" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubstandardMember" xlink:label="SubstandardMember" xlink:title="SubstandardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:to="SubstandardMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain to SubstandardMember" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DoubtfulMember" xlink:label="DoubtfulMember" xlink:title="DoubtfulMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain" xlink:to="DoubtfulMember" xlink:title="definition: CoveredLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorsDomain to DoubtfulMember" order="4.0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/CoveredAssetsAndFdicIndemnificationAssetFdicIndemnificationAssetAndFdicReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/CoveredAssetsAndFdicIndemnificationAssetTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/NonCoveredLoansAndAllowanceForLoanLosses"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/NonCoveredLoansAndAllowanceForLoanLossesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:label="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:title="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NoncoveredLoansReceivableGross" xlink:label="NoncoveredLoansReceivableGross" xlink:title="NoncoveredLoansReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="NoncoveredLoansReceivableGross" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to NoncoveredLoansReceivableGross" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums" xlink:label="UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums" xlink:title="UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AllowanceForNoncoveredLoansReceivable" xlink:label="AllowanceForNoncoveredLoansReceivable" xlink:title="AllowanceForNoncoveredLoansReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AllowanceForNoncoveredLoansReceivable" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AllowanceForNoncoveredLoansReceivable" order="4.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NoncoveredLoansReceivableNet" xlink:label="NoncoveredLoansReceivableNet" xlink:title="NoncoveredLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="NoncoveredLoansReceivableNet" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to NoncoveredLoansReceivableNet" order="5.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AccruedInterestOnLoansReceivable" xlink:label="AccruedInterestOnLoansReceivable" xlink:title="AccruedInterestOnLoansReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AccruedInterestOnLoansReceivable" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AccruedInterestOnLoansReceivable" order="6.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPledgedAsCollateral" xlink:label="LoansPledgedAsCollateral" xlink:title="LoansPledgedAsCollateral"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="LoansPledgedAsCollateral" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to LoansPledgedAsCollateral" order="7.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMinimum" xlink:label="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMinimum" xlink:title="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMinimum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMinimum" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMinimum" order="8.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMaximum" xlink:label="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMaximum" xlink:title="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMaximum" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to NumberOfUnitsOfWhichResidentialPropertySecuringFixedAndAdjustableRateFirstMortgageLoansConsistMaximum" order="9.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_FirstMortgageLoansOnSingleFamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:label="FirstMortgageLoansOnSingleFamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:title="FirstMortgageLoansOnSingleFamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="FirstMortgageLoansOnSingleFamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to FirstMortgageLoansOnSingleFamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" order="10.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_FirstMortgageLoansOnMultifamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:label="FirstMortgageLoansOnMultifamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:title="FirstMortgageLoansOnMultifamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="FirstMortgageLoansOnMultifamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to FirstMortgageLoansOnMultifamilyRealEstateNewMortgageLoans" order="11.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMinimum" xlink:label="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMinimum" xlink:title="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMinimum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMinimum" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMinimum" order="12.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMidrange" xlink:label="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMidrange" xlink:title="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMidrange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMidrange" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMidrange" order="13.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMaximum" xlink:label="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMaximum" xlink:title="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMaximum" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AdjustableRateMortgageInitialInterestRatePeriodMaximum" order="14.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_SingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeatures" xlink:label="SingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeatures" xlink:title="SingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeatures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="SingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeatures" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to SingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeatures" order="15.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_RatioOfSingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeaturesToTotalSingleFamilyLoans" xlink:label="RatioOfSingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeaturesToTotalSingleFamilyLoans" xlink:title="RatioOfSingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeaturesToTotalSingleFamilyLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="RatioOfSingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeaturesToTotalSingleFamilyLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to RatioOfSingleFamilyMortgageLoansWithInterestOnlyFeaturesToTotalSingleFamilyLoans" order="16.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AcquiredResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeatures" xlink:label="AcquiredResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeatures" xlink:title="AcquiredResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeatures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="AcquiredResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeatures" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to AcquiredResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeatures" order="17.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_RatioOfResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeaturesToTotalResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:label="RatioOfResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeaturesToTotalResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:title="RatioOfResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeaturesToTotalResidentialMortgageLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="RatioOfResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeaturesToTotalResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to RatioOfResidentialMortgageLoansWithVariablePaymentOptionFeaturesToTotalResidentialMortgageLoans" order="18.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableLineItems to ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:label="FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:title="FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable" xlink:to="FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfNonCoveredLoansReceivableTable to FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:label="FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:title="FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
