Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission file number 000-24939

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE

             Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý    No o

             Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

             Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

             Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

             Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

             Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filed, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer, "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

             Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

             The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates is approximately $346,390,718 (based on the June 30, 2009 closing price of Common Stock of $6.49 per share).

             As of February 12, 2010, 110,506,071 shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders – Part III

---

Table of Contents

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
2009 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

---

Table of Contents

PART I

            Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report contains or incorporates statements that we believe are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language, such as "will likely result," "may," "are expected to," "is anticipated," "estimate," "forecast," "projected," "intends to," or may include other similar words or phrases, such as "believes," "plans," "trend," "objective," "continue," "remain," or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," "can," or similar verbs. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the documents incorporated by reference. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements we may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to us.

            There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:

•

our ability to integrate the former United Commercial Bank operations and to achieve expected synergies, operating efficiencies or other benefits within expected time frames, or at all, or within expected cost projections;



•

our ability to integrate and retain former depositors and borrowers of United Commercial Bank;



•

our ability to manage the loan portfolio acquired from United Commercial Bank within the limits of the loss protection provided by the FDIC;



•

changes in our borrowers' performance on loans;



•

changes in the commercial and consumer real estate markets;



•

changes in our costs of operation, compliance and expansion;



•

changes in the economy, including inflation;



•

changes in government interest rate policies;



•

changes in laws or the regulatory environment;



•

changes in critical accounting policies and judgments;



•

changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies;



•

changes in the equity and debt securities markets;



•

changes in competitive pressures on financial institutions;



•

effect of additional provision for loan losses;



•

effect of any goodwill impairment;



•

fluctuations of our stock price;



•

success and timing of our business strategies;



•

impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity;



•

changes in our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries; and



•

political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities or otherwise affect economic conditions.

3

---

Table of Contents

            For a more detailed discussion of some of the factors that might cause such differences, see "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS." The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as required by law.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Organization

            East West Bancorp, Inc.    East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as "East West" and on a consolidated basis as the "Company" or "we") is a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware on August 26, 1998 and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA"). The Company commenced business on December 30, 1998 when, pursuant to a reorganization, it acquired all of the voting stock of East West Bank, or the "Bank". The Bank is the Company's principal asset. In addition to the Bank, the Company has ten other subsidiaries, namely East West Insurance Services, Inc., East West Capital Trust I, East West Capital Trust II, East West Capital Statutory Trust III, East West Capital Trust IV, East West Capital Trust V, East West Capital Trust VI, East West Capital Trust VII, East West Capital Trust VIII, and East West Capital Trust IX.

            East West Insurance Services, Inc.    On August 22, 2000, East West completed the acquisition of East West Insurance Services, Inc. (the "Agency") in a stock exchange transaction. The Agency provides business and consumer insurance services to the Southern California market. The Agency runs its operations autonomously from the operations of the Company. The operations of the Agency are limited and are not deemed material in relation to the overall operations of the Company.

            Other Subsidiaries of East West Bancorp, Inc.    The Company has established nine other subsidiaries as statutory business trusts, East West Capital Trust I and East West Capital Trust II in 2000, East West Capital Statutory Trust III in 2003, East West Capital Trust IV and East West Capital Trust V in 2004, East West Capital Trust VI in 2005, East West Capital Trust VII in 2006, and East West Capital Trusts VIII and IX in 2007, collectively referred to as the "Trusts". In nine separate private placement transactions, the Trusts have issued either fixed or variable rate capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trusts. East West is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trusts. The purpose of issuing the capital securities was to provide the Company with a cost-effective means of obtaining Tier I capital for regulatory purposes. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("FIN No. 46R"), the Trusts are not consolidated into the accounts of the Company.

            East West's principal business is to serve as a holding company for the Bank and other banking or banking-related subsidiaries which East West may establish or acquire. East West has not engaged in any other activities to date. As a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries, East West's principal source of funds is, and will continue to be, dividends that may be paid by its subsidiaries. East West's other sources of funds include proceeds from the issuance of its common stock in connection with stock option and warrant exercises and employee stock purchase plans. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $20.56 billion in total consolidated assets, $13.84 billion in net consolidated loans, and $14.99 billion in total consolidated deposits.

            The principal office of the Company is located at 135 N. Los Robles Ave., 7^th Floor, Pasadena, California 91101, and the telephone number is (626) 768-6000.

4

---

Table of Contents

            East West Bank.    East West Bank was chartered by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in June 1972, as the first federally chartered savings institution focused primarily on the Chinese-American community, and opened for business at its first office in the Chinatown district of Los Angeles in January 1973. From 1973 until the early 1990's, the Bank conducted a traditional savings and loan business by making predominantly long-term, single family residential and commercial and multifamily real estate loans. These loans were made principally within the ethnic Chinese market in Southern California and were funded primarily with retail savings deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. The Bank has emphasized commercial lending since its conversion to a state-chartered commercial bank on July 31, 1995. The Bank now also provides loans for commercial, construction, and residential real estate projects and for the financing of international trade for companies primarily in California.

            At December 31, 2009, the Bank had four wholly owned subsidiaries. The first subsidiary, E-W Services, Inc., is a California corporation organized by the Bank in 1977. E-W Services, Inc. holds property used by the Bank in its operations. The secondary subsidiary, East-West Investments, Inc., primarily acts as a trustee in connection with real estate secured loans. The remaining two other subsidiaries, Cal Canton and United Commercial Bank (China) Limited were the result of the UCB Acquisition.

            Acquisitions of existing banks have contributed to the Bank's growth. We continue to look for opportunities to expand the Bank's branch network by acquiring other financial institutions to diversify our customer base in order to compete for new deposits and loans, and to serve our customers effectively by providing them with a wide array of financial solutions, products and services.

            On August 17, 2007, the Bank completed the acquisition of Desert Community Bank ("DCB"), a commercial bank headquartered in Victorville, California. The purchase price was $145.0 million with fifty-five percent of the merger consideration paid in East West common stock and the remainder in cash. DCB operated through nine branches located throughout the High Desert area of San Bernardino County. The Bank acquired approximately $406.1 million in net loans receivable and assumed $506.7 million in deposits through this acquisition. These nine branches are operated under the name Desert Community Bank, a division of East West Bank.

            On November 6, 2009, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement ("Purchase and Assumption Agreement") with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), pursuant to which the Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the former United Commercial Bank ("United Commercial Bank"), a California state-chartered bank headquartered in San Francisco, California (the "UCB Acquisition"). The UCB Acquisition included all 63 U.S. branches of United Commercial Bank, which opened as branches of the Bank as of Monday, November 9, 2009. It also included the Hong Kong branch of United Commercial Bank and United Commercial Bank (China) Limited, the subsidiary of United Commercial Bank headquartered in Shanghai, China.

            Under the terms of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, the Bank acquired certain assets of United Commercial Bank with a fair value of approximately $9.86 billion, including $5.90 billion of loans, $1.56 billion of investment securities, $93.5 million of Federal Home Loan Bank stock, $599.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, $147.4 million of securities purchased under sale agreements, $38.0 million of other real estate owned ("OREO"), and $207.6 million of other assets. Liabilities with a fair value of approximately $9.57 billion were also assumed, including $6.53 billion of insured and uninsured deposits, but excluding certain brokered deposits, $1.84 billion of Federal Home Loan ("FHLB") advances, $858.2 million of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, $90.6 million in other borrowings and $254.2 million of other liabilities.

5

---

Table of Contents

            See the "Business Combination" section of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 2 on page 111 for more information on the acquisition.

            The Bank has also grown through strategic partnerships and additional branch locations. On August 30, 2001, the Bank entered into an exclusive ten-year agreement with 99 Ranch Market to provide retail banking services in their stores throughout California. 99 Ranch Market is the largest Asian-focused chain of supermarkets on the West Coast, with 24 full service stores in California, two in Washington, and affiliated licensee stores in Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, and Indonesia. Tawa Supermarket Companies or "Tawa" is the parent company of 99 Ranch Market. Tawa's property development division owns and operates many of the shopping centers where 99 Ranch Market stores are located. We are currently providing in-store banking services to nine 99 Ranch Market locations in Southern California and one in Northern California.

            The Bank continues to expand its market presence in the international arena. The Bank has two full-service branches in Hong Kong, one of which commenced operations during the first quarter of 2007 and the other was the result of the UCB Acquisition. The Hong Kong branches offer a variety of deposit, loan, and international banking products. In addition, the Bank has two full-service branches in China, one in Shanghai, and one in Shantou, also the result of the UCB Acquisition. The Bank also has four overseas representative offices in China and one in Taipei, Taiwan. The first office, located in Beijing, was opened on January 20, 2003. The second overseas representative office was opened on August 10, 2007, and is located in Shanghai. The remainder of the representative offices were acquired in the UCB Acquisition. These representative offices serve to further develop the Bank's existing international banking capabilities. In addition to facilitating traditional letters of credit and trade finance to businesses, these representative offices allow the Bank to assist existing clients, as well as develop new business relationships. Through these offices, the Bank is focused on growing its export-import lending volume by aiding domestic exporters in identifying and developing new sales opportunities to China-based customers as well as capturing additional letters of credit business generated from China-based exports through broader correspondent banking relationships with a variety of Chinese financial institutions.

            The Bank continues to explore opportunities to establish other foreign offices, subsidiaries or strategic investments and partnerships to expand its footprint in the international and global marketplace.

Banking Services

            The Bank is the third largest independent commercial bank headquartered in California as of December 31, 2009, and the largest bank in the United States that focuses on the Asian-American community. Through its network of 135 branches worldwide, the Bank provides a wide range of personal and commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, business executives, professionals, and other individuals. The Bank offers multilingual services to its customers in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Spanish. The Bank also offers a variety of deposit products which includes the traditional range of personal and business checking and savings accounts, time deposits and individual retirement accounts, travelers' checks, safe deposit boxes, and MasterCard and Visa merchant deposit services.

            The Bank's lending activities include residential and commercial real estate, construction, commercial, trade finance, accounts receivable, small business administration ("SBA"), inventory and working capital loans. The Bank's commercial borrowers are engaged in a wide variety of manufacturing, wholesale trade, and service businesses. The Bank provides commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses with annual revenues that generally range from several million to

6

---

Table of Contents

$200 million. In addition, the Bank provides short-term trade finance facilities for terms of less than one year primarily to U.S. importers and manufacturers doing business in the Asia Pacific region.

Market Area and Competition

            The Bank concentrates on marketing its services primarily in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and the greater San Francisco Bay area, including San Mateo County, the Silicon Valley area of Santa Clara County, and Alameda County, with a particular focus on regions with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese. The ethnic Chinese markets within the Bank's primary market area have experienced rapid growth in recent years. According to information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau's 2005-2007 American Community Survey, there were an estimated 4.6 million Asians and Pacific Islanders residing in California, or 12.6% of the total population. As California continues to gain momentum as the hub of the Pacific Rim, the Bank provides important competitive advantages to its customers participating in the Asia Pacific marketplace. We believe that our customers benefit from our understanding of Asian markets and cultures, our corporate and organizational ties throughout Asia, as well as our international banking products and services. We believe that this approach, combined with the extensive ties of our management and Board of Directors to the growing Asian and ethnic Chinese communities, provides us with an advantage in competing for customers in our market area. The Bank is also committed to expanding its customer base to other high growth communities in Northern and Southern California, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington

            The Bank has 111 branches in California located in the following counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda. Additionally, the Bank has eight branches in New York, five branches in Georgia, three branches in Massachusetts, two branches in Texas, and two branches in Washington. In Greater China, East West's presence includes four full-service branches, including two in Hong Kong, one in Shanghai, and one in Shantou. The Bank also has representative offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China, and Taipei, Taiwan.

            The banking and financial services industry in California generally, and in our market areas specifically, is highly competitive. The increasingly competitive environment is a result primarily of changes in laws and regulations, changes in technology and product delivery systems, as well as continuing consolidation and nationwide expansion among financial services providers.

            The Bank competes for loans, deposits, and customers with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, finance companies, money market funds, credit unions, and other nonbank financial service providers. Some of these competitors are larger in total assets and capitalization, have greater access to capital markets, including foreign ownership, and offer a broader range of financial services than the Bank.

Economic Conditions, Government Policies, Legislation, and Regulation

            The Company's profitability, like most financial institutions, is primarily dependent on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest rates paid by the Bank on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rates received by the Bank on interest-earning assets, such as loans extended to customers and securities held in the investment portfolio, will comprise the major portion of the Company's earnings (losses). These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Company, such as inflation, recession and

7

---

Table of Contents

unemployment, and the impact which future changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions might have on the Company cannot be predicted.

            The Company's business is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB"). The FRB implements national monetary policies (with objectives such as curbing inflation and combating recession) through its open-market operations in U.S. Government securities by adjusting the required level of reserves for depository institutions subject to its reserve requirements, and by varying the target federal funds and discount rates applicable to borrowings by depository institutions. The actions of the FRB in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and also affect interest earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary and fiscal policies on the Company cannot be predicted.

