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East West Bancorp Reports Earnings of $5.0 Million for First Quarter 2008

04/15/2008

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

East West Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: EWBC), parent company of East West Bank, one of the nation's premier community banks, today reported financial results for the first quarter 2008. Fully diluted earnings per share for the first quarter decreased 88% to $0.08 from $0.68 in the prior year period. First quarter results included a $55.0 million provision for loan losses.

"Due to the unprecedented decline in the real estate market and economic downturn which has impacted the entire financial industry, East West experienced increased charge-off levels from recent historic lows. As a result, we recorded total provision for loan losses of $55.0 million, which led to the decrease in net income to $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2008," stated Dominic Ng, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of East West. "This additional provision has increased the allowance for loan losses and unfunded commitments to total loans ratio to 1.46%, a substantial increase from 1.13% at year-end 2007. We believe we are taking the appropriate measures to strengthen our balance sheet during this challenging period for the entire banking industry.

"Overall, East West is in a sound financial position - core profitability, net interest margin, capital levels and our deposit base are all solid. Even now, during this challenging credit environment, East West's asset quality is still very strong compared to its peers. The proactive and aggressive measures we are taking today to bolster reserves and minimize credit losses demonstrate our decisive, timely and prudent response to current market conditions, which I believe will ultimately position the Bank for future renewed growth and increased profitability."

    First Quarter Summary

    --  Diluted earnings per share of $0.08, down 88% from first
        quarter 2007

    --  Net income of $5.0 million, down 88% from first quarter 2007

    --  Net interest income of $99.6 million, up 1% from first quarter
        2007

    --  Net interest margin of 3.63%

    --  Return on equity of 1.74%

    --  Total nonperforming assets were 0.63% of total assets

    --  Net loan chargeoffs of $25.4 million

    Financial Summary

First quarter net income was $5.0 million, down 88% from $42.1 million reported in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter totaled $0.08, down 88% from $0.68 in the prior year period. Return on average equity for the quarter totaled 1.74%, while return on average assets for the quarter totaled 0.17%. Pretax income for the first quarter totaled $7.6 million, an 89% or $61.1 million decrease over the year ago figure.

Management Guidance

Due to the current economic conditions and turbulence surrounding the entire financial market, the Company will not be providing earnings per share guidance for the full year 2008 at this point in time. Management expects that the net interest margin will range from 3.40% to 3.50%, reflecting the full impact of the current declining interest rate environment. Additionally, we anticipate that noninterest expense will decrease moderately from first quarter 2008 as we continue to carefully monitor all expenditures.

Management believes the Company's core profitability remains very strong. The first quarter of 2008 was the eighth consecutive quarter that pretax income before provision for loan losses exceeded $60.0 million. Management is confident that the Company will continue to be profitable, even during this challenging time for the entire financial industry. However, we currently believe it is unrealistic to provide meaningful guidance as to the level of earnings given the uncertainty surrounding the economy and real estate market and the potential impact this will have to the Company. The Company intends to resume providing guidance updates once these market uncertainties have stabilized.

Balance Sheet Summary

At March 31, 2008, total assets were $11.8 billion compared to $11.9 billion at December 31, 2007. Gross loans at March 31, 2008 totaled $8.8 billion compared to $8.8 billion at year-end 2007. As part of our efforts to reduce leveraging in our balance sheet, we sold a total of $144.2 million in loans at above par pricing during the first quarter, primarily from our commercial real estate portfolio. As is customary for the Bank, all loans were sold with servicing rights retained to enable us to maintain relationships with our customers. Selling loans with servicing rights retained allows us to effectively reduce our loan to deposit ratio, while still allowing us to provide excellent service to our customers, and provides us with new opportunities for growth and the ability to earn servicing fee income.

Average earning assets for the first quarter of 2008 equaled $11.1 billion, 9% higher than the first quarter of 2007. The growth in average earning assets was driven by a 10% or $777.9 million increase in average loans to $9.0 billion and a 12% or $189.9 million increase in investment securities. The yield on average earning assets for the quarter was 6.81%, a decrease of 66 basis points from the year ago quarter and a decrease of 56 basis points from the previous quarter. The yield on average loans receivable for the quarter was 6.96%, a decrease of 88 basis points from the year ago quarter and a decrease of 63 basis points from the previous quarter.

