10-K 1 ewbc1231201510k.htm 10-K 10-K


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
 
Commission file number 000-24939

 EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
95-4703316
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
135 North Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, California
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
91101
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(626) 768-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
 
 
Title of each class
 
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
 
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
 
NASDAQ “Global Select Market”
 
 
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 x  No ¨
 
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 ¨  No x
 
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 x  No ¨
 
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 x  No ¨
 
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. x
 
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.
 
 
Large accelerated filer
x
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨  No x
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $6,382,812,659 (based on the June 30, 2015 closing price of Common Stock of $44.82 per share).
 
As of January 31, 2016, 143,917,846 shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
 



EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
2015 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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PART I
 
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report contain or incorporate statements that East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company” or “we” or “EWBC”) believes 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 (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. These statements relate to the Company’s 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 “likely result in,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends to,” or may include other similar words or phrases, such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continues,” “remains,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “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 the Company 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 the Company. 
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 differences, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to:

•
the Company’s ability to compete effectively against other financial institutions in its banking markets;
•
changes in the commercial and consumer real estate markets;
•
changes in the Company’s costs of operation, compliance and expansion;
•
changes in the U.S. economy, including inflation, employment levels, rate of growth and general business conditions;
•
changes in government interest rate policies;
•
changes in laws or the regulatory environment including regulatory reform initiatives and policies of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (“Federal Reserve”) System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”);
•
changes in the economy of and monetary policy in the People’s Republic of China;
•
changes in accounting standards as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other regulatory agencies and their impact on critical accounting policies and assumptions;
•
changes in the equity and debt securities markets;
•
future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future credit losses and allowance levels;
•
fluctuations of the Company’s stock price;
•
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•
success and timing of the Company’s business strategies;
•
impact of reputational risk from negative publicity, fines and penalties and other negative consequences from regulatory violations and legal actions;
•
impact of potential federal tax increases and spending cuts;
•
impact of adverse judgments or settlements in litigation;
•
impact of regulatory enforcement actions;
•
changes in the Company’s ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;
•
impact of political developments, wars or other hostilities that may disrupt or increase volatility in securities or otherwise affect economic conditions;
•
impact of natural or man-made disasters or calamities or conflicts;
•
continuing consolidation in the financial services industry;
•
the Company’s capital requirements and its ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;
•
impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) on the Company’s business, business practices and cost of operations;
•
impact of adverse changes to the Company’s credit ratings from the major credit rating agencies;
•
impact of failure in, or breach of, the Company’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties with whom the Company does business, including as a result of cyber attacks; and other similar matters;
•
adequacy of the Company’s risk management framework, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

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•
the effect of the current low interest rate environment or changes in interest rates on our net interest income and net interest margin;
•
the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on the Company’s funding costs and net interest margin; and
•
a recurrence of significant turbulence or disruption in the capital or financial markets, which could result in, among other things, a reduction in the availability of funding or increased funding costs, reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and declines in asset values and/or recognition of other-than-temporary impairment on securities held in the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.

For a more detailed discussion of some of the factors that might cause such differences, see Item 1A. Risk Factors presented elsewhere in this report. 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.


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ITEM 1.  BUSINESS 
Organization
East West 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, East West has six other subsidiaries established as statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”) as of December 31, 2015 and one subsidiary - East West Insurance Services, Inc. (the “Agency”) that provides business and consumer insurance services. The Trusts were set up for the purpose of issuing junior subordinated debt to third party investors.
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. 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 employee stock purchase plans. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $32.35 billion in total assets, $23.41 billion in total loans (net of allowance), $27.48 billion in total deposits and $3.12 billion in stockholders’ equity.
As of December 31, 2015, the Bank has three 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 properties used by the Bank in its operations. The second subsidiary, East-West Investments, Inc., primarily acts as a trustee in connection with real estate secured loans. The remaining subsidiary is East West Bank (China) Limited.
On November 6, 2009, the Bank acquired United Commercial Bank (“UCB”), a California state-chartered bank headquartered in San Francisco, California. Under the terms of the UCB Purchase and Assumption Agreement, the Bank acquired certain assets of UCB with a fair value of approximately $9.86 billion and assumed liabilities with a fair value of approximately $9.57 billion. On June 11, 2010, the Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Washington First International Bank (“WFIB”), a Washington state-chartered bank headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Under the terms of the WFIB Purchase and Assumption Agreement, the Bank acquired certain assets of WFIB with a fair value of approximately $492.6 million and liabilities with a fair value of approximately $481.3 million were assumed. Both of these transactions were FDIC-assisted acquisitions. On January 17, 2014, the Bank completed the acquisition of MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc., (“MetroCorp”) parent of MetroBank, N.A. and Metro United Bank. MetroCorp, headquartered in Houston, Texas, operated 19 branch locations within Texas and California under its two banks. The Bank acquired MetroCorp to further expand its presence, primarily in Texas within the markets of Houston and Dallas, and in California within the San Diego market. Approximately $1.70 billion of assets were acquired and $1.41 billion of liabilities were assumed.
The Bank continues to develop its international banking capabilities. The Bank’s presence includes five full-service branches in Greater China, located in Hong Kong, two in Shanghai including one in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shantou and Shenzhen. The Bank also has five representative offices in Greater China located in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Taipei, and Xiamen. 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 U.S. 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 exporters through broader correspondent banking relationships.
The Bank continues to explore opportunities to establish other foreign offices, subsidiaries or strategic investments and partnerships to expand its international banking capabilities and to capitalize on the growing international trade business between the United States and Greater China.

5


Banking Services
As of December 31, 2015, East West Bank was the fourth largest independent commercial bank headquartered in California based on total assets. East West Bank is the largest bank in the United States that focuses on the financial services needs of individuals and businesses which operate both in the United States and Greater China, as well as having a strong focus on the Chinese American community. Through its network of banking locations in the United States and Greater China, 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 commercial and residential real estate, construction, trade finance, and commercial business, including accounts receivable, small business administration, inventory and working capital loans. The Bank generally provides commercial business loans to small and medium-sized businesses. The Bank’s commercial borrowers are engaged in a wide variety of manufacturing, wholesale trade and service businesses. In addition, the Bank is focused on providing financing to clients needing a financial bridge that facilitates their business transactions between the United States and Greater China.
The Bank’s three operating segments: Retail Banking, Commercial Banking and Other are based on the Bank’s core strategy. The Retail Banking segment focuses primarily on retail operations through the Bank’s branch network. The Commercial Banking segment primarily generates commercial and industrial loans, and commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans through the domestic commercial lending offices located in California, New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Nevada and Georgia, and through the foreign commercial lending offices located in China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, the Commercial Banking segment also offers a wide variety of international finance and trade services and products. The remaining centralized functions, including the treasury operations of the Company and eliminations of intersegment amounts have been aggregated and included in “Other.” For complete discussion and disclosure, please see the information in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) — Operating Segment Results and Note 20 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Market Area and Competition
The banking and financial services industry in California generally, and in the Bank’s market areas specifically, is highly competitive. The increasingly competitive environment is primarily a result of changes in laws and regulations, changes in technology and product delivery systems, as well as continuing consolidation among financial services providers. The Bank competes for loans, deposits, and customers with other commercial banks, other financial services institutions and other companies that offer banking services. Some of these competitors are larger in total assets and capitalization and offer a broader range of financial services than the Bank.
The Bank concentrates on marketing its services in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and the greater San Francisco Bay area as Greater China and other Pacific Rim countries continue to grow as California’s top trading partners.  This provides the Bank with an important competitive advantage to its customers participating in the Asia Pacific marketplace. The Bank believes that its customers benefit from the Bank’s understanding of Asian markets through its physical presence in Greater China, the Bank’s corporate and organizational ties throughout Asia, as well as the Bank’s international banking products and services. The Bank believes that this approach, combined with the extensive ties of the Bank’s management and Board of Directors (the “ Board”) to growing Asian business opportunities, as well as the Chinese-American communities, provides the Bank with an advantage in competing for customers in the Bank’s market area.  

6


Supervision and Regulation
General
East West 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 protection of our stockholders. As a bank holding company, East West is subject to primary inspection, supervision, regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA. The Bank, as a California state-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve System, is subject to primary supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve, as well as the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”) - Division of Financial Institutions. The Company is also subject to regulation by certain foreign regulatory agencies where we conduct business.
The Company is also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act as administered by the SEC. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the trading symbol “EWBC” and is subject to NASDAQ rules for listed companies. The Company is also subject to the accounting oversight and corporate governance of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Described below are material elements of selected laws and regulations applicable to East West and the Bank. The descriptions are not intended to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations described. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on the Company’s business.
East West 

East West is subject to regulation and examination by the Federal Reserve under the BHCA and its authority to, among other things:

•
require periodic reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require;
•
require the Company to maintain certain levels of capital and, under the Dodd-Frank Act, limit the ability of bank holding companies to pay dividends or bonuses unless their capital levels exceed the capital conservation buffer (please see Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Capital Requirements);
•
require bank holding companies to 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 Federal Reserve to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of Federal Reserve regulations or both;
•
restrict the receipt and the payment of dividends;
•
terminate an activity or terminate control of or liquidate or divest certain subsidiaries, affiliates or investments if the Federal Reserve believes that 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 the Company’s securities in certain situations;
•
require the prior approval of senior executive officer or director changes and prohibit golden parachute payments, including change in control agreements, or new employment agreements with such payment terms, which are contingent upon termination;
•
approve acquisitions and mergers with banks and consider certain competitive, management, financial and other factors in granting these approvals. DBO approvals may also be required for certain mergers and acquisitions.

As a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code, East West is subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with the DBO.


7


The Bank and its subsidiaries

East West Bank is a California state-chartered bank, a member and stockholder of the Federal Reserve and a member of the FDIC. The Bank is subject to primary supervision, periodic examination, and regulation by the CFPB, DBO, and the Federal Reserve, as the Bank’s primary federal regulator. The Federal Reserve and the DBO also regulate the Bank’s foreign operations. These operations are subject to the supervisory authorities of the host countries in which the Bank’s overseas offices reside. 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 collateral for certain loans. The regulatory structure also gives the bank regulatory agencies extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies. California law permits state chartered commercial banks to engage in any activity permissible for national banks, unless such activity is expressly prohibited by state law. 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 the Gramm Leach Bliley Act, the Bank may conduct certain “financial” activities in a subsidiary to the same extent permitted for a national bank, provided the Bank is and remains “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” and in satisfactory compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”).

Regulation of Subsidiaries/Branches

Foreign-based subsidiaries, including East West Bank China (Limited), are subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations, such as those implemented by the China Banking Regulatory Commission. Nonbank subsidiaries are subject to additional or separate regulation and supervision by other state, federal and self-regulatory bodies. The Agency is subject to the licensing and supervisory authority of the California Department of Insurance. The East West Hong Kong branch is subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations, such as those implemented by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted in July 2010, comprehensively reformed the regulation of financial institutions and their products and services. The Dodd-Frank Act also significantly revised and expanded the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of the federal bank regulatory agencies. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB to be responsible for consumer protection in the financial services industry; provided for new capital standards that eliminate the treatment of trust preferred securities as Tier 1 regulatory capital; required that deposit insurance assessments be calculated based on an insured depository institution’s assets rather than its insured deposits; raised the minimum Designated Reserve Ratio to 1.35%; established a comprehensive regulatory regime for the derivatives activities of financial institutions; established new compensation restrictions and standards regarding the time, manner and form of compensation given to key executives and other personnel receiving incentive compensation; prohibited banking entities, after a transition period, from engaging in certain types of proprietary trading, as well as having investments in, sponsoring, and maintaining certain types of relationships with hedge funds and private equity funds (through provisions commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule”); placed limitations on the interchange fees charged for debit card transactions; and established new minimum mortgage underwriting standards for residential mortgages.

The Dodd-Frank Act impacts many aspects of the financial industry and will impact larger and smaller financial institutions and community banks differently over time. Many of the key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act affecting the financial industry are either in effect or are in the proposed rules or implementation stages.


8


CFPB Supervision

The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the CFPB, and giving it responsibility for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws. Depository institutions with assets exceeding $10 billion (such as the Bank), their affiliates, and certain non-banks in the markets for consumer financial services (as determined by the CFPB) are subject to direct supervision by the CFPB, including any applicable examination, enforcement and reporting requirements the CFPB may establish. The CFPB is focused on:

•
risks to consumers and compliance with the Federal consumer financial laws, when it evaluates the policies and practices of a financial institution;
•
unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts on practices, which the Dodd-Frank Act empowers the agency to prevent through rulemaking, enforcement and examination;
•
rulemaking to implement various federal consumer statutes such as the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Electronic Fund Transfer Act;
•
the markets in which firms operate and risks to consumers posed by activities in those markets; and
•
with respect to the indirect auto business, holding lenders accountable for discriminatory dealer markups.

The statutes and regulations that the CFPB enforces mandate certain disclosure and other requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans, and providing other services.  In addition, the Department of Justice enforces the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which provides protection for military servicemembers and their family including a limitation on the ability to retake collateral in the event of default and a statutory interest rate cap for certain debts. Failure to comply with these laws can subject the Bank to various penalties, including, but not limited, to enforcement actions, injunctions, fines or criminal penalties, punitive damages or restitution to consumers, and the loss of certain contractual rights.  The Bank and the Company are also subject to federal and state laws prohibiting unfair or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising and unfair competition.
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve
The Bank is a member of the FHLB of San Francisco. As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to own a certain amount of capital stock in the FHLB. The Bank may also access FHLB for both short-term and long-term secured borrowing sources. The Federal Reserve requires all depository institutions to maintain interest-earning reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts. As of December 31, 2015, the Bank was in compliance with these requirements. As a member bank, the Bank is also required to own capital stock in the Federal Reserve.

Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds

Dividends from the Bank constitute the principal source of income to East West. The Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends. 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 (“PCA”) regulations, the Federal Reserve or FDIC may prohibit a bank holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “undercapitalized.” For more information, please see Capital Requirements below.

It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past years and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. It is also the Federal Reserve’s 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 Federal Reserve has stated 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.

9


Transactions with Affiliates

Federal laws strictly limit the ability of banks to engage in transactions with their affiliates, including their bank holding companies. Regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve limit the types and amounts of these transactions that may take place and generally require those transactions to be on an arm's length basis. In general, these regulations require that “covered transactions” between a subsidiary bank and its parent company or the nonbank subsidiaries of the bank holding company are limited to 10% of the bank subsidiary's capital and surplus and, with respect to such parent company and all such nonbank subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of the bank subsidiary's capital and surplus. Further, these restrictions, contained in the Federal Reserve’s Regulation W, prevent East West and other affiliates from borrowing from, or entering into other credit transactions with, the Bank or its operating subsidiaries, unless the loans or other credit transactions are secured by specified amounts of collateral. Federal law also limits a bank's authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons. Among other things, extensions of credit to insiders are required to be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons. The terms of such extensions of credit may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and may not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the bank's capital. The Dodd-Frank Act treats derivative transactions resulting in credit exposure to an affiliate as covered transactions. It expands the transactions for which collateral is required to be maintained, and for all such transactions, it requires collateral to be maintained at all times. In addition, the Volcker Rule under the Dodd-Frank Act establishes certain prohibitions, restrictions and requirements (known as “Super 23A” and “Super 23B”) on transactions between a covered fund and a banking entity that serves as an investment manager, investment adviser, organizer and offeror, or sponsor with respect to that covered fund, regardless of whether the banking entity has an ownership interest in the fund.

Stress Testing for Banks with Assets of $10 Billion to $50 Billion

The Dodd-Frank Act requires stress testing of bank holding companies and banks that have more than $10 billion but less than $50 billion of consolidated assets (“$10 - $50 billion companies”). Additional stress testing is required for banking organizations having $50 billion or more of assets. $10 - $50 billion companies, including the Company and the Bank, are required to conduct annual company-run stress tests under rules the federal bank regulatory agencies issued in October 2012. Stress tests assess the potential impact of scenarios on the consolidated earnings, balance sheet and capital of a bank holding company or bank over a designated planning horizon of nine quarters, taking into account the organization’s current condition, risks, exposures, strategies, activities and such factors as the regulators may request of a specific organization. Each banking organization’s Board and senior management are required to review and approve the policies and procedures of their stress testing processes as frequently as economic conditions or the condition of the organization may warrant, and at least annually. They are also required to consider the results of the stress test in the normal course of business, including the banking organization’s capital planning (including dividends and share buybacks), assessment of capital adequacy and maintaining capital consistent with its risks, and risk management practices. The results of the stress tests are provided to the applicable federal banking agencies. The final rule requirement for public disclosure of a summary of the stress testing results for the $10 - $50 billion companies has been implemented starting with the 2014 stress test, with the disclosure requirements effective in June 2015.

CRA

Under the CRA as implemented by FDIC regulations, an institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation to help serve the credit needs of its communities, including extending credit to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA requires public disclosure of the Bank’s CRA rating. Should the Bank fail to serve the community adequately, potential penalties may include regulatory denials of applications to expand branches, relocate, add subsidiaries and affiliates, expand into new financial activities and merge with or purchase other financial institutions.


10


FDIC Deposit Insurance Assessments

The FDIC insures the Bank’s customer deposits through the DIF of the FDIC up to prescribed limits for each depositor. The Bank is subject to deposit insurance assessments as determined by the FDIC. The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum target DIF ratio from 1.15% of estimated insured deposits to 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC must seek to achieve the 1.35% ratio by September 30, 2020. Insured institutions with assets of $10 billion or more, such as the Bank are responsible for funding the increase. For additional information regarding deposit insurance, see Item 1A. Risk Factors. 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 the Bank would also result in the revocation of the Bank’s charter by the DBO.
Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) Regulation

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and its implementing regulations and parallel requirements of the federal banking regulators require the Bank to maintain a risk-based AML program reasonably designed to prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing and to comply with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the BSA, including the requirement to report suspicious activity. There is an expectation by the Bank’s regulators that there will be an effective governance structure for the program which includes effective oversight by our Board and management. The program must include, at a minimum, a designated compliance officer, written policies, procedures and internal controls, training of appropriate personnel and independent testing of the program, and a customer identification program. The United States Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) and the federal banking agencies continue to issue regulations and guidance with respect to the application and requirements of the BSA and their expectations for effective AML programs. Banking regulators also examine banks for compliance with the economic sanctions regulations administered by the OFAC. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate BSA/AML and OFAC programs, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution.

Capital Requirements

The federal banking agencies have risk-based capital adequacy guidelines intended to provide a measure of capital adequacy that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations both for transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and for transactions, such as letters of credit and recourse arrangements, that are recorded as off-balance sheet items. Prior to January 1, 2015, these guidelines were based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”). In 2013, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations. The rules implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework, commonly referred to as Basel III, for strengthening international capital standards, as well as implementing certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.
    
The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions, including the Company and the Bank, compared to the previous U.S. risk-based capital rules. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for some of their components). The Basel III Capital Rules: (i) introduce a new capital measure called Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) and a related regulatory capital ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments, which are instruments treated as Tier 1 instruments under the prior capital rules that meet certain revised requirements; (iii) mandate that most deductions or adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital; and (iv) expand the scope of the deductions from and adjustments to capital, as compared to existing regulations. Under the Basel III Capital Rules, for most banking organizations, the most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital is noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common form of Tier 2 capital is subordinated notes and a portion of the allowance for loan and lease losses, in each case, subject to the Basel III Capital Rules’ specific requirements.


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Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the following are the initial minimum capital ratios applicable to the Company and the Bank as of January 1, 2015:

•
4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets;
•
6.0% Tier 1 capital (that is, CET1 plus Additional Tier 1 capital) to risk-weighted assets;
•
8.0% total capital (that is, Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets; and
•
4.0% Tier 1 leverage ratio.

The Basel III Capital Rules also introduce a new “capital conservation buffer,” composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% and will be phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019). Thus, when fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the Company and the Bank will be required to maintain this additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, resulting in the following minimum capital ratios:

•
4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%;
•
6.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8.5%;
•
8.0% total capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the capital conservation buffer, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of at least 10.5%; and
•
4.0% Tier 1 leverage ratio.

The Basel III Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that (i) mortgage servicing rights, (ii) deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks and (iii) significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such items, in the aggregate, exceed 15% of CET1. Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a four-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter). Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive income or loss items are not excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios; however, non-advanced approaches banking organizations (i.e., banking organizations with less than $250 billion in total consolidated assets or with less than $10 billion of on-balance sheet foreign exposures), including the Company and the Bank, may make a one-time permanent election to exclude these items. This election must be made concurrently with the first filing of certain of the Company and the Bank’s periodic regulatory reports in the beginning of 2015. The Company and the Bank have made this election in order to avoid significant variations in the level of capital depending upon the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of its available-for-sale securities portfolio.


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The Basel III Capital Rules prescribe a new standardized approach for risk weightings that expand the risk weighting categories from the previous four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. Government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, depending on the nature of the assets. The new capital rules generally result in higher risk weights for a variety of asset classes, including certain CRE mortgages. Additional aspects of the Basel III Capital Rules that are relevant to the Company and the Bank include:

•
consistent with the Basel I risk-based capital rules, assigning exposures secured by single family residential properties to either a 50% risk weight for first-lien mortgages that meet prudential underwriting standards or a 100% risk weight category for all other mortgages;
•
providing for a 20% credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable (set at 0% under the Basel I risk based capital rules);
•
assigning a 150% risk weight to all exposures that are nonaccrual or 90 days or more past due (set at 100% under the Basel I risk-based capital rules), except for those secured by single family residential properties, which will be assigned a 100% risk weight, consistent with the Basel I risk-based capital rules;
•
applying a 150% risk weight instead of a 100% risk weight for certain high volatility CRE acquisition, development and construction loans; and
•
applying a 250% risk weight to the portion of mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks that are not deducted from CET1 capital (set at 100% under the Basel I risk-based capital rules).

As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s and the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded the minimum capital adequacy guideline percentage requirements of the federal banking agencies for “well capitalized” institutions under the Basel III capital rules on a fully phased-in basis. For complete discussion and disclosure please see Item 7. MD&A — Regulatory Capital and Ratios and Note 19 — Regulatory Requirements and Matters to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

With respect to the Bank, the Basel III Capital Rules also revise the PCA regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as discussed below under “PCA.”

PCA

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (“FDIA”), requires federal banking agencies to take PCA in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The Basel III Capital Rules, as promulgated by the Federal Reserve, revised the PCA requirements effective January 1, 2015. Under the revised PCA provisions of the FDIA, an insured depository institution generally will be classified in the following categories based on the capital measures indicated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCA Category
 
Total risk-based capital ratio
 
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
 
CET1 risk-based ratio
 
Tier 1 leverage ratio
Well capitalized
 
10%
 
8%
 
6.5%
 
5%
Adequately capitalized
 
8%
 
6%
 
4.5%
 
4%
Undercapitalized
 
< 8%
 
< 6%
 
< 4.5%
 
< 4%
Significantly undercapitalized
 
< 6%
 
< 4%
 
< 3%
 
< 3%
Critically undercapitalized
 
Tangible Equity/Total Assets ≤ 2%
 

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. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying PCA regulations and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.


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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. 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.

Future Legislation and Regulation

Considering the recent conditions in the global financial markets and economy, legislators, presidential candidates and regulators have continued to increase their focus on regulation of the financial services industry. Proposals to further increase regulation of the financial services industry have been and are expected to continue to be introduced in the U.S. Congress, in state legislatures and abroad. In addition, not all regulations authorized or required under the Dodd-Frank Act have been proposed or finalized by federal regulators. Further legislative changes and additional regulations may change our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such legislation and regulations could increase the cost of conducting the Company’s business, affect the Company’s compensation structure and restrict or expand the activities in which the Company may engage among other financial institutions. The Company cannot predict whether future legislative proposals will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect from implementing such regulations would have on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition. The same uncertainty exists with respect to regulations authorized or required under the Dodd-Frank Act but that have not yet been proposed or finalized.

Employees
At December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 2,833 employees. None of the Company’s employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreements.
Available Information
The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, the proxy statements, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act are available for free at www.eastwestbank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to SEC. These reports are also available for free on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Also, these reports can be found and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549, or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
In the course of conducting the Company’s business, the Company is exposed to a variety of risks, some of which are inherent in the financial services industry and others of which are more specific to the Company’s business. The following discussion sets forth what management currently believes could be the most significant factors, of which we are currently aware that could affect our businesses, results of operations and financial condition. Additional factors that could affect our businesses, results of operations and financial condition are discussed in Forward-Looking Statements. Other factors not discussed below or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K could also adversely affect the Company’s businesses, results of operations and financial condition. Therefore, the risk factors below should not be considered a complete discussion of all of the risk and uncertainties the Company may face.
Regulatory, Compliance and Legal Risks
Changes in law, regulation or oversight may adversely affect the Company’s operations. EWBC is subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws, as well as supervision and examination by the DBO, FDIC, Federal Reserve, SEC, the CFPB, and other regulatory bodies. Congress and federal agencies have significantly increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes, many parts of which are now in effect. The Federal Reserve has adopted regulations implementing the Basel III framework on bank capital adequacy, stress testing, and market liquidity risk in the U.S. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Regulation of the financial services industry continues to undergo major changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies could affect EWBC in substantial and unpredictable ways. In addition, such changes could also subject us to additional costs and limit the types of financial services and products we may offer. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in civil or criminal sanctions by state and federal agencies, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of our banking charter, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s businesses, results of operations and financial condition. The effects of such legislation and regulatory actions on EWBC cannot be reliably determined at this time. See Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation for more information about the regulations to which we are subject.
The CFPB is in the process of reshaping the consumer financial laws through rulemaking and enforcement of such laws against unfair, deceptive and abusive acts or practices. Compliance with any such change may impact the business operations of depository institutions offering consumer financial products or services, including the Bank. The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to financial institutions that offer covered financial products and services to consumers. The CFPB has also been directed to write rules identifying practices or acts that are unfair, deceptive or abusive in connection with any transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product or service, or the offering of a consumer financial product or service. The prohibition on “abusive” acts or practices was created by the Dodd-Frank Act and did not previously exist in federal law. The meaning of the prohibition is being clarified each year by CFPB enforcement actions and opinions from courts and administrative proceedings. Moreover, the Bank will be examined by the CFPB for compliance with the CFPB’s laws and policies. The CFPB has further issued a series of final rules to implement provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act related to mortgage origination and servicing that may increase the cost of originating and servicing residential mortgage loans, which went into effect in January 2014. While it is difficult to quantify the increase in our regulatory compliance burden, we do believe that costs associated with regulatory compliance, including the need to hire additional compliance personnel, may continue to increase.
We face risk of noncompliance and enforcement actions under the BSA and other AML statutes and regulations. The BSA requires banks and other financial institutions to, among other things, develop and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The FinCEN has delegated examination authority for compliance by banks with the BSA to the federal bank regulators, including to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (the “Board of Governors”) for state licensed member banks. Under parallel authority of the bank regulators, the federal bank regulators and certain state regulators have authority to bring enforcement actions related to BSA compliance which may include compliance undertakings, a written agreement, a cease and desist order, and/or civil money penalties. FinCEN may also impose civil money penalties based on BSA violations that are deemed willful, and willful violations also could result in criminal BSA fine or forfeitures. The banking regulators also examine compliance with the rules enforced by the OFAC. Banks are under enhanced scrutiny for both BSA and OFAC compliance. Consequently, if our policies, procedures and internal controls are deemed deficient, we could face money penalties as well as serious reputational consequences that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operations.


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The Bank is subject to supervision pursuant to a written agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco(the “FRB”) and a memorandum of understanding with the DBO, which could result in additional actions taken against the Bank and will increase the Bank’s operating costs and could adversely affect the Bank’s results of operations.

Our good standing with our regulators is of fundamental importance to the continuation and growth of our business given that banks operate in an extensively regulated environment under state and federal law. The Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by regulators, including the FRB and the DBO. Federal and state regulators, in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties, have significant discretion and power to initiate enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe and unsound practices. The enforcement powers available to federal banking regulators include, among others, the ability to assess civil monetary penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders, to require written agreements and to initiate injunctive actions. The Bank entered into a Written Agreement, dated November 9, 2015 with the FRB (the “Written Agreement”), and a related memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the DBO, relating to certain deficiencies identified in the Bank’s BSA/AML compliance program, as described in further detail in Item 7. MD&A — Regulatory Matters. If additional compliance issues are identified or if the regulators conclude that the Bank has not satisfactorily complied with the Written Agreement, the DBO or the FRB could take further action with respect to the Bank, and if any such further action were taken, such action could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operations. The operating and other conditions of the Written Agreement could lead to an increased risk of being subject to additional regulatory actions by the DBO and FRB or other government agencies, as well as additional actions resulting from future regular annual soundness and compliance examinations by federal and state regulators.
 
We anticipate that we will need to continue to dedicate significant resources to our efforts to comply with the Written Agreement and related MOU, which are expected to increase our operational costs and adversely affect the amount of time our management has to conduct our business. The additional operating costs to comply with, and the restrictions under, the Written Agreement and MOU will adversely affect the Bank’s results of operations.

Increased deposit insurance costs and changes in deposit regulation may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. The FDIC insures deposit accounts at insured banks and financial institutions, including East West Bank. The FDIC charges the insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the DIF at a certain level. During 2008 and 2009, there were higher levels of bank failures, which dramatically increased resolution costs of the FDIC and depleted the DIF. The FDIC collected a special assessment in 2009 to replenish the DIF and also required a prepayment of an estimated amount of future deposit insurance premiums. In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC adopted new rules that redefined how deposit insurance assessments are calculated. The new rate schedule and other revisions to the assessment rules became effective April 1, 2011, and had the effect of reducing the assessment that we would otherwise pay. As the new assessment rules currently stand, we expect the rules will have a continued positive impact on our future FDIC deposit insurance assessment fees compared to the assessment rules in effect prior to the changes. However, the FDIC’s rules could be subject to future changes, especially if there are additional bank or financial institution failures or the government or FDIC develop new regulatory goals with respect to the banking sector. Increases in assessment fees or required prepayments of FDIC insurance premiums may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

The Company’s interest expense may increase following the repeal of the federal prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposits. The federal prohibition on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts was repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act beginning on July 21, 2011. As a result, financial institutions could commence offering interest on demand deposits to compete for clients. Currently, market interest rates are low. We cannot predict what interest rates other banks may offer as market interest rates increase in the future. The Bank has started offering interest on demand deposits to attract additional customers or to maintain current customers. If market interest rates increase, the Company’s interest expense will increase and net interest margin will decrease which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in accounting standards or inaccurate estimates or assumptions in applying accounting policies could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. From time to time, the FASB or the SEC may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. In addition, the FASB, SEC, banking regulators and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm may also amend or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how various standards should be applied. These changes may be difficult to predict and could impact how we prepare and report the Company’s financial statements. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the Company revising and republishing prior-period financial statements.