            From time to time, federal and state legislation is enacted which may have the effect of materially increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities, or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial services providers. Several proposals for legislation that could substantially intensify the regulation of the financial services industry (including a possible comprehensive overhaul of the financial institutions regulatory system) are expected to be introduced and possibly enacted in the new Congress in response to the current economic downturn and financial industry instability. Other legislative and regulatory initiatives which could affect us and the banking industry in general are pending, and additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced, before the Congress, the California legislature, and other governmental bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation, and competitive relationship among financial institutions, and may subject us to increased regulation, disclosure, and reporting requirements. In addition, the various bank regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations and policies to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulations or changes in policy may be enacted or the extent to which the business of the Bank would be affected thereby. The Company cannot predict whether or when potential legislation will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that it, or any implemented regulations and supervisory policies, would have on our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the outcome of examinations, any litigation or any investigations initiated by state or federal authorities may result in necessary changes in our operations and increased compliance costs.

            Negative developments beginning in the latter half of 2007 in the sub-prime mortgage market and the securitization markets for such loans, together with volatility in oil prices and other factors, have resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets in general and a related general economic downturn, which have continued through 2009. Dramatic declines in the housing market, with decreasing home prices and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage and construction loans and resulted in significant write-downs of assets by many financial institutions, including the Bank. In addition, the values of real estate collateral supporting many loans have declined and may continue to decline. General downward economic trends, reduced availability of commercial credit and increasing unemployment have negatively impacted the credit performance of commercial and consumer credit, resulting in additional write-downs. Concerns over the stability of the financial markets and the economy have resulted in decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each other. This market turmoil and tightening of credit has led to increased commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of customer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction in general business activity. Competition among depository institutions for deposits has increased significantly. Bank and bank holding company stock prices have been significantly negatively affected as has the ability of banks and bank holding companies to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets compared to recent years. The bank regulatory agencies have

8

---

Table of Contents

been very aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, and this has resulted in the increased issuance of enforcement orders requiring action to address credit quality, liquidity and risk management, and capital adequacy concerns, as well as other safety and soundness concerns.

            On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted ("EESA") to restore confidence and stabilize the volatility in the U.S. banking system and to encourage financial institutions to increase their lending to customers and to each other. Initially introduced as the Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP"), the EESA authorized the United States Department of the Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") to purchase from financial institutions and their holding companies up to $700 billion in mortgage loans, mortgage-related securities and certain other financial instruments, including debt and equity securities issued by financial institutions and their holding companies in a troubled asset relief program. Initially, $350 billion or half of the $700 billion was made immediately available to the U.S. Treasury. On January 15, 2009, the remaining $350 billion was released to the U.S. Treasury.

            On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced its intention to inject capital into nine large U.S. financial institutions under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the "TARP CPP"), and since has injected capital into many other financial institutions, including the Company. The U.S. Treasury initially allocated $250 billion towards the TARP CPP. On December 5, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms with the U.S. Treasury ("Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company sold to the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $306.5 million, preferred stock and warrants. Under the terms of the TARP CPP, the Company is prohibited from increasing dividends on its common stock, and from making certain repurchases of equity securities, including its common stock, without the U.S. Treasury's consent. Furthermore, as long as the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury is outstanding, dividend payments and repurchases or redemptions relating to certain equity securities, including the Company's common stock, are prohibited until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on such preferred stock, subject to certain limited exceptions. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Part II, Item 7 herein.

            In order to participate in the TARP CPP, financial institutions were required to adopt certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. These standards generally apply to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated senior executive officers. The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive. The Company has complied with these requirements.

            The bank regulatory agencies, U.S. Treasury and the Office of Special Inspector General, also created by the EESA, have issued guidance and requests to the financial institutions that participate in the TARP CPP to document their plans and use of TARP CPP funds and their plans for addressing the executive compensation requirements associated with the TARP CPP.

            On February 10, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies announced in a Joint Statement a new Financial Stability Plan which would include additional capital support for banks under a Capital Assistance Program, a public-private investment fund to address existing bank

9

---

Table of Contents

loan portfolios and expanded funding for the FRB's pending Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to restart lending and the securitization markets.

            On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") was signed into law by President Obama. The ARRA includes a wide variety of programs intended to stimulate the economy and provide for extensive infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs. In addition, the ARRA imposes certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury's consultation with the recipient's appropriate regulatory agency.

            The executive compensation standards are more stringent than those currently in effect under the TARP CPP or those previously proposed by the U.S. Treasury. The new standards include (but are not limited to) (i) prohibitions on bonuses, retention awards and other incentive compensation, other than restricted stock grants which do not fully vest during the TARP period up to one-third of an employee's total annual compensation, (ii) prohibitions on golden parachute payments for departure from a company, (iii) an expanded clawback of bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation if payment is based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iv) prohibitions on compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings, (v) retroactive review of bonuses, retention awards and other compensation previously provided by TARP recipients if found by the U.S. Treasury to be inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to public interest, (vi) required establishment of a company-wide policy regarding "excessive or luxury expenditures," and (vii) inclusion in a participant's proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings of a nonbinding "Say on Pay" shareholder vote on the compensation of executives.

            On February 23, 2009, the U.S. Treasury and the federal bank regulatory agencies issued a Joint Statement providing further guidance with respect to the Capital Assistance Program ("CAP") announced February 10, 2009, including: (i) that the CAP will be initiated on February 25, 2009 and will include "stress test" assessments of major banks and that should the "stress test" indicate that an additional capital buffer is warranted, institutions will have an opportunity to turn first to private sources of capital; otherwise the temporary capital buffer will be made available from the government; (ii) such additional government capital will be in the form of mandatory convertible preferred shares, which would be converted into common equity shares only as needed over time to keep banks in a well-capitalized position and can be retired under improved financial conditions before the conversion becomes mandatory; and (iii) previous capital injections under the TARP CPP will also be eligible to be exchanged for the mandatory convertible preferred shares. The conversion of preferred shares to common equity shares would enable institutions to maintain or enhance the quality of their capital by increasing their tangible common equity capital ratios; however, such conversions would necessarily dilute the interests of existing shareholders.

            On February 25, 2009, the first day the CAP program was initiated, the U.S. Treasury released the actual terms of the program, stating that the purpose of the CAP is to restore confidence throughout the financial system that the nation's largest banking institutions have a sufficient capital cushion against larger than expected future losses, should they occur due to more a more severe economic environment, and to support lending to creditworthy borrowers. Under the CAP terms, eligible U.S. banking institutions with assets in excess of $100 billion on a consolidated basis are required to participate in coordinated supervisory assessments, which are forward-looking "stress test" assessments to evaluate the capital needs of the institution under a more challenging economic environment. Should this assessment indicate the need for the bank to establish an additional capital buffer to withstand more stressful conditions, these institutions may access the CAP immediately as a

10

---

Table of Contents

means to establish any necessary additional buffer or they may delay the CAP funding for six months to raise the capital privately. Eligible U.S. banking institutions with assets below $100 billion may also obtain capital from the CAP. The CAP program is an additional program from the TARP CCP and is open to eligible institutions regardless of whether they participated in the TARP CCP. The deadline to apply to the CAP was May 25, 2009. Recipients of capital under the CAP will be subject to the same executive compensation requirements as if they had received TARP CCP.

            The EESA also increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") deposit insurance on most accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. This increase was originally scheduled to end in 2009; however, Congress extended the temporary increase until December 31, 2013. The increase is not covered by deposit insurance premiums paid by the banking industry. In addition, the FDIC has implemented two temporary programs under the Temporary Liquidity Guaranty Program ("TLGP") to provide deposit insurance for the full amount of most noninterest bearing transaction accounts through the end of 2009, and later extended through June 30, 2010 and to guarantee certain unsecured debt of financial institutions and their holding companies through June 2012. Financial institutions had until December 5, 2008 to opt out of these two programs. The Company and the Bank have elected to not opt out of these two programs. The FDIC charges "systemic risk special assessments" to depository institutions that participate in the TLGP.

Supervision and Regulation

            General.    The Company and the Bank are extensively regulated under both federal and state laws. Regulation and supervision by the federal and state banking agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") administered by the FDIC and not for the benefit of stockholders. Set forth below is a brief description of key laws and regulations which relate to our operations. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable laws and regulations. The federal and state agencies regulating the financial services industry also frequently adopt changes to their regulations.

            The Company.    As a bank holding company and financial holding company, the Company is subject to regulation and examination by the FRB under the BHCA. Accordingly, the Company is subject to the FRB's regulation and its authority to:

•

require periodic reports and such additional information as the FRB may require.



•

require the Company to maintain certain levels of capital. See "Capital Requirements".



•

require that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to subsidiary banks and commit resources as necessary to support each subsidiary bank. A bank holding company's failure to meet its obligations to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks will generally be considered by the FRB to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of FRB regulations or both.



•

terminate an activity or terminate control of or liquidate or divest certain subsidiaries, affiliates or investments if the FRB believes the activity or the control of the subsidiary or affiliate constitutes a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of any bank subsidiary.



•

regulate provisions of certain bank holding company debt, including the authority to impose interest ceilings and reserve requirements on such debt and require prior approval to purchase or redeem our securities in certain situations.



•

approve acquisitions and mergers with banks and consider certain competitive, management, financial and other factors in granting these approvals. Similar California and other state banking agency approvals may also be required.

11

---

Table of Contents

Nonbanking and Financial Activities

            Subject to certain prior notice or FRB approval requirements, bank holding companies may engage in any, or acquire shares of companies engaged in, those nonbanking activities determined by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The Company may engage in these nonbanking activities and broader securities, insurance, merchant banking and other activities that are determined to be "financial in nature" or are incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature without prior FRB approval pursuant to its election to become a financial holding company. Pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 ("GLBA"), in order to elect and retain financial holding company status, all depository institution subsidiaries of a bank holding company must be well capitalized, well managed, and, except in limited circumstances, be in satisfactory compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"). Failure to sustain compliance with these requirements or correct any non-compliance within a fixed time period could lead to divestiture of subsidiary banks or require all activities to conform to those permissible for a bank holding company.

            The Company is also a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code. As such, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the Department of Financial Institutions ("DFI").

Securities Registration

            The Company's securities are registered with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). As such, the Company is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading, corporate governance, and other requirements and restrictions of the Exchange Act.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

            The Company is subject to the accounting oversight and corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including:

•

required executive certification of financial presentations;



•

increased requirements for board audit committees and their members;



•

enhanced disclosure of controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;



•

enhanced controls over, and reporting of, insider trading; and



•

increased penalties for financial crimes and forfeiture of executive bonuses in certain circumstances.

            The Bank.    As a California chartered bank, the Bank is subject to primary supervision, periodic examination, and regulation by the DFI and by the FRB as the Bank's primary federal regulator. As a member bank, the Bank is a stockholder of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the "Reserve Bank").

            In general, under the California Financial Code, California banks have all the powers of a California corporation, subject to the general limitation of state bank powers under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA") to those permissible for national banks. Specific federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to banks regulate, among other things, the scope of their business, their investments, their reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds and the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans. The regulatory structure also gives the bank regulatory agencies extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities

12

---

Table of Contents

and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. If, as a result of an examination, the DFI or the FRB should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of the Bank's operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, the DFI and the FRB, and separately the FDIC as insurer of the Bank's deposits, have residual authority to:

•

require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice;



•

direct an increase in capital and the maintenance of specific minimum capital ratios;



•

restrict the Bank's growth geographically, by products and services or by mergers and acquisitions;



•

enter into informal or formal enforcement orders, including memoranda of understanding, written agreements; and consent or cease and desist orders to take corrective action and enjoin unsafe and unsound practices;



•

remove officers and directors and assess civil monetary penalties; and



•

take possession and close and liquidate the Bank.

Permissible Activities and Subsidiaries

            California law permits state chartered commercial banks to engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Therefore, the Bank may form subsidiaries to engage in the many so-called "closely related to banking" or "nonbanking" activities commonly conducted by national banks in operating subsidiaries, and further, pursuant to GLBA, the Bank may conduct certain "financial" activities in a subsidiary to the same extent as may a national bank, provided the Bank is and remains "well-capitalized," "well-managed" and in satisfactory compliance with the CRA. Presently, none of the Bank's subsidiaries are financial subsidiaries.

Interstate Banking and Branching

            Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, bank holding companies and banks generally have the ability to acquire or merge with banks in other states and, subject to certain state restrictions, banks may also acquire or establish new branches outside their home state. Interstate branches are subject to certain laws of the states in which they are located.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

            The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of San Francisco. Among other benefits, each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region and makes available loans or advances to its members. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to own a certain amount of capital stock in the FHLB. At December 31, 2009, the Bank was in compliance with the FHLB's stock ownership requirement and our investment in FHLB capital stock totaled $180.2 million. In January 2009, the FHLB announced that it will suspend dividend payments for the fourth quarter of 2008 to preserve capital given the possibility of other-than-temporary charges on certain non-agency mortgage-backed securities in the future. Additionally, the FHLB announced that it will not repurchase excess capital stock on January 31, 2009, which was the next regularly scheduled repurchase date.

13

---

Table of Contents

Federal Reserve System

            The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to maintain interest bearing reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts. At December 31, 2009, the Bank was in compliance with these requirements. As a member bank, the Bank is also required to own capital stock in the Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2009, the Bank held an investment of $36.8 million in capital stock.