Total deposits at March 31, 2008 were $7.6 billion, a 4% or $272.9 million increase over total deposits of $7.3 billion at December 31, 2007. Core deposits at March 31, 2008 totaled $3.4 billion or a 1% decrease over year-end 2007.

Average total deposits for the first quarter were $7.3 billion, or 3% above the figure for the prior year period, while average core deposits totaled $3.4 billion, or 1% greater than the year ago figure. The average cost of deposits for the first quarter of 2008 was 2.86%, a 51 basis point decrease from the year ago quarter and a 29 basis point decrease from the previous quarter. The average cost of funds for the first quarter equaled 3.35%, a 35 basis point decrease from the prior year and a 28 basis point decrease from the prior quarter.

First Quarter Operating Results

Net interest income for the first quarter totaled $99.6 million, 1% greater than the first quarter of 2007 and 7%, or $7.0 million lower on a sequential quarter basis. The net interest margin for the quarter totaled 3.63%, compared to 3.95% in the prior year period and 3.91% in the prior quarter. The net interest margin was impacted by the steep 200 basis point decrease in the federal funds target rate during the quarter. During the first quarter, we paid down FHLB advances by $155.0 million or 9%. The Company intends to continue to use excess cash to reduce FHLB advances and other borrowings for the remainder of 2008.

East West recorded $55.0 million in provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2008. In comparison, East West did not record a provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2007 and recorded $9.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The substantial increase in the provision for loan losses and the allowance for loan losses was due to higher net charge-offs on problem loans, increased loan delinquencies and downgrades in loan classifications to more adverse risk ratings.

Noninterest income for the first quarter totaled $15.9 million, 27% or $3.4 million higher than the first quarter of 2007 and 14% or $1.9 million greater than the fourth quarter of 2007. Core noninterest income, excluding the impact of gains on sales of investment securities, loans and other assets, totaled $10.6 million for the quarter, 11% higher than the prior year figure and 6% lower than the sequential quarter. The increase in core noninterest income from the prior year is largely due to increased branch fees and letters of credit fees and commissions stemming from the growth of the Company.

Noninterest expense totaled $52.9 million for the first quarter of 2008, 25% or $10.6 million higher than a year ago and 1% or $623 thousand higher than the previous quarter. The increase from prior year is related to higher compensation and occupancy costs resulting primarily from the acquisition of Desert Community Bank in August 2007 and higher legal expenses, included in other operating expenses. We currently expect that noninterest expense for the remainder of 2008 will decrease moderately from first quarter 2008 as we continue to carefully monitor all expenditures.

East West generated a 41.93% efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2008, compared to 35.57% a year ago. The efficiency ratio increased in the first quarter relative to our performance in prior quarters. However, the overall efficiency for the Company is still substantially better than both our direct peers and the overall banking industry.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 34.00% compared to 38.80% in the prior year period. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to lower net income before income tax offset by tax credits that remained at consistent levels.

Asset Quality

The higher provision for loan losses, net of $25.4 million in net chargeoffs, increased the allowance for loan losses to $117.1 million, a 32% or $28.7 million increase from year-end 2007. Total nonperforming assets as of March 31, 2008 totaled $74.5 million or 0.63% of total assets, compared to $67.5 million, or 0.57% of total assets at December 31, 2007. Nonperforming assets as of March 31, 2008 included other real estate owned totaling $14.9 million and loans modified or restructured totaling $1.7 million. We foreclosed on five properties during the first quarter, three residential construction projects with a carrying value of $12.2 million and two single family loans with a carrying value of $1.1 million.

For the first quarter of 2008, East West had net chargeoffs of $25.4 million, comprised of $25.6 million in gross chargeoffs and $200 thousand in recoveries. This compares to net chargeoffs of $156 thousand for the first quarter of 2007 and $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. Of the total gross chargeoffs of $25.6 million for the quarter, 39% or $10.0 million resulted from one commercial loan which was completely written off. Additionally, $10.9 million or 70% of the remaining $15.4 million in chargeoffs resulted from four residential construction and land loans located in the Inland Empire.

