EWBC EXHIBIT TO 8K

Third quarter net income was $35.6 million, up 24% from $28.6 million reported in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2006 increased to $0.58, up 12% from $0.52 in the prior year period. For the quarter, return on average equity totaled 14.94% and return on average assets totaled 1.38%. The effective tax rate for the quarter equaled 38.76%, compared to 35.92% for the prior year period. Pretax income for the third quarter of 2006 rose to $58.1 million, a 30% or $13.5 million increase over the year ago figure. Earnings for the third quarter of 2006 increased due to our overall growth, with particularly strong growth in our lending business.

“We are pleased with the results of the third quarter of 2006. It was a demanding quarter due to the interest rate environment and continued market pressures. However, our operational strategy allows us to execute solid results in all types of economic and market conditions and we delivered in the third quarter,” stated Dominic Ng, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of East West. “Loan growth was very healthy during the third quarter; gross loans increased by $574 million quarter-to-date, or 29% annualized. We are well positioned to end 2006 as our 10^th consecutive year of record earnings. Looking ahead to the future, we intend to continue our strategy of carefully balancing long term growth and profitability,” continued Ng.

·	Annualized loan growth of 15% to 17% for the fourth quarter of 2006

·	Annualized deposit growth of 8% to 10% for the fourth quarter of 2006

·	Noninterest expense to increase marginally from the third quarter

·	Efficiency ratio of approximately 37% for the fourth quarter of 2006

·	Effective tax rate of approximately 39% for the fourth quarter of 2006

·	A stable or marginally increasing interest rate environment and a net interest margin between 3.80% and 3.90% for the fourth quarter

At September 30, 2006, total assets were $10.81 billion, a $2.53 billion increase above total assets of $8.28 billion at December 31, 2005. Gross loans at September 30, 2006 totaled $8.45 billion, up 32% annualized from $6.79 billion at year-end 2005. Excluding the impact of the Standard Bank acquisition and loan securitizations earlier this year, year-to-date organic growth was an outstanding $1.49 billion, or 29% annualized. Both year-to-date and quarter-to-date, all major areas of our lending business have grown at a double-digit rate, on an annualized basis.

Average earning assets for the third quarter of 2006 totaled $9.74 billion, 45% higher than the third quarter of 2005. The growth in average earning assets was driven by a 38% or $2.23 billion increase in average loans to $8.17 billion. The yield on average earning assets for the quarter was 7.22%, an increase of 95 basis points from the year ago quarter and an increase of 13 basis points from the previous quarter. The yield on average loans receivable for the quarter was 7.60%, an increase of 104 basis points from the year ago quarter and an increase of 15 basis points from the previous quarter. The yield on average earning assets has increased as interest rates have risen and our loan portfolio has continued to reprice.

Average total deposits for the third quarter were $6.92 billion, 30% above the figure for the prior year period, while average core deposits totaled $3.30 billion, 26% greater than a year ago. The average cost of deposits for the third quarter of 2006 was 3.09%, a 120 basis point increase from the year ago quarter and a 23 basis point increase from the previous quarter. The average cost of funds for the third quarter equaled 3.51%, a 136 basis point increase from the prior year and a 34 basis point increase from the prior quarter. The increase in the cost of deposits from both the prior year and the prior quarter period is due to continuing market competition for deposits.

Net interest income for the third quarter increased to a record $95.4 million, 33% or $23.8 million greater than the third quarter of 2005 and 4% or $3.8 million greater on a sequential quarter basis. The interest margin for the quarter was 3.89%, a decrease of 33 basis points from the year ago margin and a decrease of 19 basis points from the previous quarter margin. The decrease in margin from both the sequential quarter and the previous year is a result of the continued, aggressive pricing of loans and deposits from other financial institutions. We now expect the net interest margin for the fourth quarter to be in the range of 3.80% to 3.90%, as we do not foresee any near term change in loan and deposit competition.