Foreign Operations

            As a result of the UCB Acquisition, the Bank currently has four full-service branches, two in Hong Kong, one in Shanghai, and one in Shantou, China. The Bank also has representative offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China and Taipei, Taiwan. The Bank's overseas activities are regulated by the FRB and the DFI, and are also regulated by supervisory authorities of the host countries where the Bank has offices.

Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds

            Dividends from the Bank constitute the principal source of income to the Company. The Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends. Under such restrictions, the amount available for payment of dividends to the Company by the Bank totaled $85.8 million at December 31, 2009. The Bank is permitted to pay dividend to the Company as long as the banking regulatory authorities of the Bank are notified of the proposed dividend and there is non objection language from the banking regulatory authorities. In addition, the banking agencies have the authority to prohibit or limit the Bank from paying dividends, depending upon the Bank's financial condition, if such payment is deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Furthermore, under the federal Prompt Corrective Action regulations, the FRB or FDIC may prohibit a bank holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company's bank subsidiary is classified as "undercapitalized." See "Capital Requirements."

            It is FRB policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization's expected future needs and financial condition. It is also FRB policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine the company's ability to be a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. Additionally, in consideration of the current financial and economic environment, the FRB has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

            Under the terms of the TARP CPP, for so long as any preferred stock issued under the TARP CPP remains outstanding, the Company is prohibited from increasing dividends on its common stock, and from making certain repurchases of equity securities, including its common stock, without the U.S. Treasury's consent until the third anniversary of the U.S. Treasury's investment or until the U.S. Treasury has transferred all of the preferred stock it purchased under the TARP CPP to third parties. As long as the preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury is outstanding, as well as the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, dividend payments and repurchases or redemptions relating to certain equity securities, including the Company's common stock, are also prohibited until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on such preferred stock, subject to certain limited exceptions (see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Part II, Item 7 herein).

14

---

Table of Contents

Capital Requirements

            Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors. At December 31, 2009, the Company's and the Bank's capital ratios exceed the minimum capital adequacy guideline percentage requirements of the federal banking agencies for "well capitalized" institutions. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Risk-Based Capital" and Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the regulatory capital guidelines as well as the Company's and the Bank's actual capitalization as of December 31, 2009.

            The federal banking agencies have adopted risk-based minimum capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies and banks which are intended to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization's operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and transactions which are recorded as off-balance sheet items. The risk-based capital ratio is determined by classifying assets and certain off-balance sheet financial instruments into weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for those categories perceived as representing greater risk. Bank holding companies and banks engaged in significant trading activity may also be subject to the market risk capital guidelines and be required to incorporate additional market and interest rate risk components into their risk-based capital standards. Under the capital adequacy guidelines, a banking organization's total capital is divided into tiers. "Tier I capital" includes common equity and trust-preferred securities, subject to certain criteria and quantitative limits. The TARP CPP capital received by the Company from the U.S. Treasury and the capital received from the Series A preferred stock offering also qualifies as Tier I capital. "Tier II capital" includes hybrid capital instruments, other qualifying debt instruments, a limited amount of the allowance for loan and lease losses, and a limited amount of unrealized holding gains on equity securities. "Tier III capital" consists of qualifying unsecured debt. The sum of Tier II and Tier III capital may not exceed the amount of Tier I capital. The risk-based capital guidelines require a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8% and a minimum ratio of Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets of 4%. An institution is defined as well capitalized if its total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 10.00% or more; its core capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 6.00% or more; and its core capital to adjusted average assets ratio is 5.00% or more.

            Bank holding companies and banks are also required to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization's Tier 1 capital to its total adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). The requirements necessitate a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0% for holding companies and banks that either have the highest supervisory rating or have implemented the appropriate federal regulatory authority's risk-adjusted measure for market risk. All other holding companies and banks are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, unless a different minimum is specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. For a depository institution to be considered "well capitalized" under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%.

Basel and Basel II Accords

            The current risk-based capital guidelines which apply to the Company and the Bank are based upon the 1988 capital accord of the International Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a committee of central banks and bank supervisors and regulators from the major industrialized countries

15

---

Table of Contents

that develops broad policy guidelines for use by each country's supervisors in determining the supervisory policies they apply. A new international accord, referred to as Basel II, which emphasizes internal assessment of credit, market and operational risk; supervisory assessment and market discipline in determining minimum capital requirements, became mandatory for large or "core" international banks outside the U.S. in 2008 (total assets of $250 billion or more or consolidated foreign exposures of $10 billion or more); is optional for others, and if adopted, must first be complied with in a "parallel run" for two years along with the existing Basel I standards. In January 2009, the Basel Committee proposed to reconsider regulatory-capital standards, supervisory and risk-management requirements and additional disclosures to further strengthen Basel II framework in response to recent worldwide developments.

            In July 2008, the U.S. federal banking agencies issued a proposed rule for banking organizations that do not use the "advanced approaches" under Basel II. While this proposed rule generally parallels the relevant approaches under Basel II, it diverges where U.S. markets have unique characteristics and risk profiles, most notably with respect to risk weighting residential mortgage exposures. A definitive final rule has not yet been issued. The U.S. banking agencies have indicated, however, that they will retain the minimum leverage requirement for all U.S. banks.

Prompt Corrective Action

            The FDIA provides a framework for regulation of depository institutions and their affiliates, including parent holding companies, by their federal banking regulators. Among other things, it requires the relevant federal banking regulator to take "prompt corrective action" with respect to a depository institution if that institution does not meet certain capital adequacy standards, including requiring the prompt submission of an acceptable capital restoration plan. Supervisory actions by the appropriate federal banking regulator under the prompt corrective action rules generally depend upon an institution's classification within five capital categories as defined in the regulations. The relevant capital measures are the capital ratio, the Tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio. However, the federal banking agencies have also adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards to assist examiners in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired. These include operational and managerial standards relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, (ii) loan documentation, (iii) credit underwriting, (iv) asset quality and growth, (v) earnings, (vi) risk management, and (vii) compensation and benefits.

            A depository institution's capital tier under the prompt corrective action regulations will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and the other factors established by the regulation. A bank will be: (i) "well capitalized" if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) "adequately capitalized" if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and is not "well capitalized"; (iii) "undercapitalized" if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) "significantly undercapitalized" if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (v) "critically undercapitalized" if the institution's tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters.

16

---

Table of Contents

            The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be "undercapitalized." "Undercapitalized" institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution's capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution's parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan. The bank holding company must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution's total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is "significantly undercapitalized." "Significantly undercapitalized" depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become "adequately capitalized," requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. "Critically undercapitalized" institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

            The appropriate federal banking agency may, under certain circumstances, reclassify a well capitalized insured depository institution as adequately capitalized. The FDIA provides that an institution may be reclassified if the appropriate federal banking agency determines (after notice and opportunity for hearing) that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or deems the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution.

FDIC Deposit Insurance

            The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the DIF up to prescribed limits for each depositor. Pursuant to the EESA, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis. In an effort to restore capitalization levels and to ensure the DIF will adequately cover projected losses from future bank failures, the FDIC, in October 2008, proposed a rule to alter the way in which it differentiates for risk in the risk-based assessment system and to revise deposit insurance assessment rates, including base assessment rates. Effective April 1, 2009, initial base assessment rates were increased to between 12 and 45 cents for every $100 of assessable domestic deposits, with most banks paying between 12 and 14 cents.

            On February 27, 2009, the FDIC approved an interim rule to institute a one-time special assessment of 20 cents per $100 in assessable domestic deposits to restore the DIF reserves depleted by recent bank failures. The interim rule additionally reserves the right of the FDIC to charge an additional up-to-10 basis point special premium at a later point if the DIF reserves continue to fall.

17

---

Table of Contents

The FDIC also approved an increase in regular premium rates for the second quarter of 2009. For most banks, this will be between 12 to 16 basis points per $100 in assessable domestic deposits.

            On September 29, 2009, the FDIC adopted an Amended Restoration Plan to allow the DIF to return to a reserve ratio of 1.15 percent within eight years, as mandated by statute. While the Amended Restoration Plan and higher assessment rates address the need to return the DIF reserve ratio to 1.15 percent, the FDIC must also consider its need for cash to pay for projected bank failures. On November 17, 2009, the FDIC amended its regulation requiring insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012. The Bank prepaid a total of $80.6 million to the FDIC in December 2009.

            If the DIF's reserves exceed the designated reserve ratio, the FDIC is required to pay out all or, if the reserve ratio is less than 1.5%, a portion of the excess as a dividend to insured depository institutions based on the percentage of insured deposits held on December 31, 1996 adjusted for subsequently paid premiums.

            Additionally, by participating in the TLGP, banks temporarily become subject to "systemic risk special assessments" of 10 basis points for transaction account balances in excess of $250,000 assessments up to 100 basis points of the amount of TLGP debt issued. Further, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation ("FICO"), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged 0.0106% of insured deposits in fiscal 2009. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.

            The FDIC may terminate a depository institution's deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution's financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of the bank's depositors. The termination of deposit insurance for a bank would also result in the revocation of the bank's charter by the DFI.

Loans-to-One Borrower Limitations

            With certain limited exceptions, the maximum amount of obligations, secured or unsecured, that any borrower (including certain related entities) may owe to a California state bank at any one time may not exceed 25% of the sum of the shareholders' equity, allowance for loan losses, capital notes and debentures of the bank. Unsecured obligations may not exceed 15% of the sum of the shareholders' equity, allowance for loan losses, capital notes and debentures of the bank. The Bank has established internal loan limits which are lower than the legal lending limits for a California bank.

Extensions of Credit to Insiders and Transactions with Affiliates

            The Federal Reserve Act and FRB Regulation O place limitations and conditions on loans or extensions of credit to:

•

a bank or bank holding company's executive officers, directors and principal shareholders (i.e., in most cases, those persons who own, control or have power to vote more than 10% of any class of voting securities);



•

any company controlled by any such executive officer, director or shareholder; or



•

any political or campaign committee controlled by such executive officer, director or principal shareholder.

18

---

Table of Contents

            Such loans and leases:

•

must comply with loan-to-one-borrower limits;



•

require prior full board approval when aggregate extensions of credit to the person exceed specified amounts;



•

must be made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) and follow credit-underwriting procedures no less stringent than those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-insiders; and



•

must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

            In addition, Regulation O provides that the aggregate limit on extensions of credit to all insiders of a bank as a group cannot exceed the bank's unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. California has laws and the DFI has regulations which adopt and also apply Regulation O to the Bank.

            The Bank also is subject to certain restrictions imposed by Federal Reserve Act Sections 23A and 23B and FRB Regulation W on any extensions of credit to, or the issuance of a guarantee or letter of credit on behalf of, any affiliates, the purchase of, or investments in, stock or other securities thereof, the taking of such securities as collateral for loans, and the purchase of assets of any affiliates. Affiliates include parent holding companies, sister banks, sponsored and advised companies, financial subsidiaries and investment companies where the Bank's affiliate serves as investment advisor. Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W generally:

•

prevent any affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by marketable obligations of designated amounts;



•

limit such loans and investments to or in any affiliate individually to 10.0% of the Bank's capital and surplus;



•

limit such loans and investments to all affiliate in the aggregate to 20.0% of the Bank's capital and surplus; and



•

require such loans and investments to or in any affiliate to be on terms and under conditions substantially the same or at least as favorable to the Bank as those prevailing for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated parties.

            Additional restrictions on transactions with affiliates may be imposed on the Bank under the FDIA prompt corrective action provisions and the supervisory authority of the federal and state banking agencies.

Securities Activities

            FRB Regulation R implements exceptions provided in GLBA for securities activities which banks may conduct without registering with the SEC as securities broker or moving such activities to a broker-dealer affiliate. Regulation R provides exceptions for networking arrangements with third-party broker-dealers and authorizes compensation for bank employees who refer and assist retail and high net worth bank customers with their securities, including sweep accounts to money market funds, and with related trust, fiduciary, custodial and safekeeping needs. The current securities activities which the Bank provides customers are conducted in conformance with these rules and regulations.

19

---

Table of Contents

USA PATRIOT Act and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

            The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and its implementing regulations significantly expanded the anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act. The Bank has adopted comprehensive policies and procedures to address the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act. Material deficiencies in anti-money laundering compliance can result in public enforcement actions by the banking agencies, including the imposition of civil money penalties and supervisory restrictions on growth and expansion. Such enforcement actions could also have serious reputation consequences for the Company and the Bank.

Consumer Laws

            The Bank and the Company are subject to many federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations prohibiting unfair or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising and unfair competition, including:

•

The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, or HOEPA, which requires extra disclosures and consumer protections to borrowers from certain lending practices, such as practices deemed to be "predatory lending."



•

Privacy policies required by federal and state banking laws and regulations which limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties.



•

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, or the FACT Act, which requires financial firms to help deter identity theft, including developing appropriate fraud response programs, and gives consumers more control of their credit data.



•

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, or ECOA, which generally prohibits discrimination in any credit transaction, whether for consumer or business purposes, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (except in limited circumstances), receipt of income from public assistance programs, or good faith exercise of any rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.



•

The Truth in Lending Act, or TILA, which requires that credit terms be disclosed in a meaningful and consistent way so that consumers may compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably.