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Capital and Liquidity Risks
 As a regulated entity, we are subject to capital and liquidity requirements, and a failure to meet these standards could affect our financial condition. The Company and the Bank are subject to certain capital and liquidity guidelines, qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. New regulatory capital and liquidity requirements may limit or otherwise restrict how we utilize our capital, including common stock dividends and stock repurchases, and may require us to increase our regulatory capital, or increase regulatory capital ratios or liquidity. The capital requirements applicable to the Company and the Bank under the recently adopted Basel III rules are in the process of being phased-in by the Federal Reserve. We are required to satisfy more stringent capital adequacy and liquidity standards than we have in the past. In addition, we may be required to increase our capital levels, even in the absence of actual adverse economic conditions or forecasts, as a result of stress testing and capital planning based on the hypothetical future adverse economic scenarios. We expect to meet the requirements of the Basel III rules, including the capital conservation buffer, as phased in by the Federal Reserve. Compliance with these capital requirements, including leverage ratios, may limit operations that require intensive use of capital. This could adversely affect our ability to expand or maintain present business levels, which may adversely affect our financial results. Additional information on the regulatory capital requirements applicable to the Company and the Bank is set forth in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Capital Requirements.
The Company’s ability to pay dividends.  East West is dependent on the Bank for dividends, distributions and other payments. Our principal source of cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to our stockholders and principal and interest on our outstanding debt, is dividends from the Bank. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to East West is limited by Federal and California law. Subject to the Bank meeting or exceeding regulatory capital requirements, the primary approval of the Federal Reserve is required, if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year would exceed the sum of the Bank’s net profits for that year and its retained net profits for the preceding two years. Federal law also prohibits the Bank from paying dividends that would be greater than its undivided profits. In addition, Federal Reserve guidance sets forth the supervisory expectation that bank holding companies will inform and consult with the Federal Reserve in advance of issuing a dividend that exceeds earnings for the quarter and should not pay dividends in a rolling four quarter period in an amount that exceeds net income for the period.
The Company is subject to liquidity risk, which could negatively affect the Company’s funding levels. Market conditions or other events could negatively affect the level of or cost of funding, which in turn could affect the Company’s ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, or fund asset growth and new business initiatives at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences. Although the Company has implemented strategies to maintain sufficient and diverse sources of funding to accommodate planned, as well as unanticipated changes in assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet commitments under various economic conditions, a substantial, unexpected or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on the Company. If the cost effectiveness or the availability of supply in the credit markets is reduced for a prolonged period of time, the Company’s funding needs may require the Company to access funding and manage liquidity by other means. These alternatives may include generating client deposits, securitizing or selling loans and further managing loan growth and investment opportunities. These alternative means of funding may not be available under stressed conditions.
Market Risks
General economic, political or industry conditions may be less favorable than expected. Our businesses and results of operations are affected by the financial markets and general economic conditions in the U.S. and China, including factors such as the level and volatility of short term and long-term interest rates, inflation, home prices, unemployment and under-employment levels, bankruptcies, household income, consumer spending, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets and currencies, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of capital and credit, investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets, the sustainability of economic growth in the U.S. and China. The deterioration of any of these conditions could adversely affect our consumer and commercial businesses, our securities and derivatives portfolios, our level of charge-offs and provision for credit losses, the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, our capital levels and liquidity and our results of operations. Because the Company’s operations and the collateral securing its loan portfolio are concentrated primarily in Northern and Southern California, the Company may be particularly susceptible to the adverse economic conditions in the state of California.

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Despite improving labor markets and declines in energy costs, an elevated level of underemployment and household debt and prolonged low interest rates pose challenges for the domestic economic performance and the financial services industry. Home sales continue to show signs of improvement but the improvement in the housing market remains modest in certain areas. Mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates continue to decline. Any unfavorable changes in the economic and market conditions would lead to the following risks:
•
The process the Company uses to estimate losses inherent in the Company’s credit exposure requires difficult, subjective and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of the borrowers to repay their loans. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of the Company’s estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process.
•
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 credit losses, delinquencies, foreclosures and customer bankruptcies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results.
•
A decrease in the demand for loans and other products and services offered by us.
•
A decrease in deposit balances due to overall reductions in customers’ accounts.
•
The value of the portfolio of available-for-sale investment securities that the Company holds may be adversely affected by defaults by debtors.
•
Future 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.

A portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real estate and thus the Company has a higher degree of risk from a downturn in real estate markets.  As discussed in the “General economic, political or industry conditions may be less favorable than expected” section above, a decline in real estate markets could hurt the Company’s business because many of the Company’s 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 and national disasters, such as earthquakes which are particular to California. A significant portion of the Company’s real estate collateral is located in California. If real estate values decline, the value of real estate collateral securing the Company’s loans could be significantly reduced. The Company’s ability to recover on defaulted loans by foreclosing and selling the real estate collateral would then be diminished and the Company would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans. Furthermore, CRE and multifamily 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 effect on the Company’s business.
The Company’s business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect the Company’s financial performance. Our financial results depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on interest-earning assets and the interest expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest-earning assets primarily include loans extended, securities held in our investment portfolio and excess cash held to manage short-term liquidity. We fund our assets using deposits and borrowings. While we offer interest-bearing deposit products, a portion of our deposit balances are from noninterest-bearing products. Overall, the interest rates we receive on our interest-earning assets and pay on our interest-bearing liabilities could be affected by a variety of factors, including market interest rate changes, competition, regulatory requirements and a change in the product mix. Changes in key variable market interest rates such as the Federal Funds, National Prime, the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or Treasury rates generally impact our interest rate spread. In addition, changes in interest rates could also affect the average life of our loans and mortgage related securities where decreases in interest rates resulting from actions taken by the Federal Reserve has caused an increase in prepayments of loans and mortgage related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce borrowing costs. In addition, because of the differences in the maturities and repricing characteristics of the Company’s 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. Overall, interest rates have been at historically low levels for an unprecedented long period of time. Continued low interest rates, possibly compounded by a flat yield curve, may challenge the bank’s interest margin.

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We face risks associated with international operations.  A substantial number of our customers have economic and cultural ties to Asia and China. The Bank’s presence includes five full-service branches in Greater China, located in Hong Kong, two in Shanghai including one in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Shantou and Shenzhen. The Bank also has five representative offices in Greater China located in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Taipei, Taiwan. Our efforts to expand our business in Asia and China carry certain risks, including risks arising from the uncertainty regarding our ability to generate revenues from foreign operations, risks associated with leveraging and business on an international basis, including among others, legal, regulatory and tax requirements and restrictions, uncertainties regarding liability, trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, political and economic risks, financial risks including currency and payment risks. Further, volatility in the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges and/or a potential dramatic fall in real estate prices in China, among other things, may negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of the Company’s customers who operate in this region. These risks could adversely affect the success of our international operations and could have a material adverse effect on our overall business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we face risks that our employees and affiliates may fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations governing our international operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-corruption laws, and other foreign laws and regulations. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could, among other things, result in enforcement actions and fines against us, as well as limitations on our conduct, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
The Company is subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s foreign translation exposure relates to its China subsidiary that has its functional currency denominated in Chinese Renminbi (RMB). In addition, as the Company continues to expand its business in China and Hong Kong, certain transactions are conducted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar (“USD”). Although the Company has entered into derivative instruments to offset the impact the foreign exchange fluctuations, given the volatility of exchange rates, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively manage foreign currency translation risk. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Credit Risks
The Company’s allowance for credit losses level may not be adequate to cover actual losses.  In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance, and an allowance for unfunded credit reserves, which, when combined, are referred to as the allowance for credit losses. Our allowance for loan losses is based on our evaluation of risks associated with our loan held for investment portfolio, including historical loss experience, expected loss calculations, delinquencies, performing status, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and concentrations within the portfolio. The allowance estimation process requires subjective and complex judgments, including analysis of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. Current economic conditions in the U.S. and in international markets could deteriorate, which could result in, among other things, greater than expected deterioration in credit quality of our loan portfolio or in the value of collateral securing these loans. Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover probable loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, in order to maximize the collection of loan balances, we sometimes modify loan terms when there is a reasonable chance that an appropriate modification would allow our client to continue servicing the debt. If such modifications ultimately are less effective at mitigating loan losses than we expect, we may incur losses in excess of the specific amount of allowance for loan losses associated with a modified loan, and this would result in additional provision for loan losses. In addition, we establish a reserve for losses associated with our unfunded credit reserves. The level of the allowance for unfunded credit reserves is determined by following a methodology similar to that used to establish our allowance for loan losses in our loan held for investment portfolio. There can be no assurance that our allowance for unfunded credit reserves will be adequate to provide for the actual losses associated with our unfunded credit commitments. An increase in the allowance for unfunded credit reserves in any period may result in a charge to earnings.
In 2012, the FASB issued for public comment a proposed Accounting Standard Update, Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Subtopic 825-15), that would substantially change the accounting for credit losses under U.S. GAAP. Under U.S. GAAP's current standards, credit losses are not reflected in the financial statements until it is probable that the credit loss has been incurred. Under the Credit Loss Proposal, an entity would reflect in its financial statements its current estimate of credit losses on financial assets over the expected life of each financial asset. The Credit Loss Proposal, if adopted as proposed, may have a negative impact on our reported earnings, capital, regulatory capital ratios, as well as on regulatory limits which are based on capital, since it would accelerate the recognition of estimated credit losses.


19


We may be subject to increased credit risk and higher credit losses to the extent that our loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral. Our credit risk and credit losses can increase if our loans are concentrated in borrowers engaged in the same or similar economic conditions in those markets or elsewhere, which could result in materially higher credit losses. A deterioration in economic conditions, housing conditions, or real estate values in the markets in which we operate could result in materially higher credit losses. The Bank has a concentration of real estate loans in California. Potential deterioration in the real estate market could result in additional loan charge-offs and provision for loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and capital.

Operational Risks
A failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could disrupt our businesses, and adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause reputational harm. The potential for operational risk exposure exists throughout our organization and from our interactions with third parties. Our operational and security systems, infrastructure, including our computer systems, network infrastructure, data management and internal processes, as well as those of third parties, are integral to our performance. In addition, we rely on our employees and third parties in our ongoing operations, who may, as a result of human error or malfeasance or failure or breach of third-party systems or infrastructure, expose us to risk. We have taken measures to implement backup systems and safeguards to support our operations, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to us or to the third parties with whom we interact. In addition, our ability to implement backup systems and other safeguards with respect to third-party systems is more limited than with respect to our own systems. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating or security systems and infrastructure may fail to operate properly or may become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control which could adversely affect our ability to process these transactions or provide certain services. There could be electrical, telecommunications or other major physical infrastructure outages, natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, disease pandemics, and events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts. We continuously update these systems to support our operations and growth and this entails significant costs and creates risks associated with implementing new systems and integrating them with existing ones. Operational risk exposures could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition, loss of confidence, significant litigation exposure and harm to our reputation.

A cyber attack, information or security breach, or a technology failure of ours or of a third party could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business, manage our exposure to risk or expand our businesses, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, increase our costs to maintain and update our operational and security systems and infrastructure, and adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause reputational harm. The Company offers various Internet-based services to its clients, including online banking services. The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet is essential to maintain the clients’ confidence in the Company’s online services. In addition, our business is highly dependent on the security and efficacy of our infrastructure, computer and data management systems, as well as those of third parties with whom we interact. Cyber security risks for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. Our business relies on the secure processing, transmission, storage and retrieval of confidential, proprietary and other information in our computer and data management systems and networks, and in the computer and data management systems and networks of third parties. We rely on digital technologies, computer, database and email systems, software and networks. Although the Company has developed systems and processes that are designed to prevent security breaches and periodically test the Company’s security, failure to mitigate breaches of security could adversely affect the Company’s ability to offer and grow the online services, result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, costly litigation and loss of customer relationships and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.


20


Failure to keep pace with technological change could adversely affect the Company’s business. The Company may face risks associated with the ability to utilize information technology systems to support our operations effectively. The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’ competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we do not implement systems effectively or if our outsourcing business partners do not perform their functions properly, there could be an adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively maintain or improve our systems and processes, or utilize outsourced talent, to meet our business needs efficiently. Any failure of such could adversely affect our operations, financial condition, and results of operations or reputation.

Natural disasters and geopolitical events beyond the Company’s control could adversely affect the Company.  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 the Company’s business operations and those of the Company’s customers and cause substantial damage and loss to real and personal property. These natural disasters and geopolitical events could impair the 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 the nonperforming loans and a higher level of nonperforming assets (including real estate owned), net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses, which could adversely affect the Company’s earnings.

The actions and soundness of other financial institutions could affect the Company.  Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Company executes transactions with various counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks and investment banks. Defaults by financial services institutions and uncertainty in the financial services industry in general could lead to market wide liquidity problems and may expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. Further, the Company’s credit risk may increase when the underlying collateral held cannot be realized 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.
The Company’s controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented. Management regularly reviews and updates the Company’s internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurances of the effectiveness of these systems and controls, and that the objectives of these controls have been met. Any failure or circumvention of the Company’s controls and procedures, and any failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company is dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect the Company’s prospects.  Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there is a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the regional banking industry, especially in the West Coast market. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out the Company’s strategies is often lengthy. The Company’s success depends, to a significant degree, upon its ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing and technical personnel, as well as upon the continued contributions of its management and personnel. In particular, the Company’s success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of certain key executives.

21


We face strong competition in the financial services industry and we could lose business or suffer margin declines as a result. The Company’s financial performance and profitability also depend on the Company’s ability to compete with financial services companies and other companies that offer banking services. The Company conducts the majority of its operations in California. The banking and financial services businesses in California are highly competitive and increased competition in the Company’s primary market area may adversely impact the level of loans and deposits. Ultimately, the Company may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. These competitors include national banks, regional banks and other community banks. The Company also faces 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, the Company’s 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 the Company is unable to attract and retain banking customers, the Company may be unable to continue its loan growth and level of deposits.
The Company has engaged in and may continue to engage in further expansion through acquisitions, which could negatively affect the Company’s business and earnings. There are risks associated with expansion through acquisitions. 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 the Company issues 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.
Other Risks
Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact the Company’s stockholders.  Provisions of Delaware law and of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company or could have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of the Company, even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of the stockholders. For example, the Company’s certificate of incorporation requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of voting stock to approve certain business combinations. The Company is also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would make it more difficult for another party to acquire the Company without the approval of the Board. Additionally, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes the Board 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 the Company, even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of the stockholders.
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 the Company’s customers. The Company has policies and procedures in place to protect its reputation and promote ethical conduct, but these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding the Company’s 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.


22


The price of the Company’s common stock may be volatile or may decline.  The trading price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s 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 the Company’s common stock. Among the factors that could affect the Company’s stock price are: 

•
actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in the Company’s 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 the Company or its competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
•
actions by institutional stockholders;
•
fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of the Company’s 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 the Company; or
•
domestic and international economic factors unrelated to the Company’s performance.

 The stock market and, in particular, the market for financial institution stocks, has experienced significant volatility in the previous years. As a result, the market price of the Company’s common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in the Company’s common stock may fluctuate more than usual and cause significant price variations to occur. The trading price of the shares of the Company’s common stock and the value of other securities will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including, without limitation, the financial condition, performance, creditworthiness and prospects, and future sales of the equity or equity-related securities. 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 the Company’s stock price could result in substantial losses for individual stockholders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

If the Company’s goodwill were determined to be impaired, it would result in a charge against earnings and thus a reduction in stockholders’ equity. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently, if necessary. Quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are to be used as the basis for measuring impairment, when available. Other acceptable valuation methods include present-value measurements based on multiples of earnings or revenues, or similar performance measures. If the Company were to determine that the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, the Company would be required to write down the value of the goodwill on the balance sheet, adversely affecting earnings as well as capital.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The Company operates over 130 locations worldwide, including in the United States’ markets of California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington. In Greater China, East West’s presence includes full service branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou and Shenzhen, and representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Taipei and Xiamen.

23



East West currently neither owns nor leases any real or personal property. East West 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 and reimburses the Bank for its use of this facility. East West’s headquarters is located at 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, an eight-story office building owned by the Bank.

As of December 31, 2015, the Bank owns the buildings and land at approximately 35 of its retail branches and offices located in the United States. All international and other domestic branch and administrative locations are leased by the Bank, with lease expiration dates ranging from 2016 to 2032, exclusive of renewal options. All properties occupied by the Bank are used across all business segments and for corporate purposes. Please see Note 20 - Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on each segment. The Bank also owns leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture, and fixtures at our offices, all of which are used in our business activities.
 
The Company believes that its existing facilities are in good condition and suitable for the conduct of its business and operations. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its current and planned projected space requirements and, from time to time, it may determine that certain premises or facilities are no longer necessary for its operations. The Company believes that, if necessary, it could secure alternative facilities on similar terms without adversely affecting its operations.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
Please see Litigation in Note 14 — Commitments, Contingencies and Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.
 

24


PART II 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Market Information
 
The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “EWBC.” The following tables sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on NASDAQ, as well as dividend information.
 
 
 
2015
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash dividends
First quarter
 
$
41.48

 
$
35.68

 
$0.20
Second quarter
 
$
46.50

 
$
39.88

 
$0.20
Third quarter
 
$
45.91

 
$
37.19

 
$0.20
Fourth quarter
 
$
43.94

 
$
36.40

 
$0.20
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash dividends
First quarter
 
$
38.26

 
$
31.62

 
$0.18
Second quarter
 
$
36.98

 
$
32.19

 
$0.18
Third quarter
 
$
36.95

 
$
33.04

 
$0.18
Fourth quarter
 
$
39.71

 
$
30.50

 
$0.18
 
 
As of January 31, 2016, 143,917,846 shares of the Company’s common stock were held by 773 stockholders of record and by approximately 49,000 additional stockholders whose shares were held for them in street name or nominee accounts.
 
On January 27, 2016, dividends for the Company’s common stock were declared for the first quarter of 2016 in the amount of $0.20, payable on or about February 16, 2016 to stockholders of record on February 1, 2016. This remains the same, at $0.20 per share, as the prior year’s quarterly dividend. For information on the statutory and regulatory limitations on the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to East West, please see Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds presented elsewhere in this report. For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans, please see Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of Part III presented elsewhere in this report, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 

25


Stock Performance Graph
 
The following graph and table compare the Company’s cumulative total return on its common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) Index and the KBW Regional Bank Index (“KRX”) over the five-year period through December 31, 2015.  In 2015, the Company changed its stock performance graph indices from the SNL Bank and Thrift and SNL Western Bank Indices to the S&P 500 and KRX. The KRX was used to further align EWBC with those companies of a relatively similar size. The S&P 500 was utilized as a benchmark against performance. The S&P 500 Index is a commonly referenced U.S. equity benchmark consisting of leading companies from different economic sectors. The KBW Regional Bank Index seeks to reflect the performance of banks and thrifts that are publicly traded in the U.S. and is composed of approximately 50 companies. The graph and table below assume that on December 31, 2010, $100 was invested in EWBC’s common stock, the S&P 500 Index and KRX Index, and that all dividends were reinvested. Historical stock price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.  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 the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Exchange Act, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
Index
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
East West Bancorp, Inc.
 
$
100.00

 
$
101.92

 
$
112.90

 
$
187.48

 
$
211.71

 
$
231.75

KBW Regional Bank Index (KRX)
 
$
100.00

 
$
94.86

 
$
107.42

 
$
157.75

 
$
161.57

 
$
171.13

S&P 500
 
$
100.00

 
$
102.11

 
$
118.45

 
$
156.82

 
$
178.28

 
$
180.75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indices used in the prior year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SNL Western U.S. Bank Index
 
$
100.00

 
$
90.34

 
$
114.01

 
$
160.41

 
$
192.51

 
$
199.46

SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift Index
 
$
100.00

 
$
77.76

 
$
104.42

 
$
142.97

 
$
159.60

 
$
162.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source:    SNL Financial LC
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

    

26


Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
On July 17, 2013, the Company’s Board authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not repurchase any shares under this program during 2014 and 2015. Although this program has no stated expiration date, the Company does not intend to repurchase any stock pursuant to this program absent further action of the Company’s Board.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

For selected financial data information, please see Item 7. MD&A — Overview — Selected Financial Data , which is incorporated herein by reference.


27


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. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, East West Bank and subsidiaries (referred to herein as “East West Bank” or the “Bank”) and East West Insurance Services, Inc. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to the Company’s financial condition and the results of operations. Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-01, the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report.
 
Overview
 
The Company’s vision is to serve as the financial bridge between the United States and Greater China. The Company’s primary strategy to achieving this vision is to expand the Company’s global network of contacts and resources to better meet its customers’ diverse financial needs in and between the world’s two largest markets. With over 130 branches in the United States and Greater China, along with the full range of cross-border products and services, the Company is well positioned to assist its customers with the products and services their businesses need.

Financial Highlights

The Company successfully completed another year with strong earnings and financial results in 2015, achieving healthy growth and an increase in revenues. During 2015, noteworthy items included:

•
Net income increased $38.8 million or 11% from $345.9 million in 2014 to $384.7 million in 2015. Net income per diluted share for the full year of 2015 totaled $2.66, an increase of $0.25 or 10% from $2.41 in 2014.
•
Revenue, the sum of net interest income and noninterest income (loss), before provision for credit losses increased $104.7 million or 10% to $1.13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015.
•
The return on average assets and the return on average equity was 1.27% and 12.74%, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2015, both up two basis points year-over-year.
•
Total assets increased $3.61 billion or 13% from 2014 to a record of $32.35 billion as of December 31, 2015.
•
Total loans receivable (including loans held for sale) increased $1.92 billion or 9% to a record of $23.69 billion as of December 31, 2015, which was largely attributable to increases of $1.29 billion or 19% in commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans, $925.8 million or 11% in commercial loans and $442.3 million or 29% in consumer loans, partially offset by a decrease of $799.9 million or 21% in single-family residential loans, as a result of loan sales during 2015.
•
Deposits increased $3.47 billion or 14% from 2014 to a record $27.48 billion as of December 31, 2015, with core deposits amounting to a record $20.86 billion.
•
Cost of funds decreased from 0.46% in 2014 to 0.39% in 2015.
•
The allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment ratio decreased to 1.12% as of December 31, 2015, from 1.20% as of December 31, 2014. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment ratio was primarily the result of an overall improvement in credit quality.
•
Nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2015 totaled $128.4 million, an improvement of $4.0 million or 3%, compared to $132.4 million as of December 31, 2014. Nonperforming assets to total assets ratio improved by six basis points to 0.40% as of December 31, 2015. This ratio was below 1.00% for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans held-for-investments improved from 0.18% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 0.01% for the year ended December 31, 2015.


28


The strong balance sheet growth and increased revenues positioned the Company well to focus on the Company’s bridge banking strategy and target future growth opportunities. The Company’s cost of funds was 0.39% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 0.46% a year ago, which was mainly due to the extinguishment of $545.0 million of its higher cost securities sold under repurchase agreements (“repurchase agreements”) and the shift in deposit portfolio mix. During 2015, the Company also reached an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to early terminate the United Commercial Bank (“UCB”) and Washington First International (“WFIB”) shared-loss agreements. The Company made a total payment of $125.5 million for the early terminations. As of December 31, 2015, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the shared-loss agreements have been eliminated.

The Company’s successful year was also highlighted by the increase in the quarterly dividends paid to stockholders, which increased from $0.18 per share to $0.20 per share during 2015. The Company remains focused on its continued growth while still meeting its customers’ financial needs. In January 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared first quarter dividends for the Company’s common stock. The common stock cash dividend of $0.20 per share was paid on February 16, 2016 to stockholders of record on February 1, 2016.


29


Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data
 
($ in thousands, except per share data)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Summary of Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and dividend income
 
$
1,053,815

 
$
1,153,698

 
$
1,068,685

 
$
1,051,095

 
$
1,080,448

Interest expense
 
103,376

 
112,820

 
112,492

 
132,168

 
177,422

Net interest income before provision for credit losses
 
950,439

 
1,040,878

 
956,193

 
918,927

 
903,026

Provision for credit losses
 
14,217

 
49,158

 
22,364

 
65,184

 
95,006

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
 
936,222

 
991,720

 
933,829

 
853,743

 
808,020

Noninterest income (loss) (1)
 
183,383

 
(11,714
)
 
(92,468
)
 
(5,618
)
 
10,924

Noninterest expense (2)
 
540,884

 
532,983

 
394,215

 
406,837

 
424,377

Income before income taxes (2)
 
578,721

 
447,023

 
447,146

 
441,288

 
394,567

Income tax expense (2)
 
194,044

 
101,145

 
153,822

 
163,552

 
151,794

Net income (2)
 
384,677

 
345,878

 
293,324

 
277,736

 
242,773

Preferred stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
3,428

 
6,857

 
6,857

Net income available to common stockholders (2)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
289,896

 
$
270,879

 
$
235,916

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (2)
 
$
2.67

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.89

 
$
1.60

Diluted earnings (2)
 
$
2.66

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.87

 
$
1.58

Dividends declared
 
$
0.80

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.60

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.16

Book value (2)
 
$
21.70

 
$
19.89

 
$
17.19

 
$
17.01

 
$
15.53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
143,818

 
142,952

 
137,342

 
141,457

 
147,093

Diluted
 
144,512

 
143,563

 
139,574

 
147,175

 
153,467

Common shares outstanding at period-end
 
143,909

 
143,582

 
137,631

 
140,294

 
149,328

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At Year End:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets (2)
 
$
32,350,922

 
$
28,743,592

 
$
24,732,216

 
$
22,539,744

 
$
21,976,451

Loans held-for-investment, net
 
$
23,378,789

 
$
21,468,270

 
$
17,600,613

 
$
14,645,785

 
$
13,984,930

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
3,773,226

 
$
2,626,617

 
$
2,733,797

 
$
2,607,029

 
$
3,072,578

Customer deposits
 
$
27,475,981

 
$
24,008,774

 
$
20,412,918

 
$
18,309,354

 
$
17,453,002

Long-term debt
 
$
206,084

 
$
225,848

 
$
226,868

 
$
137,178

 
$
212,178

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances
 
$
1,019,424

 
$
317,241

 
$
315,092

 
$
312,975

 
$
455,251

Stockholders’ equity (2)
 
$
3,122,950

 
$
2,856,111

 
$
2,366,373

 
$
2,385,991

 
$
2,319,527

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (2)
 
1.27
%
 
1.25
%
 
1.24
%
 
1.27
%
 
1.13
%
Return on average equity (2)
 
12.74
%
 
12.72
%
 
12.50
%
 
11.94
%
 
10.82
%
Common dividend payout ratio (2)
 
30.21
%
 
30.07
%
 
28.74
%
 
21.26
%
 
10.12
%
Net interest margin
 
3.35
%
 
4.03
%
 
4.38
%
 
4.63
%
 
4.66
%
 
(1)
Changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable was a charge of $38.0 million, $201.4 million, $228.6 million, $122.3 million and $100.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company terminated the UCB and WFIB shared-loss agreements. Please see Note 8 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Results of Operations
 
The Company’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $384.7 million compared to $345.9 million and $293.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company has successfully increased net income for six consecutive years. The 2015 earnings performance reflected continued success in executing the Company’s business strategy. Underpinning the operating results in 2015 were sustained loan and deposit growth, stable loan credit quality and fee income from diverse sources.


30


Revenue, the sum of net interest income and noninterest income (loss), before provision for credit losses was $1.13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $104.7 million or 10% from $1.03 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014, increased by $165.4 million or 19% from $863.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenue year over year was primarily due to the reduction in expenses related to changes in the FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable. This decrease was largely due to the expiration of the UCB non single-family shared-loss agreement in 2014 and the early termination of the remaining shared-loss agreements in 2015.

The Company’s return on average assets increased two basis points to 1.27% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 1.25% for the same period in 2014; and also increased one basis point to 1.25% for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 1.24% for the same period in 2013. The return on average equity increased two basis points to 12.74% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 12.72% for the same period in 2014; and climbed 22 basis points to 12.72% for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 12.50% for the same period in 2013. The returns on assets and equity reflected the Company’s ability to achieve increasing levels of profitability while expanding the loan and deposit base.

Net Interest Income
 
The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans, available-for-sale investment securities and other interest-earning assets less interest expense on customers’ deposits, repurchase agreements, long-term debt and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is calculated by dividing gross interest revenue less gross interest expense by average interest-earning assets. Net interest income and net interest margin are affected by several factors, including changes in average balances and composition of interest-earning assets and funding sources, market interest rate fluctuations and slope of the yield curve, repricing characteristics and maturity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, volume of noninterest-bearing sources of funds and asset quality.

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $950.4 million, a decrease of $90.4 million or 9% compared to net interest income of $1.04 billion for the same period in 2014. Net interest margin was 3.35% for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of 68 basis points from 4.03% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in net interest income and net interest margin was primarily due to the decrease in interest income and yield on loans as a result of lower accretion income associated with the loans acquired from the FDIC assisted acquisitions of UCB and WFIB, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense on repurchase agreements that were paid off during 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net interest income increased by $84.7 million or 9% from $956.2 million, and net interest margin decreased by 35 basis points from 4.38% for the same period in 2013. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in the volume of loans. The 35 basis points decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to a decrease in discount accretion from loans associated with the FDIC assisted acquisitions of UCB and WFIB.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, average interest-earning assets increased by $2.59 billion or 10% to $28.39 billion from $25.80 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to an increase in average loan balances of $1.92 billion or 9% to $22.28 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $20.35 billion for the same period in 2014. Customer deposits are an important source of low-cost funding and affect both net interest income and net interest margin. Average deposits which consist of noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing checking, money market, savings and time deposits, increased by $2.82 billion or 12% to $25.76 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $22.94 billion for the same period in 2014. Average loans were funded 116% by average deposits for the year ended December 31, 2015, consistent with the funding rates of 113% and 119% for the same period in 2014 and 2013, respectively.