The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2008 increased to $117.1 million or 1.32% of total loans and 202% of nonaccrual loans, compared to $88.4 million or 1.00% of total loans and 138% of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2007. At March 31, 2008, the allowance for unfunded loan commitments increased to $12.3 million, compared to $11.4 million at December 31, 2007. At March 31, 2008, the allowance loan losses and unfunded loan commitments increased to $129.4 million, compared to $99.8 million at December 31, 2007. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company's methodology for calculating the allowance for loan losses includes factors such as historical loss trends, asset classification, delinquency, credit concentrations and overall economic conditions. Based on management's evaluation and analysis of portfolio credit quality and prevailing economic conditions, we believe these reserves are adequate for losses inherent in the loan portfolio both on and off-balance sheet as of March 31, 2008.

Capitalization

East West continues to remain well capitalized under all regulatory guidelines. At March 31, 2008, our Tier I risk-based capital ratio was 8.78%, total risk-based capital ratio was 10.59% and Tier I leverage ratio was 8.58%. Total stockholders' equity as of March 31, 2008 was $1.1 billion, representing a book value of $17.42 per share.

About East West

East West Bancorp is a publicly owned company, with $11.8 billion in assets, whose stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "EWBC". The company's wholly owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is the second largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Southern California with 72 branch locations. East West Bank serves the community with 70 branch locations across Southern and Northern California and a branch location in Houston, Texas. East West Bank has three international locations in Greater China, including a full-service branch in Hong Kong and representative offices in Beijing and Shanghai. For more information on East West Bancorp, visit the company's website at www.eastwestbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in East West Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007 (See Item I -- Business, and Item 7 -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; competition in the financial services market for both deposits and loans; EWBC's ability to efficiently incorporate acquisitions into its operations; the ability of EWBC and its subsidiaries to increase its customer base; the effect of regulatory and legislative action, including California tax legislation and an announcement by the state's Franchise Tax Board regarding the taxation of Registered Investment Companies; and regional and general economic conditions. Actual results and performance in future periods may be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. East West expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in the Bank's expectations of results or any change in event.

                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                             (unaudited)

                                    March 31,   December 31,
                                       2008         2007     % Change
                                   ------------ ------------ ---------
Assets
 Cash and cash equivalents         $   265,019  $   160,347        65
 Securities purchased under resale
  agreements                            50,000      150,000       (67)
 Investment securities available-
  for-sale                           1,748,266    1,887,136        (7)
 Loans receivable (net of
  allowance for loan losses
   of $117,120 and $88,407)          8,726,556    8,750,921        (0)
 Premiums on deposits acquired,
  net                                   25,722       28,459       (10)
 Goodwill                              337,576      335,366         1
 Other assets                          607,071      539,983        12
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total assets                    $11,760,210  $11,852,212        (1)
                                   ============ ============

Liabilities and Stockholders'
 Equity
 Deposits                          $ 7,551,837  $ 7,278,914         4
 Federal funds purchased                77,502      222,275       (65)
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances     1,653,411    1,808,419        (9)
 Securities sold under repurchase
  agreements                           999,911    1,001,955        (0)
 Notes payable                          17,527       16,242         8
 Accrued expenses and other
  liabilities                          120,668      117,014         3
 Long-term debt                        235,570      235,570         0
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total liabilities                10,656,426   10,680,389        (0)
 Stockholders' equity                1,103,784    1,171,823        (6)
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity           $11,760,210  $11,852,212        (1)
                                   ============ ============
 Book value per share              $     17.42  $     18.56        (6)
 Number of shares at period end         63,356       63,137         0

 Ending Balances
                                    March 31,   December 31,
                                       2008         2007     % Change
                                   ------------ ------------ ---------
Loans receivable
 Real estate - single family       $   444,193  $   433,337         3
 Real estate - multifamily             698,867      690,941         1
 Real estate - commercial            4,225,141    4,183,473         1
 Real estate - construction          1,574,449    1,547,082         2
 Commercial                          1,251,974    1,314,068        (5)
 Trade finance                         459,687      491,690        (7)
 Consumer                              194,890      184,518         6
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total gross loans receivable      8,849,201    8,845,109         0
Unearned fees, premiums and
 discounts                              (5,525)      (5,781)       (4)
Allowance for loan losses             (117,120)     (88,407)       32
                                   ------------ ------------
      Net loans receivable         $ 8,726,556  $ 8,750,921        (0)