•

The Fair Housing Act, which regulates many lending practices, including making it unlawful for any lender to discriminate in its housing-related lending activities against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status.



•

The CRA, which requires insured depository institutions, while operating safely and soundly, to help meet the credit needs of their communities; directs the federal regulatory agencies in examining insured depository institutions to assess a bank's record of helping meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and further requires the agencies to take a financial institution's record of meeting its community credit needs into account when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches, mergers or acquisitions, or holding company formations. In its last examination for CRA compliance, as of July 7, 2008, the Bank was rated "satisfactory."



•

The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, or HMDA, which includes a "fair lending" aspect that requires the collection and disclosure of data about applicant and borrower characteristics as a way of identifying possible discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing anti-discrimination statutes.

20

---

Table of Contents

•

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, which requires lenders to provide borrowers with disclosures regarding the nature and cost of real estate settlements and prohibits certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks.



•

The National Flood Insurance Act, which requires homes in flood-prone areas with mortgages from a federally regulated lender to have flood insurance.

Regulation of Subsidiaries

            Foreign-based subsidiaries, including United Commercial Bank China (Limited), are subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations. Nonbank subsidiaries are subject to additional or separate regulation and supervision by other state, federal and self-regulatory bodies. East West Insurance Services, Inc. is subject to the licensing and supervisory authority of the California Commissioner of Insurance.

Employees

            East West does not have any employees other than officers who are also officers of the Bank. Such employees are not separately compensated for their employment with the Company. As of December 31, 2009, the Bank had a total of 2,522 full-time employees and 145 part-time employees and the Agency had a total of 12 full-time employees. None of the employees are represented by a union or collective bargaining group. The managements of the Bank and Agency believe that their employee relations are satisfactory.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

            For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, refer to Note 1 – "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Available Information

            We file reports with the SEC, including our proxy statements, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. These reports and other information on file can be inspected and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission maintains a web site that contains the reports, proxy and information statements and other information we file with them. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.

            The Company also maintains an internet website at www.eastwestbank.com. The Company makes its website content available for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon for investment purposes.

            We make available free of charge through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and proxy statements for our annual shareholders meetings, as well as any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files such reports with the SEC. The Company's SEC reports can be accessed through the investor information page of its website. None of the information contained in or hyperlinked from our website is incorporated into this Form 10-K. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding SEC registrants, including the Company.

21

---

Table of Contents

Executive Officers of the Registrant

            The following table sets forth the executive officers of the Company, their positions, and their ages. Each officer is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank and serves at their pleasure.

---

(1)

As of February 26, 2010

            Dominic Ng serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of East West Bancorp, Inc. and East West Bank. Prior to taking the helm of East West in 1992, Mr. Ng was President and Chief Executive Officer of Seyen Investment, Inc. and before that spent over a decade as a CPA with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Ng serves on the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch and Mattel, Inc.

22

---

Table of Contents

            Julia S. Gouw serves as Vice-Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank. Prior to that, Ms. Gouw served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank from 1994 until April 2008. In April 2008, she became the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank and the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank. Ms. Gouw retired from her position as Chief Risk Officer of the Bank at the end of 2008 and rejoined the Bank in December 2009. Prior to joining East West in 1989, Ms. Gouw spent over five years as a CPA with KPMG LLP. She was ranked among the top ten bank CFOs in the nation by U.S. Banker in January 2006 and was listed four times among the "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking" by U.S. Banker magazine. She was also selected on the "Best CFOs in America of 2007 and 2006" as determined by Institutional Investor magazine.

            Ming Lin Chen serves as Executive Vice President and Director of Loan Operations. Ms. Chen joined East West Bank in 2004 as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager and was promoted to her current position in 2009. Prior to joining East West Bank, Ms. Chen was Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary of General Bank and General Bancorp. She was responsible for several management positions including international banking, commercial and SBA lending, marketing and branch operations during her 19 years with General Bank. Ms. Chen is a board member of the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Los Angeles.

            Wellington Chen serves as Executive Vice President and Director of the Corporate Banking Division. Prior to joining East West in 2003, Mr. Chen was Senior Executive Vice President of Far East National Bank (Far East), heading up their Commercial Banking and Consumer Banking groups. He also served on the Board of Directors of Far East. Mr. Chen's career with Far East started in 1986 and included a variety of branch and credit management positions. Prior to that, Mr. Chen spent three years with Security Pacific National Bank where he began his banking career as an asset-based lending auditor. Mr. Chen serves on the Board of Directors of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation.

            Donald S. Chow serves as Executive Vice President. Mr. Chow has over 30 years of experience in commercial lending. Before joining East West in 1993, Mr. Chow was First Vice President and Senior Credit Officer for Mitsui Manufacturers Bank from 1987 to 1993, and prior to that spent over 14 years with Security Pacific National Bank where he held a number of management positions in the commercial lending area.

            William H. Fong serves as Executive Vice President and Head of the Bank's Northern California Commercial Lending division. Mr. Fong joined East West in April 2006 from United Commercial Bank where he was the Head of Commercial Banking. Prior to this, Mr. Fong spent 23 years with the BNP Paribas/Bank of the West group. His responsibilities as an Executive Vice President with Bank of the West included the oversight of the Pacific Rim Division's Corporate Banking department as well as the strategic planning and development of the division's branch network in Portland, California, Nevada, and representative offices in Shanghai. Mr. Fong is a member of the California Economic Development Commission Goods Movement International Trade Advisory Committee.

            Karen Fukumura serves as Executive Vice President and Head of the Bank's Retail Banking & Technology Division. Prior to joining East West in April 2008, Ms. Fukumura was a Senior Vice President with Bank of America and held several transformational leadership roles within the Consumer Bank and Service & Fulfillment Operations. Additionally, Ms. Fukumura has seven years of management and technology consulting experience in Asia, and previously held sales and manufacturing operations roles within Mobil Oil and Xerox Corporation, respectively.

            Agatha Fung serves as Executive Vice President and Head of the International Banking division. In October 2005, Ms. Fung joined East West from CITIC International Financial Holdings in Hong

23

---

Table of Contents

Kong where she held positions as Head of Business Banking of CITIC Ka Wah Bank and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of HKCB Finance. Ms. Fung has over 20 years of banking experience and has also held senior management positions at Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank in both Hong Kong and Tokyo. Ms. Fung is a member of the Advisory Board for Asia Society Southern California.

            Douglas P. Krause serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of East West Bancorp, Inc. and East West Bank. Prior to joining East West in 1996, Mr. Krause was Corporate Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Metrobank from 1991 to 1996. Mr. Krause started his career with the law firms Dewey & LeBoeuf and Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue where he specialized in financial services. Mr. Krause also serves on the governing boards of the Port of Los Angeles and of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority; he is the chairman of the Audit Committees of both Commissions.

            Irene H. Oh serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of East West Bancorp, Inc. and East West Bank. Ms. Oh joined East West in 2004. Prior to being promoted to Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Oh served as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Finance. A Certified Public Accountant, she began her financial career in 1999 with Deloitte & Touche in Los Angeles and spent two years with Goldman Sachs.

            William J. Lewis serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Mr. Lewis joined the Bank in 2002 with over 35 years of banking experience, during which time he has held a number of senior management positions. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of PriVest Bank from 1998 to 2002 and held the same positions with Eldorado Bank from 1994 to 1998. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis was with Sanwa Bank for over 12 years where he administered a 35 branch region. Before that, Mr. Lewis spent 13 years with First Interstate Bank where he held a variety of branch and credit management positions.

            Lawrence B. Schiff serves as Executive Vice President and Director of Credit Risk Management. Mr. Schiff joined East West Bank in early 2010, after serving for several years as Director of National Credit Risk Management at KPMG and as a Group Vice President in SunTrust Bank's Credit Risk Management Division. Mr. Schiff spent the majority of his career as a commercial bank examiner with the Federal Reserve System, both in Washington, DC and in New York. Earlier in his career, Mr. Schiff was a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a community bank in Honolulu. Mr. Schiff has lectured in Finance and International Finance at several universities, and he is presently a board member of the City of Hope Hospital's LA Real Estate Council.

            Andy Yen serves as Executive Vice President and Director of Business Banking Division. Mr. Yen joined the Bank in September 2005 through its merger with United National Bank. Before being promoted to President of UNB in 2001, Mr. Yen was the Executive Vice President from 1998 to 2000 and Senior Vice President from 1992 to 1997, overseeing both the operations and lending functions of UNB. Mr. Yen also served as a member of the Board of Directors of UNB from 1992 to 2005. Mr. Yen has over 20 years experience in commercial and real estate lending and also held positions at Tokai Bank of California and Trans National Bank before he joined UNB.

24

---

Table of Contents

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

            Together with the other information on the risks we face and our management of risk contained in this Annual Report or in our other SEC filings, the following presents significant risks which may affect us. Events or circumstances arising from one or more of these risks could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and prospects, and the value and price of our common stock could decline. The risks identified below are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all risks we face and additional risks that we may currently view as not material may also impair our business operations and results.

            Difficult economic and market conditions have adversely affected our industry.    Dramatic declines in the housing market, with decreasing home prices and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage and construction loans and resulted in significant writedowns of assets by many financial institutions. General downward economic trends, reduced availability of commercial credit and increasing unemployment have negatively impacted the credit performance of commercial and consumer credit, resulting in additional writedowns. Concerns over the stability of the financial markets and the economy have resulted in decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each other. This market turmoil and tightening of credit has led to increased commercial and consumer deficiencies, lack of customer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction in general business activity. Financial institutions have experienced decreased access to deposits and borrowings. The resulting economic pressure on consumers and businesses and the lack of confidence in the financial markets may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial institutions industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

•

We potentially face increased regulation of our industry including heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements or expectations imposed in connection with the EESA and the ARRA. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.



•

The process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process.



•

We may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits.



•

The Company's commercial and residential borrowers may be unable to make timely repayments of their loans, or the decrease in value of real estate collateral securing the payment of such loans could result in significant credit losses, increased delinquencies, foreclosures and customer bankruptcies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results.



•

Further disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations, may result in an inability to borrow on favorable terms or at all from other financial institutions.



•

Increased competition among financial services companies due to the recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions and the conversion of certain investment banks to bank

25

---

Table of Contents

holding companies may adversely affect the Company's ability to market its products and services.

            Recent legislative and regulatory initiatives to address difficult market and economic conditions may not stabilize the U.S. banking system. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.    The EESA, which established TARP, was signed into law on October 3, 2008. As part of TARP, the U.S. Treasury established the TARP CPP to provide up to $700 billion of funding to eligible financial institutions through the purchase of capital stock and other financial instruments for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. Then, on February 17, 2009, the ARRA was signed into law as a sweeping economic recovery package intended to stimulate the economy and provide for broad infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs. There can be no assurance as to the actual impact that EESA or its programs, including the TARP CPP, and ARRA or its programs, will have on the national economy or financial markets. The failure of these significant legislative measures to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of its common shares.

            There have been numerous actions undertaken in connection with or following the EESA and ARRA by the FRB, Congress, U.S. Treasury, the SEC and the federal bank regulatory agencies in efforts to address the current liquidity and credit crisis in the financial industry that followed the sub-prime mortgage market meltdown which began in late 2007. These measures include homeowner relief that encourages loan restructuring and modification; the temporary increase in FDIC deposit insurance from $100,000 to $250,000, the establishment of significant liquidity and credit facilities for financial institutions and investment banks; the lowering of the federal funds rate; emergency action against short selling practices; a temporary guaranty program for money market funds; the establishment of a commercial paper funding facility to provide back-stop liquidity to commercial paper issuers; and coordinated international efforts to address illiquidity and other weaknesses in the banking sector. The purpose of these legislative and regulatory actions is to help stabilize the U.S. banking system. The EESA, ARRA and the other regulatory initiatives described above may not have their desired effects. If the volatility in the markets continues and economic conditions fail to improve or worsen, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

            U.S. and international financial markets and economic conditions, particularly in California, could adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.    As described in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the turmoil and downward economic trends the past couple of years have been particularly acute in the financial sector. Although the Company and the Bank remain well capitalized and have not suffered any significant liquidity issues as a result of these events, the cost and availability of funds may be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and the demand for our products and services may decline as our borrowers and customers realize the impact of an economic slowdown and recession. In view of the concentration of our operations and the collateral securing our loan portfolio primarily in Northern and Southern California, we may be particularly susceptible to the adverse economic conditions in the state of California, where our business is concentrated. In addition, the severity and duration of these adverse conditions is unknown and may exacerbate our exposure to credit risk and adversely affect the ability of borrowers to perform under the terms of their lending arrangements with us. In addition, the severity and duration of these adverse conditions is unknown and may exacerbate the Company's exposure to credit risk and adversely affect the ability of borrowers to perform under the terms of their lending

26

---

Table of Contents

arrangements with us. Accordingly, continued turbulence in the U.S. and international markets and economy may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and profitability.