31


The following table presents the interest spread, net interest margin, average balances, interest income and expense, and the average yield/rates by asset and liability component for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due from banks and short-term investments
 
$
1,851,604

 
$
17,939

 
0.97
%
 
$
1,469,200

 
$
23,214

 
1.58
%
 
$
1,184,709

 
$
17,340

 
1.46
%
Securities sold under repurchase agreements (“resale agreements”) (1)
 
1,337,274

 
19,799

 
1.48
%
 
1,340,411

 
20,323

 
1.52
%
 
1,503,014

 
21,236

 
1.41
%
Available-for-sale investment securities (2)(3)
 
2,847,655

 
41,375

 
1.45
%
 
2,540,228

 
44,684

 
1.76
%
 
2,729,019

 
43,846

 
1.61
%
Loans (4)(5)
 
22,276,589

 
968,625

 
4.35
%
 
20,351,818

 
1,059,205

 
5.20
%
 
16,276,031

 
979,394

 
6.02
%
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock
 
77,460

 
6,077

 
7.85
%
 
96,921

 
6,272

 
6.47
%
 
134,918

 
6,869

 
5.09
%
Total interest-earning assets
 
$
28,390,582

 
$
1,053,815

 
3.71
%
 
$
25,798,578

 
$
1,153,698

 
4.47
%
 
$
21,827,691

 
$
1,068,685

 
4.90
%
Noninterest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
342,606

 
 
 
 
 
322,581

 
 
 
 
 
306,551

 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
(263,143
)
 
 
 
 
 
(254,616
)
 
 
 
 
 
(241,049
)
 
 
 
 
Other assets (6)
 
1,858,412

 
 
 
 
 
1,786,427

 
 
 
 
 
1,670,096

 
 
 
 
Total assets (6)
 
$
30,328,457

 
 
 
 
 
$
27,652,970

 
 
 
 
 
$
23,563,289

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking deposits
 
$
2,795,379

 
$
8,453

 
0.30
%
 
$
2,179,428

 
$
5,431

 
0.25
%
 
$
1,487,844

 
$
3,556

 
0.24
%
Money market deposits
 
6,763,979

 
18,988

 
0.28
%
 
5,958,461

 
16,001

 
0.27
%
 
5,217,666

 
15,019

 
0.29
%
Savings deposits
 
1,785,085

 
3,468

 
0.19
%
 
1,748,465

 
2,971

 
0.17
%
 
1,546,188

 
2,961

 
0.19
%
Time deposits
 
6,482,697

 
42,596

 
0.66
%
 
6,218,745

 
41,083

 
0.66
%
 
5,964,017

 
41,960

 
0.70
%
Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings
 
4,797

 
58

 
1.21
%
 
888

 
—

 
—
%
 
155

 
—

 
—
%
FHLB advances
 
327,080

 
4,270

 
1.31
%
 
349,767

 
4,116

 
1.18
%
 
315,867

 
4,173

 
1.32
%
Repurchase agreements (1)
 
404,096

 
20,907

 
5.17
%
 
955,147

 
38,395

 
4.02
%
 
995,000

 
41,381

 
4.16
%
Long-term debt
 
218,353

 
4,636

 
2.12
%
 
237,738

 
4,823

 
2.03
%
 
166,690

 
3,442

 
2.06
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
$
18,781,466

 
$
103,376

 
0.55
%
 
$
17,648,639

 
$
112,820

 
0.64
%
 
$
15,693,427

 
$
112,492

 
0.72
%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
 
7,928,460

 
 
 
 
 
6,834,871

 
 
 
 
 
5,179,721

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
599,436

 
 
 
 
 
451,287

 
 
 
 
 
343,112

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity (6)
 
3,019,095

 
 
 
 
 
2,718,173

 
 
 
 
 
2,347,029

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (6)
 
$
30,328,457

 
 
 
 
 
$
27,652,970

 
 
 
 
 
$
23,563,289

 
 
 
 
Interest rate spread
 
 
 
 
 
3.16
%
 


 
 
 
3.83
%
 


 
 
 
4.18
%
Net interest income and net interest margin
 
 
 
$
950,439

 
3.35
%
 


 
$
1,040,878

 
4.03
%
 


 
$
956,193

 
4.38
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Average balance of resale and repurchase agreements are reported net pursuant to Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 210-20-45, Balance Sheet Offsetting.
(2)
Yields on tax exempt securities are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
(3)
Includes the amortization of net premiums on available-for-sale investment securities of $18.7 million, $24.2 million and $34.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(4)
Average balance includes nonperforming loans.
(5)
Includes the accretion of discount and amortization of net deferred loan costs which totaled $66.2 million, $185.8 million and $232.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(6)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


32


The following table summarizes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities affected the Company’s net interest income for the periods presented. The total change for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is segmented into the change attributable to variations in volume and the change attributable to variations in interest rates. Changes that are not solely due to either volume or rate are allocated proportionally based on the absolute value of the change related to average volume and average rate. Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans used to compute the table below:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
Total
Change
 
Changes Due to
 
Total
Change
 
Changes Due to
 
 
Volume 
 
Yield/Rate 
 
 
Volume
 
Yield/Rate 
Interest-bearing assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Due from banks and short-term investments
 
$
(5,275
)

$
5,102

 
$
(10,377
)
 
$
5,874

 
$
4,413

 
$
1,461

Resale agreements
 
(524
)

(47
)
 
(477
)
 
(913
)
 
(2,398
)
 
1,485

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
(3,309
)

5,022

 
(8,331
)
 
838

 
(3,155
)
 
3,993

Loans
 
(90,580
)

94,158

 
(184,738
)
 
79,811

 
223,735

 
(143,924
)
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock
 
(195
)

(1,389
)
 
1,194

 
(597
)
 
(2,202
)
 
1,605

Total interest and dividend income
 
$
(99,883
)

$
102,846


$
(202,729
)
 
$
85,013

 
$
220,393

 
$
(135,380
)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 


 


 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Checking deposits
 
$
3,022


$
1,722

 
$
1,300

 
$
1,875

 
$
1,717

 
$
158

Money market deposits
 
2,987


2,237

 
750

 
982

 
2,035

 
(1,053
)
Savings deposits
 
497


63

 
434

 
10

 
364

 
(354
)
Time deposits
 
1,513


1,735

 
(222
)
 
(877
)
 
1,747

 
(2,624
)
Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings
 
58


—

 
58

 
—

 
—

 
—

FHLB advances
 
154


(278
)
 
432

 
(57
)
 
424

 
(481
)
Repurchase agreements
 
(17,488
)

(26,397
)
 
8,909

 
(2,986
)
 
(1,627
)
 
(1,359
)
Long-term debt
 
(187
)

(405
)
 
218

 
1,381

 
1,442

 
(61
)
Total interest expense
 
$
(9,444
)

$
(21,323
)

$
11,879

 
$
328

 
$
6,102

 
$
(5,774
)
Change in net interest income
 
$
(90,439
)

$
124,169


$
(214,608
)
 
$
84,685

 
$
214,291

 
$
(129,606
)
 

Noninterest Income (Loss)

Noninterest income (loss) includes revenue earned from sources other than interest income. These sources include service charges and fees on customer deposit accounts, fees and commissions generated from trade finance transactions, wealth management activities, fees for issuance of letters of credit and foreign exchange income, ancillary fees on loans, net gains on sales of loans and available-for-sale investment securities, changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable and miscellaneous noninterest-related income.

The following table presents the components of noninterest income (loss) for the periods indicated:
 
($ in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015

2014

2013
Branch fees
 
$
39.5

 
$
37.9

 
$
32.0

Letters of credit fees and foreign exchange income
 
39.0

 
37.3

 
34.8

Ancillary loan fees
 
15.0

 
10.6

 
9.4

Wealth management fees
 
18.3

 
16.2

 
10.9

Derivative commission income
 
16.2

 
12.8

 
8.8

Changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable
 
(38.0
)
 
(201.4
)
 
(228.6
)
Net gains on sales of loans
 
24.9

 
39.1

 
7.8

Net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities
 
40.4

 
10.9

 
12.1

Other fees and other operating income
 
28.1

 
24.9

 
20.3

Total noninterest income (loss)
 
$
183.4

 
$
(11.7
)
 
$
(92.5
)
 
 


33


Noninterest income increased by $195.1 million to $183.4 million for 2015 compared to noninterest loss of $11.7 million for 2014. The increase in noninterest income for 2015 was primarily due to the decline in expenses related to changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable and an increase in net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. Noninterest loss in 2014 decreased by $80.8 million from a loss of $92.5 million in 2013. The improvement in noninterest loss for 2014 was primarily due to the decline in expenses related to changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable and an increase in net gains on sale of loans.

Changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable decreased by $163.4 million to a loss of $38.0 million for 2015 from a loss of $201.4 million for 2014. The changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable were reduced significantly which was mainly attributable to the expiration of the shared-loss coverage for the UCB and WFIB commercial loans. In 2015, the Company reached an agreement with the FDIC to early terminate the UCB and WFIB shared-loss agreements. For 2014, the expenses related to FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable decreased by $27.2 million to a loss of $201.4 million from a loss of $228.6 million for 2013. The decrease in the changes in the FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable was primarily attributable to the continued payoffs and improved credit performance of the covered loan portfolio, as compared to the Company’s original estimate.

Net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities increased by $29.5 million to $40.4 million for 2015 compared to $10.9 million for 2014. Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities for 2015 amounted to $1.67 billion compared to $623.7 million for 2014. For 2013, net gains and proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities were $12.1 million and $663.6 million, respectively, which was largely consistent compared to 2014. The net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities increased significantly in 2015 mainly due to the realized gains of $21.7 million associated with the sales of non-investment grade corporate debt securities with previously recognized OTTI. Please see Note 6 — Available-for-Sale Investments Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details. The other securities sold during 2015 were primarily comprised of U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities.

Net gains on sales of loans for 2015, which included lower of cost or market (“LOCOM”) valuation adjustments, amounted to $24.9 million, compared to $39.1 million and $7.8 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively. For 2015, the Company recorded $3.0 million of LOCOM valuation adjustments related to the loans held for sale portfolio. No LOCOM adjustment was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Approximately $1.70 billion, $1.09 billion and $364.4 million of loans were sold in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Loans sold in 2015 were primarily comprised of single-family residential and commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans. For 2014 and 2013, loans sold were mainly comprised of student and C&I loans.

Noninterest Expense

The following table presents the various components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Compensation and employee benefits
 
$
262.2

 
$
231.8

 
$
175.9

Occupancy and equipment expense
 
61.3

 
63.8

 
56.6

Amortization of tax credit and other investments (1)
 
36.1

 
44.1

 
6.0

Amortization of premiums on deposits acquired
 
9.2

 
10.2

 
9.4

Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments
 
18.8

 
21.9

 
16.6

Deposit related expenses
 
9.6

 
7.5

 
6.5

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) income
 
(8.9
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(1.1
)
Legal expense
 
16.4

 
53.0

 
31.7

Data processing
 
10.2

 
15.9

 
9.1

Consulting expense
 
17.2

 
8.5

 
6.4

Repurchase agreements’ extinguishment costs
 
21.8

 
—

 
—

Other operating expense
 
87.0

 
79.9

 
77.1

Total noninterest expense (1)
 
$
540.9

 
$
533.0

 
$
394.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
 

34


Noninterest expense, which is primarily comprised of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, and other operating expenses, totaled $540.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $7.9 million or 1%, compared to $533.0 million for the same period in 2014. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2015 was the result of higher compensation and employee benefits and the extinguishment costs related to repurchase agreements, which was partially offset by lower legal expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2014, noninterest expense was $533.0 million, an increase of $138.8 million or 35% compared to $394.2 million for the same period in 2013. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to higher compensation and employee benefits, amortization of tax credit and other investments and legal expenses.

Compensation and employee benefits increased by $30.4 million or 13% to $262.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $231.8 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in compensation and employee benefits in 2015 was primarily due to the growth that the Company has experienced. For the year ended December 31, 2014, compensation and employee benefits increased by $55.9 million or 32% to $231.8 million compared to $175.9 million for the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to increased headcount and severance and retention expenses related to the MetroCorp acquisition.

Legal expense decreased by $36.6 million or 69% to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $53.0 million for the same period in 2014, as the amount in 2014 included a $31.6 million litigation accrual related to the case titled “F&F, LLC and 618 Investments, Inc. v. East West Bank” that was previously disclosed in the Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2014, legal expense increased $21.3 million or 67% to $53.0 million, compared to $31.7 million in 2013. This increase was primarily due to the accrual provided for the “F&F, LLC and 618 Investments, Inc. v. East West Bank” case discussed above.

The amortization of tax credit and other investments decreased by $8.0 million to $36.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $44.1 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in projected tax credits. For the year ended December 31, 2014, amortization of tax credit and other investments increased by $38.1 million to $44.1 million, compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2013. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $39.9 million or 57% in tax credit and other investments to $110.1 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $70.2 million as of December 31, 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded $21.8 million related to the extinguishment of higher cost repurchase agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company extinguished $545.0 million of repurchase agreements. There were no repurchase agreements’ extinguishment costs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Income Taxes
 
Provision for income taxes was $194.0 million, $101.1 million, and $153.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate was 33.5%, 22.6% and 34.4% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, was mainly due to less tax credits that were recognized in 2015 from investments in affordable housing, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy projects. The lower effective tax rate for year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, was attributable to the additional purchases of qualified affordable housing partnerships and other tax credit investments. Included in the income tax expense recognized in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $67.6 million, $85.7 million and $35.0 million, respectively, of tax credits generated mainly from investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships and other tax credit investments. Income tax expense and effective tax rates for prior periods reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-01 in 2015. For further discussion of the impact of ASU 2014-01, please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had net deferred tax assets of $135.9 million and $389.6 million, respectively. For additional detail on components of net deferred tax assets, please see Note 13 — Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Segment Results
 
The Company defines its operating segments based on its core strategy, and the Company has identified three reportable operating segments: Retail Banking, Commercial Banking and Other.
 

35


The Retail Banking segment focuses primarily on retail operations through the Bank’s branch network. The Commercial Banking segment, which includes C&I and CRE, primarily generates commercial loans through the domestic commercial lending offices located in California, New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Nevada and Georgia, and the foreign commercial lending offices located in China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, the Commercial Banking segment offers a wide variety of international finance and trade services and products. The remaining centralized functions, including the treasury operations of the Company and eliminations of intersegment amounts have been aggregated and included in the “Other” segment.

Changes in the Company’s management structure or reporting methodologies may result in changes in the measurement of operating segment results. Results for prior periods are generally restated for comparability when there are changes in management structure or reporting methodologies, unless it is not deemed practicable to do so.
 
The Company’s transfer pricing process is formulated to incentivize loan and deposit growth that is consistent with the Company’s overall growth objectives, as well as to provide a reasonable and consistent basis for measurement of the Company’s business segments and product net interest margins. The Company’s transfer pricing assumptions and methodologies are reviewed at least annually to ensure that the process is reflective of current market conditions. 

For additional information about the Company’s segments, including information about the underlying accounting and reporting process, please see Note 20 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Retail Banking
 
The Retail Banking segment reported pretax income of $212.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to pretax income of $181.3 million for the same period in 2014. The increase of $30.7 million or 17% in earnings for this segment was due to higher noninterest income and lower provision for credit losses, partially offset by lower net interest income.

Net interest income for this segment decreased $9.1 million or 2%, to $453.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $462.1 million for the same period in 2014. The reduction of net interest income was primarily due to lower discount accretion to interest income from the purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loan portfolio and sale of single-family residential loans.

Noninterest income for this segment increased $31.8 million or 219%, to $46.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $14.5 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to decrease in the reduction of changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable, partially offset by lower net gains on sales of loans.

Noninterest expense for this segment increased $1.8 million or 1%, to $199.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $197.8 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher compensation and employee benefits, partially offset by lower FDIC deposit insurance premiums.

Comparing the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Retail Banking segment reported pretax income of $181.3 million in 2014, compared to pretax income of $132.9 million in 2013. The increased earnings for this segment were due to higher net interest income and noninterest income, partially offset by higher provision for credit losses and noninterest expense. Net interest income for this segment increased $47.9 million or 12%, to $462.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $414.2 million for the same period in 2013. The higher net interest income was primarily attributed to growth in low-cost deposits. Noninterest income for this segment increased $32.3 million or 181%, to noninterest income of $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a loss of $17.8 million for the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net gains on sale of student loans and a decrease in the reduction of changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable, partially offset by a reduction in loan fees. Noninterest expense for this segment increased $4.8 million, or 3%, to $197.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $193.0 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher compensation and employee benefits and occupancy and equipment expense, partially offset by lower loan related and legal expense.
 
Commercial Banking
 
The Commercial Banking segment reported pretax income of $382.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $293.4 million for the same period in 2014. The increase of $88.8 million or 30% in earnings for this segment was due to an increase in noninterest income and decreases in noninterest expense and provision for credit losses, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income.


36


Net interest income for this segment decreased $86.8 million or 15%, to $509.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $596.4 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to lower discount accretion to interest income from the PCI loan portfolio.

Noninterest income for this segment increased $135.7 million or 212%, to noninterest income of $71.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to a noninterest loss of $63.9 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in the reduction of changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable and higher net gains on sales of small business administration (“SBA”) loans.

Noninterest expense for this segment decreased $24.9 million or 13%, to $164.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $189.4 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in noninterest expense was largely attributed to a decrease in legal expense, partially offset by an increase in compensation and employee benefits.

Comparing the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2013, the Commercial Banking segment reported pretax income of $293.4 million in 2014, compared to pretax income of $283.9 million in 2013. The increased earnings for this segment were due to higher net interest income and lower noninterest loss, offset by increases in provision for credit losses and noninterest expense. Net interest income for this segment increased $71.4 million or 14%, to $596.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $525.0 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to growth in commercial loans and deposits, partially impacted by low interest rates. Noninterest loss for this segment decreased $35.0 million or 35%, to $63.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a noninterest loss of $98.9 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease in noninterest loss for this segment was primarily due to a decrease in the reduction of changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable and increases in letters of credit fees and commissions and loan and branch fees. Noninterest expense for this segment increased $62.7 million or 49%, to $189.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $126.7 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in noninterest expense was largely attributed to higher compensation and employee benefits and legal expense.

Other
 
The Other segment reported pretax losses of $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to pretax losses of $27.7 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in losses was due to lower net interest loss and higher noninterest income, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense.

Net interest loss for this segment decreased $5.4 million or 31%, to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $17.6 million for the same period in 2014. The Other segment includes activities of the treasury function, which is responsible for the liquidity and interest rate risk management of the Bank, and supports the Retail Banking and Commercial Banking segments through funds transfer pricing which was the primary cause of the decrease in net interest income. In addition, it bears the cost of adverse movements in interest rates which affect the net interest margin.

Noninterest income for this segment increased $27.6 million, or 73%, to $65.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $37.7 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to the higher net gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities.

Noninterest expense for this segment increased $31.0 million or 21%, to $176.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $145.8 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to the extinguishment costs related to repurchase agreements incurred and increases in compensation and employee benefits and consulting expense, partially offset by reductions in amortization of tax credit and other investments and other one-time merger and integration expense related to the MetroCorp acquisition in 2014.

Comparing the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2013, the Other segment reported pretax losses of $27.7 million in 2014, compared to pretax income of $30.3 million in 2013. The decrease in earnings for this segment was due to lower net interest income and an increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by an increase in noninterest income. Net interest income for this segment decreased $34.6 million or 204%, to a loss of $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to income of $17.0 million for the same period in 2013. Noninterest income for this segment increased $13.4 million or 56%, to $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $24.3 million for the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to dividends received from the Community Reinvestment Act investments. Noninterest expense for this segment increased $71.3 million or 96%, to $145.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $74.5 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher amortization of tax credit and other investments and the incurrence of merger and integration related expenses from the acquisition of MetroCorp.
 

37


Balance Sheet Analysis
 
Total assets increased $3.61 billion or 13%, to $32.35 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $28.74 billion as of December 31, 2014. The increase in total assets was primarily due to increases of $1.92 billion in total loans receivable (including loans held for sale), $1.15 billion in available-for-sale investment securities, $375.0 million in resale agreements, and $321.0 million in cash and cash equivalents.

The increase in cash and cash equivalents was largely due to the timing of cash inflows versus outflows from fundings, payments and cash requirements related to normal operating activities. The $321.0 million cash increase was primarily funded by the increase in deposits and FHLB advances discussed below. The $375.0 million increase in resale agreements was due to the reinvestment of net cash inflows for yield improvement. The $1.15 billion increase in available-for-sale investment securities was primarily due to increases in U.S. government agency, U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt, corporate debt and U.S. Treasury securities.

The increase in total loans receivable was primarily due to organic growth in C&I, CRE and consumer loans, partially offset by loan sales of approximately $1.70 billion, mainly comprised of single-family residential and C&I loans. Allowance for loan losses remained relatively unchanged at $265.0 million or 1.12% of total loans held-for-investment as of December 31, 2015, compared to $261.7 million or 1.20% of total loans held-for-investment as of December 31, 2014.

Total deposits increased $3.47 billion or 14%, to $27.48 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $24.01 billion as of December 31, 2014. The increase in total deposits was mainly due to a $2.96 billion or 17% increase in core deposits. In addition, time deposits increased $504.2 million or 8%, largely due to the growth in the Company’s public deposit relationships.

FHLB advances increased $702.2 million to $1.02 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $317.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase is primarily due to $700.0 million of short-term FHLB advances borrowed in December 2015 to support the Company’s cash needs. The duration of the short-term FHLB advances was approximately one month.

There were no balances for securities sold under repurchase agreements (“repurchase agreements”) reported as of December 31, 2015, compared to $795.0 million in repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2014. The $795.0 million decrease was mainly due to the extinguishment of $545.0 million of the higher cost repurchase agreements that resulted in $21.8 million in extinguishment expenses in 2015, and an additional $250.0 million of resale agreements that were eligible for netting against existing repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2015.

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
Income from available-for-sale investment securities provides a significant portion of the Company’s total income. The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are liquid in nature and available to meet funding needs that arise during the normal course of business. The Company aims to maintain an investment portfolio with an appropriate mix of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate securities with relatively short durations to minimize overall interest rate and liquidity risk. The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio consists of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities, U.S. government sponsored enterprise and other mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, corporate debt securities and other securities. Investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at their estimated fair values with the corresponding changes in fair values recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, as a component of stockholders’ equity.

Total available-for-sale investment securities increased $1.15 billion or 44% to $3.77 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared with $2.63 billion as of December 31, 2014, primarily due to the increase in U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt and mortgage securities and corporate debt securities. As of December 31, 2015, the investment portfolio had net unrealized losses of $10.6 million compared to net unrealized gains of $7.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The changes in the net unrealized amount were primarily attributed to an increase in interest rates. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, available-for-sale investment securities with a fair value of $873.0 million and $1.96 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window, and for other purposes required or permitted by law.


38


Total repayments/maturities and proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities amounted to $734.9 million and $1.67 billion, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2015. In comparison, total repayments/maturities were $554.7 million and $444.1 million and proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities amounted to $623.7 million and $663.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Proceeds from repayments, maturities, sales and redemptions in 2015, 2014 and 2013 were applied towards additional investment securities purchases totaling $3.55 billion, $960.1 million and $1.32 billion respectively. The Company recorded net gains totaling $40.4 million, $10.9 million, and $12.1 million on sales of available-for-sale investment securities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Securities in an unrealized loss position are analyzed periodically for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). No OTTI was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. For complete discussion and disclosure, please see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 3 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and Note 6 — Available-for-Sale Investments Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The following table presents the weighted average yields and contractual maturity distribution, excluding periodic principal payments, of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2015:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Within
One Year
 
After One
But Within
Five Years
 
After Five
But Within
Ten Years
 
After
Ten Years
 
Total
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
Available-for-sale investment securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
110,439

 
0.50
%
 
$
785,929

 
1.17
%
 
$
102,147

 
1.78
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
998,515

 
1.16
%
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
537,393

 
1.03
%
 
143,057

 
1.02
%
 
88,399

 
1.91
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
768,849

 
1.13
%
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
—

 
—
%
 
43,014

 
1.03
%
 
162,615

 
1.88
%
 
146,033

 
1.99
%
 
351,662

 
1.82
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
—

 
—
%
 
2,366

 
2.23
%
 
93,471

 
2.49
%
 
901,559

 
1.69
%
 
997,396

 
1.77
%
Municipal securities (1)
 
—

 
—
%
 
142,780

 
2.32
%
 
25,252

 
2.48
%
 
7,617

 
3.94
%
 
175,649

 
2.42
%
Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
62,393

 
3.20
%
 
62,393

 
3.20
%
Corporate debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
 
50,855

 
1.19
%
 
35,606

 
2.22
%
 
79,096

 
1.68
%
 
199,156

 
1.89
%
 
364,713

 
1.78
%
Non-investment grade
 
9,642

 
1.03
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
9,642

 
1.03
%
Other securities
 
44,407

 
2.45
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
44,407

 
2.45
%
Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
752,736

 
 
 
$
1,152,752

 
 
 
$
550,980

 
 
 
$
1,316,758

 
 
 
$
3,773,226

 
 
 
(1)
Yields on tax exempt securities are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.

Total Loan Portfolio
 
The Company offers a broad range of products designed to meet the credit needs of its borrowers. The Company’s lending activities consist of income producing CRE loans including land loans and construction loans, commercial business loans, trade finance, single-family residential loans, multifamily residential loans and consumer loans.

CRE Loans. The Company offers variable, hybrid and fixed rate CRE loans. The CRE loan portfolio includes income producing real estate loans, construction loans and land loans. Although real estate lending activities are collateralized by real property, these transactions are subject to similar credit evaluation, underwriting and monitoring standards as those applied to commercial business loans. Approximately 75% of the CRE loans are secured by real estate in California. Consequently, changes in the California economy and in real estate values could have a significant impact on the collectability of these loans and on the required level of allowance for loan losses.


39


C&I Loans. The C&I loan portfolio includes commercial business and trade finance loans. Included in commercial business loans are loans for working capital, accounts receivable lines, inventory lines, SBA loans and lease financing. The Company also offers a variety of international trade services and products, including letters of credit, revolving lines of credit, import loans, bankers’ acceptances, working capital lines, domestic purchase financing and pre-export financing.

Most of the Company’s trade finance activities are related to trade with Asian countries. However, a majority of the Company’s loans are made to companies domiciled in the United States. A substantial portion of this business involves California based customers engaged in import and export activities. The Company also offers export-import financing to various customers. The Company’s trade finance portfolio primarily represents loans made to borrowers that import goods into the U.S. and export goods to China. Certain C&I loans may be guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States or are direct obligations of the Export-Import Bank of China.

Residential Loans. The residential loan portfolio consists of both single-family and multifamily loans. The Company offers adjustable rate (“ARM”) first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four unit residential properties located in its primary lending areas. The Company offers ARM single-family loan programs with one-year, three-year or five-year initial fixed periods. In addition, the Company also offers ARM multifamily residential loan programs with six-month or three-year initial fixed periods.

Consumer Loans. The consumer loans segment includes home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”), auto loans, and insurance premium financing loans. The Company’s ARM and HELOCs are secured by one-to-four unit residential properties located in its primary lending areas. The program is a low documentation program that requires low loan to value ratios, typically 50% or less. These loans have historically experienced low delinquency and default rates.

Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $1.90 billion or 9% from $21.51 billion as of December 31, 2014 to $23.41 billion as of December 31, 2015. The increase was largely attributable to increases of $1.29 billion or 19% in CRE loans, $925.8 million or 11% in C&I loans and $442.3 million or 29% in consumer loans, partially offset by a decrease of $726.8 million or 14% in residential loans, as a consequence of secondary market loan sales during the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company, from time to time, identifies opportunities to sell certain loans when the pricing is attractive to provide additional noninterest income. The Company sells these loans out of the loans held for sale portfolio.


40


The following table presents the composition of the Company’s total loan portfolio by segment as of the dates indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
CRE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income producing
 
$
7,478,474

 
32
%
 
$
6,256,059

 
29
%
 
$
5,265,160

 
30
%
 
$
4,743,023

 
32
%
 
$
4,904,555

 
34
%
Construction
 
438,671

 
2
%
 
332,287

 
1
%
 
225,068

 
1
%
 
394,567

 
3
%
 
551,872

 
4
%
Land
 
193,604

 
1
%
 
231,167

 
1
%
 
182,913

 
1
%
 
180,117

 
1
%
 
256,713

 
2
%
Total CRE
 
8,110,749

 
35
%
 
6,819,513

 
31
%
 
5,673,141

 
32
%
 
5,317,707

 
36
%
 
5,713,140

 
40
%
C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
8,213,897

 
35
%
 
7,181,189

 
33
%
 
4,881,809

 
27
%
 
3,922,989

 
26
%
 
3,148,040

 
22
%
Trade finance
 
789,110

 
3
%
 
896,012

 
4
%
 
875,794

 
5
%
 
843,791

 
6
%
 
732,563

 
5
%
Total C&I
 
9,003,007

 
38
%
 
8,077,201

 
37
%
 
5,757,603

 
32
%
 
4,766,780

 
32
%
 
3,880,603

 
27
%
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
3,066,919

 
13
%
 
3,866,781

 
18
%
 
3,464,383

 
19
%
 
2,514,549

 
17
%
 
2,200,101

 
16
%
Multifamily
 
1,522,995

 
6
%
 
1,449,908

 
7
%
 
1,364,986

 
8
%
 
1,479,346

 
10
%
 
1,756,416

 
12
%
Total residential
 
4,589,914

 
19
%
 
5,316,689

 
25
%
 
4,829,369

 
27
%
 
3,993,895

 
27
%
 
3,956,517

 
28
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Student loans
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
679,220

 
4
%
 
475,799

 
3
%
 
306,325

 
2
%
Other consumer
 
1,956,091

 
8
%
 
1,513,742

 
7
%
 
934,627

 
5
%
 
345,440

 
2
%
 
361,630

 
3
%
Total consumer
 
1,956,091

 
8
%
 
1,513,742

 
7
%
 
1,613,847

 
9
%
 
821,239

 
5
%
 
667,955

 
5
%
Total loans held-for-investment (1)
 
$
23,659,761

 
100
%
 
$
21,727,145

 
100
%
 
$
17,873,960

 
100
%
 
$
14,899,621

 
100
%
 
$
14,218,215

 
100
%
Unearned fees, premiums, and discounts, net
 
(16,013
)
 
 
 
2,804

 
 
 
(23,672
)
 
 
 
(19,301
)
 
 
 
(16,762
)
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
(264,959
)
 
 
 
(261,679
)
 
 
 
(249,675
)
 
 
 
(234,535
)
 
 
 
(216,523
)
 
 
Loans held for sale, net
 
31,958

 
 
 
45,950

 
 
 
204,970

 
 
 
174,317

 
 
 
278,603

 
 
Total loans, net
 
$
23,410,747

 
 
 
$
21,514,220

 
 
 
$
17,805,583

 
 
 
$
14,820,102

 
 
 
$
14,263,533

 
 
 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.

Loans held in the Company’s overseas offices, including the Hong Kong branch and the subsidiary bank in China totaled $694.6 million and $356.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. In comparison, loans held in the Hong Kong branch and the subsidiary bank in China totaled $423.4 million and $271.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. In total, these loans represent approximately 3% and 2% of total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These loans are included in the total loan portfolio table above.

The Company’s total loan portfolio includes originated and purchased loans. Originated and purchased loans, for which there was no evidence of credit deterioration at their acquisition date, are referred to collectively as non-PCI loans. Acquired loans for which there was, at the acquisition date, evidence of credit deterioration are referred to as PCI loans. PCI loans are recorded net of ASC 310-30 discount and totaled $970.8 million and $1.32 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For additional details regarding PCI loans, please see Note 8 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


41


The following table shows the contractual loan maturities by loan segments:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Within
One Year
 
After One
But Within
Five Years
 
More Than
Five Years
 
Total
CRE
 
$
882,751

 
$
3,036,903

 
$
4,191,095

 
$
8,110,749

C&I
 
4,382,593

 
2,974,739

 
1,645,675

 
9,003,007

Residential
 
75,221

 
287,570

 
4,227,123

 
4,589,914

Consumer
 
42,070

 
163,852

 
1,750,169

 
1,956,091

Total loans (1)
 
$
5,382,635

 
$
6,463,064

 
$
11,814,062

 
$
23,659,761

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution of loans to changes in interest rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate loans
 
$
550,287

 
$
692,988

 
$
614,031

 
$
1,857,306

Variable rate loans
 
4,753,420

 
5,507,715

 
7,770,189

 
18,031,324

Hybrid adjustable-rate loans
 
78,928

 
262,361

 
3,429,842

 
3,771,131

Total loans (1)
 
$
5,382,635

 
$
6,463,064

 
$
11,814,062

 
$
23,659,761

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.

Non-PCI Nonperforming Assets
 
Non-PCI nonperforming assets are comprised of nonaccrual loans and OREO, net. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due or the full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain regardless of the length of past due status. The following table presents information regarding non-PCI nonperforming assets and restructured loans as of the dates indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Nonaccrual loans
 
$
121,369

 
$
100,262

 
$
129,315

 
$
135,490

 
$
164,551

OREO, net
 
7,034

 
32,111

 
40,273

 
59,719

 
92,974

Total nonperforming assets
 
$
128,403

 
$
132,373

 
$
169,588

 
$
195,209

 
$
257,525

Performing troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) loans
 
$
43,575

 
$
68,338

 
$
71,826

 
$
94,580

 
$
99,603

Non-PCI nonperforming assets to total assets
 
0.40
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.87
%
 
1.17
%
Non-PCI nonaccrual loans to total loans held-for-investment
 
0.51
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.91
%
 
1.16
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-PCI nonaccrual loans
 
218.31
%
 
261.00
%
 
193.08
%
 
173.10
%
 
131.58
%
 

Typically, changes to nonaccrual loans period-over-period represent inflows for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status in accordance with the Company’s policy, offset by reductions for loans that are paid down, charged off, sold, foreclosed, or are no longer classified as nonaccrual as a result of continued performance and an improvement in the borrower’s financial condition and loan repayment capabilities. Reductions can also come from borrower repayments even if the loan remains on nonaccrual. Nonaccrual loans increased by $21.1 million or 21% from $100.3 million as of December 31, 2014 to $121.4 million as of December 31, 2015. The overall increase in nonaccrual loans was largely due to three TDR commercial loans and one commercial loan where payments are current but was placed on nonaccrual during 2015 due to future cash flow concerns. This increase was partially offset by payoffs and principal paydowns in 2015. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $29.1 million or 22% from $129.3 million as of December 31, 2013 to $100.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The decrease in nonaccrual loans during the year ended December 31, 2014 was mainly due to payoffs and paydowns.