Noninterest income for the third quarter totaled $8.1 million, 4% or $276 thousand higher than the third quarter of 2005. Core noninterest income, excluding the impact of net gain on sales of investment securities, totaled $7.4 million during the quarter, 23% or $1.4 million higher than the prior year figure. The growth in core noninterest income from prior year reflects double-digit growth in branch fees and other operating income, partially offset by a decrease in income from secondary marketing activities. Noninterest income for the third quarter was flat compared to the sequential quarter while core noninterest income, excluding the impact of net gain on sales of investment securities was 7% or $543 thousand lower than the sequential quarter.

Noninterest expense totaled $41.9 million for the third quarter of 2006, 38% or $11.6 million higher than a year ago and 9% or $3.4 million higher than the previous quarter. Overall, noninterest expense has increased compared to the prior year period due to our growth and recent acquisitions. Specifically, compensation and employee benefits expense is 43% higher than a year ago and 17% higher than the previous quarter. The increase from both prior year and prior quarter is due to the addition of personnel as we continue to invest in our future and add employees to support our growth. Management anticipates that expenses for the fourth quarter may increase marginally from the third quarter.

The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2006 was $79.1 million or 0.94% of total loans and 745% of nonaccrual loans, compared to $68.6 million or 1.01% of total loans and 284% of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2005. At September 30, 2006, the allowance for unfunded loan commitments and off-balance sheet credit exposures amounted to $12.5 million compared to $11.1 million at December 31, 2005. The allowance for loan losses and unfunded loan commitments to total loans was 1.08% at September 30, 2006, compared to 1.17% of total loans at December 31, 2005.

East West Bancorp is a publicly owned company, with $10.8 billion in assets, whose stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EWBC”. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is the second largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Los Angeles with 62 branch locations. East West Bank serves the community with 61 branch locations across Southern and Northern California, one branch location in Houston, Texas and a Beijing Representative Office in China. For more information on East West Bancorp, visit the company's website at www.eastwestbank.com.

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in East West Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005 (See Item I -- Business, and Item 7 -- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; competition in the financial services market for both deposits and loans; EWBC’s ability to efficiently incorporate acquisitions into its operations; the ability of EWBC and its subsidiaries to increase its customer base; the effect of regulatory and legislative action, including California tax legislation and an announcement by the state’s Franchise Tax Board regarding the taxation of Registered Investment Companies; and regional and general economic conditions. Actual results and performance in future periods may be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. East West expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in the Bank’s expectations of results or any change in event.

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

	September 30,			December 31,			%
	2006			2005			Change
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	172,357		$	151,192			14
Interest bearing deposits in other banks		99			-			100
Securities purchased under resale agreements		100,000			50,000			100
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,490,112			869,837			71
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses
of $79,096 and $68,635)		8,363,680			6,724,320			24
Premiums on deposits acquired, net		22,193			18,853			18
Goodwill		244,176			143,254			70
Other assets		419,685			320,800			31
Total assets	$	10,812,302		$	8,278,256			31

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits	$	7,099,676		$	6,258,587			13
Fed funds purchased		118,014			91,500			29
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		1,499,879			617,682			143
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		825,000			325,000			154
Notes payable		6,460			8,833			(27	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		97,880			89,421			9
Long-term debt		184,023			153,095			20
Total liabilities		9,830,932			7,544,118			30
Stockholders' equity		981,370			734,138			34
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	10,812,302		$	8,278,256			31
Book value per share	$	16.03		$	12.99			23
Number of shares at period end		61,207			56,519			8

Ending Balances		September 30,			December 31,			%
		2006			2005			Change
Loans receivable
Real estate - single family	$	617,176		$	509,151			21
Real estate - multifamily		1,721,409			1,239,836			39
Real estate - commercial		3,796,418			3,321,520			14
Real estate - construction		1,015,069			640,654			58
Commercial		856,779			643,296			33
Trade finance		268,332			230,771			16
Consumer		172,583			208,797			(17	)
Total gross loans receivable		8,447,766			6,794,025			24
Unearned fees, premiums and discounts		(4,990	)		(1,070	)		366
Allowance for loan losses		(79,096	)		(68,635	)		15
Net loans receivable	$	8,363,680		$	6,724,320			24

Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	1,353,195		$	1,331,992			2
Interest-bearing checking		397,711			472,611			(16	)
Money market		1,155,925			978,678			18
Savings		395,508			326,806			21
Total core deposits		3,302,339			3,110,087			6
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,101,132			927,793			19
Time deposits $100,000 or greater		2,696,205			2,220,707			21
Total time deposits		3,797,337			3,148,500			21
Total deposits	$	7,099,676		$	6,258,587			13

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						%
	2006			2005			Change

Interest and dividend income	$	177,312		$	106,287		67
Interest expense		(81,895	)		(34,705	)	136
Net interest income before provision for loan losses		95,417			71,582		33
Provision for loan losses		(3,500	)		(4,500	)		(22	)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		91,917			67,082			37
Noninterest income		8,103			7,827			4
Noninterest expense		(41,946	)		(30,306	)		38
Income before provision for income taxes		58,074			44,603			30
Income taxes		(22,512	)		(16,020	)		41
Net income	$	35,562		$	28,583			24
Net income per share, basic	$	0.59		$	0.54			9
Net income per share, diluted	$	0.58		$	0.52			12
Shares used to compute per share net income:
- Basic		60,536			53,261			14
- Diluted		61,797			54,822			13


		Three Months Ended September 30,						%
		2006			2005			Change
Noninterest income:
Branch fees	$	2,837		$	1,858			53
Letters of credit fees and commissions		2,065			2,029			2
Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale		676			1,786			(62	)
Income from secondary market activities		123			130			(5	)
Other operating income		2,402			2,024			19
Total noninterest income	$	8,103		$	7,827			4

Noninterest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	$	18,589		$	12,979			43
Occupancy and equipment expense		5,610			3,736			50
Amortization of premiums on deposits acquired		1,691			782			116
Amortization of investments in affordable
housing partnerships		1,555			1,581			(2	)
Data processing		890			717			24
Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments		339			258			31
Other operating expense		13,272			10,253			29
Total noninterest expense	$	41,946		$	30,306			38

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						%
	2006			2005			Change

Interest and dividend income	$	473,862		$	284,812			66
Interest expense		(203,753	)		(86,048	)		137
Net interest income before provision for loan losses		270,109			198,764			36
Provision for loan losses		(8,166	)		(13,370	)		(39	)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		261,943			185,394			41
Noninterest income		25,076			22,291			12
Noninterest expense		(117,269	)		(86,425	)		36
Income before provision for income taxes		169,750			121,260			40
Income taxes		(65,492	)		(43,695	)		50
Net income	$	104,258		$	77,565			34
Net income per share, basic	$	1.76		$	1.47			20
Net income per share, diluted	$	1.72		$	1.43			20
Shares used to compute per share net income:
- Basic		59,204			52,615			13
- Diluted		60,569			54,221			12


		Nine Months Ended September 30,						%
		2006			2005			Change
Noninterest income:
Branch fees	$	8,266		$	5,143			61
Letters of credit fees and commissions		6,396			6,533			(2	)
Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale		2,537			3,519			(28	)
Income from secondary market activities		496			1,314			(62	)
Other operating income		7,381			5,782			28
Total noninterest income	$	25,076		$	22,291			12

Noninterest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	$	50,589		$	38,318			32
Occupancy and equipment expense		15,726			10,426			51
Amortization of premiums on deposits acquired		5,308			1,988			167
Amortization of investments in affordable
housing partnerships		4,281			4,971			(14	)
Data processing		2,678			1,940			38
Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments		1,021			709			44
Other operating expense		37,666			28,073			34
Total noninterest expense	$	117,269		$	86,425			36

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

Average Balances	Three Months Ended September 30,				%
	2006		2005		Change
Loans receivable
Real estate - single family	$	571,051	$	414,732		38
Real estate - multifamily		1,654,291		1,243,585		33
Real estate - commercial		3,737,320		2,906,445		29
Real estate - construction		932,661		470,967		98
Commercial		825,527		517,591		59
Trade finance		260,526		188,975		38
Consumer		184,692		193,527		(5	)
Total loans receivable		8,166,068		5,935,822		38
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,382,977		711,660		94
Earning assets		9,737,428		6,730,519		45
Total assets		10,324,398		7,077,746		46

Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	1,261,869	$	1,208,118		4
Interest-bearing checking		393,218		338,523		16
Money market		1,232,879		733,825		68
Savings		407,904		337,370		21
Total core deposits		3,295,870		2,617,836		26
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,113,057		853,497		30
Time deposits $100,000 or greater		2,513,360		1,842,909		36
Total time deposits		3,626,417		2,696,406		34
Total deposits		6,922,287		5,314,242		30
Interest-bearing liabilities		7,994,802		5,185,614		54
Stockholders' equity		952,435		597,112		60

Average Balances		Nine Months Ended September 30,				%
		2006		2005		Change
Loans receivable
Real estate - single family	$	551,429	$	393,667		40
Real estate - multifamily		1,538,361		1,190,840		29
Real estate - commercial		3,559,884		2,749,805		29
Real estate - construction		815,273		422,910		93
Commercial		770,345		461,306		67
Trade finance		232,315		177,022		31
Consumer		192,538		186,887		3
Total loans receivable		7,660,145		5,582,437		37
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,113,006		639,763		74
Earning assets		8,944,862		6,295,001		42
Total assets		9,497,712		6,613,071		44

Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	1,241,363	$	1,115,316		11
Interest-bearing checking		418,524		334,127		25
Money market		1,163,839		651,005		79
Savings		391,773		327,775		20
Total core deposits		3,215,499		2,428,223		32
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,087,945		809,061		34
Time deposits $100,000 or greater		2,407,942		1,647,462		46
Total time deposits		3,495,887		2,456,523		42
Total deposits		6,711,386		4,884,746		37
Interest-bearing liabilities		7,266,885		4,863,928		49
Stockholders' equity		879,490		553,794		59

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

Selected Ratios	Three Months Ended September 30,						%
	2006			2005			Change
For The Period
Return on average assets		1.38	%		1.62	%		(15	)
Return on average equity		14.94	%		19.15	%		(22	)
Interest rate spread		3.16	%		3.61	%		(12	)
Net interest margin		3.89	%		4.22	%		(8	)
Yield on earning assets		7.22	%		6.27	%		15
Cost of deposits		3.09	%		1.89	%		63
Cost of funds		3.51	%		2.15	%		63
Noninterest expense/average assets (1)		1.50	%		1.58	%		(5	)
Efficiency ratio (1)		37.38	%		35.19	%		6
Net chargeoffs to average loans (2)		0.01	%		0.08	%		(88	)

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2006			2005			% Change
For The Period
Return on average assets		1.46	%		1.56	%		(6	)
Return on average equity		15.81	%		18.67	%		(15	)
Interest rate spread		3.33	%		3.68	%		(10	)
Net interest margin		4.04	%		4.22	%		(4	)
Yield on earning assets		7.08	%		6.05	%		17
Cost of deposits		2.84	%		1.67	%		70
Cost of funds		3.20	%		1.92	%		67
Noninterest expense/average assets (1)		1.51	%		1.60	%		(6	)
Efficiency ratio (1)		36.48	%		35.95	%		1
Net chargeoffs to average loans (2)		0.01	%		0.10	%		(90	)

Period End
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		9.18	%		8.74	%		5
Total risk-based capital ratio		10.97	%		10.93	%		0
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio		8.22	%		8.83	%		(7	)
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.12	%		0.22	%		(45	)
Nonaccrual loans to total loans		0.13	%		0.19	%		(32	)
Allowance for loan losses to total loans		0.94	%		1.02	%		(8	)
Allowance for loan losses and unfunded loan
commitments to total loans		1.08	%		1.17	%		(8	)
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans		744.85	%		525.00	%		42


(1) Excludes the amortization of intangibles and investments in affordable housing partnerships.
(2) Annualized.