            We may be required to make additional provisions for loan losses and charge off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.    During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a $528.7 million provision for loan losses and charged off $485.3 million, gross of $9.9 million in recoveries. There has been a significant slowdown in the housing market in portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties where a majority of our loan customers are based. This slowdown reflects declining prices and excess inventories of homes to be sold, which has contributed to financial strain on home builders and suppliers. As of December 31, 2009, we had $4.43 billion and $3.90 billion in non-covered and covered, respectively, commercial real estate and construction loans. Continuing deterioration in the real estate market generally and in the residential building segment in particular could result in additional loan charge offs and provisions for loan losses in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, net income and capital.

            Our allowance for loan and lease losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.    A significant source of risk arises from the possibility that we could sustain losses because borrowers, guarantors, and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans and leases. The underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures that we have adopted to address this risk may not prevent unexpected losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We maintain an allowance for loan and lease losses to provide for loan and lease defaults and non-performance. The allowance is also appropriately increased for new loan growth. While we believe that our allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate to cover current losses, we cannot assure you that we will not increase the allowance for loan and lease losses further.

            Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition.    Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans and other sources could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to acquire deposits or borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole as the turmoil faced by banking organizations in the domestic and worldwide credit markets.

            The actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions could affect the Company's ability to engage in routine funding transactions.    Financial service institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Company has exposure to different industries and counterparties, and executes transactions with various counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. Recent defaults by financial services institutions, and even rumors or questions about one or more financial services institutions or the financial services industry in general, have led to market wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by the Company or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. In addition, the Company's credit risk may increase when the collateral held by it cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect the Company's results of operations.

27

---

Table of Contents

            Our loan portfolio is predominantly secured by real estate and thus we have a higher degree of risk from a downturn in our real estate markets.    A downturn in our real estate markets could hurt our business because many of our loans are secured by real estate. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies and acts of nature, such as earthquakes and national disasters particular to California. Substantially all of our real estate collateral is located in California. If real estate values continue to further decline, the value of real estate collateral securing our loans could be significantly reduced. Our ability to recover on defaulted loans by foreclosing and selling the real estate collateral would then be diminished and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans. Furthermore, a substantial portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of commercial real estate. Commercial real estate and multi-family loans typically involve large balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Since payments on these loans are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, as well as the business and financial condition of the borrower, repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market, adverse economic conditions or changes in applicable government regulations. Borrowers' inability to repay such loans may have an adverse affect on our business.

            We may experience additional goodwill impairment.    In light of the overall instability of the economy, the continued volatility in the financial markets, the downward pressure on bank stock prices, and expectations of financial performance for the banking industry, including the Company, our estimates of goodwill fair value may be subject to change or adjustment and we may determine that additional impairment charges are necessary. Estimates of fair value are determined based on a complex model using cash flows and company comparisons. If management's estimates of future cash flows are inaccurate, the fair value determined could be inaccurate and impairment may not be recognized in a timely manner. No assurance can be given that goodwill will not be written down further in future periods.

            Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance.    A substantial portion of our income is derived from the differential or "spread" between the interest earned on loans, investment securities and other interest-earning assets, and the interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. Because of the differences in the maturities and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, changes in interest rates do not produce equivalent changes in interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Significant fluctuations in market interest rates could materially and adversely affect not only our net interest spread, but also our asset quality and loan origination volume.

            We are subject to extensive government regulation that could limit or restrict our activities, which, in turn, may hamper our ability to increase our assets and earnings.    Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities and are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of our operations. Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules, regulations and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. The Company is now also subject to supervision, regulation and investigation by the U.S. Treasury and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the TARP under the EESA by virtue of its participation in the TARP CPP. From time to time, various laws, rules and regulations are proposed, which, if adopted, could impact our operations by making compliance much more difficult or expensive, restricting our ability to originate or sell loans or further restricting the amount of interest or other charges or fees earned on loans or other products.

28

---

Table of Contents

            The short term and long term impact of the new Basel II capital standards and the forthcoming new capital rules to be proposed for non-Basel II U.S. banks is uncertain.    As a result of the deterioration during the past few years in the global credit markets and the potential impact of increased liquidity risk and interest rate risk, it is unclear what the short term impact of the implementation of Basel II may be or what impact a pending alternative standardized approach to Basel II option for non-Basel II U.S. banks may have on the cost and availability of different types of credit and the potential compliance costs of implementing the new capital standards.

            Failure to manage our growth may adversely affect our performance.    Our financial performance and profitability depend on our ability to manage our recent and possible future growth. Future acquisitions and our continued growth may present operating, integration and other issues that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

            We face strong competition from financial services companies and other companies that offer banking services.    We conduct most of our operations in California. The banking and financial services businesses in California are highly competitive and increased competition in our primary market area may adversely impact the level of our loans and deposits. Ultimately, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and other community banks. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including savings and loan associations, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks and other financial intermediaries. In particular, our competitors include major financial companies whose greater resources may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous locations and mount extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain loan and deposit customers and a range in quality of products and services provided, including new technology-driven products and services. If we are unable to attract and retain banking customers, we may be unable to continue our loan growth and level of deposits.

            If we cannot attract deposits, our growth may be inhibited.    Our ability to increase our deposit base depends in large part on our ability to attract additional deposits at favorable rates. We seek additional deposits by offering deposit products that are competitive with those offered by other financial institutions in our markets.

            We rely on communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology from third-party service providers, and we may suffer an interruption in those systems.    We rely heavily on third-party service providers for much of our communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology, including our internet banking services and data processing systems. Any failure or interruption of these services or systems or breaches in security of these systems could result in failures or interruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, servicing and/or loan origination systems. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions may require us to identify alternative sources of such services, and we cannot assure you that we could negotiate terms that are as favorable to us, or could obtain services with similar functionality as found in our existing systems without the need to expend substantial resources, if at all.

            We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects.    Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the California community banking industry. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategies is often lengthy. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing and technical personnel and upon the continued

29

---

Table of Contents

contributions of our management and personnel. In particular, our success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of key executives, including our President, and certain other employees.

            Managing reputational risk is important to attracting and maintaining customers, investors and employees.    Threats to the Company's reputation can come from many sources, including unethical practices, employee misconduct, failure to deliver minimum standards of service or quality, compliance deficiencies, and questionable or fraudulent activities of our customers. We have policies and procedures in place to protect our reputation and promote ethical conduct, but these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees, or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental regulation.

            State laws may restrict our ability to pay dividends.    Our ability for the Bank to pay dividends to the Company is limited by California law and the Company's ability to pay dividends on its outstanding stock is limited by Delaware law. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources."

            The terms of our outstanding preferred stock limit our ability to pay dividends on and repurchase our common stock, and there can be no assurance of any future dividends on our common stock.    The Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and the U.S. Treasury pursuant to which we sold $306.5 million of our Series B Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock") and issued a warrant to purchase up to 3,035,109 shares of our common stock (the "TARP Warrant") provides that prior to the earlier of (i) December 5, 2011 and (ii) the date on which all of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock have been redeemed by us or transferred by the U.S. Treasury to third parties, we may not, without the consent of the U.S. Treasury, (a) increase the cash dividend on our common stock above $0.10 per share or (b) subject to limited exceptions, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock or preferred stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. The terms of our outstanding Series A Preferred Stock have similar limitations on our ability to redeem or repurchase our common stock. In addition, we are unable to pay any dividends on our common stock unless we are current in our dividend payments on the TARP Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock. These restrictions, together with the potentially dilutive impact of the TARP Warrant and common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, described below, could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock. Moreover, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so. Commencing with second quarter 2009 dividends, our Board of Directors reduced our common stock dividend to $0.01 per share from the first quarter 2009 dividends of $0.02 per share and relative to our previous quarterly dividend rate of $0.10 per share. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources" herein. The terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement allow the U.S. Treasury to impose additional restrictions, including those on dividends and including unilateral amendments required to comply with changes in applicable federal law. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company received a 50% reduction in the TARP Warrant. As of December 31, 2009, the new share count of the TARP Warrant is 1,517,555. This adjustment to the TARP Warrant was due to the fact that within one year of issuance, the Company raised new capital in excess of the Series B preferred stock.

            Our outstanding preferred stock impacts net income available to our common stockholders and earnings per common share, and the TARP Warrant as well as other potential issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to holders of our common stock.    The dividends declared and the accretion on discount on our outstanding preferred stock will reduce the net income available to common stockholders and

30

---

Table of Contents

our earnings per common share. Our outstanding preferred stock will also receive preferential treatment in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Additionally, the ownership interest of the existing holders of our common stock will be diluted to the extent the TARP Warrant is exercised. The shares of common stock underlying the TARP Warrant represent approximately 1% of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2010 (including the shares issuable upon exercise of the TARP Warrant in total shares outstanding). Although the U.S. Treasury has agreed not to vote any of the shares of common stock it receives upon exercise of the TARP Warrant, a transferee of any portion of the TARP Warrant or of any shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of the TARP Warrant is not bound by this restriction. In addition, to the extent our Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock are converted, or options to purchase common stock under our employee and director stock option plans are exercised, holders of our common stock will incur additional dilution. Further, if we sell additional equity or convertible debt securities, such sales could result in increased dilution to our shareholders. If our stockholders do not approve the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock at the special meeting of stockholders to be held on March 25, 2010, the Series C Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and we will be required to pay a cash dividend of approximately of $17.8 million and dividends in kind of approximately $8.1 million on May 1, 2010 and a cash dividend of approximately $18.9 million on November 1, 2010 and dividends in kind of approximately $8.6 million (if stockholder approval is not subsequently obtained by those dates). Payment of such dividends would reduce the net income available to our common stockholders and would reduce our earning per common share.

            Because of our participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, we are subject to several restrictions including restrictions on compensation paid to our executives.    Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we adopted certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the U.S. Treasury holds the equity issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, including the common stock which may be issued pursuant to the TARP Warrant. These standards generally apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three next most highly compensated senior executive officers. The standards include (1) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executives does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (2) required clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive based on statements of earnings, gains or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (3) prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (4) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive. In particular, the change to the deductibility limit on executive compensation will likely increase the overall cost of our compensation programs in future periods. Since the TARP Warrant has a ten year term, we could potentially be subject to the executive compensation and corporate governance restrictions for a ten year time period.

            The adoption of the ARRA on February 17, 2009 imposed certain new executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury's consultation with the recipient's appropriate regulatory agency. The executive compensation standards are more stringent than those currently in effect under the TARP CPP or those previously proposed by the U.S. Treasury. The new standards include (but are not limited to) (i) prohibitions on bonuses, retention awards and other incentive compensation, other than restricted stock grants which do not fully vest during the TARP period up to one-third of an employee's total annual compensation, (ii) prohibitions on golden parachute payments for departure from a company, (iii) an expanded clawback of bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation if payment is based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iv) prohibitions on compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings, (v) retroactive review of bonuses, retention awards and other

31

---

Table of Contents

compensation previously provided by TARP recipients if found by the Treasury to be inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to public interest, (vi) required establishment of a company-wide policy regarding "excessive or luxury expenditures," and (vii) inclusion in a participant's proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings of a nonbinding "Say on Pay" shareholder vote on the compensation of executives.

            The price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline.    The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market is subject to fluctuations in the share prices and trading volumes that affect the market prices of the shares of many companies. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

•

actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in our operating results and financial condition;



•

changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts;



•

failure to meet analysts' revenue or earnings estimates;



•

speculation in the press or investment community;



•

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;



•

actions by institutional shareholders;



•

fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors;



•

general market conditions and, in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry;



•

proposed or adopted regulatory changes or developments;



•

anticipated or pending investigations, proceedings or litigation that involve or affect us; or



•

domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance.

            The stock market and, in particular, the market for financial institution stocks, has experienced significant volatility during the year. As a result, the market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate more than usual and cause significant price variations to occur. The trading price of the shares of our common stock and the value of our other securities will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including, without limitation, our financial condition, performance, creditworthiness and prospects, future sales of our equity or equity related securities, and other factors identified above in "Special Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Market volatility during the past couple of years is unprecedented. The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than a year. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers' underlying financial strength. A significant decline in our stock price could result in substantial losses for individual shareholders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

            Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our stockholders.    Provisions of Delaware law and of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of us. For example, our certificate of incorporation requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding shares of voting stock to approve certain business combinations. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would make it more difficult for another party to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors. Additionally, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock and preferred stock could be issued as a defensive measure in response to a takeover proposal. These and other provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of our stockholders.

32

---

Table of Contents

            Natural disasters and geopolitical events beyond our control could adversely affect us.    Natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme weather conditions, hurricanes, floods, and other acts of nature and geopolitical events involving terrorism or military conflict could adversely affect our business operations and those of our customers and cause substantial damage and loss to real and personal property. These natural disasters and geopolitical events could impair our borrowers' ability to service their loans, decrease the level and duration of deposits by customers, erode the value of loan collateral, and result in an increase in the amount of our nonperforming loans and a higher level of nonperforming assets (including real estate owned), net chargeoffs, and provision for loan losses, which could adversely affect our earnings.