Deposits
 Noninterest-bearing demand        $ 1,454,383  $ 1,431,730         2
 Interest-bearing checking             414,193      472,943       (12)
 Money market                        1,102,834    1,090,949         1
 Savings                               464,418      477,779        (3)
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total core deposits               3,435,828    3,473,401        (1)
 Time deposits less than $100,000      960,379      926,459         4
 Time deposits $100,000 or greater   3,155,630    2,879,054        10
                                   ------------ ------------
   Total time deposits               4,116,009    3,805,513         8
                                   ------------ ------------
      Total deposits               $ 7,551,837  $ 7,278,914         4
                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                             (unaudited)
                                        Quarter Ended March 31,   %
                                            2008        2007    Change
                                        ------------- --------- ------

 Interest and dividend income               $187,184  $186,177      1
 Interest expense                            (87,565)  (87,574)    (0)
                                        ------------- ---------
 Net interest income before provision
  for loan losses                             99,619    98,603      1
 Provision for loan losses                   (55,000)        -    NA
                                        ------------- ---------
 Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses                             44,619    98,603    (55)
 Noninterest income                           15,925    12,495     27
 Noninterest expense                         (52,902)  (42,318)    25
                                        ------------- ---------
 Income before provision for income
  taxes                                        7,642    68,780    (89)
 Provision for income taxes                   (2,598)  (26,684)   (90)
                                        ------------- ---------
 Net income                                 $  5,044  $ 42,096    (88)
 Net income per share, basic                $   0.08  $   0.69    (88)
 Net income per share, diluted              $   0.08  $   0.68    (88)
 Shares used to compute per share net
  income:
    - Basic                                   62,485    60,649      3
    - Diluted                                 62,949    61,700      2


                                        Quarter Ended March 31,   %
                                            2008        2007    Change
                                        ------------- --------- ------
Noninterest income:
 Net gain on sales of investment
  securities available-for-sale             $  4,334  $  1,528    184
 Branch fees                                   4,101     3,427     20
 Letters of credit fees and commissions        2,677     2,353     14
 Ancillary loan fees                           1,141     1,280    (11)
 Net gain on sale of loans                       949         -    NA
 Income from secondary market
  activities                                     906       938     (3)
 Net gain on disposal of fixed assets                        -    NA
 Net gain on sale of real estate owned             -     1,344    NA
 Other operating income                        1,817     1,625     12
                                        ------------- ---------
     Total noninterest income               $ 15,925  $ 12,495     27

Noninterest expense:
 Compensation and employee benefits         $ 23,268  $ 20,782     12
 Occupancy and equipment expense               7,008     5,881     19
 Amortization and impairment writedowns
  of premiums on deposits acquired             2,737     1,532     79
 Amortization of investments in
  affordable housing partnerships              1,715     1,268     35
 Data processing                               1,196       982     22
 Deposit insurance premiums and
  regulatory assessments                       1,192       347    244
 Other operating expense                      15,786    11,526     37
                                        ------------- ---------
     Total noninterest expense              $ 52,902  $ 42,318     25
                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
                    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                            (In thousands)
                             (unaudited)

 Average Balances                       Quarter Ended March 31,   %
                                           2008        2007     Change
                                        ----------- ----------- ------
Loans receivable
 Real estate - single family            $   444,153 $   379,300    17
 Real estate - multifamily                  698,529   1,411,528   (51)
 Real estate - commercial                 4,293,394   3,735,513    15
 Real estate - construction               1,584,065   1,197,985    32
 Commercial                               1,282,814     998,849    28
 Trade finance                              465,311     294,141    58
 Consumer                                   187,028     160,062    17
                                        ----------- -----------
   Total loans receivable                 8,955,294   8,177,378    10
Investment securities available-for-
 sale                                     1,839,070   1,649,189    12
Earning assets                           11,050,836  10,116,300     9
Total assets                             11,788,755  10,759,034    10