As of December 31, 2015, $69.2 million or 57% of the $121.4 million non-PCI nonaccrual loans consisted of loans which were less than 90 days past due. In comparison, approximately $41.8 million or 42% of the $100.3 million non-PCI nonaccrual loans consisted of loans which were less than 90 days past due as of December 31, 2014. For additional details regarding the Company’s non-PCI nonaccrual loans policy, please see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


42


TDRs may be designated as performing or nonperforming. A TDR may be designated as performing, if the loan has demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms. The period of sustained performance may include the periods prior to modification if prior performance has met or exceeded the modified terms. A loan will remain on nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance, generally six consecutive months of payments.

The following table presents the accruing and nonaccruing TDR loans by loan segments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 


($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Performing TDR
 
Nonperforming TDR
 
Performing TDR
 
Nonperforming TDR
CRE
 
$
11,470

 
$
8,310

 
$
28,364

 
$
8,239

C&I
 
17,095

 
34,285

 
16,227

 
5,413

Residential
 
13,770

 
10,508

 
22,488

 
7,008

Consumer
 
1,240

 
—

 
1,259

 
—

Total
 
$
43,575

 
$
53,103

 
$
68,338

 
$
20,660

 

The $24.8 million decrease in the performing TDR loans balance to $43.6 million as of December 31, 2015 was primarily due to paydowns of CRE loans and residential performing TDR loans and the classification of one CRE loan and one residential TDR loan from performing to nonperforming in 2015. The $32.4 million increase in the nonperforming TDR loans balance was primarily due to three TDR commercial loans, as previously discussed.
    
Impaired loans exclude the homogeneous consumer loan portfolio which is evaluated collectively for impairment. The Company’s impaired loans predominantly include non-PCI loans held-for-investment on nonaccrual status and any non-PCI loans modified in a TDR, on both accrual and nonaccrual status. Please see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s TDR and impaired loan policies. As of December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses included $20.3 million for impaired loans with a total recorded balance of $85.8 million. As of December 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses included $19.5 million for impaired loans with a total recorded balance of $71.7 million.
 
The following table presents information regarding non-PCI impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
CRE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income producing
 
$
40,067

 
24
%
 
$
51,141

 
31
%
Construction
 
14

 
—
%
 
6,913

 
4
%
Land
 
1,315

 
1
%
 
8,460

 
5
%
Total CRE impaired loans
 
41,396

 
25
%
 
66,514

 
40
%
C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
71,156

 
43
%
 
38,440

 
23
%
Trade finance
 
10,675

 
7
%
 
6,705

 
4
%
Total C&I impaired loans
 
81,831

 
50
%
 
45,145

 
27
%
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
15,012

 
9
%
 
17,401

 
11
%
Multifamily
 
23,727

 
15
%
 
34,413

 
21
%
Total residential impaired loans
 
38,739

 
24
%
 
51,814

 
32
%
Consumer
 
1,240

 
1
%
 
1,259

 
1
%
Total gross impaired loans
 
$
163,206

 
100
%

$
164,732

 
100
%
 
 

43


Allowance for Credit Losses
 
Allowance for credit losses consists of allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded credit reserves. Unfunded credit reserves include reserves provided for unfunded lending commitments, unissued standby letters of credit (“SBLCs”) and recourse obligations for loans sold. The allowance for credit losses is increased by the provision for credit losses which is charged against current period operating results, and is increased or decreased by the amount of net recoveries or charge-offs, respectively, during the period. The allowance for unfunded credit reserves is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net adjustments to the allowance for unfunded credit reserves are included in the provision for credit losses.

The Company is committed to maintaining the allowance for credit losses at a level that is commensurate with the estimated inherent loss in the loan portfolio, including unfunded credit reserves. In addition to regular quarterly reviews of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, the Company performs an ongoing assessment of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio. While the Company believes that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate as of December 31, 2015, future allowance levels may increase or decrease based on a variety of factors, including loan growth, portfolio performance and general economic conditions. For additional details on the Company’s allowance for credit losses, including the methodologies used, please see the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section, Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 8 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table presents a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period
 
$
261,679

 
$
249,675

 
$
234,535

 
$
216,523

 
$
234,633

Provision for loan losses
 
6,569

 
47,583

 
20,207

 
66,747

 
93,958

Gross charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
(1,545
)
 
(3,660
)
 
(3,737
)
 
(28,595
)
 
(78,803
)
C&I
 
(20,423
)
 
(39,984
)
 
(8,461
)
 
(26,792
)
 
(30,606
)
Residential
 
(1,686
)
 
(1,103
)
 
(3,197
)
 
(7,700
)
 
(13,323
)
Consumer
 
(600
)
 
(5,871
)
 
(2,385
)
 
(1,825
)
 
(1,959
)
Total gross charge-offs
 
(24,254
)
 
(50,618
)
 
(17,780
)
 
(64,912
)
 
(124,691
)
Gross recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
7,135

 
1,982

 
4,793

 
9,482

 
4,691

C&I
 
8,782

 
10,198

 
4,392

 
4,970

 
7,041

Residential
 
4,621

 
2,410

 
2,004

 
1,614

 
596

Consumer
 
427

 
449

 
1,524

 
111

 
295

Total gross recoveries
 
20,965

 
15,039

 
12,713

 
16,177

 
12,623

Net charge-offs
 
(3,289
)
 
(35,579
)
 
(5,067
)
 
(48,735
)
 
(112,068
)
Allowance for loan losses, end of period
 
264,959

 
261,679

 
249,675

 
234,535

 
216,523

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for unfunded credit reserves, beginning of period
 
12,712

 
11,282

 
9,437

 
11,000

 
9,952

Provision for (reversal of) unfunded credit reserves
 
7,648

 
1,575

 
2,157

 
(1,563
)
 
1,048

Charge-offs (recoveries)
 
—

 
145

 
(312
)
 
—

 
—

Allowance for unfunded credit reserves, end of period
 
20,360

 
$
12,712

 
$
11,282

 
$
9,437

 
$
11,000

Allowance for credit losses
 
$
285,319

 
$
274,391

 
$
260,957

 
$
243,972

 
$
227,523

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans held-for-investment
 
$
22,146,442

 
$
20,105,856

 
$
16,055,008

 
$
14,276,729

 
$
13,806,116

Loans held-for-investment
 
$
23,659,761

 
$
21,727,145

 
$
17,873,960

 
$
14,899,621

 
$
14,218,215

Net charge-offs to average loans held-for-investment
 
0.01
%
 
0.18
%
 
0.03
%
 
0.34
%
 
0.81
%
Allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment
 
1.12
%
 
1.20
%
 
1.40
%
 
1.57
%
 
1.52
%
Allowance for credit losses to loans held-for-investment
 
1.21
%
 
1.26
%
 
1.46
%
 
1.64
%
 
1.60
%
 


44


The increase in the allowance for loan losses over the five years, presented above, was primarily due to the overall growth in the loan portfolio. Along with the growth in loans, the credit quality of loans has improved over the years, with the allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment ratio showing a decreasing trend. Provision for credit losses includes provision for loan losses and unfunded credit reserves. Provision for credit losses are charged to income to bring the allowance for credit losses to a level deemed appropriate by the Company based on the factors described above. The fluctuation in the provision for credit losses is highly dependent on the historical loss rates trend along with the net charge-offs experienced during the period. The decrease in provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, was primarily due to an overall improvement in the historical loss rate, partially offset by the growth in the loan portfolio. The increase in the allowance for unfunded credit reserves during 2015 was primarily due to the increase in the volume of unfunded lending commitments and unissued standby letters of credit.

 The following table presents the Company’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses by segment and the ratio of each loan segment to total loans as of the dates indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Allowance Allocation
 
% of Total Loans
 
Allowance Allocation
 
% of Total Loans
 
Allowance Allocation
 
% of Total Loans
 
Allowance Allocation
 
% of Total Loans
 
Allowance Allocation
 
% of Total Loans
CRE
 
$
81,538

 
35
%
 
$
72,977

 
31
%
 
$
72,111

 
32
%
 
$
72,385

 
36
%
 
$
70,426

 
40
%
C&I
 
134,606

 
38
%
 
134,598

 
37
%
 
115,496

 
32
%
 
107,719

 
32
%
 
89,455

 
27
%
Residential
 
39,295

 
19
%
 
43,856

 
25
%
 
50,716

 
27
%
 
49,436

 
27
%
 
52,250

 
28
%
Consumer
 
9,520

 
8
%
 
10,248

 
7
%
 
11,352

 
9
%
 
4,995

 
5
%
 
4,392

 
5
%
Total
 
$
264,959

 
100
%
 
$
261,679

 
100
%
 
$
249,675

 
100
%
 
$
234,535

 
100
%
 
$
216,523

 
100
%
 

The Company maintains an allowance on non-PCI and PCI loans. Based on the Company’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected, an allowance for the PCI loans is established, with a charge to income through the provision for loan losses.  PCI loan losses are estimated collectively for groups of loans with similar characteristics. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has established an allowance of $359 thousand on $970.8 million of PCI loans. As of December 31, 2014, an allowance of $714 thousand was established on $1.32 billion of PCI loans. The allowance balances for both periods were attributed mainly to the PCI CRE loans.

Deposits
 
The Company offers a wide variety of deposit account products to both consumer and commercial customers. As of December 31, 2015, total deposits grew to a record of $27.48 billion, an increase of $3.47 billion or 14% from $24.01 billion as of December 31, 2014. Core deposits totaled $20.86 billion as of December 31, 2015, an increase of $2.96 billion or 17% from $17.90 billion as of December 31, 2014. Core deposits grew largely due to increases of $1.28 billion or 17% in noninterest-bearing demand deposits, $790.7 million or 31% in interest-bearing checking deposits and $614.8 million or 10% in money market accounts. All deposit categories grew in 2015, including time deposits which increased $504.2 million or 8% from $6.11 billion as of December 31, 2014 to $6.62 billion as of December 31, 2015.
 
Public deposits increased $1.29 billion or 75% to $3.01 billion as of December 31, 2015, from $1.72 billion as of December 31, 2014 mainly due to increases in certificates of deposit, money market deposits and interest-bearing checking deposits. A majority of the public deposits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are with agencies located in California, Illinois, and Texas.
 

45


Domestic time deposits of $100,000 or more were $4.72 billion, representing 17% of the total deposit portfolio as of December 31, 2015. These accounts had a weighted average interest rate of 0.67% as of December 31, 2015. The following table presents the maturity distribution of domestic time deposits of $100,000 or more: 
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
3 months or less
 
$
1,632,697

Over 3 months through 6 months
 
913,768

Over 6 months through 12 months
 
1,139,297

Over 12 months
 
1,038,413

Total
 
$
4,724,175

 

Borrowings
 
The Company utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings to manage its liquidity position. Borrowings include short-term and long-term FHLB advances and repurchase agreements.

FHLB advances increased by $702.2 million to $1.02 billion as of December 31, 2015 from $317.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the short-term FHLB advances of $700.0 million entered during the fourth quarter of 2015 to improve the Company’s liquidity and available cash, which matured in February 2016. As of December 31, 2015, FHLB advances, excluding the short-term advances of $700.0 million, had floating interest rates ranging from 0.56% to 0.80% with remaining maturities between 3.12 to 6.86 years.
 
Resale and repurchase agreements are reported net pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 210-20-45, Balance Sheet Offsetting. Please see Note 5 — Securities Purchased Under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. As of December 31, 2015, all $450.0 million of gross repurchase agreements were eligible for netting against resale agreements, resulting in no repurchase agreements’ balances reported. As of December 31, 2014, $200.0 million out of $995.0 million of gross repurchase agreements were eligible for netting against resale agreements, resulting in a net $795.0 million of repurchase agreements reported. The $795.0 million decrease was mainly due to the extinguishment of $545.0 million of repurchase agreements that resulted in $21.8 million in extinguishment expenses in 2015, and an additional $250.0 million of resale agreements that were eligible for netting against existing repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2015. Gross repurchase agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2015 had interest rates ranging from 2.56% to 2.68% and original terms between 10.0 years and 16.5 years. The remaining maturity terms of the repurchase agreements range between seven and eight years. Repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the balances at which the securities were sold. The collateral for these agreements were primarily comprised of U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt and mortgage-backed securities.
 
Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt, consisting of junior subordinated debt and a term loan, decreased $19.7 million or 9% from $225.8 million as of December 31, 2014 to $206.1 million as of December 31, 2015.  The decrease was primarily due to payments totaling $20.0 million on the term loan.

The junior subordinated debt was issued in connection with the Company’s various pooled trust preferred securities offerings. Junior subordinated debt is recorded as a component of long-term debt and considers the value of the common stock issued by the Trusts to the Company in conjunction with these transactions. The junior subordinated debt totaled $146.1 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $145.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The junior subordinated debt outstanding had a weighted average interest rate of 1.89% and 1.82% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and remaining maturity terms of 19 years to 22 years as of December 31, 2015. Although trust preferred securities remain qualified at December 31, 2015 as Tier I and Tier II capital for regulatory purposes (at adjusted percentages of 25% and 75%, respectively), they will be limited to Tier II capital beginning in 2016 based on the Basel III Capital Rules as discussed in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Capital Requirements.


46


In 2013, the Company entered into a $100.0 million three-year term loan agreement. The terms of the agreement were modified in 2015 to extend the term loan maturity from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018, where principal repayments of $5.0 million are due quarterly. The term loan bears interest at the rate of the three-month London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 150 basis points and the weighted average interest rate was 1.83% and 1.76% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The outstanding balance of the term loan was $60.0 million and $80.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may enter into transactions with various related parties. The Company’s related party transactions were not material for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Capital
 
The Company maintains an adequate capital base to support its anticipated asset growth, operating needs and credit risks and to ensure that East West and the Bank are in compliance with all regulatory capital guidelines. The Company engages in regular capital planning processes to optimize the use of available capital and to appropriately plan for future capital needs. The capital plan considers capital needs for the foreseeable future and allocates capital to both existing and future business activities. In addition, the Company conducts capital stress tests as part of its annual capital planning process. The stress tests enable the Company to assess the impact of adverse changes in the economy and interest rates on its capital base.

The Company’s primary source of capital is the retention of its operating earnings. Retained earnings increased $268.5 million or 17% to $1.87 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $1.60 billion as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to net income of $384.7 million, reduced by $116.2 million of common stock dividends. Total stockholders’ equity increased $266.8 million or 9% to $3.12 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $2.86 billion as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the $268.5 million increase in retained earnings, as discussed earlier, and a $19.8 million increase in restricted stock unit activities, partially offset by the $6.0 million repurchase of 147,295 treasury shares related to shares withheld from employees’ vested restricted stock units for income tax withholdings.

Regulatory Capital and Ratios
    
As discussed in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Capital Requirements, the Basel III Capital Rules became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for certain of their components).

The Basel III Capital Rules require that banking organizations maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, and a total capital ratio of 8.0%. Moreover, beginning in 2016, the rules will require banking organizations to maintain a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above the capital minimums, phased-in over four years. When fully phased-in in 2019, the banking organizations will be required to maintain a CET1 capital ratio of at least 7.0%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8.5%, and a total capital ratio of at least 10.5% to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including common stock dividends and share repurchases) and certain discretionary incentive compensation payments.
    

47


The Company is committed to maintaining capital at a level sufficient to assure the Company’s stockholders, customers and regulators that the Company and the Bank are financially sound. The following tables present the Company’s and the Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 under Basel III and the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) capital rules, respectively, and those required by regulatory agencies for capital adequacy and well-capitalized classification purposes. Both the Company and the Bank met all capital requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis.
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
Basel III Capital Rules
 
East West
 
East West
Bank
 
Minimum
Regulatory
Requirements
 
Well-
Capitalized
Requirements
 
Fully Phased-in Minimum Regulatory Requirement
CET1 risk-based capital
 
10.5
%
 
11.0
%
 
4.5
%
 
6.5
%
 
7.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
 
10.7
%
 
11.0
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.0
%
 
8.5
%
Total risk-based capital
 
12.2
%
 
12.1
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
10.5
%
Tier 1 leverage capital
 
8.5
%
 
8.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Basel I Capital Rules
 
East West
 
East West
Bank
 
Minimum
Regulatory
Requirements
 
Well-
Capitalized
Requirements
 
Fully Phased-in Minimum Regulatory Requirement
CET1 risk-based capital
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
7.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
 
11.0
%
 
10.6
%
 
4.0
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.5
%
Total risk-based capital
 
12.6
%
 
11.8
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
10.5
%
Tier 1 leverage capital
 
8.4
%
 
8.2
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
 
 

The changes from the Basel III Capital Rules, along with the growth in the Company’s balance sheet, contributed to the $3.30 billion or 15% increase in risk weighted assets from $21.93 billion as of December 31, 2014 to $25.23 billion as of December 31, 2015. With the expiration of the shared-loss coverage for UCB and WFIB commercial loans and the termination of the shared-loss agreements on UCB and WFIB residential loans in 2015, the risk weighting for the majority of the UCB and WFIB acquired loans have increased from 20% to 100%. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s CET1 capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital ratios and Tier 1 leverage capital ratios were 10.5%, 10.7%, 12.2% and 8.5%, respectively, well above the well-capitalized requirements of 6.5%, 8.0%, 10.0% and 5.0%, respectively.


48


Regulatory Matters

The Bank entered into a Written Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, with the FRB to correct less than satisfactory BSA and AML programs detailed in a joint examination by the FRB and the DBO. The Bank also entered into a related MOU with the DBO. The Written Agreement, among other things, requires the Bank to:

•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written plan to strengthen the Board’s oversight of the Bank’s compliance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to AML, including compliance with the BSA, the rules and regulations issued thereunder by the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the AML requirements of Regulation H of the Board of Governors (collectively, “BSA/AML Requirements”);
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written revised program for compliance with all applicable BSA/AML Requirements, which, at a minimum, will include, among other things, a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with all applicable BSA/AML Requirements and controls designed to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements relating to correspondent accounts for foreign financial institutions;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written revised program for conducting appropriate levels of customer due diligence, including policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the Bank collects, analyzes, and retains complete and accurate customer information for all account holders, including customers of the Bank’s foreign operations;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit an enhanced written program to reasonably ensure the identification and timely, accurate and complete reporting by the Bank of all known or suspected violations of law or suspicious transactions to law enforcement and supervisory authorities as required by applicable suspicious activity reporting laws and regulations;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written plan to the FRB for the full installation, testing, and activation of an effective automated transaction monitoring system to reasonably ensure the identification and timely, accurate, and complete reporting by the Bank of all known or suspected violations of law or suspicious transactions to law enforcement and supervisory authorities;
•
within 30 days following completion of the customer account remediation required by the Written Agreement, engage an independent consultant to conduct a review of, and prepare a report detailing findings relating to, account and transaction activity associated with any high risk customer accounts during a six-month period in 2014 to determine whether suspicious activity involving high risk customer accounts or transactions was properly identified and reported; and
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a plan to enhance the Bank’s compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) Regulations, including enhanced OFAC screening procedures and an improved methodology for assessing OFAC risks.

We believe the Bank is making progress in executing the compliance plans and programs required by the Written Agreement and MOU, although there can be no assurances that our plans and progress will be found to be satisfactory by our regulators. As a result, the Bank will continue to require significant management and third party consultant resources to comply with the Written Agreement and MOU and to address any additional findings or recommendations by the regulators. The Bank has already added significant resources to meet the monitoring and reporting obligations imposed by the Written Agreement. The Bank expects these incremental administrative and third party costs, as well as the operational restrictions imposed by the Written Agreement, to adversely affect the Bank’s results of operations.

If additional compliance issues are identified or if the regulators determine that the Bank has not satisfactorily complied with the terms of the Written Agreement, the regulators could take further actions with respect to the Bank and, if such further actions were taken, such actions could have a material adverse effect on the Bank. The operating and other conditions of the Written Agreement could lead to an increased risk of being subject to additional regulatory actions by the DBO and FRB or other government agencies, as well as additional actions resulting from future regular annual safety and soundness and compliance examinations by the federal and state regulators that downgrade the regulatory ratings of the Bank.


49


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
 
In the course of the Company’s business, the Company may enter into or be a party to transactions that are not recorded on the balance sheet and are considered to be off-balance sheet arrangements. Off-balance sheet arrangements are any contractual arrangements whereby an unconsolidated entity is a party, under which the Company has: (1) any obligation under a guarantee contract; (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets; (3) any obligation under certain derivative instruments; or (4) any obligation under a material variable interest held by the Company in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with the Company.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As a financial service provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit to customers, such as loan commitments, commercial letters of credit for foreign and domestic trade, SBLCs and financial guarantees. Many of these commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. The credit policies used in underwriting loans to customers are also used to extend these commitments. Under some of these contractual agreements, the Company may also have liabilities contingent upon the occurrence of certain events. The Company’s liquidity sources have been, and are expected to be, sufficient to meet the cash requirements of its lending activities. The following table summarizes the Company’s commitments, commercial letters of credit and SBLCs as of December 31, 2015:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Commitments
Outstanding
Loan commitments
 
$
3,370,271

Commercial letters of credit and SBLCs
 
$
1,293,547

 

 A discussion of significant contractual arrangements under which the Company may be held contingently liable is included in Note 14 — Commitments, Contingencies and Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, the Company has commitments and obligations under post-retirement benefit plans as described in Note 16 — Employee Benefit Plans to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contractual Obligations
 
The following table presents the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations, within the categories and payment dates described below as of December 31, 2015:
 
($ in thousands)

Payment Due by Period

Less than
1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

After
5 years

Indeterminate
Maturity (1)

Total
Contractual Obligations


















Deposits (2)

$
5,404,746

 
$
848,248

 
$
253,646

 
$
110,255

 
$
20,859,086


$
27,475,981

FHLB advances (2)

700,000

 
—

 
80,035

 
239,389

 
—


1,019,424

Gross repurchase agreements (2)

—

 
—

 
—

 
450,000

 
—


450,000

Affordable housing partnership and other tax credit investment commitments

84,456

 
55,128

 
29,309

 
5,828

 
—


174,721

Long-term debt obligations (2)

20,000

 
40,000

 
—

 
146,084

 
—


206,084

Operating lease obligations (3)

28,042

 
46,165

 
32,820

 
53,320

 
—


160,347

Unrecognized tax liabilities

—

 
3,022

 
5,862

 
—

 
—


8,884

Projected cash payments for postretirement benefit plan

2,617

 
629

 
668

 
8,563

 
—


12,477

Total contractual obligations

$
6,239,861


$
993,192


$
402,340


$
1,013,439


$
20,859,086


$
29,507,918

 
(1)
Includes deposits with no defined maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing checking, money-market and savings accounts.
(2)
Amounts exclude contractual interest.
(3)
Represents the Company’s lease obligations for all rental properties.


50


Asset Liability and Market Risk Management
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to meet its contractual and contingent financial obligations, on or off balance sheet, as they become due. The Company’s primary liquidity management objective is to provide sufficient funding for its businesses throughout market cycles and be able to manage both expected and unexpected cash flows without adversely impacting the financial health of the Company. To achieve this objective, the Company analyzes its liquidity risk, maintains readily available liquid assets and accesses diverse funding sources including its stable core deposit base. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) sets the liquidity guidelines that govern the day-to-day active management of the Company’s liquidity position. The ALCO regularly monitors the Company’s liquidity status and related management process, and provides regular reports to the Board.

The Company maintains liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and available-for-sale investment securities. These assets totaled $5.43 billion and $4.01 billion, which represented 17% and 14% of total assets, as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Traditional forms of funding such as deposits and borrowings augment these liquid assets. Total deposits amounted to $27.48 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $24.01 billion as of December 31, 2014, of which core deposits comprised 76% and 75% of total deposits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As a means of augmenting the Company’s liquidity, the Company maintains available borrowing capacity under secured borrowing lines with the FHLB of San Francisco and the Federal Reserve Bank, unsecured federal funds’ lines of credit with various correspondent banks for purchase of overnight funds, and several master repurchase agreements with major brokerage companies. The Company’s available borrowing capacity with the FHLB of San Francisco and Federal Reserve Bank was $4.45 billion and $2.91 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. The Bank’s unsecured federal funds’ lines of credit, subject to availability, was $683.0 million with correspondent banks. The Company believes that its liquidity sources are sufficient to meet all reasonable foreseeable short-term and intermediate-term needs.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company experienced net cash inflows from operating activities of $469.6 million, $392.9 million and $425.8 million, respectively. The $76.7 million increase in net cash from operating activities from $392.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $469.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 was mainly due to a $38.8 million increase in net income, a $305.8 million increase in non-cash charges that increased net operating cash and a $55.4 million decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities, partially offset by a $193.7 million decrease in net cash inflow from loans held for sale and a $131.7 million increase in payments related to FDIC shared-loss agreements. The $305.8 million increase in non-cash charges was mainly due to higher deferred tax expenses. Net cash from operating activities decreased $32.9 million from $425.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $392.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, while net income increased $52.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2013.  These differences were mainly due to $120.9 million, $96.1 million and $57.2 million increases in cash outflows related to accrued interest receivable and other assets, accrued expenses and other liabilities and payments related to FDIC shared-loss agreements, respectively, partially offset by $251.3 million increases in net cash inflow from loans held for sale.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $3.63 billion, $2.36 billion and $2.73 billion during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The $1.27 billion increase in net cash used in investing activities during 2015 was primarily due to $1.36 billion and $500.0 million increases in net cash outflows from available-for-sale investment securities and resale agreements, respectively, partially offset by $722.3 million increase in net cash inflow from loans held-for-investment. The $375.0 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities, comparing December 31, 2014 and 2013, was primarily due to $427.4 million and $208.3 million increases in net cash inflows from available-for-sale investment securities and loans held-for-investment, respectively, partially offset by a $275.0 million increase in cash outflow from resale agreements.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company experienced net cash inflows from financing activities of $3.49 billion, $2.11 billion and $1.88 billion, respectively. Net cash inflow from financing activities in 2015 was primarily comprised of a $3.49 billion increase in deposits and $700.0 million increase in FHLB advances, partially offset by $566.8 million related to the extinguishment of repurchase agreements and $115.6 million in cash dividends paid. Net cash inflow from financing activities in 2014 was primarily comprised of a $2.28 billion increase in deposits, partially offset by $103.6 million in cash dividends paid. Net cash inflow from financing activities in 2013 was primarily comprised of a $2.10 billion increase in deposits and $100.0 million increase in long-term borrowings, partially offset by $200.0 million of treasury stock repurchases related to the Stock Repurchase Plan and $86.3 million in cash dividends paid.


51


As of December 31, 2015, the Company is not aware of any trends, events or uncertainties that had or were reasonably likely to have a material effect on its liquidity position. As of December 31, 2015, the Company is not aware of any material commitments for capital expenditures in the foreseeable future.
 
East West’s liquidity has historically been dependent on the payment of cash dividends by its subsidiary, East West Bank, subject to applicable statutes, regulations and special approval. The Bank paid total dividends of $100.0 million to East West in January 2016 and no dividend was paid for the year ended December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2014, total dividends paid by the Bank to East West amounted to $111.6 million. Also, in January 2016, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share on the Company’s common stock payable on or about February 16, 2016 to stockholders of record as of February 1, 2016.

Interest Rate Risk Management

Interest rate risk results primarily from the Company’s traditional banking activities of gathering deposits and extending loans, and is the primary market risk for the Company. Economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates and consumer preferences affect the difference between the interest the Company earns on assets and pays on liabilities, and the level of the noninterest bearing funding sources. In addition, changes in interest rate can influence the rate of principal prepayments on loans and speed of deposit withdrawals. Due to the pricing term mismatches and embedded options inherent in certain products, changes in market interest rates not only affect expected near-term earnings, but also the economic value of these assets and liabilities. Other market risks include foreign currency exchange risk and equity price risk. These risks are not considered significant to the Company’s interest rate risk and no separate quantitative information concerning these risks is presented herein.

With oversight by the Company’s Board, the ALCO coordinates the overall management of the Company’s interest rate risk. The ALCO meets regularly and is responsible for reviewing the Company’s open market positions and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk. Management of interest rate risk is carried out primarily through strategies involving the Company’s securities portfolio, loan portfolio, available funding channels and capital market activities. In addition, the Company’s policies permit the use of off-balance sheet derivative instruments to assist in managing interest rate risk.

The interest rate risk exposure is measured and monitored through various risk management tools which include a simulation model that performs interest rate sensitivity analysis under multiple scenarios. The model includes the Company’s loan, deposit, investment and borrowing portfolio, including the repurchase agreements and resale agreements. The financial instruments from the Company’s domestic and foreign operations, forecasted noninterest income and noninterest expense items are also incorporated in the simulation. The interest rate scenarios simulated include an instantaneous parallel shift and non-parallel shift in the yield curve. In addition, the Company also performs various simulations using alternative interest rate scenarios. The alternative interest rate scenarios include yield curve flattening, yield curve steepening, and yield curve inverting. In order to apply the assumed interest rate environment, adjustments are made to reflect the shift in the U.S. Treasury and other appropriate yield curves. The Company incorporates both a static balance sheet and a forward growth balance sheet in order to perform these evaluations. Results of these various simulations are used to formulate and gauge strategies to achieve a desired risk profile within the Company’s capital and liquidity guidelines.

The simulation model is based on the actual maturity and re-pricing characteristics of the Company’s interest-rate sensitive assets, liabilities and related derivative contracts. The modeled results are highly sensitive to the deposit decay assumptions used for deposits that do not have specific maturities. The Company uses historical regression analysis of the Company’s internal deposit data as a guide to set these deposit decay assumptions. In addition, the model is also highly sensitive to certain assumptions on the correlation of the change in interest rates paid on our non-maturity deposits to changes in benchmark market interest rates, commonly referred to as deposit beta assumptions. These deposit beta assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience. The model is also sensitive to the loan and investment prepayment assumption. This assumption, which relates to anticipated prepayments under different interest rate environments, is based on an independent model, as well as the Company’s historical prepayment experiences.

Existing investments, loans, deposits and borrowings are assumed to roll into new instruments at a similar spread relative to benchmark interest rates and internal pricing guidelines. The assumptions applied in the model are documented and supported for reasonableness. Changes to key model assumptions are reviewed by the ALCO. Due to the sensitivity of the model results to some of the assumptions noted above, the Company performs periodic testing to assess the impact of those assumptions as well as to make appropriate calibrations to the assumptions, when necessary. These scenarios do not reflect strategies that management could employ to limit the impact as interest rate expectations change. The simulation results are highly dependent on these assumptions. To the extent actual behavior is different from the assumptions in the models, there could be a change in interest rate sensitivity.