            Adverse conditions in Asia could adversely affect our business.    A substantial number of our customers have economic and cultural ties to Asia and, as a result, we are likely to feel the effects of adverse economic and political conditions in Asia. Additionally, we also have four representative offices in China and one in Taipei, Taiwan, and two full-service branches in Hong Kong and China. U.S. and global economic policies, military tensions, and unfavorable global economic conditions may adversely impact the Asian economies. Pandemics and other public health crises or concerns over the possibility of such crises could create economic and financial disruptions in the region. If economic conditions in Asia deteriorate, we could, among other things, be exposed to economic and transfer risk, and could experience an outflow of deposits by those of our customers with connections to Asia. Transfer risk may result when an entity is unable to obtain the foreign exchange needed to meet its obligations or to provide liquidity. This may adversely impact the recoverability of investments with or loans made to such entities. Adverse economic conditions in Asia, and in China in particular, may also negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of our customers who operate in this region.

            We have engaged in and may continue to engage in further expansion through acquisitions, which could negatively affect our business and earnings.    We have engaged in and may continue to engage in expansion through acquisitions, such as the UCB Acquisition that was completed on November 6, 2009. There are risks associated with such expansion. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the asset quality of a bank acquired in a particular transaction, encountering greater than anticipated costs in integrating acquired businesses, facing resistance from customers or employees, and being unable to profitably deploy assets acquired in the transaction. Additional country- and region-specific risks are associated with transactions outside the United States, including in China. To the extent we issue capital stock in connection with additional transactions, these transactions and related stock issuances may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership.

            Our earnings, financial condition, and prospects after a merger or acquisition depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate the operations of the acquired company. We may be unable to integrate operations successfully or to achieve expected cost savings. Any cost savings which are realized may be offset by losses in revenues or other charges to earnings.

            We may experience difficulties in integrating the operations of United Commercial Bank, which may negatively impact our business and earnings.    The acquisition of United Commercial Bank involves the integration of East West Bank and United Commercial Bank, which have previously operated independently. The successful integration of operations of East West Bank and United Commercial Bank depends primarily upon our ability to consolidate operations, systems and procedures and to eliminate redundancies and costs. No assurance can be given that we will be able to integrate the banking operations without encountering difficulties including, without limitation, the loss of key employees and customers, the disruption of on-going business or possible inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies. Estimated cost savings and revenue enhancements are projected to come from various areas that our management has identified through the integration planning process. The elimination and consolidation of duplicate tasks at these banks are projected to result in annual

33

---

Table of Contents

cost savings. If we experience difficulty with the integration, we may not achieve all the economic benefits we expect to result from the acquisition, and this may hurt our business and earnings. In addition, we may experience greater than expected costs or difficulties relating to the integration of the business of United Commercial Bank and/or may not realize expected cost savings from the acquisition within the anticipated time frames.

            We may have difficulty integrating and retaining the deposits of United Commercial Bank.    We may experience some attrition of former customers of United Commercial Bank following the FDIC receivership. Following the November 6, 2009 acquisition, total deposits decreased from $6.52 billion (excluding fair value adjustments) as of the date of the November 6, 2009 acquisition to $6.10 billion at December 31, 2009. Withdrawal of a material amount of such deposits could adversely impact the our liquidity, profitability, business prospects, results of operations and cash flows. Any difficulties we may experience in integrating the operations of East West Bank and United Commercial Bank may also affect our retention of deposit accounts and former United Commercial Bank Customers.

            We may experience difficulty in managing the acquired United Commercial Bank loan portfolio within the limits of the loss protection provided by the FDIC.    In connection with the United Commercial Bank acquisition, East West Bank entered into a shared-loss agreement with the FDIC that covered, at fair value, on the November 6, 2009 acquisition date, approximately $5.66 billion and $38.0 million of United Commercial Bank's loans and other real estate owned, respectively. East West Bank will share in the losses, which begins with the first dollar of loss occurred, of the loan pools (including single family residential mortgage loans, commercial loans, foreclosed loan collateral and other real estate owned) covered ("covered loans") under the shared-loss agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the shared-loss agreement, the FDIC is obligated to reimburse East West Bank 80% of eligible losses of up to $2.05 billion with respect to covered loans. The FDIC will reimburse East West Bank for 95% of eligible losses in excess of $2.05 billion with respect to covered loans. East West Bank has a corresponding obligation to reimburse the FDIC for 80% or 95%, as applicable, of eligible recoveries with respect to covered loans.

            The shared-loss agreement for commercial and single family residential mortgage loans is in effect for 5 years and 10 years, respectively, from the November 6, 2009 acquisition date and the loss recovery provisions are in effect for 8 years and 10 years, respectively, from the acquisition date. On January 14, 2020, East West Bank is required to pay to the FDIC 50% of the excess, if any of (i) $410 million over (ii) the sum of (A) 25% of the asset discount plus (B) 25% of the Cumulative Shared-Loss Payments plus (C) the Cumulative Servicing Amount if net losses on covered loans subject to the stated threshold is not reached. Although we have substantial expertise in asset resolution, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to adequately manage the loan portfolio within the limits of the loss protection provided by the FDIC.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

            None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

            The Company currently neither owns nor leases any real or personal property. The Company uses the premises, equipment, and furniture of the Bank. The Agency also currently conducts its operations in one of the administrative offices of the Bank. The Company is currently reimbursing the Bank for the Agency's use of this facility.

34

---

Table of Contents

            The Bank owns the buildings and land at 24 of its retail branch offices. Nine of these retail branch locations are either attached or adjacent to offices that are being used by the Bank to house various administrative departments. All other branch and administrative locations are leased by the Bank, with lease expiration dates ranging from 2009 to 2020, exclusive of renewal options.

            Subsequent to year end, we assumed approximately forty-eight leases and agreed to purchase approximately $72.6 million in fair value of real property from the FDIC as part of the FDIC-assisted transaction of United Commercial Bank.

            The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate for its present purposes. The Company believes that, if necessary, it could secure alternative facilities on similar terms without adversely affecting its operations.

            At December 31, 2009, the Bank's consolidated investment in premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, totaled $59.1 million. Total occupancy expense, inclusive of rental payments and furniture and equipment expense, for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $30.2 million. Total annual rental expense (exclusive of operating charges and real property taxes) was approximately $15.0 million during 2009.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

            Neither the Company nor the Bank is involved in any material legal proceedings. The Bank, from time to time, is party to litigation which arises in the ordinary course of business, such as claims to enforce liens, claims involving the origination and servicing of loans, and other issues related to the business of the Bank. After taking into consideration information furnished by counsel to the Company and the Bank, management believes that the resolution of such issues would not have a material adverse impact on the financial position, results of operations, or liquidity of the Company or the Bank.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

            There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2009.

35

---

Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

            East West Bancorp, Inc. commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 8, 1999 under the symbol "EWBC." The following table sets forth the range of sales prices for the Company's common stock for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

            The foregoing reflects information available to the Company and does not necessarily include all trades in the Company's stock during the periods indicated. The closing price of our common stock on January 31, 2010 was $16.43 per share, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

Issuance of Preferred Stock

            In April 2008, the Company issued 200,000 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A ("Series A preferred shares"), with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. In conjunction with this issuance, the Company received $194.1 million of additional Tier 1 qualifying capital, net of stock issuance costs. The shares are quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin board under the symbol "EWBCP.PK" on an exchange. The holders of the Series A preferred shares will have the right at any time to convert each share of Series A into 64.9942 shares of the Company's common stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. This represented an initial conversion price of approximately $15.39 per share of common stock or a 22.5% conversion premium based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on April 23, 2008 of $12.56 per share. On or after May 1, 2013, the Company has the right to cause the Series A preferred shares to be converted into shares of the Company's common stock, subject to conversion provisions. Dividends on the Series A preferred shares, if declared, will accrue and be payable quarterly in arrears at a rate per annum equal to 8% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year.

            During July 2009, the Company exchanged 9,968,760 shares of the Company's common stock for 110,764 shares of the Company's 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A.

            On December 5, 2008, the Company issued 306,546 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Senior Preferred Stock, Series B ("Series B preferred shares"), with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share in conjunction with its participation in the U.S. Treasury's TARP CPP. The Company received $306.5 million of additional Tier 1 qualifying capital as a result of this issuance. The shares are not listed on an exchange. The Series B preferred shares are senior to common stock and pari passu with existing preferred shares (including shares of our Series A preferred stock discussed above) other than preferred shares which by their terms rank junior to any existing preferred shares. The Series B preferred shares will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum until the fifth anniversary of

36

---

Table of Contents

the investment date and thereafter at a rate of 9% per annum. Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. For as long as any Series B preferred shares are outstanding, no dividends may be declared or paid on junior preferred shares, preferred shares ranking pari passu with the Series B preferred shares, or common shares (other than in the case of pari passu preferred shares, in which case, dividends are paid on a pro rata basis with the Series B preferred shares), nor may the Company repurchase or redeem any junior preferred shares, preferred shares ranking pari passu with the Series B preferred shares or common shares, unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods on the Series B preferred shares are fully paid. Series B preferred shares are transferable by the U.S. Treasury at any time. Subject to approval from the FRB, the Series B preferred shares are redeemable at the option of the Company at 100% of liquidation preference (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends), provided, however, that the Series B preferred shares may be redeemed prior to the first dividend payment date falling after the third anniversary of the Closing Date (February 15, 2012) only if (i) the Company has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more Qualified Equity Offerings in excess of $76,636,500, and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net proceeds from such Qualified Equity Offerings. Except for certain specified transactions, Series B preferred shares shall be non-voting in nature.

            In connection with the Series B offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase 3,035,109 shares of common stock with an initial price of $15.15 per share of common stock for which the TARP Warrant may be exercised. The TARP Warrant may be exercised at any time on or before December 5, 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company received a 50% reduction in the TARP Warrant we issued to the U.S. treasury in conjunction with the Series B preferred shares issued. As of December 31, 2009, the new share count of the warrant is 1,517,555. This adjustment to the TARP Warrant was due to the fact that within one year of issuance, the Company raised new capital in excess of the TARP capital issued in December 2008.

Private Sales of Common Stock

            In July 2009, in private placement transactions, two customers of the Bank purchased 5 million shares of our common stock at a price of $5.50 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $26.0 million, net of stock issuance costs, in conjunction with this common stock offering. We have registered these shares for resale to the public.

Public Offering of Common Stock

            In July 2009, we completed a public offering of 11 million shares of our common stock priced at $6.35. The underwriter also exercised its option to purchase an additional 1.65 million shares of our common stock. We received net proceeds of approximately $76.7 million, net of stock issuance costs, in conjunction with this common stock offering.

Private Placement

            On November 6, 2009, the Company raised $500.0 million in a private placement of 18,247,012 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 335,047 shares of newly authorized Mandatory Convertible Cumulative Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, ("Series C preferred shares") to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors (collectively, the "Investors") with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The common stock sold represented 19.9% of the Company's common stock outstanding. In connection with the Series C preferred shares offering, the shares are mandatorily convertible upon shareholder approval and subject to any applicable regulatory approvals. For as long as any Series C preferred shares are outstanding, the cumulative dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year in cash and in kind in

37

---

Table of Contents

additional shares of Series C preferred shares if, when and as declared by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. The Series C preferred shares will pay an annual rate as high as 13% plus dividends payable at an annual rate equal to 5%. The Series C preferred shares rank in parity with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution with the Company's outstanding series of preferred stock and senior to the Company's common stock. The Series C preferred shares have no voting rights, except as required by law and with respect to certain limited matters, non-redeemable by the holders, but redeemable by the Company following the fifth anniversary of issuance, no preemptive rights, a 9.9% ownership limitation and has the customary anti-dilution adjustment provisions.

            Because the Company's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the Company is subject to the NASDAQ Rules. NASDAQ Rule 5635(d) requires stockholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with a transaction, other than a public offering, involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by a company of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, equal to 20% or more of the common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance for less than the greater of book value or market value of the stock. The 37,062,721 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C preferred shares together with the common stock issued at the closing of the private placement will exceed 19.99% of the number of shares of our common stock and voting power outstanding prior to the private placement. The $9.04 per share conversion price for the Series C preferred shares is less than the book value per share of our common stock. Accordingly, the issuance of the common stock upon conversion of the Series C preferred shares is subject to stockholder approval.

            Shares of Series C preferred are subject to rights preferences and privileges set forth in the Company's Certificate of Designations which has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Common Stock Holders

            As of January 31, 2010, 110,498,101 shares of the Company's common stock were held by 1,861 shareholders of record.

Common Dividends

            We declared and paid cash dividends of $0.10 per share during each of the four quarters of 2008 and $0.02 per share for the first quarter of 2009 and $0.01 per share for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2009. Refer to "Item 1. BUSINESS – Supervision and Regulation – Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds" for information regarding dividend payment restrictions.

38

---

Table of Contents

Stock Performance Graph

            The following graph shows a comparison of stockholder return on the Company's common stock based on the market price of the common stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends, with the cumulative total returns for the companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the SNL Western Bank Index for the 5-year period beginning on December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009. This graph is historical only and may not be indicative of possible future performance of the Company's common stock. The information set forth under the heading "Stock Performance Graph" shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Commission except to the extent we specifically request that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into a filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Total Return Performance

39

---

Table of Contents

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

            On January 23, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to $30.0 million of the Company's common stock. On March 20, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an increase in the stock repurchase program to buy back up to an additional $50.0 million of the Company's common stock in 2007. This new authorization is in addition to the $30.0 million stock repurchase authorized on January 23, 2007. The Company completed the repurchase of 1,392,176 shares at a weighted average price of $38.69 during 2007. There were no repurchases of equity securities during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company had $26.2 million in authorized share repurchases remaining as of December 31, 2009. Under the terms of the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program, the Company is prohibited from making certain repurchases of equity securities – see Note 24 under Series B Preferred Stock Offering.

