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    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PeriodOfAccruedInterestOnLoansCoveredByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PeriodOfAccruedInterestOnLoansCoveredByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:label="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreements" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_LossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsThresholdAmount" xlink:label="LossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsThresholdAmount" xlink:title="LossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsThresholdAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="LossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsThresholdAmount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to LossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsThresholdAmount" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_SharedLossAgreementsPeriod" xlink:label="SharedLossAgreementsPeriod" xlink:title="SharedLossAgreementsPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="SharedLossAgreementsPeriod" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to SharedLossAgreementsPeriod" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_LossRecoveryProvisionsPeriod" xlink:label="LossRecoveryProvisionsPeriod" xlink:title="LossRecoveryProvisionsPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="LossRecoveryProvisionsPeriod" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to LossRecoveryProvisionsPeriod" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_CashReceivedFromFDIC" xlink:label="CashReceivedFromFDIC" xlink:title="CashReceivedFromFDIC" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="CashReceivedFromFDIC" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to CashReceivedFromFDIC" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfLossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:label="PercentageOfLossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:title="PercentageOfLossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfLossesAbsorbedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:label="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:title="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to PercentageOfLossRecoveriesSharedByFDICUnderSharedLossAgreementsExceedingThresholdAmount" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_BusinessAcquisitionBookValueOfAssetsTransferred" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionBookValueOfAssetsTransferred" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionBookValueOfAssetsTransferred" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionBookValueOfAssetsTransferred" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionBookValueOfAssetsTransferred" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmount" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmountAfterTax" xlink:label="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmountAfterTax" xlink:title="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmountAfterTax" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmountAfterTax" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessCombinationBargainPurchaseGainRecognizedAmountAfterTax" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_BusinessAcquisitionMeasurementPeriod" xlink:label="BusinessAcquisitionMeasurementPeriod" xlink:title="BusinessAcquisitionMeasurementPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionMeasurementPeriod" xlink:title="definition: BusinessAcquisitionLineItems to BusinessAcquisitionMeasurementPeriod" use="optional" order="14.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DisclosureCoveredAssetsAndFdicIndemnificationAssetDetails">
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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_RangeMember" xlink:label="RangeMember" xlink:title="RangeMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="RangeAxis" xlink:to="RangeMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeAxis to RangeMember" use="optional" 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_MinimumMember" xlink:label="MinimumMember" xlink:title="MinimumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MinimumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MinimumMember" use="optional" 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_MaximumMember" xlink:label="MaximumMember" xlink:title="MaximumMember" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RangeMember" xlink:to="MaximumMember" xlink:title="definition: RangeMember to MaximumMember" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" order="1.0" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" xlink:to="BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable to BusinessAcquisitionAxis" use="optional" 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" use="optional" order="1.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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" use="optional" order="8000.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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" use="optional" order="8001.0" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable" xlink:to="RangeAxis" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsTable to RangeAxis" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfLoansOriginatedByAcquireeCoveredBySharedLossAgreements" use="optional" order="2.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfEligibleLossesForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" use="optional" order="3.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfEligibleLossesInExcessOfCertainAmountForWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburse" use="optional" order="4.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to AmountOfEligibleLossesOverWhichFdicIsObligatedToReimburseHigherPercentage" use="optional" order="5.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_PercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:label="PercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="PercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageObligationToReimburseFdicForEligibleRecoveriesRelatedToCoveredAssets" use="optional" order="6.