52


The following table presents the Company’s net interest income and economic value of equity (“EVE”) sensitivity exposure at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 related to an instantaneous and sustained non-parallel shift in market interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points in both directions:
 
Change in Interest Rates
(Basis Points)
 
Net Interest Income
Volatility (1)
 
EVE
Volatility (2)
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
+200
 
18.5
 %
 
15.5
 %
 
9.8
 %
 
9.5
 %
+100
 
9.6
 %
 
7.6
 %
 
5.3
 %
 
4.8
 %
-100
 
(4.0
)%
 
(1.1
)%
 
(4.2
)%
 
(2.0
)%
-200
 
(4.6
)%
 
(1.4
)%
 
(6.9
)%
 
(3.4
)%
 
(1)
The percentage change represents net interest income over 12 months in a stable interest rate environment versus net interest income in the various rate scenarios.
(2)
The percentage change represents net portfolio value of the Company in a stable interest rate environment versus net portfolio value in the various rate scenarios.

Twelve-Month Net Interest Income Simulation

The Company’s estimated twelve-month net interest income sensitivity increased at December 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, for both upward interest rate scenarios. In a simulated downward rate scenario, sensitivity increased slightly at December 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, but remained relatively flat overall for both downward interest rate scenarios, mainly due to rates being at or near the floor rate in the current rate environment. The net interest income simulation results indicate that at both December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company was asset sensitive over the twelve-month forecast horizon in a rising rate environment. This was primarily due to approximately 76% of the Company’s customer deposit portfolio being comprised of less rate-sensitive core deposits and approximately 87% of the Company’s loan portfolio being comprised of loans with maturity or repricing terms of less than one year. The increase in asset sensitivity between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was primarily due to changes in the balance sheet mix, offset by certain prepayments of some of the Company’s long term borrowing positions, and a change in the assumptions with regards to repricing of money market deposits in a rising rate environment which the Company included in the first quarter of 2015.

Under most rising interest rate environments, the Company would expect some customers to move balances in demand deposits into higher interest-bearing deposits such as money market, savings, or time deposits. The models are particularly sensitive to the assumption about the rate of such migration. The following table presents the Company’s net interest income sensitivity as of December 31, 2015 for the +100 and +200 interest rate scenarios assuming a $1.00 billion and $2.00 billion demand deposit migration:
 
Change in Interest Rates
(Basis Points)
 
Net Interest Income Volatility
 
$1.00 Billion Migration
12 Months
 
$2.00 Billion Migration
12 Months
+200
 
15.6
%
 
12.8
%
+100
 
7.8
%
 
6.0
%
 

EVE at Risk

The Company’s EVE at risk increased as of December 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, for both upward interest rate scenarios. In the simulated downward interest rate scenarios, sensitivity increased for both interest rate scenarios. Overall, sensitivity in the downward interest rate scenarios remained relatively flat at (4.2)% and (6.9)% of the base level as of December 31, 2015 in declining rate scenarios of 100 basis points and 200 basis points, respectively. The change in sensitivity between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was primarily due to general changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. In addition, the Bank adjusted the deposit decay assumption as a result of its annual update, which lengthened the deposit life of some of the Bank’s non-maturity deposits. Lower interest rates during the year also contributed to the decline in EVE at risk, as lower interest rates serve to lengthen the life of indeterminate maturity deposits and shorten the life of mortgage-related assets and, together, increase asset sensitivity.


53


The Company’s net interest income and EVE profile as of December 31, 2015, as set forth in the net interest income and EVE tables above, reflects an asset sensitive net interest income position and an asset sensitive EVE position in an upward interest rate scenario. However, in a downward rate environment, the Company tends to see lower net interest income and EVE as projected in the volatility table above. The Company is naturally asset sensitive due to its large portfolio of rate-sensitive commercial loans that are funded in part by non-interest bearing and rate-stable core deposits. As a result, if there are no significant changes in the mix of assets and liabilities, the net interest income increases when interest rates increase and decreases when interest rates decrease. As of December 31, 2015, the federal funds target rate was at a range of 0.25% to 0.50% compared to a range of 0% to 0.25% as of December 31, 2014. Further decline in interest rates are not expected to significantly reduce earning asset yield or liability costs, nor have a meaningful impact on net interest income. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company showed a slight increase in its sensitivity in a downward 100 and downward 200 basis points decrease in interest rate, respectively. However, given the current low rate environment, this is not particularly meaningful. Given the uncertainty of the magnitude, timing and direction of future interest rate movements and the shape of the yield curve, actual results may vary from those predicted by the Company’s model.

Derivatives

It is the Company’s policy not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. However, the Company will, from time to time, enter into derivatives in order to reduce its exposure to market risks, including interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company believes these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent risk in our assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. Hedging transactions may be implemented using swaps, caps, floors, financial futures, forwards, and options. Prior to entering into any hedging activities, the Company analyzes the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to alternative strategies.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had seven cancellable interest rate swaps with original terms between 20 and 25 years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as fair value hedges, was to obtain low-cost floating rate funding on the Company’s brokered certificate deposits (“CDs”). At December 31, 2015, the swap contracts called for the Company to receive a fixed interest rate and pay a variable interest rate. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amount of the Company’s brokered CD interest rate swaps was $112.9 million and $132.7 million, respectively. The fair value was a liability of $5.2 million and $9.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During 2015, in order to maintain hedge effectiveness due to the decline in the CD balance from early withdrawals, a notional amount of $19.8 million was canceled, the hedges dedesignated and simultaneously redesignated as new hedges.

The Company also offers various interest rate derivative products to clients. When derivative transactions are executed with clients, the derivative contracts are offset by paired trades with registered swap dealers. These contracts allow borrowers to lock in attractive intermediate and long term fixed rate financing while not increasing the interest rate risk to the Company. These transactions are not linked to specific Company assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets or to forecasted transactions in a hedge relationship and, therefore, are economic hedges and hedge accounting does not apply.  The contracts are marked to market each reporting period with changes in fair value recorded as part of other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Fair values are determined from verifiable third-party sources that have considerable experience with derivative markets. The Company provides data to the third party source for purposes of calculating the credit valuation component of the fair value measurement of client derivative contracts. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had entered into derivative contracts with clients and offsetting derivative contracts with counterparties having a notional balance totaling $6.49 billion and $4.86 billion, respectively. Since these contracts are primarily back-to-back interest rate swaps, the Company’s net exposure as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 to interest rate derivative contracts was $110 thousand and $245 thousand liability, respectively.

54



The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts with its clients and counterparty banks primarily for the purpose of allowing its clients to hedge transactions in foreign currencies from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and also to allow the Company to economically hedge against foreign exchange fluctuations in certain CDs and loans that it offers to its customers that are denominated in foreign currencies. These transactions are economic hedges and the Company does not apply hedge accounting. The Company’s policies also permit taking proprietary currency positions within approved limits, in compliance with the proprietary trading exemption provided under Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Company does not speculate in the foreign exchange markets, and actively manages its foreign exchange exposures within prescribed risk limits and defined controls. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange contracts that were not designated as hedging instruments, totaled $653.0 million and $680.6 million, respectively. The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts included in other assets and other liabilities totaled $10.2 million and $9.4 million, respectively as of December 31, 2015 and $8.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively as of December 31, 2014.

On November 10, 2015, the Company entered into two foreign exchange contracts, which were designated as net investment hedges to mitigate the risk of adverse changes in the USD-RMB exchange rate to hedge a portion of the Company’s net investment in its subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s currency hedge has a notional value of $560.0 million RMB or $86.6 million USD equivalent with a net positive fair value of $2.4 million USD. The contracts have a weighted average strike price of 6.467 RMB to USD and expire in March 2016.

Additional information on the Company’s derivatives is presented in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 3 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note 7 — Derivatives to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated here by reference.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Significant accounting policies are described in Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report. Some accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In addition, some accounting policies require significant judgment in applying complex accounting principles to individual transactions to determine the most appropriate treatment. The Company has established procedures and processes to facilitate making the judgments necessary to prepare financial statements.
 
Certain accounting policies are considered to have critical effect on the Company’s Financial Statements in our judgment. The following is a discussion of the critical accounting policies including significant estimates. In each area, the Company has identified the most important variables in the estimation process. The Company has used the best information available to make the estimations necessary for the related assets and liabilities. Actual performance that differs from the Company’s estimates and future changes in the key variables could change future valuations and impact the results of operations.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses market prices of the same or similar instruments whenever such prices are available. The Company does 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 analysis. These modeling techniques incorporate management’s assessments regarding assumptions that 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.

For a complete discussion on the Company’s fair value hierarchy of financial instruments, fair value measurement techniques and assumptions, and the impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements, please see Note 3 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 


55


Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
 
The fair value of the available-for-sale investment securities are generally determined by independent external pricing service providers and/or by comparison to an average of quoted market prices obtained from independent external brokers. The Company performs a monthly analysis on the broker quotes and pricing service values 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 used for fair value measurement, review of pricing trends, and monitoring of trading volumes. The Company ensures prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value through the use of observable market inputs including comparable trades, yield curves, spreads and, when available, market indices. As a result of this analysis, the price received from the third party is adjusted accordingly if the Company determines that there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the available market data. 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 proprietary models with observable market based inputs. Additionally, the majority of these independent broker quotations are non-binding.
 
The Company considers available information relevant to the collectability of the securities, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of future cash flows in making its OTTI assessment for its portfolio of trust preferred securities. The Company considers factors such as remaining payment terms of the securities, prepayment speeds, expected defaults, the financial condition of the issuer(s), and the value of any underlying collateral.
 
PCI Loans
 
In situations where PCI loans have similar risk characteristics, PCI 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 cash flows expected over the life of the pools are estimated by 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.
 
Allowance for Credit Losses
 
The Company’s methodology to determine the overall appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses is based on a classification migration model with quantitative factors and qualitative considerations. The migration model examines pools of loans having similar characteristics and analyzes their loss rates over a historical period. The Company assigns loss rates to each loan grade within each pool of loans. Loss rates derived by the migration model are based predominantly on historical loss trends that may not be entirely indicative of the actual or inherent loss potential. Additionally, the Company utilizes qualitative and environmental factors as adjusting mechanisms to supplement the historical results of the classification migration model. Qualitative and environmental factors are reflected as percentage adjustments and are added to the historical loss rates derived from the classified asset migration model to determine the appropriate allowance for each loan pool. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available. Additionally, non-classified loans are also considered in the allowance for loan losses calculation and are factored in based on the historical loss experience adjusted for various qualitative factors.

Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in nonperforming loans, probability of commitment usage, and other factors. Qualitative considerations include, but are not limited to, prevailing economic or market conditions, relative risk profiles of various loan segments, volume concentrations, growth trends, delinquency and nonaccrual status, problem loan trends, geographic concentrations, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to the customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities.
 
As the Company adds new products, increases the complexity of the loan portfolio, and expands the geographic coverage, the Company will continue to enhance the methodology to keep pace with the size and complexity of the loan portfolio and the changing credit environment. Changes in any of the factors cited above could have a significant impact on the credit loss calculation. The Company believes that the methodologies currently employed continue to be appropriate given the Company’s size and level of complexity. For additional information on allowance for credit losses, please see Note 8 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.


56


Goodwill Impairment
 
Under ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, goodwill is required to 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 major operating segments identified in Note 20 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this 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 is used. Under the income approach, the Company provided a net income projection and a terminal growth rate to calculate the discounted cash flows and the present value of the reporting units. Under the market approach, the fair value is 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 are used to calculate the market price of the Company and each reporting unit. The fair value is 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 is weighted based on management’s perceived risk of each approach 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 complete disclosure, please see Note 10 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere in this report.

Income Taxes

The Company examines its Financial Statements, its income tax provision, and its federal and state income tax returns and analyzes its tax positions, including permanent and temporary differences, as well as the major components of income and expense to determine whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. In the event a tax position is not more likely than not to be sustained by the tax authorities, a reserve is established by management.

A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Management has concluded that it is more likely than not that all of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will be realized, with the exception of the deferred tax assets related to certain state NOLs. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded for these amounts. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for all income tax uncertainties consistent with the standards of ASC 740-10, Income Taxes.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For detailed discussion and disclosure on new accounting pronouncements adopted and recent accounting standards, please see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
For quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding market risk in the Company’s portfolio, please see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Asset Liability and Market Risk Management of the Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II and Note 7 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this report.
 

57


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders

East West Bancorp, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of East West Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, and Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. These Consolidated Financial Statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these Consolidated Financial Statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California

February 26, 2016



58


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,360,887

 
$
1,039,885

Short-term investments
 
299,916

 
338,714

Securities purchased under resale agreements (“resale agreements”)
 
1,600,000

 
1,225,000

Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value
 
3,773,226

 
2,626,617

Loans held for sale
 
31,958

 
45,950

Loans held-for-investment (net of allowance for loan losses of $264,959 in 2015 and $261,679 in 2014)
 
23,378,789

 
21,468,270

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, at cost
 
28,770

 
31,239

Investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost
 
54,932

 
54,451

Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net (1)
 
193,978

 
178,962

Premises and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $100,060 in 2015 and $85,409 in 2014)
 
166,993

 
180,900

Goodwill
 
469,433

 
469,433

Other assets (1)
 
992,040

 
1,084,171

TOTAL (1)
 
$
32,350,922

 
$
28,743,592

LIABILITIES
 
 

 
 

Customer deposits:
 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
 
$
8,656,805

 
$
7,381,030

Interest-bearing
 
18,819,176

 
16,627,744

Total deposits
 
27,475,981

 
24,008,774

FHLB advances
 
1,019,424

 
317,241

Securities sold under repurchase agreements (“repurchase agreements”)
 
—

 
795,000

Long-term debt
 
206,084

 
225,848

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
526,483

 
540,618

Total liabilities
 
29,227,972

 
25,887,481

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)
 


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 164,246,517 and 163,772,218 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
164

 
164

Additional paid in capital
 
1,701,295

 
1,677,767

Retained earnings (1)
 
1,872,594

 
1,604,141

Treasury stock at cost—20,337,284 shares in 2015 and 20,189,989 shares in 2014.
 
(436,162
)
 
(430,198
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”), net of tax
 
(14,941
)
 
4,237

Total stockholders’ equity (1)
 
3,122,950

 
2,856,111

TOTAL (1)
 
$
32,350,922

 
$
28,743,592

 
(1)
Prior period was restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.













See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

59


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
($ in thousands, except per share data, shares in thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans receivable, including fees
 
$
968,625

 
$
1,059,205

 
$
979,394

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
41,375

 
44,684

 
43,846

Resale agreements
 
19,799

 
20,323

 
21,236

Investment in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock
 
6,077

 
6,272

 
6,869

Due from banks and short-term investments
 
17,939

 
23,214

 
17,340

Total interest and dividend income
 
1,053,815

 
1,153,698

 
1,068,685

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 

 
 

 
 

Customer deposits
 
73,505

 
65,486

 
63,496

Short-term borrowings
 
58

 
—

 
6

FHLB advances
 
4,270

 
4,116

 
4,173

Repurchase agreements
 
20,907

 
38,395

 
41,381

Long-term debt
 
4,636

 
4,823

 
3,436

Total interest expense
 
103,376

 
112,820

 
112,492

Net interest income before provision for credit losses
 
950,439

 
1,040,878

 
956,193

Provision for credit losses
 
14,217

 
49,158

 
22,364

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
 
936,222

 
991,720

 
933,829

NONINTEREST INCOME (LOSS)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Branch fees
 
39,495

 
37,866

 
32,036

Letters of credit fees and foreign exchange income
 
38,985

 
37,323

 
34,774

Ancillary loan fees
 
15,029

 
10,616

 
9,368

Wealth management fees
 
18,268

 
16,162

 
10,878

Derivative commission income
 
16,193

 
12,753

 
8,813

Changes in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)
 indemnification asset and receivable/payable
 
(37,980
)
 
(201,417
)
 
(228,585
)
Net gains on sales of loans
 
24,874

 
39,132

 
7,750

Net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities
 
40,367

 
10,851

 
12,089

Other fees and other operating income
 
28,152

 
25,000

 
20,409

Total noninterest income (loss)
 
183,383

 
(11,714
)
 
(92,468
)
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
 

 
 

 
 

Compensation and employee benefits
 
262,193

 
231,838

 
175,906

Occupancy and equipment expense
 
61,292

 
63,815

 
56,641

Amortization of tax credit and other investments (1)
 
36,120

 
44,092

 
5,973

Amortization of premiums on deposits acquired
 
9,234

 
10,204

 
9,365

Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments
 
18,772

 
21,922

 
16,550

Deposit related expenses
 
9,582

 
7,536

 
6,536

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) income
 
(8,914
)
 
(3,591
)
 
(1,128
)
Legal expense
 
16,373

 
53,018

 
31,718

Data processing
 
10,185

 
15,888

 
9,095

Consulting expense
 
17,234

 
8,511

 
6,446

Repurchase agreements’ extinguishment costs
 
21,818

 
—

 
—

Other operating expense
 
86,995

 
79,750

 
77,113

Total noninterest expense (1)
 
540,884

 
532,983

 
394,215

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (1)
 
578,721

 
447,023

 
447,146

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (1)
 
194,044

 
101,145

 
153,822

NET INCOME (1)
 
384,677

 
345,878

 
293,324

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
—

 
—

 
3,428

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
289,896

EARNINGS PER SHARE AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
 
 
 
 
 
 
BASIC (1)
 
$
2.67

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.10

DILUTED (1)
 
$
2.66

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.09

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
 
 
 
 
 
BASIC
 
143,818

 
142,952

 
137,342

DILUTED
 
144,512

 
143,563

 
139,574

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.80

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.60

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

60


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net income (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
293,324

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale investment securities
 
(10,381
)
 
34,696

 
(35,128
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(8,797
)
 
—

 
—

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(19,178
)
 
34,696

 
(35,128
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (1)
 
$
365,499

 
$
380,574

 
$
258,196

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



















































See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

61


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
($ in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
Preferred Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury
Stock
 
AOCI,
net of tax
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2013 (1)
 
85,710

 
$
83,027

 
140,294,092

 
$
1,464,896

 
$
1,155,697

 
$
(322,298
)
 
$
4,669

 
$
2,385,991

Net income (1)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
293,324

 
—

 
—

 
293,324

Other comprehensive loss
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,128
)
 
(35,128
)
Stock compensation costs
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,548

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,548

Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,522

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,522

Net activity of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements
 
—

 
—

 
(230,469
)
 
4,840

 
—

 
(14,989
)
 
—

 
(10,149
)
Preferred stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,428
)
 
—

 
—

 
(3,428
)
Common stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(83,315
)
 
—

 
—

 
(83,315
)
Conversion of Series A preferred stock into common stock
 
(85,710
)
 
(83,027
)
 
5,594,080

 
83,027

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Purchase of treasury stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan
 
—

 
—

 
(8,026,807
)
 
—

 
—

 
(199,992
)
 
—

 
(199,992
)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2013 (1)
 
—

 
$
—

 
137,630,896

 
$
1,571,833

 
$
1,362,278

 
$
(537,279
)
 
$
(30,459
)
 
$
2,366,373

Net income (1)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
345,878

 
—

 
—

 
345,878

Other comprehensive income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
34,696

 
34,696

Stock compensation costs
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,883

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,883

Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,513

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,513

Net activity of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements
 
—

 
—

 
368,240

 
7,803

 
—

 
(10,705
)
 
—

 
(2,902
)
Common stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(104,015
)
 
—

 
—

 
(104,015
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. (“MetroCorp”) acquisition
 
—

 
—

 
5,583,093

 
73,044

 
—

 
117,786

 
—

 
190,830

Warrant acquired pursuant to MetroCorp acquisition
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,855

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,855

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2014 (1)
 
—

 
$
—

 
143,582,229

 
$
1,677,931

 
$
1,604,141

 
$
(430,198
)
 
$
4,237

 
$
2,856,111

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
384,677

 
—

 
—

 
384,677

Other comprehensive loss
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(19,178
)
 
(19,178
)
Stock compensation costs
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,502

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,502

Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,291

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,291

Net activity of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements
 
—

 
—

 
327,004

 
3,735

 
—

 
(5,964
)
 
—

 
(2,229
)
Common stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(116,224
)
 
—

 
—

 
(116,224
)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2015
 
—

 
$
—

 
143,909,233

 
$
1,701,459

 
$
1,872,594

 
$
(436,162
)
 
$
(14,941
)
 
$
3,122,950

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.








See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

62


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
293,324

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization (1)
 
80,583

 
96,057

 
79,873

(Accretion) of discount and amortization of premiums, net
 
(63,770
)
 
(184,318
)
 
(245,665
)
Changes in FDIC indemnification asset and receivable/payable
 
37,980

 
201,417

 
228,585

Stock compensation costs
 
16,502

 
13,883

 
13,548

Deferred tax expenses (benefit)
 
261,214

 
(147,868
)
 
(42,836
)
Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
(3,291
)
 
(6,513
)
 
(5,522
)
Provision for credit losses
 
14,217

 
49,158

 
22,364

Net gains on sales of loans
 
(24,874
)
 
(39,132
)
 
(7,750
)
Net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities
 
(40,367
)
 
(10,851
)
 
(12,089
)
Net gains on sales of OREO and premises and equipment
 
(14,646
)
 
(14,056
)
 
(10,385
)
Originations and purchases of loans held for sale
 
(623
)
 
(92,475
)
 
(99,688
)
Proceeds from sales and paydowns/payoffs in loans held for sale
 
3,174

 
288,706

 
44,627

Repurchase agreements’ extinguishment costs
 
21,818

 
—

 
—

Net (payments to) proceeds from FDIC shared-loss agreements
 
(132,999
)
 
(1,343
)
 
55,826

Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets (1)
 
(86,643
)
 
(67,472
)
 
53,405

Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
16,785

 
(38,586
)
 
57,527

Other net operating activities
 
(113
)
 
413

 
701

Total adjustments (1)
 
84,947

 
47,020

 
132,521

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
469,624

 
392,898

 
425,845

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Acquisitions, net of cash paid
 
—

 
138,465

 
—

Net (increase) decrease in:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans receivable
 
(3,512,004
)
 
(3,396,728
)
 
(2,458,694
)
Short-term investments
 
30,140

 
(81,241
)
 
108,905

Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, tax credit and other investments
 
(95,074
)
 
(87,925
)
 
(42,149
)
Purchases of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Resale agreements
 
(1,675,000
)
 
(925,000
)
 
(450,000
)
Available-for-sale investment securities
 
(3,547,193
)
 
(960,135
)
 
(1,316,764
)
Loans receivable
 
(49,458
)
 
(20,783
)
 
(680,821
)
Premises and equipment
 
(6,555
)
 
(11,853
)
 
(88,108
)
Proceeds from sale of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
1,669,334


623,689


663,569

Loans receivable
 
1,722,665

 
856,434

 
370,171

OREO
 
41,050

 
70,936

 
64,312

Paydowns and maturities of resale agreements
 
1,050,000

 
800,000

 
600,000

Repayments, maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities
 
734,934

 
554,742

 
444,057

Redemption of FHLB stock
 
13,086

 
33,801

 
44,945

Surrender of life insurance policies
 
156

 
49,480

 
—

Other net investing activities
 
(3,962
)
 
(3,775
)
 
5,731

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(3,627,881
)
 
(2,359,893
)
 
(2,734,846
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net increase (decrease) in:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
 
3,492,603

 
2,277,007

 
2,103,564

Short-term borrowings
 
—

 
—

 
(20,000
)
Proceeds from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Increase in long-term borrowings
 
—

 
—

 
100,000

FHLB advances
 
700,000

 
—

 
—

Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock plans and agreements
 
2,835

 
6,794

 
3,054

Payments for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Repayment of FHLB advances
 
—

 
(10,000
)
 
—

Repayment of long-term debt
 
(20,000
)
 
(30,310
)
 
(10,310
)
Extinguishment of repurchase agreements
 
(566,818
)
 
(25,000
)
 
—

Repurchase of vested shares due to employee tax liability
 
(5,964
)
 
(10,326
)
 
(13,833
)
Repurchase of shares of treasury stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan
 
—

 
—

 
(199,992
)
Cash dividends
 
(115,641
)
 
(103,618
)
 
(86,290
)
Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
3,291

 
6,513

 
5,522

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
3,490,306

 
2,111,060

 
1,881,715

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(11,047
)
 
—

 
—

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
321,002

 
144,065

 
(427,286
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
 
1,039,885

 
895,820

 
1,323,106

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
 
$
1,360,887

 
$
1,039,885

 
$
895,820

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

63


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the year for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest
 
$
105,831

 
$
112,695

 
$
112,169

Income tax (refunds) payments
 
$
(18,601
)
 
$
321,177

 
$
142,980

Noncash investing and financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans transferred to loans held for sale, net
 
$
1,686,294

 
$
837,389

 
$
97,065

Transfers to OREO
 
$
9,296

 
$
47,547

 
$
43,989

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
83,027

Loans to facilitate sales of OREO
 
$
1,750

 
$
2,000

 
$
139

Issuance of common stock related to acquisition
 
$
—

 
$
190,830

 
$
—

 



















































See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

64


EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company”) is a registered bank holding company that offers a full range of banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses through its subsidiary bank, East West Bank and its subsidiaries (“East West Bank” or the “Bank”). The Bank is the Company’s principal asset. As of December 31, 2015, the Company operated over 130 locations worldwide, included in the United States markets of California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington. In Greater China, the Company’s presence includes five full-service branches in Hong Kong, two in Shanghai, including one in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shantou and Shenzhen, and five representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Taipei and Xiamen.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation — The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and general practices in the banking industry. To prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management must make estimates based on conditions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and income and expenses during the reporting period and the related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain items in the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.
  
The Company restated financial statements for prior periods to reflect the impact of the retrospective application of ASU 2014-01, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.
 
Principles of Consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of East West and its wholly owned subsidiaries, East West Bank and East West Insurance Services, Inc. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. East West also has six wholly-owned subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”), one of which was the result of the acquisition of MetroCorp during the three months ended March 31, 2014, as discussed in Note 2 — Business Combination to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, the Trusts are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in transit, cash due from other financial institutions, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and bank placements, with original maturities up to 90 days.

Short-Term Investments — Short-term investments include interest-bearing deposits in other banks and other short-term investments with original maturities greater than 90 days and less than one year.

Resale Agreements and Repurchase Agreements — Resale agreements are recorded at the balances at which the securities were acquired. The market values of the underlying securities collateralizing the related receivable of the resale agreements, including accrued interest, are monitored. Additional collateral may be requested by the Company from the counterparty when deemed appropriate. Repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the balances at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. Collateral accepted includes securities that are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Collateral pledged consists of securities that are not netted on the Consolidated Balance Sheets against the related collateralized liability. Collateral accepted or pledged in resale and repurchase agreements with other financial institutions may also be sold or re-pledged by the secured party but is usually delivered to and held by the third party trustees.

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities — The Company holds debt securities and marketable equity securities in its investment portfolio classified as available-for-sale investment securities and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, after applicable income taxes, are reported in AOCI. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on available-for-sale investment securities are recorded as yield adjustments on such securities using the effective interest method. The specific identification method is used for purposes of determining cost in computing realized gains and losses on investment securities sold.


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For each reporting period, all securities that are in an unrealized loss position are analyzed as part of the Company’s ongoing assessment of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). In determining whether an impairment is other than temporary, the Company considers the severity and duration of the decline in fair value, the length of time expected for recovery, the financial condition of the issuer, changes in the securities’ ratings and other qualitative factors, as well as whether the Company either plans to sell the security or it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost. If the impairment of the available-for-sale debt security is credit-related, an OTTI loss is recorded in earnings. For available-for-sale debt securities, the non-credit-related impairment loss is recognized in AOCI. If the Company intends to sell an available-for-sale debt security or believes it will be more-likely-than-not required to sell a security, the Company records the full amount of the impairment loss as an OTTI loss. Available-for-sale marketable equity securities are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses included in AOCI on an after-tax basis. If there is the other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of any individual available-for-sale marketable equity security, the cost basis is reduced and the Company reclassifies the associated net unrealized loss out of AOCI with a corresponding charge to the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Loans Held for Sale — Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market (“LOCOM”). When a determination is made at the time of commitment to originate loans as held-for-investment, it is the Company’s intent to hold these loans to maturity or for the “foreseeable future,” subject to periodic review under the Company’s management evaluation processes, including asset/liability management. When the Company subsequently changes its intent to hold certain loans, the loans would be transferred from the loans held-for-investment portfolio to the loans held for sale portfolio at LOCOM. Origination fees on loans held for sale, net of certain costs of processing and closing the loans, are deferred until the time of sale and are included in the computation of the gain or loss from the sale of the related loans. A valuation allowance is established if the fair value of such loans is lower than their cost, with a corresponding charge to noninterest income.
Loans Held-for-Investment — Loans receivable that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity, are stated at their outstanding principal, reduced by an allowance for loan losses and net of deferred loan fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan balances. The deferred net loan fees and costs are recognized in interest income as an adjustment to yield over the loan term using the effective interest method. Discounts or premiums on purchased loans are accreted or amortized to interest income using the effective interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Interest on loans is calculated using the simple-interest method on daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding. Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain, regardless of the length of past due status. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due or the full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain regardless of the length of past due status. Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrual is discontinued and all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against interest income. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are reflected as a reduction of principal and not as interest income. A loan is returned to accrual status when the borrower has demonstrated a satisfactory payment trend subject to management’s assessment of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
Troubled Debt Restructurings — A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a below-market change in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, extension of the maturity date with a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate or note splits referred to as A/B notes. In A/B note restructurings, the original note is bifurcated into two notes where the A note represents the portion of the modified original loan which allows for acceptable loan-to-value and debt coverage on the collateral and is expected to be collected in full and the B note represents the portion of the original loan where there is a shortfall in value and is fully charged off. The A/B note balance is comprised of the A note balance only. A notes are not disclosed as TDRs in subsequent years after the year of restructuring, if the restructuring agreement specifies an interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, the loan is not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement and has demonstrated a period of sustained performance under the modified terms.

TDRs may be designated as performing or nonperforming. A TDR may be designated as performing if the loan has demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms. The period of sustained performance may include the periods prior to modification, if prior performance has met or exceeded the modified terms. A loan will remain on nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance. TDRs are included in the impaired loan quarterly valuation allowance process. Please refer to Impaired Loans below for a complete discussion.


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Impaired Loans — The Company’s loans are grouped into heterogeneous and homogeneous (mostly consumer loans) categories. Classified loans in the heterogeneous category are identified and evaluated for impairment on an individual basis. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all scheduled payments of principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining and measuring loan impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for residential, commercial real estate (“CRE”) and commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, less costs to sell. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan and the loan is classified as nonperforming and uncollectible, the deficiency is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. If the loan is a performing TDR, the deficiency is included in the specific reserves of the allowance for loan losses, as appropriate. In general, consumer loans consist of homogeneous smaller balance loans and are collectively evaluated for impairment. The Company’s impaired loans predominantly include non-purchased credit impaired (“non-PCI”) loans held-for-investment on nonaccrual status and any non-PCI loans modified in a TDR, on both accrual and nonaccrual status.

Allowance for Credit Losses — The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded credit reserves. Unfunded credit reserves include reserves provided for unfunded lending commitments, unissued standby letters of credit and recourse obligations for loans sold. The allowance for loan losses is established as management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the Company’s lending activities. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by net charge-offs when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based on management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans.

The allowance for loan losses on non-PCI loans consists of specific reserves and general reserves. The Company’s non-PCI loans fall into heterogeneous and homogeneous categories. Impaired loans are subject to specific reserves. Loans in the homogeneous category, as well as non-impaired loans in the heterogeneous category, are evaluated as part of the general reserves. General reserves are calculated by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative factors. There are different qualitative risks for the loans in each portfolio segment. The residential and CRE segments’ predominant risk characteristics are the collateral and the geographic locations of the properties collateralizing the loans. The risk is qualitatively assessed based on the total real estate loan concentration in those geographic areas. The C&I segment’s predominant risk characteristics are the global cash flows of the borrowers and guarantors and economic and market conditions. Consumer loans are largely comprised of home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”) for which the predominant risk characteristic is the real estate collateral securing the loans.