            Repurchases of the Company's securities during the fourth quarter of 2009 are as follows:

40

---

Table of Contents

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

            The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere herein.

---

(1)

2009 and 2008 include other-than-temporary ("OTTI") charges relating to investment securities of $107.7 million and $73.2 million, respectively and pre-tax gain of $471.0 million during 2009.

(2)

Represents noninterest expense, excluding the amortization of intangibles, amortization and impairment writedowns of premiums on deposits acquired, impairment writedown on goodwill, and investments in affordable housing partnerships, divided by the aggregate of net interest income before provision for loan losses and noninterest income, excluding impairment writedowns on investment securities and other equity investment.

41

---

Table of Contents

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

            The following discussion provides information about the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and capital resources of East West Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to our financial condition and the results of our operations. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report.

            On November 6, 2009 the Bank acquired United Commercial Bank from the FDIC in an FDIC-assisted transaction. This acquisition nearly doubled our asset size and contributed $23.3 million to our total pre-tax income for the period from November 6, 2009 to December 31, 2009. A pre-tax gain of $471.0 million was recorded as a result of the acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies

            Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general practices within the banking industry. The financial information contained within these statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. All of our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report and are essential to understanding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Various elements of our accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In addition, certain accounting policies require significant judgment in applying complex accounting principles to individual transactions to determine the most appropriate treatment. We have established procedures and processes to facilitate making the judgments necessary to prepare financial statements.

            The following is a summary of the more judgmental and complex accounting estimates and principles. In each area, we have identified the variables most important in the estimation process. We have used the best information available to make the estimations necessary to value the related assets and liabilities. Actual performance that differs from our estimates and future changes in the key variables could change future valuations and impact net income.

Fair Valuation of Financial Instruments

            The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820 (previously SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements), on January 1, 2008. This standard provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, we classify our financial assets and liabilities measured and disclosed at fair value in accordance within the three-level hierarchy (e.g., Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3). Fair value determination requires that we make a number of significant judgments. In determining the fair value of financial instruments, we use market prices of the same or similar instruments whenever such prices are available. We do not use prices involving distressed sellers in determining fair value. If observable market prices are unavailable or impracticable to obtain, then fair value is estimated using modeling techniques such as discounted cash flow analyses. These modeling techniques incorporate our assessments regarding assumptions that

42

---

Table of Contents

market participants would use in pricing the asset or the liability, including assumptions about the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique and the risk of nonperformance.

            Fair value is used on a recurring basis for certain assets and liabilities in which fair value is the primary basis of accounting. Additionally, fair value is used on a non-recurring basis to evaluate assets or liabilities for impairment or for disclosure purposes in accordance with ASC 825 (previously SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments).

Investment Securities

            The classification and accounting for investment securities are discussed in detail in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report. Investment securities generally must be classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The appropriate classification is based partially on our ability to hold the securities to maturity and largely on management's intentions with respect to either holding or selling the securities. The classification of investment securities is significant since it directly impacts the accounting for unrealized gains and losses on securities. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities flow directly through earnings during the periods in which they arise. Investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss) and do not affect earnings until realized or are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The fair values of investment securities are generally determined by reference to the average of at least two quoted market prices obtained from independent external brokers or independent external pricing service providers who have experience in valuing these securities. In obtaining such valuation information from third parties, the Company has evaluated the methodologies used to develop the resulting fair values. The Company performs a monthly analysis on the broker quotes received from third parties to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. The procedures include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of third party pricing methodologies, review of pricing trends, and monitoring of trading volumes. The Company ensures prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of fair value through the use of internal and external cash flow models developed based on spreads, and when available, market indices. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the available market data, the price received from the third party is adjusted accordingly. Prices from third party pricing services are often unavailable for securities that are rarely traded or are traded only in privately negotiated transactions. As a result, certain securities are priced via independent broker quotations which utilize inputs that may be difficult to corroborate with observable market based data. Additionally, the majority of these independent broker quotations are non-binding.

            For current broker prices obtained on certain investment securities that we believe are based on forced liquidation or distressed sale values in very inactive markets, we have modified our approach in determining the fair values of these securities. We have determined that each of these securities will be individually examined for the appropriate valuation methodology based on a combination of the market approach reflecting current broker prices and a discounted cash flow approach. In calculating the fair value derived from the income approach, the Company made assumptions related to the implied rate of return, general change in market rates, estimated changes in credit quality and liquidity risk premium, specific non-performance and default experience in the collateral underlying the security, as well as taking into consideration broker discount rates in determining the discount rate. The values resulting from each approach (i.e. market and income approaches) are weighted to derive the final fair value for each security trading in an inactive market.

43

---

Table of Contents

            We are obligated to assess, at each reporting date, whether there is an "other-than-temporary" impairment to our investment securities. If we determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, a credit-related impairment loss is recognized in current earnings. Noncredit-related impairment losses are charged to other comprehensive income. The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process, requiring the use of judgments and assumptions. We examine all individual securities that are in an unrealized loss position at each reporting date for other-than-temporary impairment. Specific investment-related factors we examine to assess impairment include the nature of the investment, severity and duration of the loss, the probability that we will be unable to collect all amounts due, an analysis of the issuers of the securities and whether there has been any cause for default on the securities and any change in the rating of the securities by the various rating agencies. Additionally, we evaluate whether the creditworthiness of the issuer calls the realization of contractual cash flows into question. We reexamine the financial resources, intent and the overall ability of the Company to hold the securities until their fair values recover. Management does not believe that there are any investment securities, other than those identified in the current and previous periods, which are deemed to be "other-than-temporarily" impaired as of December 31, 2009. Investment securities are discussed in more detail in Note 6 to the Company's consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.

            The Company considers all available information relevant to the collectibility of the security, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of future cash flows and making its other-than-temporary impairment assessment for our portfolio of residual securities and trust preferred securities. The Company considers factors such as remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, the financial condition of the issuer(s), expected defaults, and the value of any underlying collateral.

Acquired Loans

            Acquired loans are valued as of acquisition date in accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations, formerly FAS 141R Business Combinations. Loans purchased with evidence of credit deterioration since origination for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are accounted for under ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, formerly SOP 03-3 Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. Further, the Company elected to account for all other acquired loans within the scope of ASC 310-30 using the same methodology.

            Under ASC 805 and ASC 310-30, loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, factoring in credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for loan losses is not carried over or recorded as of the acquisition date. In situations where loans have similar risk characteristics, loans were aggregated into pools to estimate cash flows under ASC 310-30. A pool is accounted for as a single asset with a single interest rate, cumulative loss rate and cash flow expectation. The Company aggregated all of the loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank in fifty two different pools, based on common risk characteristics.

            The cash flows expected over the life of the pools are estimated using an internal cash flow model that projects cash flows and calculates the carrying values of the pools, book yields, effective interest income and impairment, if any, based on pool level events. Assumptions as to cumulative loss rates, loss curves and prepayment speeds are utilized to calculate the expected cash flows.

            Under ASC 310-30, the excess of the expected cash flows at acquisition over the fair value is considered to be the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the life of the loan or pool. The excess of the contractual cash flows over the expected cash flows is considered to be the

44

---

Table of Contents

nonaccretable difference. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in cash flow over those expected at purchase date in excess of fair value are recorded as an adjustment to accretable difference on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in cash flow over those expected at purchase date are recognized by recording an allowance for loan losses. Any disposals of loans, including sales of loans, payments in full or foreclosures result in the removal of the loan from the ASC 310-30 portfolio at the carrying amount.

Covered Loans

            The majority of the loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank are included in a FDIC shared-loss agreement and are referred to as covered loans. Covered loans are reported exclusive of the expected cash flow reimbursements expected from the FDIC. At the date of acquisition, all covered loans were accounted for under ASC 805 and ASC 310-30. Subsequent to acquisition all covered loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30.

Covered Other Real Estate Owned

            All other real estate owned acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank are included in a FDIC shared-loss agreement and are referred to as covered other real estate owned. Covered other real estate owned is reported exclusive of expected reimbursement cash flows from the FDIC. Upon transferring covered loan collateral to covered other real estate owned status, acquisition date fair value discounts on the related loan are also transferred to covered other real estate owned. Fair value adjustments on covered other real estate owned result in a reduction of the covered other real estate carrying amount and a corresponding increase in the estimated FDIC reimbursement, with the estimated net loss to the Bank charged against earnings.

FDIC Indemnification Asset

            In conjunction with the FDIC-assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank, the Bank entered into a shared-loss agreement with the FDIC for amounts receivable under the shared-loss agreement. At the date of the acquisition the Company elected to account amounts receivable under the shared-loss agreement as an indemnification asset in accordance with ASC 805. Subsequent to the acquisition the indemnification asset is tied to the loss in the covered loans and is not being accounted for under fair value. The FDIC indemnification asset is accounted for on the same basis as the related covered loans and is the present value of the cash flows the Company expects to collect from the FDIC under the shared-loss agreement. The difference between the present value and the undiscounted cash flow the Company expects to collect from the FDIC is accreted into noninterest income over the life of the FDIC indemnification asset. The FDIC indemnification asset is adjusted for any changes in expected cash flows based on the loan performance. Any increases in cash flow of the loans over those expected will reduce the FDIC indemnification asset and any decreases in cash flow of the loans over those expected will increase the FDIC indemnification asset. Increase and decreases to the FDIC indemnification asset are recorded as adjustments to noninterest income.

Allowance for Loan Losses

            Our allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan loss that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, delinquency and chargeoff trends, collateral values, changes in nonperforming loans, and other factors. Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in our markets and, in particular, the

45

---

Table of Contents

state of certain industries. Size and complexity of individual credits, loan structure, and pace of portfolio growth are other qualitative factors that are considered in our methodologies.

            A detailed discussion of our allowance for loan loss methodology can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Allowance for Loan Losses." As we add new products, increase the complexity of our loan portfolio, and expand our geographic coverage, we continue to enhance our methodology to keep pace with the size and complexity of the loan portfolio and changing credit environment. Changes in any of the factors cited above could have a significant impact on the loan loss calculation. We believe that our methodologies continue to be appropriate given our size and level of complexity. This discussion should also be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report including the section entitled "Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses."

Other Real Estate Owned

            Other real estate owned ("OREO") represents properties acquired through foreclosure or through full or partial satisfaction of loans, is considered held for sale, and is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure. Loan balances in excess of fair value of the real estate acquired at the date of foreclosure are charged against the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed as deemed necessary by management and the real estate is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Subsequent declines in the fair value of the OREO below the carrying value are recorded through the use of a valuation allowance by charges to noninterest expense. Any subsequent operating expenses or income of such properties are charged to non-interest expense. If the OREO is sold shortly after it is received in a foreclosure (i.e., the holding period was deemed minimal), the Company substitutes the value received in the sale (net of costs to sell) for the fair value (less costs to sell). Any adjustment made to the loss originally recognized at the time of foreclosure is then charged against or credited to the allowance for loan and lease losses, if deemed material. Otherwise, any declines in value after foreclosure are recorded as gains or losses from the sale or disposition of the real estate. Revenue recognition upon disposition of a property is dependent on the sale having met certain criteria relating to the buyer's initial investment in the property sold.

Loan, OREO and Note Sales

            The Bank is able and willing to provide financing for entities purchasing loans or OREO assets from the Bank. Our general guideline is to seek a 30% down payment (as a percentage of the purchase price) from the buyer. We will consider lower down payments when this is not possible, however, accounting rules require certain minimum down payments if these new seller-financing loans are to be considered accrual loans on our books. The minimum down payment varies by the type of underlying real estate collateral. For note sales where we provide financing, in addition to the required adequate down payment, the sales agreements generally call for guarantees or other forms of borrower recourse.

Goodwill Impairment

            Under ASC 350 (previously SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles), goodwill must be allocated to reporting units and tested for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting-unit level (which is the same level as the Company's two major operating segments identified in Note 26 to the Company's consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this

46

---

Table of Contents

report). The first part of the test is a comparison, at the reporting unit level, of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. In order to determine the fair value of the reporting units, a combined income approach and market approach was used. Under the income approach, the Company provided a net income projection and a terminal growth rate was used to calculate the discounted cash flows and the present value of the reporting units. Under the market approach, the fair value was calculated using the current fair values of comparable peer banks of similar size, geographic footprint and focus. The market capitalizations and multiples of these peer banks were used to calculate the market price of the Company and each reporting unit. The fair value was also subject to a control premium adjustment, which is the cost savings that a purchase of the reporting unit could achieve by eliminating duplicative costs. Under the combined income and market approach, the value from each approach was appropriately weighted to determine the fair value. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the second part of the test is needed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment. The implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is calculated and compared to the actual carrying value of goodwill recorded within the reporting unit. If the carrying value of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, then the Company would recognize an impairment loss for the amount of the difference, which would be recorded as a charge against net income. For additional information regarding goodwill, see Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.