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to TermOfCommercialLoanSharedLossAgreement" use="optional" order="7.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to TermOfSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoanSharedLossAgreement" use="optional" order="8.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForCommercialLoans" use="optional" order="9.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to TermOfLossRecoveryProvisionsForSingleFamilyResidentialMortgageLoans" use="optional" order="10.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to NumberOfDaysFollowingAnniversary" use="optional" order="11.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfExcess" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfExcess" use="optional" order="12.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfIntrinsicLossEstimate" use="optional" order="13.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfAssetDiscount" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfAssetDiscount" use="optional" order="14.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to PercentageOfCumulativeSharedLossPayments" use="optional" order="15.0" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.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="ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" xlink:title="definition: ScheduleOfCoveredAssetsLineItems to EstimatedLiabilityThatWillBeDueToFdicForSpecificThresholdsOfLossesNotBeingReached" use="optional" order="16.0" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DisclosureFederalFundsPurchasedDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtLineItems" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:label="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable" order="1.0" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_ShortTermDebtMaturityPeriod" xlink:label="ShortTermDebtMaturityPeriod" xlink:title="ShortTermDebtMaturityPeriod" />
    <link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShortTermDebtLineItems" xlink:to="ShortTermDebtMaturityPeriod" xlink:title="definition: ShortTermDebtLineItems to ShortTermDebtMaturityPeriod" use="optional" order="2.0" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_CombinedNetGainsLossesOnCoveredOreoPropertiesSold" xlink:label="CombinedNetGainsLossesOnCoveredOreoPropertiesSold" xlink:title="CombinedNetGainsLossesOnCoveredOreoPropertiesSold" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_ChangesInExpectedCashFlows" xlink:label="ChangesInExpectedCashFlows" xlink:title="ChangesInExpectedCashFlows" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_AmountOfLoansRemovedFromCoveredLoans" xlink:label="AmountOfLoansRemovedFromCoveredLoans" xlink:title="AmountOfLoansRemovedFromCoveredLoans" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_LoanDiscountRelatedToLoansRemoved" xlink:label="LoanDiscountRelatedToLoansRemoved" xlink:title="LoanDiscountRelatedToLoansRemoved" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_OtherRealEstateOwnedCoveredReductionsDueToPrincipalReductions" xlink:label="OtherRealEstateOwnedCoveredReductionsDueToPrincipalReductions" xlink:title="OtherRealEstateOwnedCoveredReductionsDueToPrincipalReductions" />
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  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DisclosureNonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwnedDetails">
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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_GeographicConcentrationRiskMember" xlink:label="GeographicConcentrationRiskMember" xlink:title="GeographicConcentrationRiskMember" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_StatesAndProvincesAxis" xlink:label="StatesAndProvincesAxis" xlink:title="StatesAndProvincesAxis" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011/stpr-2011-01-31.xsd#stpr_AllStatesAndProvincesDomain" xlink:label="AllStatesAndProvincesDomain" xlink:title="AllStatesAndProvincesDomain" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2011/country-2011-01-31.xsd#country_CA" xlink:label="CA" xlink:title="CA" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfForeclosedAssets" xlink:label="NumberOfForeclosedAssets" xlink:title="NumberOfForeclosedAssets" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_NoncoveredRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure" xlink:label="NoncoveredRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure" xlink:title="NoncoveredRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_NumberOfOtherRealEstateOwnedPropertiesSold" xlink:label="NumberOfOtherRealEstateOwnedPropertiesSold" xlink:title="NumberOfOtherRealEstateOwnedPropertiesSold" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_NoncoveredRealEstateCostOfRealEstateSold" xlink:label="NoncoveredRealEstateCostOfRealEstateSold" xlink:title="NoncoveredRealEstateCostOfRealEstateSold" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_ProceedsFromSaleOfNonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwned" xlink:label="ProceedsFromSaleOfNonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwned" xlink:title="ProceedsFromSaleOfNonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwned" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_GainsLossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstateNoncovered" xlink:label="GainsLossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstateNoncovered" xlink:title="GainsLossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstateNoncovered" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ewbc-20120331.xsd#ewbc_NonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwnedChargesAgainstAllowanceForLoanLosses" xlink:label="NonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwnedChargesAgainstAllowanceForLoanLosses" xlink:title="NonCoveredOtherRealEstateOwnedChargesAgainstAllowanceForLoanLosses" />
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  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails">
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