The Company also maintains an allowance for loan losses on purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans when there is deterioration in credit quality subsequent to acquisition. Based on the Company’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected, the Company establishes an allowance for the PCI loans, with a charge to income through the provision for loan losses. 

When determined uncollectible, it is the Company’s policy to promptly charge off the difference in the outstanding loan balance and the fair value of the collateral or the discounted value of expected cash flows. Recoveries are recorded when payment is received on loans that were previously charged off through the allowance for loan losses. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one segment of the loan portfolio does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other segments.
 
The allowance for unfunded credit reserves is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for loan losses is reported separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, whereas the allowance for unfunded credit reserves is reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The provision for credit losses is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.


67


PCI Loans — Acquired loans, in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, are recorded at fair value as of acquisition date. A purchased loan is deemed to be credit impaired when there is evidence of credit deterioration since its origination and it is probable at the acquisition date that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments and is accounted for under ASC 310-30, Receivables — Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Under 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.

The amount of expected cash flows over the initial investment in the loan represents the “accretable yield,” which is recognized as interest income on a level yield basis over the life of the loan. The excess of total contractual cash flows over the cash flows expected to be received at origination is deemed the “nonaccretable difference.” In estimating the nonaccretable difference, the Company (a) calculates the contractual amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted contractual cash flows”) and (b) estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted expected cash flows”). The difference between the undiscounted contractual cash flows and the undiscounted expected cash flows is the nonaccretable difference. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in expected cash flows over those expected at purchase date in excess of fair value that are significant and probable are adjusted through the accretable yield on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows over those expected at purchase date that are probable 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.
Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net — The Company records its investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net using the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense. The Company records investments in tax credit and other investments, net, using either the equity method or cost method of accounting. Investments that are recorded using the cost method are being amortized over the life of the related tax credits. The tax credits are recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements to the extent they are utilized on the Company’s income tax returns. The investments are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis, if an event occurs that would trigger potential impairment.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, as a result of various past acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized and is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Premiums on deposits, which represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed in acquisitions, are amortized over the projected useful lives of the deposits, which is typically 7 to 15 years. Core deposit intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment on goodwill and premiums on deposits is recognized by writing down the asset to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value.
 
Premises and Equipment, net — The Company’s premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. The ranges of useful lives for the principal classes of assets are as follows:
 
 
Buildings and building improvements
25 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 to 7 years
Leasehold improvements
Term of lease or useful life, whichever is shorter
 
 
 
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired when the expected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life are less than the net book value. When impairment is indicated for an asset, the amount of impairment loss is the excess of the net book value over its fair value.
 

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Long-Term Debt — Long-term debt consists of junior subordinated debt and a term loan. The Company is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trusts, and third parties hold the fixed and variable rate capital 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 reporting purposes. Although trust preferred securities still qualify as of December 31, 2015 as Tier I and Tier II capital for regulatory purposes (at adjusted percentages of 25% and 75% respectively), they will be limited to Tier II capital beginning in 2016 per the relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The Trusts are not consolidated by the Company. Junior subordinated debt represents liabilities of the Company to the Trusts and is included in long-term debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Income Taxes — Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to tax positions as part of its provision for income taxes.
 
Stock-Based Compensation — The Company issues stock-based compensation to certain employees, officers, and directors. The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees, officers, and directors in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505, Equity, and ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period.

The Company grants nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which include a service condition for vesting. Additionally, some of the Company’s RSAs and RSUs include a company financial performance requirement for vesting. The stock option awards vest between three to four years from the grant date. RSAs vest ratably over three years, cliff vest after three years, or vest at a rate of 50% each at the fourth and fifth year of continued employment from the date of the grant. RSUs vest ratably over three years or cliff vest after three or five years of continued employment from the date of the 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.

The fair values of stock options are estimated based on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For time-based RSAs and RSUs, the grant-date fair value is measured at the fair value of the Company’s common stock as if the RSA or RSU are vested and issued on the date of grant. For performance based RSAs and RSUs, the grant date fair value considers the performance conditions. As stock-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 are reviewed annually for reasonableness. If the estimated forfeitures are revised, a cumulative effect of a change in estimated forfeitures for current and prior periods is recognized in compensation expense in the period of change.
 
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) — The Company applies the two-class method in computing EPS. The Company’s restricted stock, which receives dividends as declared, qualifies as participating securities. RSUs granted by the Company are not considered participating securities, as they do not have dividend distribution rights during the vesting period. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income, net of income allocated to participating securities, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. The computation of diluted EPS reflects the additional dilutive effect of common stock equivalents such as RSUs, stock options and warrants.
 
Derivatives — As part of the asset and liability management strategy, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks. Derivatives utilized by the Company include swaps, forwards and option contracts. All derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Company uses accounting hedges as either fair value hedges or hedges of net investments in certain foreign operations. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recorded as earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives used as hedges of the net investments in foreign operations, to the extent effective, are recorded as a component of AOCI. The Company’s interest rate swaps on certain certificates of deposit qualify for hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company also uses derivatives to hedge certain net investments in foreign operations.


69


To qualify as an accounting hedge under the hedge accounting rules (versus an economic hedge where hedge accounting is not sought), a derivative must be highly effective in offsetting the risk designated as being hedged. The Company formally documents its hedge relationships at inception, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction at the time the derivative contract is executed. This includes designating the derivative contract as a “fair value hedge” which is a hedge of a recognized asset or liability.  All derivatives designated as fair value hedges are linked to specific hedged items or to groups of specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.  Both at inception and quarterly thereafter, the Company assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Retroactive effectiveness is also assessed, as well as the continued expectation that the hedge will remain effective prospectively.  Any ineffective portion of the changes of fair value hedges is reported in earnings.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (i) a derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value, (ii) a derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or (iii) the Company determines that designation of a derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. If a fair value hedge derivative instrument is terminated or the hedge designation is removed, the previous adjustments to the carrying amount of the hedged liability would be subsequently accounted for in the same manner as other components of the carrying amount of that liability. For interest-bearing liabilities, such adjustments would be amortized into earnings over the remaining life of the respective liability. When the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reclassified out of AOCI into earnings.

The Company also offers various derivative products to clients and enters into derivative transactions in due course. These transactions are not linked to specific Company assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets or to forecasted transactions in a hedge relationship and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting. The contracts are marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period with changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Fair Value — Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and, in many cases, requires management to make a number of significant judgments. Based on the observable inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company classifies its assets and liabilities measured and disclosed at fair value in accordance with a three-level hierarchy (e.g., Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3) established under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The Company records certain financial instruments such as available-for-sale investment securities, derivative assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain financial statement line items such as impaired loans, loan held for sale, and OREO are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value measurements generally involve assets that are periodically evaluated for impairment.

Foreign Currency Translation — The Company revalues assets, liabilities, revenue and expense denominated in non-U.S. currencies into U.S. Dollars (“USD”) using applicable exchange rates. Gains and losses relating to nonfunctional currency transactions, including non-U.S. operations where the functional currency is USD, are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s foreign subsidiary in China — East West Bank (China) Limited, changed its functional currency from USD to Renminbi (“RMB”). The assets, liabilities of the Company’s China foreign subsidiary are translated, for consolidation purposes, from RMB to the USD reporting currency at period-end rates and generally at average rates for results of operations. Gains and losses relating to translating the RMB functional currency financial statements for U.S reporting are recorded in the Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment account within AOCI in stockholders’ equity, along with any related hedged effects.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS ADOPTED
 
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. ASU 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization expense in the income statement as a component of income tax expense.  The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015 with retrospective application to all periods presented. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding this adoption.


70


In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Receivables — Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. ASU 2014-04 clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs that would require a transfer of mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate properties to OREO. The guidance also requires disclosure of the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and the recorded investment in residential real estate mortgage loans that are in the process of foreclosure. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015 with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, as this guidance was consistent with the Company’s prior practice. Please see Note 8 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding this adoption.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new guidance replaces existing revenue recognition guidance for contracts to provide goods or services to customers and amends existing guidance related to recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain nonfinancial assets such as real estate.  ASU 2014-09 establishes a principles-based approach to recognizing revenue that applies to all contracts other than those covered by other authoritative U.S. GAAP guidance. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are also required.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is applied on either a modified retrospective or full retrospective basis. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance and reduce the number of consolidation models. The Company may either apply the amendments retrospectively or use a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The Company should apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods. ASU 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted if the guidance is applied as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. This new guidance will not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. ASU 2015-05 amends ASC 350-40 and requires the Company to determine whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license. If the arrangement contains a software license, the Company should account for the fees related to the software license element consistent with how the acquisitions of other software licenses are accounted for under ASC 350-40. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, the Company should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company may either apply the new guidance prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date, or retrospectively. ASU 2015-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.


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NOTE 2 — BUSINESS COMBINATION
 
On January 17, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of MetroCorp, parent of MetroBank, N.A. and Metro United Bank. MetroCorp was headquartered in Houston, Texas and previously operated 19 branch locations within Texas and California under its two banks. The Company acquired MetroCorp to further expand its presence, primarily in Texas, within the markets of Houston and Dallas, and in California, within the San Diego market. The purchase consideration was satisfied with two thirds in East West common stock and one third in cash. The fair value of the consideration transferred in the acquisition of MetroCorp was $291.4 million, which consisted of 5,583,093 shares of East West common stock fair valued at $190.8 million at the date of acquisition and $89.4 million in cash, $2.4 million of additional cash to MetroCorp stock option holders and a MetroCorp warrant, fair valued at $8.8 million, assumed by the Company.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. At the acquisition date, the Company recorded total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of $1.70 billion and $1.41 billion, respectively. The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the January 17, 2014 acquisition date. Goodwill from the acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company recorded $121.0 million of goodwill on the acquisition date. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded additional tax and bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) adjustments of $10.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, related to the MetroCorp acquisition, increasing goodwill to $132.0 million.    


NOTE 3 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market and income approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy noted below is based on the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency. The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities is classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 
•
Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
•
Level 2 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable and can be corroborated by market data.
•
Level 3 — Valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs for determining the fair value of assets or liabilities.  These significant unobservable inputs reflect assumptions that market participants may use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

In determining the appropriate hierarchy levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to fair value disclosure. These assets and liabilities are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company’s assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurements.


72


The following tables present both financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2015
($ in thousands)
 
Fair Value Measurements December 31, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
998,515

 
$
998,515

 
$
—

 
$
—

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
768,849

 
—

 
768,849

 
—

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
351,662

 
—

 
351,662

 
—

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
997,396

 
—

 
997,396

 
—

Municipal securities
 
175,649

 
—

 
175,649

 
—

Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
62,393

 
—

 
62,393

 
—

Corporate debt securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
364,713

 
—

 
364,713

 
—

Non-investment grade
 
9,642

 
—

 
9,642

 
—

Other securities
 
44,407

 
35,635

 
8,772

 
—

Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
3,773,226

 
$
1,034,150

 
$
2,739,076

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$
2,365

 
$
—

 
$
2,365

 
$
—

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
$
67,215

 
$
—

 
$
67,215

 
$
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
10,254

 
$
—

 
$
10,254

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps on certificates of deposit
 
$
(5,213
)
 
$
—

 
$
(5,213
)
 
$
—

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
$
(67,325
)
 
$
—

 
$
(67,325
)
 
$
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(9,350
)
 
$
—

 
$
(9,350
)
 
$
—

Credit risk participation agreements (“RPA”)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
—

 
$
(4
)
 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

73


 
 
 
Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2014
($ In thousands)
 
Fair Value Measurements December 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
873,435

 
$
873,435

 
$
—

 
$
—

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
311,024

 
—

 
311,024

 
—

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
141,420

 
—

 
141,420

 
—

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
791,088

 
—

 
791,088

 
—

Municipal securities
 
250,448

 
—

 
250,448

 
—

Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
53,918

 
—

 
53,918

 
—

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
34,053

 
—

 
34,053

 
—

Corporate debt securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
115,182

 
—

 
115,182

 
—

Non-investment grade
 
14,681

 
—

 
8,153

 
6,528

Other securities
 
41,368

 
32,357

 
9,011

 
—

Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
2,626,617

 
$
905,792

 
$
1,714,297

 
$
6,528

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
$
6,136

 
$
—

 
$
6,136

 
$
—

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
$
41,534

 
$
—

 
$
41,534

 
$
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
8,118

 
$
—

 
$
8,118

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps on certificates of deposit
 
$
(9,922
)
 
$
—

 
$
(9,922
)
 
$
—

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
$
(41,779
)
 
$
—

 
$
(41,779
)
 
$
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(9,163
)
 
$
—

 
$
(9,163
)
 
$
—

Embedded derivative liabilities
 
$
(3,392
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(3,392
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


74


At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.  The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for major asset and liability categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Corporate Debt
Securities:
Non-Investment Grade
 
Embedded Derivative 
Liabilities
 
Corporate Debt
Securities:
Non-Investment Grade
 
Embedded Derivative 
Liabilities
 
Corporate Debt
Securities:
Non-Investment Grade
 
Embedded Derivative 
Liabilities
Beginning balance
 
$
6,528

 
$
(3,392
)
 
$
6,371

 
$
(3,655
)
 
$
4,800

 
$
(3,052
)
Total gains (losses) for the period:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings (1)
 
960

 
(20
)
 
802

 
263

 
—

 
(603
)
Included in other comprehensive (loss) income (2)
 
922

 
—

 
2,326

 
—

 
1,653

 
—

Purchases, issues, sales, settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchases
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Issues
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales
 
(7,219
)
 
—

 
(2,595
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlements
 
(98
)
 
3,412

 
(376
)
 
—

 
(82
)
 
—

Transfer from investment grade to non-investment grade
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
 
(1,093
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending balance
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,528

 
$
(3,392
)
 
$
6,371

 
$
(3,655
)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings relating to assets and liabilities held for the period
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
263

 
$
—

 
$
(603
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Net gains or losses (realized and unrealized) of corporate debt securities and embedded derivative liabilities are included in net gains on sales of investment securities and other operating expense, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investment securities are reported in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Transfers into or out of fair value hierarchy classifications are made if the significant inputs used in the financial models measuring the fair values of the assets and liabilities became unobservable or observable in the current marketplace. The Company’s policy, with respect to transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, is to recognize transfers into and out of each level as of the end of the reporting period. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company transferred $1.1 million of assets measured on a recurring basis out of Level 3 into Level 2 due to increased market liquidity and price observability on certain pooled trust preferred securities. There were no transfers of assets measured on a recurring basis in and out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The following table presents quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2014 :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Fair Value
Measurements
(Level 3)
 
Valuation
 Technique(s)
 
Unobservable Input(s)
 
Range of Inputs
 
Weighted
Average
Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities:
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-investment grade
 
$
6,528

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
0.00% - 1.00%
 
0.73%
 
 
 

 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
0.75% - 1.20%
 
0.87%
 
 
 

 
 
 
Loss severity
 
85.00%
 
85.00%
 
 
 

 
 
 
Discount margin
 
4.50% - 7.50%
 
6.94%
Embedded derivative liabilities
 
$
(3,392
)
 
Discounted cash flow
 
Credit risk
 
0.12% - 0.14%
 
0.13%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include certain non-PCI impaired loans, OREO, and loans held for sale.  These fair value adjustments result from impairments recognized during the period on certain non-PCI impaired loans, application of fair value less cost to sell on OREO and application of LOCOM valuation on loans held for sale.


75


The following tables present the carrying amounts of all assets that were still held as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 for which a nonrecurring fair value measurement was recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
as of December 31, 2015
(S in thousands)
 
Fair Value
Measurements
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Non-PCI impaired loans:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE
 
$
17,252

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
17,252

C&I
 
35,558

 
—

 
—

 
35,558

Residential
 
16,472

 
—

 
—

 
16,472

Consumer
 
1,180

 
—

 
—

 
1,180

Total non-PCI impaired loans
 
$
70,462

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
70,462

OREO
 
$
4,929

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
4,929

Loans held for sale
 
$
29,238

 
$
—

 
$
29,238

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
as of December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)
 
Fair Value
Measurements
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Non-PCI impaired loans:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE
 
$
26,089

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
26,089

C&I
 
16,581

 
—

 
—

 
16,581

Residential
 
25,034

 
—

 
—

 
25,034

Consumer
 
107

 
—

 
—

 
107

Total non-PCI impaired loans
 
$
67,811

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
67,811

OREO
 
$
17,521

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
17,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table presents fair value adjustments of certain assets measured on a nonrecurring basis recognized for the years ended and still held as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Non-PCI impaired loans:
 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE
 
$
(2,747
)
 
$
2,196

 
$
(4,250
)
C&I
 
(5,612
)
 
(9,169
)
 
(13,135
)
Residential
 
(611
)
 
(61
)
 
(1,378
)
Consumer
 
(59
)
 
(1
)
 
(112
)
Total non-PCI impaired loans
 
$
(9,029
)
 
$
(7,035
)
 
$
(18,875
)
OREO
 
$
(233
)
 
$
(2,600
)
 
$
(4,814
)
Loans held for sale
 
$
(1,991
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


76


The following table presents quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of assets measured on a nonrecurring basis classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Fair Value
Measurements
(Level 3)
 
Valuation
Technique(s)
 
Unobservable
Input(s)
 
Range of Inputs
 
Weighted 
Average
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI impaired loans
 
$
27,522

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0% - 87%
 
30%
 
 
$
42,940

 
Market comparables
 
Discount rate (1)
 
0% - 100%
 
17%
OREO
 
$
4,929

 
Appraisal
 
Selling cost
 
8%
 
8%
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI impaired loans
 
$
11,499

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
0% - 81%
 
49%
 
 
$
56,312

 
Market comparables
 
Discount rate (1)
 
0% - 100%
 
4%
OREO
 
$
17,521

 
Appraisal
 
Selling cost
 
8%
 
8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Discount rate is adjusted for factors such as liquidation cost of collateral and selling cost.

The following tables present the carrying and fair values per the fair value hierarchy of certain financial instruments, excluding those measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,360,887

 
$
1,360,887

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,360,887

Short-term investments
 
$
299,916

 
$
—

 
$
299,916

 
$
—

 
$
299,916

Resale agreements (1)
 
$
1,600,000

 
$
—

 
$
1,533,961

 
$
—

 
$
1,533,961

Loans held for sale
 
$
31,958

 
$
—

 
$
31,958

 
$
—

 
$
31,958

Loans receivable, net
 
$
23,378,789

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
23,000,817

 
$
23,000,817

Investment in FHLB stock
 
$
28,770

 
$
—

 
$
28,770

 
$
—

 
$
28,770

Investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock
 
$
54,932

 
$
—

 
$
54,932

 
$
—

 
$
54,932

Accrued interest receivable
 
$
89,243

 
$
—

 
$
89,243

 
$
—

 
$
89,243

Financial liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Customer deposit accounts:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Demand, savings and money market deposits
 
$
20,859,086

 
$
—

 
$
20,859,086

 
$
—

 
$
20,859,086

Time deposits
 
$
6,616,895

 
$
—

 
$
6,606,942

 
$
—

 
$
6,606,942

FHLB advances
 
$
1,019,424

 
$
—

 
$
1,032,000

 
$
—

 
$
1,032,000

Accrued interest payable
 
$
8,848

 
$
—

 
$
8,848

 
$
—

 
$
8,848

Long-term debt
 
$
206,084

 
$
—

 
$
186,593

 
$
—

 
$
186,593

 
(1)
Resale and repurchase agreements are reported net pursuant to ASC 210-20-45, Balance Sheet Offsetting. As of December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of $450.0 million of repurchase agreements was eligible for netting against resale agreements, resulting in no repurchase agreements’ balances reported.


77


 
 
 
December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,039,885

 
$
1,039,885

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,039,885

Short-term investments
 
$
338,714

 
$
—

 
$
338,714

 
$
—

 
$
338,714

Resale agreements (1)
 
$
1,225,000

 
$
—

 
$
1,191,060

 
$
—

 
$
1,191,060

Loans held for sale
 
$
45,950

 
$
—

 
$
45,950

 
$
—

 
$
45,950

Loans receivable, net
 
$
21,468,270

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
20,997,379

 
$
20,997,379

Investment in FHLB stock
 
$
31,239

 
$
—

 
$
31,239

 
$
—

 
$
31,239

Investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock
 
$
54,451

 
$
—

 
$
54,451

 
$
—

 
$
54,451

Accrued interest receivable
 
$
88,303

 
$
—

 
$
88,303

 
$
—

 
$
88,303

Financial liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Customer deposit accounts:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Demand, savings and money market deposits
 
$
17,896,035

 
$
—

 
$
17,896,035

 
$
—

 
$
17,896,035

Time deposits
 
$
6,112,739

 
$
—

 
$
6,095,217

 
$
—

 
$
6,095,217

FHLB advances
 
$
317,241

 
$
—

 
$
336,302

 
$
—

 
$
336,302

Repurchase agreements (1)
 
$
795,000

 
$
—

 
$
870,434

 
$
—

 
$
870,434

Accrued interest payable
 
$
11,303

 
$
—

 
$
11,303

 
$
—

 
$
11,303

Long-term debt
 
$
225,848

 
$
—

 
$
205,777

 
$
—

 
$
205,777

 
(1)
Resale and repurchase agreements are reported net pursuant to ASC 210-20-45, Balance Sheet Offsetting. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of $200.0 million out of $995.0 million of repurchase agreements was eligible for netting against resale agreements.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies and significant assumptions used to measure financial assets and liabilities at fair value and to estimate fair value for certain financial instruments not recorded at fair value. The description also includes the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. As such, the estimated fair value is classified as Level 1.
 
Short-Term Investments — The fair value of short-term investments generally approximates their book value due to their short maturities.  In addition, due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
Resale Agreements —  The fair value of resale agreements is estimated by discounting the cash flows based on expected maturities or repricing dates utilizing estimated market discount rates.  In addition, due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
Available-for-Sale Investment Securities — When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities; such items are classified as Level 1.  Level 1 available-for-sale investment securities mainly include U.S. Treasury securities.  The fair values of other available-for-sale investment securities are generally determined by independent external pricing service providers who have experience in valuing these securities or by the average of quoted market prices obtained from independent external brokers. In obtaining such valuation information from third parties, the Company has reviewed the methodologies used to develop the resulting fair values.  The available-for-sale investment securities valued using such methods are classified as Level 2.
 
Loans Held for Sale — The Company’s loans held for sale are carried at the LOCOM. These loans are comprised of student loans.  The fair value of loans held for sale is derived from current market prices and comparative current sales. As such, the Company records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2.
 

78


Non-PCI Impaired Loans — The Company evaluates non-PCI impaired loans on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value of non-PCI impaired loans is measured using the market comparables technique. For CRE loans and C&I loans, the fair value is based on each loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. The fair value of collateral is based on third party appraisals or evaluations which are reviewed by the Company’s appraisal department. All appraisals include an “as is” market value without conditions as of the effective date of the appraisal. Updated appraisals and evaluations are generally obtained within the last 12 months. For certain impaired loans, the Company utilizes the discounted cash flow approach and applies a discount rate derived from historical data. For impaired loans with an unpaid balance below a certain threshold, the Company applies historical loss rates to derive the fair value. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of non-PCI impaired loans are discount rates applied based on the liquidation cost of collateral and selling cost. On a quarterly basis, all nonperforming assets are reviewed to assess whether the current carrying value is supported by the collateral or cash flow and to ensure that the current carrying value is appropriate. Non-PCI impaired loans are classified as Level 3.
 
Loans Receivable, Net — The fair value of loans is determined based on a discounted cash flow approach considered for an exit price value. The discount rate is derived from the associated yield curve plus spreads, and reflects the offering rates in the market for loans with similar financial characteristics. No adjustments have been made for changes in credit within any of the loan portfolios. It is management’s opinion that the allowance for loan losses pertaining to performing and nonperforming loans results in a fair value valuation of credit for such loans. Due to the unobservable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 3.
 
OREO — The Company’s OREO represents properties acquired through foreclosure or through full or partial satisfaction of loans receivable, which are recorded at estimated fair value less the cost to sell at the time of foreclosure and at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less the cost to sell subsequent to acquisition. The fair values of OREO properties are based on third party appraisals, broker price opinions or accepted written offers. Refer to the Non-PCI Impaired Loans section above for a detailed discussion on the Company’s policies and procedures related to appraisals and evaluations. On a monthly basis, the current fair market value of each OREO property is reviewed to ensure that the current carrying value is appropriate. The Company uses the market comparables valuation technique to measure the fair value of OREO properties. The significant unobservable input used is the selling cost. OREO properties are classified as Level 3.

Investment in FHLB Stock and Federal Reserve Bank Stock — The carrying amounts of the Company’s investments in FHLB Stock and Federal Reserve Bank Stock approximate fair value. The valuation of these investments is classified as Level 2. Ownership of these securities is restricted to member banks and the securities do not have a readily determinable fair value.  Purchases and sales of these securities are at par value.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable — The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
Foreign Exchange Options — The Company entered into foreign exchange option contracts with major investment firms in 2010. The settlement amount is determined based upon the performance of the RMB relative to the USD over the five year term of the contracts. The performance amount is computed based on the average quarterly value of the RMB compared to the USD as compared to the initial value. The fair value of these derivative contracts is provided by third parties and is determined based on the change in the RMB and the volatility of the option over the life of the agreement. The option value is derived based on the volatility of the option, interest rate, currency rate and time remaining to maturity. The Company’s consideration of the counterparty’s credit risk resulted in a nominal adjustment to the valuation of the foreign exchange options. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the fair value of these derivative contracts, the valuation of the option contracts is classified as Level 2.


79


Interest Rate Swaps and Caps — The Company enters into interest rate swap and cap contracts with institutional counterparties to hedge against interest rate swap and cap products offered to bank customers. These products allow borrowers to lock in attractive intermediate and long-term interest rates by entering into an interest rate swap or cap contract with the Company, resulting in the customer obtaining a synthetic fixed rate loan. The Company also enters into interest rate swap contracts with institutional counterparties to hedge against certificates of deposit issued. This product allows the Company to lock in attractive floating rate funding. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments).  The variable cash receipts (or payments) are based on the expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observed market interest rate curves. The fair value of interest rate options is determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates fell below (rise above) the strike rate of the floors (caps).  The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the floor (cap) are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. In addition, to comply with the provisions of ASC 820, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of its derivatives. The credit valuation adjustments associated with the Company’s derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, model-derived credit spreads. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of these interest rate contracts’ positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivative portfolios. As a result, the Company classifies these derivative valuations in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy due to the observable nature of the significant inputs utilized.
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts — The Company enters into short-term foreign exchange contracts to purchase/sell foreign currencies at set rates in the future.  These contracts economically hedge against foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The Company also enters into contracts with institutional counterparties to hedge against foreign exchange products offered to bank customers.  These products allow customers to hedge the foreign exchange risk of their deposits and loans denominated in foreign currencies.  The Company assumes minimal foreign exchange rate risk as the contract with the customer and the institutional party mirrors each other.  The fair value is determined at each reporting period based on changes in the foreign exchange rate.  These are over the counter contracts where quoted market prices are not readily available.  Valuation is measured using conventional valuation methodologies with observable market data.  Valuation depends on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying rate, contractual terms including period of maturity, price or index upon which the derivative’s value is based. Key inputs include foreign exchange rates (spot and/or forward rates), volatility of currencies, and the correlation of such inputs. The counterparties’ credit risks are considered nominal and resulted in no adjustments to the valuation of the foreign exchange contracts. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the fair value of these contracts, the valuation of foreign contracts is classified as Level 2.
 
Customer Deposits — The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as demand deposits, interest checking, savings, and money market deposits, approximates the carrying amount as the amounts are payable on demand at the measurement date. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2. For time deposits, the fair value is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using current market rates for instruments with similar maturities. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, time deposits are classified as Level 2.

FHLB Advances — The fair value of FHLB advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, using rates currently offered by the FHLB of San Francisco for advances with similar remaining maturities at each reporting date. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.

Repurchase Agreements — The fair value of the repurchase agreements was calculated by discounting future cash flows based on expected maturities or repricing dates, utilizing estimated market discount rates and taking into consideration the call features of each instrument. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
Accrued Interest Payable — The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
Long-Term Debt — The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting the cash flows through maturity based on current market rates the Company would pay for new issuances. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, long-term debt is classified as Level 2.
 

80


Embedded Derivative Liabilities — Under ASC 815, a certificate of deposit that pays interest based on changes in foreign exchange rates is a hybrid instrument with an embedded derivative that must be accounted for separately from the host contract (i.e., the certificate of deposit). The Company issues certain certificates of deposit that have a term of five years and pay interest based on the performance of the RMB relative to the USD. The fair value of these embedded derivatives is based on the discounted cash flow approach.  The liabilities are divided between the portion under FDIC insurance coverage and the non-insured portion.  For the FDIC insured portion, the Company applied a risk premium comparable to an agency security risk premium. For the non-insured portion, the Company considered its own credit risk in determining the valuation by applying a risk premium based on the Company’s institutional credit rating.  Total credit valuation adjustments were considered nominal to the valuation of embedded derivative liabilities. Increases (decreases), if any, of those inputs in isolation would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement.  The valuation of the embedded derivative liabilities falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, since the significant inputs used in deriving the fair value of these derivative contracts are not directly observable. 

Foreign currency forward contracts — The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its net investment in East West Bank (China) Limited, a non-USD functional currency subsidiary in China. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is valued by comparing the contracted foreign exchange rate to the current market exchange rate. Inputs include spot rates, forward rates, and the interest rate curve of the domestic and foreign currency. Interest rate forward curves are used to determine which forward rate pertains to a specific maturity. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
 
RPA — The Company enters into RPAs, under which the Company assumes its pro-rata share of the credit exposure associated with the borrower’s performance related to interest rate derivative contracts. The fair value of RPAs is calculated by determining the total expected liability exposure of the derivatives to the borrowers and applying the borrower’s credit spread to that exposure. Total expected exposure incorporates both the current and potential future exposure of the derivatives, derived from using observable inputs, such as yield curves and volatilities. The credit spreads of the borrowers used in the calculation are estimated by the Company based on current market conditions, including consideration of current borrowing spreads for similar customers and transactions, review of existing collateralization or other credit enhancements, and changes in credit sector and entity-specific credit information. The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value RPAs fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of each reporting date. Although the Company is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date, and therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.



81


NOTE 4 — CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
  
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and bank placements, with original maturities up to 90 days. The following table presents the composition of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash and amounts due from banks
 
$
1,177,889

 
$
944,118

Cash equivalents:
 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
 
68,000

 
—

Bank placements
 
114,998

 
95,767

Total cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,360,887

 
$
1,039,885

 
 
Short-term investments include interest-bearing deposits in other banks and bank placements, with original maturities greater than 90 days and less than one year. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, short-term investments totaled $299.9 million and $338.7 million, respectively. Included in short-term investments were interest-bearing deposits in other banks of $160.9 million and $50.2 million, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE 5
—
SECURITIES PURCHASED UNDER RESALE AGREEMENTS AND SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Resale Agreements

Resale agreements are recorded at the balances at which the securities were acquired. The market values of the underlying securities collateralizing the related receivable of the resale agreements, including accrued interest, are monitored. Additional collateral may be requested by the Company from the counterparty when deemed appropriate. Gross resale agreements were $2.05 billion and $1.43 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average interest rates were 1.61% and 1.55% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, total gross resale agreements that are maturing in the next five years are as follows: 2016 — $950.0 million; 2017 and 2018 — $50.0 million each; 2019 — $0.0 million; 2020 — $100.0 million and thereafter — $900.0 million.
 