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
QUARTER TO DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES PAID
(Dollar in thousands)
(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2006								2005
	Average								Average
	Volume			Interest		Yield (1)			Volume			Interest		Yield (1)

ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Short-term investments	$	7,257		$	92		5.03	%	$	9,655		$	78		3.21	%
Interest bearing deposit in other banks		455			4		3.49	%		-			-		-
Securities purchased under resale agreements		100,000			1,917		7.61	%		12,500			224		7.11	%
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,382,977			17,860		5.12	%		711,660			7,181		4.00	%
Loans receivable		8,166,068			156,333		7.60	%		5,935,822			98,110		6.56	%
FHLB/FRB stock		80,671			1,106		5.44	%		60,882			694		4.52	%
Total interest-earning assets		9,737,428			177,312		7.22	%		6,730,519			106,287		6.27	%

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		124,641								110,124
Allowance for loan losses		(77,804	)							(59,976	)
Other assets		540,133								297,079
Total assets	$	10,324,398							$	7,077,746

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Checking accounts		393,218			1,393		1.41	%		338,523			662		0.78	%
Money market accounts		1,232,879			12,342		3.97	%		733,825			4,162		2.25	%
Savings deposits		407,904			746		0.73	%		337,370			267		0.31	%
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,113,057			11,303		4.03	%		853,497			4,915		2.28	%
Time deposits $100,000 or greater		2,513,360			28,112		4.44	%		1,842,909			15,269		3.29	%
Fed funds purchased		107,639			1,462		5.39	%		68,701			637		3.68	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		1,291,627			16,081		4.94	%		803,688			6,290		3.11	%
Securities sold under repurchase agreement		751,095			7,024		3.71	%		91,848			693		2.99	%
Long-term debt		184,023			3,432		7.40	%		115,253			1,810		6.23	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,994,802			81,895		4.06	%		5,185,614			34,705		2.66	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,261,869								1,208,118
Other liabilities		115,292								86,902
Stockholders' equity		952,435								597,112
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	10,324,398							$	7,077,746
Interest rate spread							3.16	%							3.61	%
Net interest income and net margin				$	95,417		3.89	%				$	71,582		4.22	%



(1) Annualized.

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
YEAR TO DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES PAID
(Dollar in thousands)
(unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006								2005
	Average								Average
	Volume			Interest		Yield (1)			Volume			Interest		Yield (1)

ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Short-term investments	$	10,735		$	320		3.99	%	$	8,173		$	177		2.90	%
Interest bearing deposit in other banks		432			12		3.71	%		-			-		-
Securities purchased under resale agreements		93,040			5,160		7.41	%		4,213			224		7.11	%
Investment securities available-for-sale		1,113,006			40,024		4.81	%		639,763			18,020		3.77	%
Loans receivable		7,660,145			425,630		7.43	%		5,582,437			264,340		6.33	%
FHLB/FRB stock		67,504			2,716		5.38	%		60,415			2,051		4.54	%
Total interest-earning assets		8,944,862			473,862		7.08	%		6,295,001			284,812		6.05	%

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		129,914								104,035
Allowance for loan losses		(74,765	)							(56,021	)
Other assets		497,701								270,056
Total assets	$	9,497,712							$	6,613,071

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Checking accounts		418,524			4,095		1.31	%		334,127			1,909		0.76	%
Money market accounts		1,163,839			31,261		3.59	%		651,005			10,175		2.09	%
Savings deposits		391,773			1,948		0.66	%		327,775			657		0.27	%
Time deposits less than $100,000		1,087,945			29,810		3.66	%		809,061			13,430		2.22	%
Time deposits $100,000 or greater		2,407,942			75,610		4.20	%		1,647,462			34,789		2.82	%
Fed funds purchased		102,343			3,789		4.95	%		27,242			739		3.63	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		983,001			32,988		4.49	%		947,819			19,361		2.73	%
Securities sold under repurchase agreement		535,992			14,906		3.72	%		30,952			693		2.99	%
Long-term debt		175,526			9,346		7.12	%		88,485			4,295		6.49	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,266,885			203,753		3.75	%		4,863,928			86,048		2.37	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,241,363								1,115,316
Other liabilities		109,974								80,033
Stockholders' equity		879,490								553,794
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	9,497,712							$	6,613,071
Interest rate spread							3.33	%							3.68	%
Net interest income and net margin				$	270,109		4.04	%				$	198,764		4.22	%



(1) Annualized.