Deposits
 Noninterest-bearing demand             $ 1,359,837 $ 1,244,697     9
 Interest-bearing checking                  437,804     415,759     5
 Money market                             1,094,698   1,315,539   (17)
 Savings                                    471,437     364,592    29
                                        ----------- -----------
   Total core deposits                    3,363,776   3,340,587     1
 Time deposits less than $100,000           938,282     991,517    (5)
 Time deposits $100,000 or greater        3,027,580   2,761,135    10
                                        ----------- -----------
   Total time deposits                    3,965,862   3,752,652     6
                                        ----------- -----------
     Total deposits                       7,329,638   7,093,239     3
Interest-bearing liabilities              9,119,556   8,349,439     9
Stockholders' equity                      1,157,027   1,021,705    13
                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
                    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                            (In thousands)
                             (unaudited)

 Selected Ratios                       Quarter Ended March 31,    %
                                          2008        2007     Change
                                       ---------- ------------ -------
For The Period
 Return on average assets                   0.17%        1.57%    (89)
 Return on average equity                   1.74%       16.48%    (89)
 Interest rate spread (3)                   2.96%        3.22%     (8)
 Net interest margin (3)                    3.63%        3.95%     (8)
 Yield on earning assets (3)                6.81%        7.47%     (9)
 Cost of deposits                           2.86%        3.37%    (15)
 Cost of funds                              3.35%        3.70%     (9)
 Noninterest expense/average assets
  (1)                                       1.64%        1.47%     12
 Efficiency ratio (1)                      41.93%       35.57%     18
 Net chargeoffs to average loans (2)        1.13%        0.01% 14,758
   Gross loan chargeoffs                 $25,583      $   191  13,294
   Loan recoveries                       $  (200)     $   (35)    471
                                       ---------- ------------
    Net loan chargeoffs                  $25,383      $   156  16,171
                                       ---------- ------------

Period End
 Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio            8.78%        9.80%    (10)
 Total risk-based capital ratio            10.59%       11.26%     (6)
 Tier 1 leverage capital ratio              8.58%        8.54%      0
 Nonperforming assets to total assets       0.63%        0.15%    322
 Nonaccrual loans to total loans            0.65%        0.19%    244
 Allowance for loan losses to total
  loans                                     1.32%        0.95%     39
 Allowance for loan losses and
  unfunded loan commitments to total
  loans                                     1.46%        1.12%     31
 Allowance for loan losses to
  nonaccrual loans                        202.41%      508.09%    (60)

                                       March 31,  December 31,
                                          2008        2007
                                       ---------- ------------
 Nonperforming Assets Summary
 Nonaccrual Loans                        $57,863      $63,882      (9)
 Modified or Restructured Loans            1,711        2,081     (18)
 Real Estate Owned                        14,893        1,500     893
                                       ---------- ------------
   Total Nonperforming Assets            $74,467      $67,463      10


 (1) Excludes the amortization of intangibles and investments in
  affordable housing partnerships.
 (2) Annualized.
 (3) Yields on certain securities have been adjusted upward to a
  "fully taxable equivalent" basis in order to reflect the effect of
  income which is exempt from federal income taxation at the current
  statutory tax rate.
                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
                    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                            (In thousands)
                             (unaudited)

Delinquent Loans By
 Loan Categories
Loan Type                                                    Total
                       30-59 Days  60-89 Days   90+ Days    Delinquent
                       Delinquent  Delinquent  Delinquent     Loans
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

March 31, 2008
Real estate - single
 family                    $11,351     $ 4,033     $ 4,036    $ 19,420
Real estate -
 multifamily                10,836         419      11,260      22,515
Real estate -
 commercial                 12,871       9,268      11,105      33,244
Real estate -
 construction               10,600      34,811      25,258      70,669
C&I and trade finance        4,094       2,773       1,095       7,962
Consumer                       374         301         198         873
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
  Total Delinquent
   Loans                   $50,126     $51,605     $52,952    $154,683

December 31, 2007
Real estate - single
 family                      4,039       1,806       4,506      10,351
Real estate -
 multifamily                 7,464       2,860       9,644      19,968
Real estate -
 commercial                 10,648       4,649      15,484      30,781
Real estate -
 construction               15,313         204      31,722      47,239
C&I and trade finance        4,134      11,409       1,048      16,591
Consumer                       452         455         939       1,846
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
  Total Delinquent
   Loans                   $42,050     $21,383     $63,343    $126,776
                       EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
       QUARTER TO DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES PAID
                            (In thousands)
                             (unaudited)


                                          Quarter Ended March 31,
                                     ---------------------------------
                                                  2008
                                     ---------------------------------
                                       Average
                                        Volume    Interest Yield (1)
                                     ---------------------------------