Repurchase Agreements

Long-term repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the balances at which the securities were sold. The collateral for these agreements are primarily comprised of U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt and mortgage-backed securities. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. Gross repurchase agreements were $450.0 million and $995.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average interest rates were 2.60% and 3.70% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded $21.8 million of charges related to the extinguishment of $545.0 million of repurchase agreements for the year ended December 31, 2015. In comparison, there was no extinguishment charge recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2015, total gross repurchase agreements that are maturing in the next five years are as follows: 2016 through 2020 — $0.0 million and thereafter — $450.0 million.


82


Balance Sheet Offsetting
 
The Company’s resale and repurchase agreements are transacted under legally enforceable master repurchase agreements that provide the Company, in the event of default by the counterparty, the right to liquidate securities held and to offset receivables and payables with the same counterparty. The Company nets resale and repurchase transactions with the same counterparty on the Consolidated Balance Sheets when it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement and the transactions are eligible for netting under ASC 210-20-45. Collateral accepted includes securities that are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Collateral pledged consists of securities that are not netted on the Consolidated Balance Sheets against the related collateralized liability. Collateral accepted or pledged in resale and repurchase agreements with other financial institutions may also be sold or re-pledged by the secured party, but is usually delivered to and held by the third party trustees. The collateral amounts received/posted are limited for presentation purposes to the related recognized asset/liability balance for each counterparty, and accordingly, do not include excess collateral received/pledged. The following tables present resale and repurchase agreements included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2015


Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Assets




Financial
Instruments


Collateral
Received


Net Amount
Resale agreements

$
2,050,000


$
(450,000
)

$
1,600,000


$
—



$
(1,593,503
)
(1) 

$
6,497

 














 

Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Liabilities




Financial
Instruments


Collateral 
Posted


Net Amount
Repurchase agreements

$
450,000


$
(450,000
)

$
—


$
—



$
—

(2) 

$
—

 
 
($ In thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets
 
Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
Financial
Instruments
 
 
Collateral
Received
 
 
Net Amount
Resale agreements
 
$
1,425,000

 
$
(200,000
)
 
$
1,225,000

 
$
(425,000
)
(3) 
 
$
(797,172
)
(1) 
 
$
2,828

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Financial
Instruments
 
 
Collateral 
Posted
 
 
Net Amount
Repurchase agreements
 
$
995,000

 
$
(200,000
)
 
$
795,000

 
$
(425,000
)
(3) 
 
$
(370,000
)
(2) 
 
$
—

 
(1)
Represents the fair value of securities the Company has received under resale agreements, limited for table presentation purposes to the amount of the recognized asset due from each counterparty.
(2)
Represents the fair value of securities the Company has pledged under repurchase agreements, limited for table presentation purposes to the amount of the recognized liability owed to each counterparty.
(3)
Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not permitted to be offset under ASC 210-20-45 but would be eligible for offsetting to the extent an event of default has occurred.

In addition to the amounts included in the table above, the Company also has balance sheet netting related to derivatives, refer to Note 7 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



83


NOTE 6 — AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
The following table presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by major categories of available-for-sale investment securities:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
As of December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
1,002,874

 
$
33

 
$
(4,392
)
 
$
998,515

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
771,288

 
555

 
(2,994
)
 
768,849

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
354,418

 
268

 
(3,024
)
 
351,662

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
996,255

 
7,542

 
(6,401
)
 
997,396

Municipal securities
 
173,785

 
2,657

 
(793
)
 
175,649

Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment grade (1)
 
62,133

 
433

 
(173
)
 
62,393

Corporate debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment grade (1)
 
366,921

 
132

 
(2,340
)
 
364,713

Non-investment grade (1)
 
11,491

 
—

 
(1,849
)
 
9,642

Other securities
 
44,664

 
124

 
(381
)
 
44,407

Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
3,783,829

 
$
11,744

 
$
(22,347
)
 
$
3,773,226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
873,101

 
$
1,971

 
$
(1,637
)
 
$
873,435

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
311,927

 
490

 
(1,393
)
 
311,024

U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
140,957

 
1,056

 
(593
)
 
141,420

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
785,412

 
9,754

 
(4,078
)
 
791,088

Municipal securities
 
245,408

 
6,202

 
(1,162
)
 
250,448

Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment grade (1)
 
52,694

 
1,359

 
(135
)
 
53,918

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment grade (1)
 
34,000

 
53

 
—

 
34,053

Corporate debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investment grade (1)
 
116,236

 
—

 
(1,054
)
 
115,182

Non-investment grade (1)
 
17,881

 
—

 
(3,200
)
 
14,681

Other securities
 
41,691

 
393

 
(716
)
 
41,368

Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
2,619,307

 
$
21,278

 
$
(13,968
)
 
$
2,626,617

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Available-for-sale investment securities rated BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody are considered investment grade.  Conversely, available-for-sale investment securities rated lower than BBB- by S&P or lower than Baa3 by Moody’s are considered non-investment grade.


84


Unrealized Losses

The following table presents the Company’s investment portfolio’s gross unrealized losses and related fair values, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
As of December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
907,400

 
$
(4,250
)
 
$
20,282

 
$
(142
)
 
$
927,682

 
$
(4,392
)
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
541,385

 
(2,994
)
 
—

 
—

 
541,385

 
(2,994
)
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
252,340

 
(2,562
)
 
20,793

 
(462
)
 
273,133

 
(3,024
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
535,842

 
(4,530
)
 
58,315

 
(1,871
)
 
594,157

 
(6,401
)
Municipal securities
 
48,495

 
(437
)
 
14,739

 
(356
)
 
63,234

 
(793
)
Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
5,123

 
(1
)
 
6,242

 
(172
)
 
11,365

 
(173
)
Corporate debt securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
218,944

 
(1,189
)
 
89,989

 
(1,151
)
 
308,933

 
(2,340
)
Non-investment grade
 
—

 
—

 
9,642

 
(1,849
)
 
9,642

 
(1,849
)
Other securities
 
17,990

 
(112
)
 
8,731

 
(269
)
 
26,721

 
(381
)
Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
2,527,519

 
$
(16,075
)
 
$
228,733

 
$
(6,272
)
 
$
2,756,252

 
$
(22,347
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
170,260

 
$
(266
)
 
$
163,800

 
$
(1,371
)
 
$
334,060

 
$
(1,637
)
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities
 
69,438

 
(504
)
 
124,104

 
(889
)
 
193,542

 
(1,393
)
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
45,405

 
(257
)
 
16,169

 
(336
)
 
61,574

 
(593
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
81,927

 
(270
)
 
241,047

 
(3,808
)
 
322,974

 
(4,078
)
Municipal securities
 
6,391

 
(26
)
 
61,107

 
(1,136
)
 
67,498

 
(1,162
)
Other residential mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
—

 
—

 
7,217

 
(135
)
 
7,217

 
(135
)
Corporate debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Investment grade
 
25,084

 
(12
)
 
90,098

 
(1,042
)
 
115,182

 
(1,054
)
Non-investment grade
 
—

 
—

 
14,681

 
(3,200
)
 
14,681

 
(3,200
)
Other securities
 
15,885

 
(716
)
 
—

 
—

 
15,885

 
(716
)
Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
414,390

 
$
(2,051
)
 
$
718,223

 
$
(11,917
)
 
$
1,132,613

 
$
(13,968
)
 
  
For each reporting period, the Company examines all individual securities that are in an unrealized loss position for OTTI.  For discussion of the factors and criteria the Company uses in analyzing securities for OTTI, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies— Available-for-Sale Investment Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management believes the gross unrealized losses detailed in the tables above are temporary and are not due to reasons of credit quality. As a result, we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities.


85


OTTI

The following table presents a rollforward of the amounts related to the OTTI credit losses recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31:
 
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
 
$
112,338

 
$
115,511

 
$
115,511

Addition of OTTI previously not recognized
 
—

 
—

 
—

Additional increase to the amount related to the credit
 loss for which an OTTI was previously recognized
 
—

 
—

 
—

Reduction for securities sold
 
(112,338
)
 
(3,173
)
 
—

Ending balance
 
$
—

 
$
112,338

 
$
115,511

 

No OTTI credit losses were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company realized a gain of $21.7 million from the sale of non-investment grade corporate debt securities with previously recognized OTTI credit losses of $112.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company realized a gain of $802 thousand from the sale of non-investment grade corporate debt securities with previously recognized OTTI credit losses of $3.2 million. There was no sale of investment securities with previously recognized OTTI credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Realized Gains and Losses

The following table presents the proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses related to the sales of available-for-sale investment securities for the years ended December 31:
 
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Proceeds from sales
 
$
1,669,334

 
$
623,689

 
$
663,569

Gross realized gains
 
$
40,367

 
$
10,978

 
$
13,904

Gross realized losses
 
$
—

 
$
127

(1) 
$
1,815

Related tax expense
 
$
16,954

 
$
4,557

 
$
5,077

 
(1)
The gross realized losses of $127 thousand resulted from available-for-sale investment securities acquired from MetroCorp which were sold immediately after the acquisition closed.

     Available-for-Sale Investment Securities Maturities
 
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2015:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Due within one year
 
$
756,656

 
$
752,736

Due after one year through five years
 
1,155,873

 
1,152,752

Due after five years through ten years
 
554,458

 
550,980

Due after ten years
 
1,316,842

 
1,316,758

Total available-for-sale investment securities
 
$
3,783,829

 
$
3,773,226

 
 
Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations. In addition, such factors as prepayments and interest rates may affect the yields on the carrying values of mortgage-backed securities.

Available-for-sale investment securities with fair values of $873.0 million and $1.96 billion were pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window, or for other purposes required or permitted by law as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.



86


NOTE 7 — DERIVATIVES
     
The Company uses derivatives to manage exposure to market risk, including interest rate risk and foreign currency risk and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. The Company’s goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity and volatility so that movements in interest rates are not significant to earnings or capital. The Company also uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities, as well as the Company’s investments in its China subsidiary. The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. While the Company designates certain derivatives as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship, other derivatives consist of economic hedges. For more information on the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table presents the total notional and fair values of the Company’s derivatives as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
 
Derivative
Assets (1)
 
Derivative
Liabilities (1)
 
 
Derivative
Assets (1)
 
Derivative
Liabilities (1)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps on certificates of deposit
 
$
112,913

 
$
—

 
$
5,213

 
$
132,667

 
$
—

 
$
9,922

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
86,590

 
2,365

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
$
199,503

 
$
2,365

 
$
5,213

 
$
132,667

 
$
—

 
$
9,922

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
85,614

 
$
6,136

 
$
—

Embedded derivative liabilities
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
47,838

 
—

 
3,392

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
6,494,900

 
67,215

 
67,325

 
4,858,391

 
41,534

 
41,779

Foreign exchange contracts
 
652,993

 
10,254

 
9,350

 
680,629

 
8,118

 
9,163

RPA
 
43,033


—


4


—


—


—

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
$
7,190,926

 
$
77,469

 
$
76,679

 
$
5,672,472

 
$
55,788

 
$
54,334

 
(1)
Derivative assets are included in Other Assets. Derivative liabilities are included in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities, and Interest-Bearing Deposits.
 
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Interest Rate Swaps on Certificates of Deposit — The Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain fixed rate certificates of deposit due to changes in the benchmark interest rate, London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”). Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges involve the receipt of fixed rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount.
 
The total notional amounts of the interest rate swaps on certificates of deposit were $112.9 million and $132.7 million, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value liabilities of the interest rate swaps were $5.2 million and $9.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In order to realign the hedged notional of the interest rate swaps against the outstanding balances of the related certificates of deposit, the Company dedesignated certain existing hedge relationships of its fixed rate certificates of deposit and simultaneously redesignated them as new hedge relationships during 2015.
  

87


The following table presents the net gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to derivatives designated as fair value hedges for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Gains (losses) recorded in interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Recognized on interest rate swaps
 
$
3,452

 
$
6,885

 
$
(9,255
)
  Recognized on certificates of deposit
 
(3,190
)
 
(6,784
)
 
9,675

Net amount recognized on fair value hedges (ineffective portion)
 
$
262

 
$
101

 
$
420

 

Net Investment Hedges — Consistent with ASC 830-20, Foreign Currency Matters — Foreign Currency Transactions, ASC 815 allows hedging of the foreign currency risk of a net investment in a foreign operation. During 2015, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its investment in East West Bank (China) Limited, a non-U.S. functional currency subsidiary in China. The hedging instruments designated as net investment hedges, involves hedging the risk of changes in the USD equivalent value of a designated monetary amount of the Company’s net investment in China, against the risk of adverse changes in the foreign currency exchange rate. The Company expects that the hedging instrument will be highly effective in offsetting the changes in the value of the hedged net investment attributable to the hedged risk. The Company recorded the changes in the carrying amount of its China subsidiary in the Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment account within AOCI. Simultaneously, the effective portion of the hedge of this exposure was also recorded in the Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment account and the ineffective portion, if any, was recorded in current earnings.

As of December 31, 2015, the notional amounts and fair values of the foreign currency forward contracts were $86.6 million and a $2.4 million asset, respectively. The following table presents the gains (losses) recorded in the Foreign Currency Translation account within AOCI related to the effective portion of the net investment hedges and ineffectiveness recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
Years ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Gains recognized in AOCI on net investment hedges (effective portion)
$
1,485

 
$
—

 
$
—

Gains recognized in foreign exchange income (ineffective portion)
$
880

 
$
—

 
$
—

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Foreign Exchange Options — During 2010, the Company entered into foreign exchange option contracts with major brokerage firms to economically hedge against foreign exchange fluctuations in certain certificates of deposit available to its customers. These certificates of deposit have a term of 5 years and pay interest based on the performance of the RMB relative to the USD. Under ASC 815, a certificate of deposit that pays interest based on changes in foreign exchange rates is a hybrid instrument with an embedded derivative that must be accounted for separately from the host contract (i.e., the certificate of deposit). In accordance with ASC 815, both the embedded derivative instruments and the freestanding foreign exchange option contracts are recorded at fair value. All of the Company’s foreign exchange option contracts have expired as of December 31, 2015. In addition, there were no embedded derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2014, the notional amounts and fair values of the foreign exchange options were $85.6 million and a $6.1 million asset, respectively, while the notional amounts and fair values of the embedded derivative liabilities were $47.8 million and a $3.4 million liability, respectively.
 

88


Interest Rate Swaps and Caps — The Company enters into interest rate derivatives including interest rate swaps and caps with its customers to allow them to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates on their variable rate loans. To economically hedge against the interest rate risks in the products offered to its customers, the Company enters into mirrored interest rate contracts with institutional counterparties.  As of December 31, 2015, the total notional amounts of interest rate swaps and caps, including mirrored transactions with institutional counterparties and the Company’s customers totaled $3.25 billion for derivatives that were in an asset valuation position and $3.25 billion for derivatives that were in a liability valuation position. As of December 31, 2014, the total notional amounts of interest rate swaps and caps, including mirrored transactions with institutional counterparties and the Company’s customers totaled $2.45 billion for derivatives that were in an asset valuation position and $2.40 billion for derivatives that were in a liability valuation position. The fair values of interest rate swap and cap contracts with institutional counterparties and the Company’s customers amounted to a $67.2 million asset and a $67.3 million liability as of December 31, 2015. The fair values of interest rate swap and cap contracts with institutional counterparties and the Company’s customers amounted to a $41.5 million asset and a $41.8 million liability as of December 31, 2014.
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts — The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts on a regular basis to economically hedge against foreign exchange rate fluctuations. A majority of these contracts have original maturities of one year or less. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amounts of short-term foreign exchange contracts were $653.0 million and $680.6 million, respectively.  The fair values of the short-term foreign exchange contracts recorded were a $10.3 million asset and a $9.4 million liability as of December 31, 2015. The fair values of short-term foreign exchange contracts recorded were an $8.1 million asset and a $9.2 million liability as of December 31, 2014.

RPA — During 2015, the Company entered into RPAs, under which the Company assumed its pro-rata share of the credit exposure associated with the borrower’s performance related to interest rate derivative contracts. The Company may or may not be a party to the interest rate derivative contract and enters into such RPAs in instances where the Company is a party to the related loan participation agreement with the borrower. The Company will make/receive payments under the RPAs if the borrower defaults on its obligation to perform under the interest rate derivative contract. The Company manages its credit risk on the RPAs by monitoring the credit worthiness of the borrowers, which is based on the normal credit review process. The notional amounts of the RPAs reflect the Company’s pro-rata share of the derivative instrument. As of December 31, 2015, the notional amounts and the fair values of RPAs purchased were approximately $33.7 million and a $4 thousand liability, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the notional amount of the RPA sold was approximately $9.3 million and the fair value of the derivative asset was insignificant. Assuming all underlying borrowers referenced in the interest rate derivative contracts defaulted as of December 31, 2015, the exposure from RPAs purchased would be $257 thousand. As of December 31, 2015, the weighted average remaining maturity of the outstanding RPAs was 3.2 years.

The following table presents the net gains (losses) recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Location in
Consolidated
Statements of Income
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
Foreign exchange income
 
$
236

 
$
103

 
$
653

Embedded derivative liabilities
 
Other operating expense
 
(136
)
 
5

 
23

Interest rate swaps and caps
 
Other fees and operating income
 
65

 
(1,865
)
 
1,582

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Foreign exchange income
 
4,235

 
(3,880
)
 
2,624

Total net income (loss)
 
 
 
$
4,400

 
$
(5,637
)
 
$
4,882

 
 
Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features — Certain over-the-counter derivative contracts of the Company contain early termination provisions that may require the Company to settle any outstanding balances upon the occurrence of a specified credit-risk-related event. These events, which are defined by the existing derivative contracts, primarily relate to downgrades in the event that the credit rating of East West Bank falls below investment grade. In the event that East West Bank’s credit rating is downgraded to below investment grade, no additional collateral would be required to be posted, since the liabilities related to such contracts were fully collateralized as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.


89


Offsetting of Derivatives

The Company has entered into agreements with counterparty financial institutions, which include master netting agreements.  However, the Company has elected to account for all derivatives with counterparty institutions on a gross basis. The following tables present gross derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the respective collateral received or pledged in the form of other financial instruments, which are generally marketable securities and/or cash. The collateral amounts in these tables are limited to the outstanding balances of the related asset or liability (after netting is applied); thus instances of overcollateralization are not shown:
 
($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2015


Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Assets




Financial
Instruments


Collateral
Received


Net Amount
Derivatives

$
8,733


$
—


$
8,733


$
(5,293
)
(1) 

$
(3,068
)
(2) 

$
372

 














 

Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Liabilities




Financial
Instruments


Collateral 
Posted


Net Amount
Derivatives

$
78,779


$
—


$
78,779


$
(5,293
)
(1) 

$
(73,109
)
(3) 

$
377

 
 
($ in thousands)

As of December 31, 2014


Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Assets




Financial
Instruments


Collateral
Received


Net Amount
Derivatives

$
12,383


$
—


$
12,383


$
(5,718
)
(1) 

$
(3,460
)
(2) 

$
3,205
















 

Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities

Gross Amounts
Offset on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Net Amounts of
Liabilities
Presented on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheets

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets



Liabilities




Financial
Instruments


Collateral 
Posted


Net Amount
Derivatives

$
56,493


$
—


$
56,493


$
(5,718
)
(1) 

$
(49,948
)
(3) 

$
827

 
(1)
Represents the netting of derivative receivable and payable balances for the same counterparty under enforceable master netting arrangements if the Company has elected to net.
(2)
Represents $3.1 million and $3.5 million of cash collateral received against derivative assets with the same counterparty that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(3)
Represents cash and securities pledged against derivative liabilities with the same counterparty that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements. Includes approximately $21.1 million and $12.5 million of cash collateral posted as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In addition to the amounts included in the table above, the Company also has balance sheet netting related to resale and repurchase agreements, refer to Note 5— Securities Purchased Under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Please refer to Note 3 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value measurement disclosures on derivatives.



90


NOTE 8 — LOANS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company’s loan portfolio includes originated and purchased loans. Originated and purchased loans, for which there was no evidence of credit deterioration at their acquisition date, are referred to collectively as non-PCI loans. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. PCI loans consist of loans acquired from the United Commercial Bank (“UCB”) FDIC assisted acquisition on November 6, 2009, the Washington First International Bank (“WFIB”) FDIC assisted acquisition on June 11, 2010 and, to a lesser extent, a small portion of loans acquired from the MetroCorp acquisition on January 17, 2014. The Company has elected to account for these acquired PCI loans on a pool level basis in accordance with ASC 310-30 at the time of acquisition. Please refer to Note 2 — Business Combination to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report, for further details on the MetroCorp acquisition and Note 8 — Covered Assets and FDIC Indemnification Asset to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for additional details related to the UCB and WFIB acquisitions.

The following table presents the composition of the Company’s non-PCI and PCI loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Non-PCI Loans
 
PCI Loans (1)
 
Total (1)
 
Non-PCI Loans
 
PCI Loans (1)
 
Total (1)
CRE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income producing
 
$
6,937,199

 
$
541,275

 
$
7,478,474

 
$
5,568,046

 
$
688,013

 
$
6,256,059

Construction
 
436,776

 
1,895

 
438,671

 
319,843

 
12,444

 
332,287

Land
 
187,409

 
6,195

 
193,604

 
214,327

 
16,840

 
231,167

     Total CRE
 
7,561,384

 
549,365

 
8,110,749

 
6,102,216

 
717,297

 
6,819,513

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
8,155,991

 
57,906

 
8,213,897

 
7,097,853

 
83,336

 
7,181,189

Trade finance
 
787,800

 
1,310

 
789,110

 
889,728

 
6,284

 
896,012

     Total C&I
 
8,943,791

 
59,216

 
9,003,007

 
7,987,581

 
89,620

 
8,077,201

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
2,877,286

 
189,633

 
3,066,919

 
3,647,262

 
219,519

 
3,866,781

Multifamily
 
1,374,718

 
148,277

 
1,522,995

 
1,184,017

 
265,891

 
1,449,908

     Total residential
 
4,252,004

 
337,910

 
4,589,914

 
4,831,279

 
485,410

 
5,316,689

Consumer
 
1,931,828

 
24,263

 
1,956,091

 
1,483,956

 
29,786

 
1,513,742

     Total loans
 
$
22,689,007

 
$
970,754

 
$
23,659,761

 
$
20,405,032

 
$
1,322,113

 
$
21,727,145

Unearned fees, premiums, and discounts, net
 
(16,013
)
 
—

 
(16,013
)
 
2,804

 
—

 
2,804

Allowance for loan losses
 
(264,600
)
 
(359
)
 
(264,959
)
 
(260,965
)
 
(714
)
 
(261,679
)
     Loans, net
 
$
22,408,394

 
$
970,395

 
$
23,378,789

 
$
20,146,871

 
$
1,321,399

 
$
21,468,270

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.

The Company’s CRE lending activities include loans to finance income-producing properties, construction and land loans. The Company’s C&I lending activities include commercial business financing for small and middle-market businesses in a wide spectrum of industries. Included in commercial business loans are loans for working capital, accounts receivable lines, inventory lines, Small Business Administration loans and lease financing. The Company also offers a variety of international trade finance services and products, including letters of credit, revolving lines of credit, import loans, bankers’ acceptances, working capital lines, domestic purchase financing and pre-export financing.

The Company’s single-family residential loans are primarily comprised of adjustable rate (“ARM”) first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four unit residential properties. The Company’s ARM single-family residential loan programs generally have a one-year, three-year or five-year initial fixed period. The Company’s multifamily residential loans are primarily comprised of variable rate loans that have a six-month or three-year initial fixed period. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, consumer loans were primarily composed of home equity lines of credit.


91


All loans originated are subject to the Company’s underwriting guidelines and loan origination standards. Management believes that the Company’s underwriting criteria and procedures adequately consider the unique risks which may come from these products. The Company conducts a variety of quality control procedures and periodic audits, including review of criteria for lending and legal requirements, to ensure it is in compliance with its origination standards.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, loans totaling $15.91 billion and $14.66 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings and to provide additional borrowing capacity from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank.

Credit Quality Indicators

All loans are subject to the Company’s internal and external credit review and monitoring. Loans are risk rated based on an analysis of the current state of the borrower’s credit quality. The analysis of credit quality includes a review of all repayment sources, the borrower’s current payment performance/delinquency, current financial and liquidity status and all other relevant information.  For single-family residential loans, payment performance/delinquency is the driving indicator for the risk ratings.  Risk ratings remain the overall credit quality indicator for the Company, as well as the credit quality indicator utilized for estimating the appropriate allowance for loan losses. The Company utilizes a risk rating system, which can be classified within the following categories: Pass, Watch, Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful and Loss. The risk ratings reflect the relative strength of the repayment sources.

Pass and Watch loans are generally considered to have sufficient sources of repayment in order to repay the loan in full in accordance with all terms and conditions. These borrowers may have some credit risks that require monitoring, but full repayments are expected. Special Mention loans are considered to have potential weaknesses that warrant closer attention by management. Special Mention is considered a transitory grade. If any potential weaknesses are resolved, the loan is upgraded to a Pass or Watch grade. If negative trends in the borrower’s financial status or other information indicates that the repayment sources may become inadequate, the loan is downgraded to a Substandard grade. Substandard loans are considered to have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the full and timely repayment of the loan. Substandard loans have a distinct possibility of loss, if the deficiencies are not corrected. Additionally, when management has assessed a potential for loss but a distinct possibility of loss is not recognizable, the loan is still classified as Substandard. Doubtful loans have insufficient sources of repayment and a high probability of loss. Loss loans are considered to be uncollectible and of such little value that they are no longer considered bankable assets. These internal risk ratings are reviewed routinely and adjusted due to changes in the borrowers’ status and likelihood of loan repayment.


92


The following tables present the credit risk rating for non-PCI loans by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Pass/Watch
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total Non-PCI Loans
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Income producing
 
$
6,672,951

 
$
59,309

 
$
204,939

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,937,199

Construction
 
435,112

 
1,194

 
470

 
—

 
—

 
436,776

Land
 
172,189

 
—

 
15,220

 
—

 
—

 
187,409

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Commercial business
 
7,794,735

 
201,280

 
135,449

 
24,527

 
—

 
8,155,991

Trade finance
 
750,144

 
13,812

 
23,844

 
—

 
—

 
787,800

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Single-family
 
2,841,722

 
8,134

 
27,430

 
—

 
—

 
2,877,286

Multifamily
 
1,317,550

 
2,918

 
54,250

 
—

 
—

 
1,374,718

Consumer
 
1,926,418

 
883

 
4,527

 
—

 
—

 
1,931,828

Total
 
$
21,910,821

 
$
287,530

 
$
466,129

 
$
24,527

 
$
—

 
$
22,689,007

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Pass/Watch
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total Non-PCI Loans
December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Income producing
 
$
5,243,640

 
$
54,673

 
$
269,733

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
5,568,046

Construction
 
310,259

 
11

 
9,573

 
—

 
—

 
319,843

Land
 
185,220

 
5,701

 
23,406

 
—

 
—

 
214,327

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Commercial business
 
6,836,914

 
130,319

 
130,032

 
533

 
55

 
7,097,853

Trade finance
 
845,889

 
13,031

 
30,808

 
—

 
—

 
889,728

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Single-family
 
3,627,491

 
3,143

 
16,628

 
—

 
—

 
3,647,262

Multifamily
 
1,095,982

 
5,124

 
82,911

 
—

 
—

 
1,184,017

Consumer
 
1,480,208

 
1,005

 
2,743

 
—

 
—

 
1,483,956

Total
 
$
19,625,603

 
$
213,007

 
$
565,834

 
$
533

 
$
55

 
$
20,405,032

 


93


The following tables present the credit risk rating for PCI loans by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Pass/Watch
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total PCI Loans
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Income producing
 
$
440,100

 
$
4,987

 
$
96,188

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
541,275

Construction
 
—

 
—

 
1,895

 
—

 
—

 
1,895

Land
 
4,285

 
—

 
1,910

 
—

 
—

 
6,195

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
52,212

 
819

 
4,875

 
—

 
—

 
57,906

Trade finance
 
1,310

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,310

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Single-family
 
184,092

 
1,293

 
4,248

 
—

 
—

 
189,633

Multifamily
 
130,770

 
—

 
17,507

 
—

 
—

 
148,277

Consumer
 
23,121

 
452

 
690

 
—

 
—

 
24,263

Total (1)
 
$
835,890

 
$
7,551

 
$
127,313

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
970,754

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.
 
($ in thousands)
 
Pass/Watch
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total PCI Loans
December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Income producing
 
$
534,015

 
$
9,960

 
$
144,038

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
688,013

Construction
 
589

 
1,744

 
10,111

 
—

 
—

 
12,444

Land
 
7,012

 
5,391

 
4,437

 
—

 
—

 
16,840

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Commercial business
 
70,586

 
1,103

 
11,647

 
—

 
—

 
83,336

Trade finance
 
4,620

 
—

 
1,664

 
—

 
—

 
6,284

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Single-family
 
213,829

 
374

 
5,316

 
—

 
—

 
219,519

Multifamily
 
230,049

 
—

 
35,842

 
—

 
—

 
265,891

Consumer
 
29,026

 
116

 
644

 
—

 
—

 
29,786

Total (1)
 
$
1,089,726

 
$
18,688

 
$
213,699

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,322,113

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.


94


Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

Non-PCI loans that are 90 or more days past due are generally placed on nonaccrual status. Additionally, non-PCI loans that are not 90 or more days past due but have identified deficiencies are also placed on nonaccrual status. The following tables present the aging analysis on non-PCI loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Accruing
Loans
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
Accruing
Loans
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
Total
Accruing
Past Due
Loans
 
Nonaccrual
Loans Less
Than 90 
Days
Past Due
 
Nonaccrual
Loans
90 or More
Days 
Past Due
 
Total
Nonaccrual
Loans
 
Current
Accruing
Loans
 
Total Non-PCI Loans
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
$
3,465

 
$
25,256

 
$
28,721

 
$
11,359

 
$
17,870

 
$
29,229

 
$
6,879,249

 
$
6,937,199

Construction
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14

 
—

 
14

 
436,762

 
436,776

Land
 
1,124

 
—

 
1,124

 
277

 
406

 
683

 
185,602

 
187,409

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial business
 
1,992

 
1,185

 
3,177

 
50,726

 
14,009

 
64,735

 
8,088,079

 
8,155,991

Trade finance
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
787,800

 
787,800

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single-family
 
7,657

 
2,927

 
10,584

 
92

 
8,634

 
8,726

 
2,857,976

 
2,877,286

Multifamily
 
6,320

 
981

 
7,301

 
6,486

 
9,758

 
16,244

 
1,351,173

 
1,374,718

Consumer
 
2,078

 
209

 
2,287

 
233

 
1,505

 
1,738

 
1,927,803

 
1,931,828

Total
 
$
22,636

 
$
30,558

 
$
53,194

 
$
69,187

 
$
52,182

 
$
121,369

 
$
22,514,444

 
$
22,689,007

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Accruing
Loans
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
Accruing
Loans
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
Total
Accruing
Past Due
Loans
 
Nonaccrual
Loans Less
Than 90 
Days
Past Due
 
Nonaccrual
Loans
90 or More
Days 
Past Due
 
Total
Nonaccrual
Loans
 
Current
Accruing
Loans
 
Total Non-PCI Loans
December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
$
14,171

 
$
3,593

 
$
17,764

 
$
19,348

 
$
9,165

 
$
28,513

 
$
5,521,769

 
$
5,568,046

Construction
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15

 
6,898

 
6,913

 
312,930

 
319,843

Land
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
221

 
2,502

 
2,723

 
211,604

 
214,327

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial business
 
3,187

 
4,361

 
7,548

 
6,623

 
21,813

 
28,436

 
7,061,869

 
7,097,853

Trade finance
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
73

 
292

 
365

 
889,363

 
889,728

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
0

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single-family
 
6,381

 
1,294

 
7,675

 
2,861

 
5,764

 
8,625

 
3,630,962

 
3,647,262

Multifamily
 
4,425

 
507

 
4,932

 
12,460

 
8,359

 
20,819

 
1,158,266

 
1,184,017

Consumer
 
2,154

 
162

 
2,316

 
169

 
3,699

 
3,868

 
1,477,772

 
1,483,956

Total
 
$
30,318

 
$
9,917

 
$
40,235

 
$
41,770

 
$
58,492

 
$
100,262

 
$
20,264,535

 
$
20,405,032

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PCI loans are excluded from the above aging analysis table as the Company has elected to account for these loans on a pool level basis in accordance with ASC 310-30 at the time of acquisition. Please refer to the discussion of PCI Loans within this note for additional details on interest income recognition of PCI loans. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $37.7 million and $63.4 million of PCI loans, respectively, were on nonaccrual status.