Share-Based Compensation

            We account for share-based awards to employees, officers, and directors in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505 and ASC 718 (previously SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment). Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee's requisite service period. We adopted these standards, as required, on January 1, 2006. Prior to 2006, we recognized stock-based compensation expense for employee share-based awards based on their intrinsic value on the date of grant pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and followed the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

            We adopted ASC 505 and ASC 718 using the modified prospective approach. Under the modified prospective approach, prior periods are not restated for comparative purposes. The valuation provisions of these standards apply to new awards and to awards that are outstanding on the effective date and subsequently modified, repurchased or cancelled. Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for awards outstanding at the effective date is recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosures under the original SFAS No. 123.

            We grant nonqualified stock options and restricted stock. Most of our stock option and restricted stock awards include a service condition that relates only to vesting. The stock option awards generally vest in one to four years from the grant date, while the restricted stock awards generally vest in three to five years from the date of grant. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is generally the maximum vesting period of the award.

            We use an option-pricing model to determine the grant-date fair value of our stock options which is affected by assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These methods used to determine these variables are generally similar to the methods used prior to 2006 for the purposes of our pro forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123. We make assumptions regarding expected term, expected volatility, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate in determining the fair value of our stock options. The expected term represents the weighted-average period that stock options are expected to remain outstanding. The expected term assumption is estimated based on the

47

---

Table of Contents

stock options' vesting terms and remaining contractual life and employees' historical exercise behavior. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock over a period of time equal to the expected term of the stock options. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company's current dividend payout rate on its common stock. For the risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant appropriate for the term of the employee stock options.

            For restricted share awards, the grant-date fair value is measured at the fair value of the Company's common stock as if the restricted share was vested and issued on the date of grant.

            As share-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Share-based compensation is discussed in more detail in Notes 1 and 22 to the Company's consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.

UCB Acquisition

            On November 6, 2009 the Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of United Commercial Bank from the FDIC in an FDIC-assisted transaction. As part of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, the Bank and the FDIC entered into a shared-loss agreement, whereby the FDIC will cover a substantial portion of any future losses on loans (and related unfunded loan commitments), OREO and accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days. We refer to the acquired loans and OREO subject to the shared-loss agreement collectively as "covered assets." Under the terms of the our shared-loss agreement, the FDIC will absorb 80% of losses and share in 80% of loss recoveries on the first $2.05 billion on covered loans and absorb 95% of losses and share in 95% of loss recoveries exceeding $2.05 billion. The shared-loss agreement for commercial and single family residential mortgage loans is in effect for 5 years and 10 years, respectively, from the November 6, 2009 acquisition date and the loss recovery provisions are in effect for 8 years and 10 years, respectively, from the acquisition date.

            The Bank purchased assets with fair value of approximately $5.90 billion in loans, $599.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, $147.4 million in securities purchased under sale agreements, $1.56 billion in investment securities and $207.6 million of other assets of United Commercial Bank from the FDIC. The Bank also assumed liabilities with fair values of $6.53 billion of deposits, $1.84 billion in Federal Home Loan Bank advances, $858.2 million of securities sold under repurchase agreements, other borrowings of $90.6 million and $254.2 million of other liabilities of United Commercial Bank from the FDIC. United Commercial Bank was a full service commercial bank headquartered in San Francisco, California that operated 63 branch locations in the U.S. We made this acquisition to expand our presence domestically, primarily in the State of California.

            The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting (formerly the purchase method). The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the November 6, 2009 acquisition date. The application of the acquisition method of accounting resulted in a net after-tax gain of $291.5 million.

            See Note 2, Business Combinations, to the Company's consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.

48

---

Table of Contents

Overview

            The Company returned to profitability in 2009, with net earnings for the full year of $76.6 million. The Company's return to profitability came as a result of a pre-tax gain of $471.0 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 from the acquisition of United Commercial Bank in November 2009 and despite the year-to-date loan loss provision of $528.7 million. Our return to profitability for 2009 follows a single loss year in 2008 – the only loss year for East West in nearly 30 years. Prior to 2008, East West achieved record earnings every year for over a decade, with net income of $161.2 million in 2007 and $143.4 million in 2006.

            In 2009, we raised a total $588.6 million, net of costs in capital primarily through the issuance of $335.0 million in Series C Preferred Shares and $272.8 million in common stock. These issuances of preferred and common stock have bolstered our capital ratios well above regulatory minimum as well as "well-capitalized" thresholds for banks. As of December 31, 2009, our total risk-based capital ratio was 19.8% or $1.1 billion more than the 10.0% regulatory requirement for well-capitalized banks. Our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 17.9% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.7% as of December 31, 2009 also significantly exceeded regulatory guidelines for "well-capitalized" banks. Our tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 9.2% at December 31, 2009, compared to 9.9% as of December 31, 2008.

            Similarly, our liquidity position has also been considerably strengthened. At December 31, 2009, we increased our total borrowing capacity and holdings of cash and short-term investments to $4.24 billion, compared to $3.34 billion at December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2009, we had $1.34 billion in cash and short-term investments and approximately $2.9 billion in available borrowing capacity from various sources including the FHLB, the FRB, repurchase agreements, and federal funds facilities with several financial institutions. Our combined borrowing capacity and cash holdings represent 20.6% of total assets and 28.3% of total deposits as of December 31, 2009. Due primarily to our acquisition of United Commercial Bank, we also experienced an 84%, or $6.85 billion, increase in deposits during 2009, with total deposits increasing to $14.99 billion as of December 31, 2009, compared with $8.14 billion as of December 31, 2008. Our continued efforts to deleverage our balance sheet resulted in a lower loan to deposit ratio of 93.8% at December 31, 2009, compared to 96.8% at September 30, 2009 and 101% at December 31, 2008. We believe that our liquidity position is sufficient to meet our operating expenses, borrowing needs and other obligations.

            Non-covered nonperforming assets totaled $296.1 million representing 1.44% of total assets at December 31, 2009. This is a decrease from $230.2 million or 1.84% of total assets at September 30, 2009 and $263.9 million or 2.12% of total assets at December 31, 2008. Nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2009 are comprised of nonaccrual loans totaling $173.2 million, OREO totaling $13.8 million, and loans modified or restructured amounting to $109.1 million.

            Covered nonperforming assets totaled $719.9 million, representing 3.50% of total assets at December 31, 2009. These covered nonperforming assets are subject to the shared-loss agreement with the FDIC.

            During 2009, we continued to build on measures and initiatives that we undertook throughout 2008 in order to identify, quantify, and reduce our exposure to problem loans. During 2009, we lowered total commitments on land and construction loans by $1.31 billion, significantly reducing our overall exposure to these sectors of our loan portfolio which have been most impacted by the downturn in the real estate market. As of December 31, 2009, outstanding balances on land and construction loans totaled only 9.5% of total gross loans.

49

---

Table of Contents

            At December 31, 2009, our allowance for loan losses amounted to $238.9 million or 2.81% of total gross non-covered loans. In comparison, the allowance for loan losses totaled $178.0 million or 2.16% of total gross loans as of December 31, 2008. Partly as a consequence of the actions that we took to identify and manage our problem loans, we recorded $528.7 million in loan loss provisions during 2009. Total net chargeoffs amounted to $475.3 million during 2009, representing 5.69% of average non-covered loans during 2009. This compares to $141.4 million, representing 1.64% of average loans during 2008. Approximately 65%, or $309.5 million, of the total net chargeoffs recorded during 2009 were related to land and construction loans.

            The allowance for loan loss increased during the year due to the significant increase in the loan loss provision during 2009, especially during the first three quarters of 2009 reflecting our elevated charge-off levels as we continue to manage down our exposure to nonaccrual loans, delinquent loans and OREO. We continued to sustain higher charge-off activities and loan loss provision in our land and residential construction loans that were caused by the sustained weakness in the real estate market.

            Also, as we continued to reduce our exposure to problem loans, we had to sell problem loans which resulted in charges against the allowance for loan losses and therefore increases in our loan loss provision. However, both the provision and net charge-offs peaked in the third quarter of 2009 resulting in a lower loan loss provision during the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Given the trend we are seeing in the loan portfolio, it is expected that the provision for loan losses and net charge-offs will continue to decrease throughout 2010.

            Based on management's evaluation and analysis of portfolio credit quality and prevailing economic conditions, we believe the allowance for loan losses is adequate for losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2009.

            Despite a sizeable loss provision recorded during 2009, the Company was profitable during the year. The $76.6 million net income that we recorded during 2009 includes $528.7 million in loan loss provisions, $107.7 million in OTTI charges on investment securities and a pre-tax gain of $471.0 million from the UCB Acquisition.

            Net interest income increased 36.1% to $483.3 million during 2009, compared with $355.2 million in 2008. Our net interest margin increased 56 basis points to 3.75% during 2009. This compares with 3.19% during the same period in 2008. Relative to 2008, our net interest margin during 2009 increased primarily as the result of the yield adjustment on covered loans during the fourth quarter of 2009. Excluding the yield adjustment related to the FDIC covered loans, our net interest margin decreased 29 basis points compared to 2008, primarily due to the sharp decline in interest rates prompted by several consecutive Federal Reserve rate cuts, reversal of interest from nonaccrual loans and increases in our core deposit base.

            Excluding the non-cash OTTI charges on investment securities, gain from the UCB Acquisition, and decrease in FDIC indemnification asset amounting to $340 million, total noninterest income increased 18% to $56.6 million during 2009, compared with $48.1 million for 2008. This increase is primarily due to net gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loan fees. These increases were complemented by higher net gain on sale of investment securities and branch-related revenues earned during 2009. Core noninterest income, which excludes the impact of non-cash OTTI charges, as well as net gains on sales of investment securities, loans and the gain on the UCB Acquisition, was $44.6 million during 2009, compared to $36.8 million during the same period last year. Core noninterest income is a non-GAAP disclosure. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide supplemental information regarding the Company's performance to provide additional disclosure. The Company believes that presenting core noninterest income provides more

50

---

Table of Contents

clarity to the users of financial statements regarding the Company's core business operations. See table below.

Table 1: Non-GAAP Table – Core Noninterest Income

            Total noninterest expense increased 22% to $246.5 million during 2009, compared with $201.3 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in total noninterest expense during 2009, relative to 2008, can be attributed predominantly to higher deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments, higher OREO expenses, increase in amortization of investments in affordable housing partnerships and higher outside professional service expenses. Our efficiency ratio, which represents noninterest expense (excluding amortization and impairment writedowns on intangible assets and amortization of investments in affordable housing partnerships) divided by the aggregate of net interest income before provision for loan losses and noninterest income, was 48.89% during 2009 compared with 45.94% for 2008.

            Total consolidated assets at December 31, 2009 increased 65% to a record $20.56 billion, compared with $12.42 billion at December 31, 2008. The net increase in total assets is comprised predominantly of an increase in covered loans receivable of $5.60 billion and an FDIC indemnification asset and receivable of $1.26 billion resulting from the UCB Acquisition. In addition, there were increases in cash and due from banks of $440.5 million, securities purchased under resale agreements of $177.4 million, and available-for-sale investment securities of $523.9 million. Total liabilities increased 69% to $18.32 billion as of December 31, 2009, compared to $10.87 billion as of December 31, 2008. The net increase in liabilities is primarily due to increases in total deposits of $6.85 billion and FHLB advances of $452.1 million.

            Total average assets increased 17% to $13.84 billion in 2009, compared to $11.80 billion in 2008 due primarily to the growth in average short-term investments, average investment securities and average loans. The increase in average short-term investments and investment securities can be attributed to proceeds received in conjunction with our issuance of Series B preferred stock during December 2008. The increase in average loans is due to the covered loans acquired in the United Commercial Bank acquisition. Total average deposits rose 30% during 2009 to $7.98 billion, compared to $6.14 billion for 2008, with the most significant contribution coming from time deposits and money market accounts.

            On January 26, 2010, the Board of Directors declared first quarter 2010 dividends on our common stock and Series A preferred stock. The common stock dividend of $0.01 per share is payable

51

---

Table of Contents

on or about February 24, 2010 to stockholders of record on February 10, 2010. The dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock of $20 per share is payable on February 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2010.

Results of Operations

            Net income after extraordinary items for 2009 totaled $76.6 million, compared with a net loss of $49.7 million for 2008 and net income of $161.2 million for 2007. Results in 2009 include the acquisition of United Commercial Bank on November 6, 2009. See table below for United Commercial Bank's contribution to the Company's 2009 results of operations. These amounts exclude the pre-tax bargain purchase gain of $471.0 million and the discount accretion related to both the covered loans and FDIC indemnification asset recorded during the fourth quarter. On a per diluted share basis, net income (loss) was $0.33, ($0.94) and $2.60 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During 2009, our operating results were significantly impacted by $528.7 million in loan loss provisions, $107.7 million in total non-cash OTTI investment securities charges and a pre-tax gain of $471.0 million from the FDIC assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank. Our return on average total assets increased to 0.55% in 2009, compared with (0.42%) in 2008 and 1.45% in 2007. Our return on average total stockholders' equity also increased to 4.69% in 2009, compared with (3.99%) in 2008 and 14.89% in 2007.

Table 2: United Commercial Bank Results

52

---

Table of Contents