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  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/NonCoveredLoansAndAllowanceForLoanLossesAllowanceForUnfundedLoanCommitmentsOffBalanceSheetCreditExposuresAndRecourseProvisionsDetails"/>
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  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/PremisesAndEquipment"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/PremisesAndEquipmentDetails">
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:title="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="ConvertiblePreferredStockMember" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockDomain to ConvertiblePreferredStockMember" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="CommonStockMember" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockDomain to CommonStockMember" order="4.0"/>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:label="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:title="ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:title="PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PreferredStockSharesIssued" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:label="PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:title="PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:label="PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:title="PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertiblePreferredStockSharesIssuedUponConversion" xlink:label="ConvertiblePreferredStockSharesIssuedUponConversion" xlink:title="ConvertiblePreferredStockSharesIssuedUponConversion"/>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ConvertiblePreferredStockConversionPricePremiumPerShareOfCommonStockBasedOnClosingPriceOfCommonStock" xlink:label="ConvertiblePreferredStockConversionPricePremiumPerShareOfCommonStockBasedOnClosingPriceOfCommonStock" xlink:title="ConvertiblePreferredStockConversionPricePremiumPerShareOfCommonStockBasedOnClosingPriceOfCommonStock"/>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ConversionPremiumPercentage" xlink:label="ConversionPremiumPercentage" xlink:title="ConversionPremiumPercentage"/>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_ClosingPriceOfCommonStockAtIssuanceOfConvertiblePreferredStock" xlink:label="ClosingPriceOfCommonStockAtIssuanceOfConvertiblePreferredStock" xlink:title="ClosingPriceOfCommonStockAtIssuanceOfConvertiblePreferredStock"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PaymentsForRepurchaseOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" order="12.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue" xlink:label="PreferredStockValue" xlink:title="PreferredStockValue"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfSharesOfConvertiblePreferredStockConvertedToCommonSharesInPrivatePlacement" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to NumberOfSharesOfConvertiblePreferredStockConvertedToCommonSharesInPrivatePlacement" order="14.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIssuedInPrivatePlacement" xlink:label="NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIssuedInPrivatePlacement" xlink:title="NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIssuedInPrivatePlacement"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIssuedUponConversionOfConvertiblePreferredStockInShares" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to NumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIssuedUponConversionOfConvertiblePreferredStockInShares" order="16.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_PreferredStockToCommonStockConversionPrice" xlink:label="PreferredStockToCommonStockConversionPrice" xlink:title="PreferredStockToCommonStockConversionPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PreferredStockToCommonStockConversionPrice" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PreferredStockToCommonStockConversionPrice" order="17.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount" xlink:label="StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount" xlink:title="StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="DividendsPayableDateDeclared" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to DividendsPayableDateDeclared" order="19.0"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="DividendsPayableAmountPerShare" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to DividendsPayableAmountPerShare" order="20.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_DividendsPayableDateToBePaid" xlink:label="DividendsPayableDateToBePaid" xlink:title="DividendsPayableDateToBePaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="DividendsPayableDateToBePaid" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to DividendsPayableDateToBePaid" order="21.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_DividendsPayableDateOfRecord" xlink:label="DividendsPayableDateOfRecord" xlink:title="DividendsPayableDateOfRecord"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="DividendsPayableDateOfRecord" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to DividendsPayableDateOfRecord" order="22.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" xlink:label="PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" xlink:title="PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock" order="23.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock" xlink:label="PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock" xlink:title="PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock" order="24.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to CommonStockSharesOutstanding" order="25.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfStockLineItems to ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:to="StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfStockByClassTable to StatementClassOfStockAxis" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:label="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:title="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems to ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_AllocatedFairValueOfWarrants" xlink:label="AllocatedFairValueOfWarrants" xlink:title="AllocatedFairValueOfWarrants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="AllocatedFairValueOfWarrants" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems to AllocatedFairValueOfWarrants" order="3.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20110630.xsd#ewbc_WarrantsRepurchased" xlink:label="WarrantsRepurchased" xlink:title="WarrantsRepurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="WarrantsRepurchased" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems to WarrantsRepurchased" order="4.0"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems" xlink:to="PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems to PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants" order="5.0"/>
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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis" xlink:to="ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis to ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_2" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantsMember" xlink:label="WarrantsMember" xlink:title="WarrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain" xlink:to="WarrantsMember" xlink:title="definition: ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain to WarrantsMember" order="1.0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems" xlink:label="DividendsPayableLineItems" xlink:title="DividendsPayableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable" xlink:label="DividendsPayableTable" xlink:title="DividendsPayableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="DividendsPayableLineItems" xlink:to="DividendsPayableTable" xlink:title="definition: DividendsPayableLineItems to DividendsPayableTable" order="1.0" t1:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="DividendsPayableTable" xlink:to="StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:title="definition: DividendsPayableTable to StatementClassOfStockAxis" order="1.0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquityEarningsLossPerShareCalculationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquitySharesExcludedFromCalculationOfDilutedEpsDetails">
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