ASSETS
------------------------------------
Interest-earning assets:
Short-term investments (2)           $    76,540  $    538     2.82%
Securities purchased under resale
 agreements (3)                           64,286     2,553    15.93%
Investment securities
  Taxable                              1,771,591    26,004     5.89%
  Tax-exempt (4)                          67,479     1,441     8.54%
Loans receivable                       8,955,294   155,434     6.96%
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal
 Reserve
  Bank stocks                            115,646     1,609     5.58%
                                     ---------------------------------
  Total interest-earning assets       11,050,836   187,579     6.81%
                                     ---------------------------------

Noninterest-earning assets:
 Cash and due from banks                 150,469
 Allowance for loan losses               (89,958)
 Other assets                            677,408
                                     ------------
     Total assets                    $11,788,755
                                     ============


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Checking accounts                        437,804     1,367     1.25%
Money market accounts                  1,094,698     8,464     3.10%
Savings deposits                         471,437     1,454     1.24%
Time deposits less than $100,000         938,282     8,841     3.78%
Time deposits $100,000 or greater      3,027,580    32,127     4.26%
Federal funds purchased                  165,686     1,378     3.34%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances        1,747,313    19,682     4.52%
Securities sold under repurchase
 agreements                            1,001,186    10,529     4.22%
Long-term debt                           235,570     3,723     6.34%
                                     ---------------------------------
  Total interest-bearing liabilities   9,119,556    87,565     3.85%
                                     ---------------------------------

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                       1,359,837
 Other liabilities                       152,335
Stockholders' equity                   1,157,027
                                     ------------
   Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity             $11,788,755
                                     ============

Interest rate spread                                           2.96%

Net interest income and net yield
 on interest-earning assets (4)                   $100,014     3.63%
                                                  ========


                                          Quarter Ended March 31,
                                      --------------------------------
                                                    2007
                                      --------------------------------
                                         Average
                                          Volume    Interest Yield (1)
                                      --------------------------------

ASSETS
-------------------------------------
Interest-earning assets:
Short-term investments (2)             $     7,710  $    100     5.26%
Securities purchased under resale
 agreements (3)                            195,574     3,786     7.85%
Investment securities
  Taxable                                1,640,374    22,779     5.63%
  Tax-exempt (4)                             8,815       165     7.49%
Loans receivable                         8,177,378   158,163     7.84%
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal
 Reserve
  Bank stocks                               86,449     1,228     5.76%
                                      --------------------------------
  Total interest-earning assets         10,116,300   186,221     7.47%
                                      --------------------------------

Noninterest-earning assets:
 Cash and due from banks                   147,486
 Allowance for loan losses                 (78,190)
 Other assets                              573,438
                                      -------------
     Total assets                      $10,759,034
                                      =============


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
-------------------------------------
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Checking accounts                          415,759     1,722     1.68%
Money market accounts                    1,315,539    13,575     4.18%
Savings deposits                           364,592       624     0.69%
Time deposits less than $100,000           991,517     9,551     3.91%
Time deposits $100,000 or greater        2,761,135    33,490     4.92%
Federal funds purchased                    148,185     1,970     5.39%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances          1,193,231    14,866     5.05%
Securities sold under repurchase
 agreements                                975,000     8,394     3.49%
Long-term debt                             184,481     3,382     7.43%
                                      --------------------------------
  Total interest-bearing liabilities     8,349,439    87,574     4.25%
                                      --------------------------------

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
 Demand deposits                         1,244,697
 Other liabilities                         143,193
Stockholders' equity                     1,021,705
                                      -------------
   Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity               $10,759,034
                                      =============

Interest rate spread                                             3.22%

Net interest income and net yield
 on interest-earning assets (4)                     $ 98,647     3.95%
                                                    ========





(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes short-term securities purchased under resale agreements.
(3) The terms for the purchase of securities under resale agreements
 range from ten to fifteen years.
(4) Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the
 current statutory federal tax rate.

Source: East West Bancorp, Inc.

Contact: East West Bancorp, Inc. Julia Gouw, Chief Financial Officer, (626) 768-6898
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East West Bancorp, Inc.
135 North Los Robles Ave.
7th Floor
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 768-6000

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