Loans in Process of Foreclosure

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had $18.0 million and $16.9 million, respectively, of recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties, for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdictions, which were not included in OREO. Foreclosed residential real estate properties with a carrying amount of $912 thousand were included in total net OREO of $7.0 million as of December 31, 2015. In comparison, foreclosed residential real estate properties with a carrying amount of $3.6 million were included in total net OREO of $32.1 million as of December 31, 2014.



95


TDRs

Potential TDRs are individually evaluated and the type of restructuring is selected based on the loan type and the circumstances of the borrower’s financial difficulty in order to maximize the Company’s recovery. A TDR is a modification of the terms of a loan when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower, it would not otherwise consider.
    
The following tables present the additions to non-PCI TDRs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Loans Modified as TDRs During the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Number
of
Loans
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment (1)
 
Financial
Impact (2)
CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
3

 
$
1,802

 
$
1,705

 
$
—

Land
 
2

 
$
2,227

 
$
83

 
$
102

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
18

 
$
42,816

 
$
34,124

 
$
6,726

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
1

 
$
281

 
$
279

 
$
2

 
 
 
 
Loans Modified as TDRs During the Year Ended December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)
 
Number
of
Loans
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment (1)
 
Financial
Impact (2)
CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
6

 
$
8,829

 
$
8,624

 
$
43

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
13

 
$
4,379

 
$
3,089

 
$
2,205

Trade finance
 
1

 
$
190

 
$
73

 
$
14

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
9

 
$
11,454

 
$
8,269

 
$
—

Multifamily
 
6

 
$
5,471

 
$
3,705

 
$
7

Consumer
 
1

 
$
509

 
$
504

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
Loans Modified as TDRs During the Year Ended December 31, 2013
($ in thousands)
 
Number
of
Loans
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment (1)
 
Financial
Impact (2)
CRE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income producing
 
6

 
$
26,021

 
$
17,456

 
$
219

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
6

 
$
16,220

 
$
15,624

 
$
4,274

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multifamily
 
1

 
$
1,093

 
$
1,071

 
$
—

Consumer
 
1

 
$
651

 
$
639

 
$
—

 
(1)
Includes subsequent payments after modification and reflects the balance as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
(2)
The financial impact includes charge-offs and specific reserves recorded at the modification date.

96


The following tables summarize the non-PCI TDR modifications for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 by modification type:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Modification Type
 
Principal (1)
 
Principal and Interest (2)
 
Interest Rate Reduction
 
A/B Note
 
Other
 
Total
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
$
521

 
$
791

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
476

 
$
1,788

C&I
 
16,325

 
17,799

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
$
34,124

Residential
 
279

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
$
279

Total
 
$
17,125

 
$
18,590

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
476

 
$
36,191

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Modification Type
 
Principal (1)
 
Principal and Interest (2)
 
Interest Rate Reduction
 
A/B Note
 
Other
 
Total
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
$
691

 
$
5,100

 
$
2,165

 
$
—

 
$
668

 
$
8,624

C&I
 
2,677

 
73

 
94

 
—

 
318

 
3,162

Residential
 
9,756

 
1,471

 
—

 
—

 
747

 
11,974

Consumer
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
504

 
504

Total
 
$
13,124

 
$
6,644

 
$
2,259

 
$
—

 
$
2,237

 
$
24,264

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Modification Type
 
Principal (1)
 
Principal and Interest (2)
 
Interest Rate Reduction
 
A/B Note
 
Other
 
Total
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
$
15,923

 
$
540

 
$
—

 
$
884

 
$
109

 
$
17,456

C&I
 
15,488

 
136

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15,624

Residential
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,071

 
—

 
1,071

Consumer
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
639

 
$
639

Total
 
$
31,411

 
$
676

 
$
—

 
$
1,955

 
$
748

 
$
34,790

 
(1)
Principal modification includes forbearance payments, term extensions and principal deferments that modify the terms of the loan from principal and interest payments to interest payments only.
(2)
Principal and interest modification includes principal and interest deferments or reductions.

Subsequent to restructuring, a TDR that becomes delinquent, generally beyond 90 days, is considered to have defaulted. The following table presents information for loans modified as TDRs within the previous 12 months that have subsequently defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
Loans Modified as TDRs that Subsequently Defaulted
During the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
($ in thousands)
 
Number of
Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
—

 
$
—

 
1

 
$
957

 
1

 
$
570

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
1

 
$
279

 
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
—

Consumer
 
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
—

 
1

 
$
639

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The amount of additional funds committed to lend to borrowers whose terms have been modified was immaterial as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.


97


Impaired Loans

The following tables present the non-PCI impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
$
47,043

 
$
24,347

 
$
15,720

 
$
40,067

 
$
3,148

Construction
 
66

 
—

 
14

 
14

 
1

Land
 
1,537

 
632

 
683

 
1,315

 
118

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial business
 
81,720

 
31,045

 
40,111

 
71,156

 
15,993

Trade finance
 
10,675

 
—

 
10,675

 
10,675

 
95

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Single-family
 
16,486

 
4,401

 
10,611

 
15,012

 
584

Multifamily
 
25,634

 
16,944

 
6,783

 
23,727

 
339

Consumer
 
1,240

 
—

 
1,240

 
1,240

 
60

Total
 
$
184,401

 
$
77,369

 
$
85,837

 
$
163,206

 
$
20,338

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income producing
 
$
58,900

 
$
35,495

 
$
15,646

 
$
51,141

 
$
1,581

Construction
 
6,913

 
6,913

 
—

 
6,913

 
—

Land
 
13,291

 
2,838

 
5,622

 
8,460

 
1,906

C&I:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Commercial business
 
44,569

 
12,723

 
25,717

 
38,440

 
15,174

Trade finance
 
12,967

 
6,431

 
274

 
6,705

 
28

Residential:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Single-family
 
18,908

 
6,003

 
11,398

 
17,401

 
461

Multifamily
 
37,649

 
21,523

 
12,890

 
34,413

 
313

Consumer
 
1,259

 
1,151

 
108

 
1,259

 
1

Total
 
$
194,456

 
$
93,077

 
$
71,655

 
$
164,732

 
$
19,464

 

The following table presents the average recorded investment and the amount of interest income recognized on non-PCI impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Recognized
Interest
Income (1)
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Recognized
Interest
Income (1)
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Recognized
Interest
Income (1)
CRE:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Income producing
 
$
44,043

 
$
536

 
$
54,544

 
$
1,249

 
$
71,856

 
$
2,480

Construction
 
14

 
—

 
6,888

 
—

 
6,888

 
—

Land
 
2,708

 
39

 
8,633

 
298

 
12,453

 
496

C&I:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Commercial business
 
73,513

 
315

 
36,528

 
833

 
38,294

 
735

Trade finance
 
11,402

 
223

 
336

 
15

 
1,603

 
11

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
 
15,347

 
242

 
16,413

 
342

 
15,322

 
154

Multifamily
 
24,001

 
312

 
37,128

 
830

 
35,799

 
850

Consumer
 
1,251

 
47

 
1,259

 
47

 
3,225

 
4

Total impaired non-PCI loans
 
$
172,279

 
$
1,714

 
$
161,729

 
$
3,614

 
$
185,440

 
$
4,730

 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Includes interest recognized on accruing non-PCI TDRs. Interest payments received on nonaccrual non-PCI loans are reflected as a reduction of principal and not as interest income.

98


Allowance for Credit Losses    

The following tables present a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
C&I
 
Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
PCI Loans
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning balance
 
$
72,263

 
$
134,598

 
$
43,856

 
$
10,248

 
$
260,965

 
$
714

 
$
261,679

Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
 
3,338

 
11,640

 
(7,499
)
 
(555
)
 
6,924

 
(355
)
 
6,569

Charge-offs
 
(1,545
)
 
(20,423
)
 
(1,686
)
 
(600
)
 
(24,254
)
 
—

 
(24,254
)
Recoveries
 
7,135

 
8,782

 
4,621

 
427

 
20,965

 
—

 
20,965

Net recoveries (charge-offs)
 
5,590

 
(11,641
)
 
2,935

 
(173
)
 
(3,289
)
 
—

 
(3,289
)
Ending balance
 
$
81,191

 
$
134,597

 
$
39,292

 
$
9,520

 
$
264,600

 
$
359

 
$
264,959

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
C&I
 
Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
PCI Loans
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning balance
 
$
70,154

 
$
115,184

 
$
50,716

 
$
11,352

 
$
247,406

 
$
2,269

 
$
249,675

Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
 
3,264

 
49,200

 
(8,167
)
 
4,318

 
48,615

 
(1,032
)
 
47,583

Charge-offs
 
(3,137
)
 
(39,984
)
 
(1,103
)
 
(5,871
)
 
(50,095
)
 
(523
)
 
(50,618
)
Recoveries
 
1,982

 
10,198

 
2,410

 
449

 
15,039

 
—

 
15,039

Net (charge-offs) recoveries
 
(1,155
)
 
(29,786
)
 
1,307

 
(5,422
)
 
(35,056
)
 
(523
)
 
(35,579
)
Ending balance
 
$
72,263

 
$
134,598

 
$
43,856

 
$
10,248

 
$
260,965

 
$
714

 
$
261,679

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
CRE
 
C&I
 
Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
PCI Loans
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning balance
 
$
72,385

 
$
107,719

 
$
49,436

 
$
4,995

 
$
234,535

 
$
—

 
$
234,535

(Reversal of) provision for loan losses
 
(3,287
)
 
11,534

 
2,473

 
7,218

 
17,938

 
2,269

 
20,207

Charge-offs
 
(3,737
)
 
(8,461
)
 
(3,197
)
 
(2,385
)
 
(17,780
)
 
—

 
(17,780
)
Recoveries
 
4,793

 
4,392

 
2,004

 
1,524

 
12,713

 
—

 
12,713

Net recoveries (charge-offs)
 
1,056

 
(4,069
)
 
(1,193
)
 
(861
)
 
(5,067
)
 
—

 
(5,067
)
Ending balance
 
$
70,154

 
$
115,184

 
$
50,716

 
$
11,352

 
$
247,406

 
$
2,269

 
$
249,675

 

The following table presents a summary of the activity in the allowance for unfunded credit reserves for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
 
$
12,712

 
$
11,282

 
$
9,437

Provision for unfunded credit reserves
 
7,648

 
1,575

 
2,157

Charge-offs
 
—

 
145

 
312

Ending balance
 
$
20,360

 
$
12,712

 
$
11,282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The allowance for unfunded credit reserves is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for unfunded credit reserves was included in accrued expense and other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Please refer to Note 14 — Commitments, Contingencies and Related Party Transactions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to unfunded credit reserves.


99


The following tables present the Company’s allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and disaggregated by the Company’s impairment methodology:
 
($ in thousands)
 
CRE
 
C&I
 
Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total
As of December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
3,267

 
$
16,088

 
$
923

 
$
60

 
$
20,338

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
77,924

 
118,509

 
38,369

 
9,460

 
244,262

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality 
 
347

 
9

 
3

 
—

 
359

Ending balance
 
$
81,538

 
$
134,606

 
$
39,295

 
$
9,520

 
$
264,959

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment in loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
41,396

 
$
81,831

 
$
38,739

 
$
1,240

 
$
163,206

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
7,519,988

 
8,861,960

 
4,213,265

 
1,930,588

 
22,525,801

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality (1)
 
549,365

 
59,216

 
337,910

 
24,263

 
970,754

Ending balance (1)
 
$
8,110,749

 
$
9,003,007

 
$
4,589,914

 
$
1,956,091

 
$
23,659,761

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.
 
($ in thousands)
 
CRE
 
C&I
 
Residential
 
Consumer
 
Total
As of December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
3,487

 
$
15,202

 
$
774

 
$
1

 
$
19,464

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
68,776

 
119,396

 
43,082

 
10,247

 
241,501

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
714

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
714

Ending balance
 
$
72,977

 
$
134,598

 
$
43,856

 
$
10,248

 
$
261,679

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment in loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
66,514

 
$
45,145

 
$
51,814

 
$
1,259

 
$
164,732

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
6,035,702

 
7,942,436

 
4,779,465

 
1,482,697

 
20,240,300

Acquired with deteriorated credit quality (1)
 
717,297

 
89,620

 
485,410

 
29,786

 
1,322,113

Ending balance (1)
 
$
6,819,513

 
$
8,077,201

 
$
5,316,689

 
$
1,513,742

 
$
21,727,145

 
(1)
Loans net of ASC 310-30 discount.

PCI Loans

As of the respective acquisition dates, PCI loans were pooled and accounted for at fair value, which represents the discounted value of the expected cash flows of the loan portfolio. The amount of expected cash flows over the initial investment in the loan represent the “accretable yield,” which is recognized as interest income on a level yield basis over the life of the loan. The excess of total contractual cash flows over the cash flows expected to be received at origination is deemed the “nonaccretable difference.”

The following table presents the changes in the accretable yield for the PCI loans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
 
$
311,688

 
$
461,545

 
$
556,986

Addition
 
—

 
6,745

 
—

Accretion
 
(107,442
)
 
(219,169
)
 
(347,010
)
Changes in expected cash flows
 
10,661

 
62,567

 
251,569

Ending balance
 
$
214,907

 
$
311,688

 
$
461,545

 


100


Covered assets consist of loans receivable and OREO that were acquired in the UCB acquisition on November 6, 2009 and in the WFIB acquisition on June 11, 2010 for which the Company entered into shared-loss agreements with the FDIC. The shared-loss coverage of the UCB and WFIB commercial loans ended as of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015, respectively. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company reached an agreement with the FDIC to early terminate the WFIB and UCB shared-loss agreements and made a total payment of $125.5 million for the early termination. As a result, the Company has no remaining shared-loss agreements with the FDIC as of December 31, 2015. Of the total $1.32 billion in PCI loans as of December 31, 2014, $1.23 billion were covered under shared-loss agreements. As of December 31, 2014, $1.48 billion of total loans were covered under shared-loss agreements.

FDIC Indemnification Asset/Net Payable to FDIC

The Company amortizes the difference between the recorded amount of the FDIC indemnification asset and the expected reimbursement from the FDIC over the life of the indemnification asset. Due to the early termination of the shared-loss agreements entered with FDIC as previously discussed, the Company no longer has a FDIC indemnification asset/net payable to the FDIC as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2014, a net payable to the FDIC of $96.1 million was included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table presents a summary of the FDIC indemnification asset/net payable to the FDIC for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
 
$
(96,106
)
 
$
74,708

 
$
316,313

Amortization
 
(3,906
)
 
(101,638
)
 
(99,055
)
Reductions (1)
 
(10,307
)
 
(33,595
)
 
(95,536
)
FDIC repayment (2)
 
110,319

 
(35,581
)
 
(47,014
)
Ending balance
 
$
—

 
$
(96,106
)
 
$
74,708

 
 
 
(1)
Reductions relate to charge-offs, partial prepayments, loan payoffs and loan sales which result in a corresponding reduction of the indemnification asset.
(2)
Represents the change in the calculated estimate the Company will be required to pay the FDIC at the end of the FDIC shared-loss agreements, due to lower thresholds of losses, with the exception of the amount in the year ended December 31, 2015, which includes the final payments made to the FDIC due to the early termination of the shared-loss agreements.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale were $32.0 million and $46.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. $1.69 billion of loans held-for-investment were transferred to loans held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2015. These loans were primarily comprised of single-family residential and C&I loans. In comparison, $837.4 million and $97.1 million of loans held-for-investment were transferred to loans held for sale during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These loans were primarily comprised of student and C&I loans.

The Company recorded $5.1 million and $5.2 million in write-downs related to loans transferred from loans held-for-investment to loans held for sale to the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company did not record any write-downs related to loans transferred from loans held-for-investment to loans held for sale for the year ended December 31, 2013.
  
For the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately $1.70 billion of loans were sold, resulting in net gains of $27.8 million. Loans sold during the year ended December 31, 2015 were primarily comprised of single-family residential and C&I loans. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately $1.09 billion of loans, mainly comprised of student and C&I loans, were sold, resulting in net gains of $39.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2013, approximately $364.4 million of loans, mainly comprised of student and C&I loans, were sold, resulting in net gains of $7.8 million. In addition, the Company recorded a $3.0 million LOCOM adjustment related to the loans held for sale portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2015. The LOCOM adjustment was included in the net gains on sales of loans in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company did not record any LOCOM adjustment related to the loans held for sale portfolio during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.


101


NOTE 9
—
INVESTMENTS IN QUALIFIED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS, TAX CREDIT AND OTHER INVESTMENTS, NET

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) encourages banks to meet the credit needs of their communities for housing and other purposes, particularly in neighborhoods with low or moderate income.  The Company invests in certain affordable housing limited partnerships that qualify for CRA credits. Such limited partnerships are formed to develop and operate apartment complexes designed as high-quality affordable housing for lower income tenants throughout the United States. Each of the partnerships must meet the regulatory requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilize the tax credits.  In addition to affordable housing limited partnerships, the Company invests in new market tax credit projects that qualify for CRA credits and eligible projects that qualify for renewable energy and historic tax credits. Investments in renewable energy tax credits help promote the development of renewable energy sources, while the investments in historic tax credits promote the rehabilitation of historic buildings and economic revitalization of the surrounding areas.

Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Net

As discussed in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company adopted ASU 2014-01 on January 1, 2015 with retrospective application to all periods presented. Prior to adopting ASU 2014-01, the Company applied the equity method or the cost method of accounting depending on the ownership percentage and the influence the Company has on these limited partnerships. The amortization of the investments in affordable housing limited partnerships was previously presented under noninterest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company now amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense. The cumulative effect of the retrospective application of the change in amortization method was a $2.1 million increase in retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2014.

The following tables present the impact of the new accounting guidance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Income as of the periods indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31, 2014
 
As Previously Reported
 
As Revised
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
 
Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net
 
$
178,652

 
$
178,962

Other assets — deferred tax assets
 
$
384,367

 
$
389,601

Retained earnings
 
$
1,598,598

 
$
1,604,141

 
 
($ in thousands, except per share data)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
As Previously Reported
 
As Revised
 
As Previously Reported
 
As Revised
Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest expense — amortization of tax credit and other investments
 
$
75,660

 
$
44,092

 
$
27,268

 
$
5,973

Income before income taxes
 
$
415,455

 
$
447,023

 
$
425,850

 
$
447,146

Income taxes expense
 
$
72,972

 
$
101,145

 
$
130,805

 
$
153,822

Net income
 
$
342,483

 
$
345,878

 
$
295,045

 
$
293,324

Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.39

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.11

 
$
2.10

Diluted
 
$
2.38

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.10

 
$
2.09

 


102


The following table presents the balances of the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net and related unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net
 
$
193,978

 
$
178,962

Accrued expenses and other liabilities — Unfunded commitments
 
$
61,525

 
$
43,311

 

The following table presents other information related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net for the periods indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized
 
$
38,271

 
$
32,613

 
$
29,084

Amortization expense included in income tax expense
 
$
26,814

 
$
21,428

 
$
20,824

 

Investments in Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net

Investments in tax credit and other investments, net were $187.2 million and $110.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company is not the primary beneficiary in these partnerships and, therefore, is not required to consolidate its investments in tax credit and other investments on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Depending on the ownership percentage and the influence the Company has on the limited partnership, the Company applies either the equity method or cost method of accounting.

Total unfunded commitments for these investments were $113.2 million and $71.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of tax credit and other investments were $36.1 million, $44.1 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
    
The Company’s unfunded commitments related to investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, tax credit and other investments, net are estimated to be paid as follows:
 
 
 
Estimates For The Years Ending December 31,
 
Amount
 
 
($ in thousands)
2016
 
$
84,456

2017
 
34,483

2018
 
20,645

2019
 
13,891

2020
 
15,418

Thereafter
 
5,828

Total
 
$
174,721

 
 
 



103


NOTE 10 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
    
Goodwill

Total goodwill remained unchanged as of December 31, 2015 compared with December 31, 2014. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31st, or more frequently as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company’s three operating segments, Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, and Other, are equivalent to the Company’s reporting units. For complete discussion and disclosure, please refer to Note 20 - Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for segments with goodwill balances for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Retail Banking
 
Commercial Banking
 
Total
 
Retail Banking
 
Commercial Banking
 
Total
Beginning balance
 
$
357,207

 
$
112,226

 
$
469,433

 
$
320,566

 
$
16,872

 
$
337,438

Addition from MetroCorp acquisition (1)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
36,641

 
95,354

 
131,995

Ending balance
 
$
357,207

 
$
112,226

 
$
469,433

 
$
357,207

 
$
112,226

 
$
469,433

 
(1)
Includes $11.0 million of tax and BOLI adjustments recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 due to the acquisition of MetroCorp, as discussed in Note 2 — Business Combination to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment testing

The Company performed its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2015 to determine whether and to what extent, if any, recorded goodwill was impaired. The Company used an income approach or a combined income and market approach to determine the fair value of the reporting units. Under the income approach, the Company provided a net income projection for the next three years plus a terminal growth rate that 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 represents the cost savings that a purchaser of the reporting units could achieve by eliminating duplicative costs. Under the combined income and market approaches, the fair value from each approach was weighted based on management’s perceived risk of each approach to determine the fair value. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that there was no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2015 as the fair values of all reporting units exceeded the current carrying amounts of the goodwill. No assurance can be given that goodwill will not be written down in future periods.
    
Premiums on Acquired Deposits

Premiums on acquired deposits represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed in various acquisitions. These intangibles are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently as events occur, or as current circumstances and conditions warrant. There were no impairment write-downs on deposit premiums for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The following table presents the gross carrying value of intangible assets and accumulated amortization for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Gross balance
 
$
108,814

 
$
108,814

Accumulated amortization
 
72,739

 
63,505

Net carrying balance
 
$
36,075

 
$
45,309

 



104


Amortization Expense

The Company amortizes premiums on acquired deposits based on the projected useful lives of the related deposits. The amortization expense related to the intangible assets was $9.2 million, $10.2 million and $9.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table presents the estimated future amortization expense of premiums on acquired deposits at December 31, 2015:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
Amount
 
 
($ in thousands)
2016
 
$
8,086

2017
 
6,935

2018
 
5,883

2019
 
4,864

2020
 
3,846

Thereafter
 
6,461

Total
 
$
36,075

 


NOTE 11 — CUSTOMER DEPOSITS

The following table presents the balances for customer deposits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Core deposits:
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
 
$
8,656,805

 
$
7,381,030

Interest-bearing checking
 
3,336,293

 
2,545,618

Money market
 
6,932,962

 
6,318,120

Savings deposits
 
1,933,026

 
1,651,267

Total core deposits
 
20,859,086

 
17,896,035

Time deposits:
 
 

 
 

Less than $100,000
 
1,434,767

 
1,662,046

$100,000 or greater
 
5,182,128

 
4,450,693

Total time deposits
 
6,616,895

 
6,112,739

Total deposits
 
$
27,475,981

 
$
24,008,774

 

Time deposits in the $100 thousand or greater category included $191.0 million and $133.3 million of deposits held by the Company’s foreign banking offices located in Hong Kong; and $267.0 million and $233.9 million of deposits held by the Company’s foreign banking offices located in China as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The aggregate amount of domestic time deposits in denominations that meet or exceed the current FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 was $3.17 billion and $2.40 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Foreign offices time deposits, which include both Hong Kong and China, of $444.1 million and $350.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were in denominations of $250,000 or more.


105


The following table presents the scheduled maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 2015:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Amount
2016
 
$
5,404,746

2017
 
572,989

2018
 
275,259

2019
 
173,894

2020
 
79,753

Thereafter
 
110,254

Total
 
$
6,616,895

 
 

NOTE 12 — FHLB ADVANCES AND LONG-TERM DEBT
      
FHLB Advances
    
FHLB advances totaled $1.02 billion and $317.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company entered into short-term FHLB advances of $700.0 million as a means to improve liquidity and cash availability, which matured in February 2016. The FHLB advances have floating interest rates that reset monthly or quarterly based on LIBOR. The weighted average interest rate was 0.51% and 0.58% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The interest rates ranged from 0.51% to 0.63%, and 0.30% and 0.58% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, FHLB advances that will mature in the next five years are as follows: 2016 — $700.0 million; 2017 and 2018 — $0.0 million; 2019 — $80.0 million; 2020 — $0.0 million and thereafter — $239.4 million.
    
The Company’s available borrowing capacity from FHLB advances totaled $4.45 billion and $5.54 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s available borrowing capacity from the FHLB is derived from its portfolio of loans that are pledged to the FHLB reduced by its outstanding FHLB advances. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, all advances were secured by real estate loans.

Long-Term Debt
    
The following table presents the components of long-term debt as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Junior subordinated debt
 
$
146,084

 
$
145,848

Term loan
 
60,000

 
80,000

Total long-term debt
 
$
206,084

 
$
225,848

 
 
 
 
 
    
Junior Subordinated Debt — As of December 31, 2015, the Company has six statutory business trusts for the purpose of issuing junior subordinated debt to third party investors. The junior subordinated debt was issued in connection with the Company’s various pooled trust preferred securities offerings. Junior subordinated debt is recorded as a component of long-term debt and considers the value of the common stock issued by the Trusts to the Company in conjunction with these transactions. The common stock is recorded in other assets for the amount issued in connection with these junior subordinated debt issuances.


106


The following table presents the outstanding junior subordinated debt issued by each trust:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Issuer
 
Stated
Maturity (1)
 
Stated
Interest Rate
 
Current Rate
 
Aggregate Principal Amount of Trust Securities
 
Aggregate Principal Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debts
 
Aggregate Principal Amount of Trust Securities
 
Aggregate Principal Amount of the Junior Subordinated Debts
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
East West Capital Trust V
 
November 2034
 
3-month Libor + 1.80%
 
2.18%
 
$
464

 
$
15,000

 
$
464

 
$
15,000

East West Capital Trust VI
 
September 2035
 
3-month Libor + 1.50%
 
2.01%
 
619

 
20,000

 
619

 
20,000

East West Capital Trust VII
 
June 2036
 
3-month Libor + 1.35%
 
1.86%
 
928

 
30,000

 
928

 
30,000

East West Capital Trust VIII
 
June 2037
 
3-month Libor + 1.40%
 
1.85%
 
619

 
18,000

 
619

 
18,000

East West Capital Trust IX
 
September 2037
 
3-month Libor + 1.90%
 
2.41%
 
928

 
30,000

 
928

 
30,000

Metro Bank Trust
 
December 2035
 
3-month Libor + 1.55%
 
2.06%
 
1,083

 
35,000

 
1,083

 
35,000

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,641

 
$
148,000

 
$
4,641

 
$
148,000

 
(1)
All the above debt instruments are subject to call options where early redemption requires appropriate notice.

The proceeds from these issuances represent liabilities of the Company to the Trusts and are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of long-term debt. Interest payments on these securities are made quarterly and are deductible for tax purposes. Although trust preferred securities remain qualified at December 31, 2015 as Tier I and Tier II capital for regulatory purposes (at adjusted percentages of 25% and 75%, respectively), they will be limited to Tier II capital beginning in 2016 based on the Basel III Capital Rules as discussed in Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation - Capital Requirements.

Term Loan — In 2013, the Company entered into a $100.0 million three-year term loan agreement. The terms of the agreement were modified in 2015 to extend the term loan maturity from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018, where principal repayments of $5.0 million are due quarterly. The term loan bears interest at the rate of the three-month LIBOR plus 150 basis points and the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 1.83% and 1.76% for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The outstanding balances of the term loan were $60.0 million and $80.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The term loan is included in long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


107


NOTE 13 — INCOME TAXES
 
Income tax expense was $194.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an effective tax rate of 33.5%, compared to $101.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 22.6% and $153.8 million, representing an effective tax rate of 34.4% for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in 2015 compared to 2014, was mainly due to less tax credits that were recognized in 2015 from investments in affordable housing, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy projects. The Company recognizes investment tax credits from affordable housing partnerships and other tax credit investments in the year the credit arises under the flow-through method of accounting. Included in the income tax expense recognized during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $67.6 million, $85.7 million and $35.0 million, respectively, of tax credits generated mainly from investments in affordable housing partnerships and other tax credit investments.

The following table presents the components of income tax expense for the years indicated:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Current income tax (benefit) expense:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
 
$
(62,829
)
 
$
174,640

 
$
152,061

State
 
(4,750
)
 
70,527

 
44,389

Foreign
 
409

 
3,846

 
208

Total current income tax (benefit) expense
 
(67,170
)
 
249,013

 
196,658

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
 
199,858

 
(111,122
)
 
(31,293
)
State
 
60,437

 
(36,040
)
 
(13,155
)
Foreign
 
919

 
(706
)
 
1,612

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)
 
261,214

 
(147,868
)
 
(42,836
)
Income tax expense (1)
 
$
194,044

 
$
101,145

 
$
153,822

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 The difference between the effective tax rate implicit in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the statutory federal income tax rate can be attributed to the following:
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Federal income tax provision at statutory rate
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State franchise taxes, net of federal tax effect
 
6.3

 
5.0

 
4.6

Tax credits
 
(8.7
)
 
(16.7
)
 
(4.8
)
Other, net
 
0.9

 
(0.7
)
 
(0.4
)
Effective income tax rate (1)
 
33.5
 %
 
22.6
 %
 
34.4
 %
 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    

108


Management regularly reviews the Company’s tax positions and deferred tax assets. Factors considered in this analysis include future reversals of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing differences, taxable income in prior carryback years, and tax planning strategies. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized and settled. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax (liabilities) assets are presented below:
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Federal
 
State
 
Foreign
 
Total
 
Federal
 
State
 
Foreign
 
Total
Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Core deposit intangibles
 
$
(12,588
)
 
$
(3,616
)
 
$
—

 
$
(16,204
)
 
$
(15,748
)
 
$
(4,513
)
 
$
—

 
$
(20,261
)
Fixed assets
 
(15,167
)
 
(4,093
)
 
—

 
(19,260
)
 
(16,615
)
 
(4,101
)
 
—

 
(20,716
)
FHLB stock
 
(2,229
)
 
(618
)
 
—

 
(2,847
)
 
(5,064
)
 
(1,475
)
 
—

 
(6,539
)
Deferred loan fees
 
(1,198
)
 
(332
)
 
—

 
(1,530
)
 
(1,587
)
 
(454
)
 
—

 
(2,041
)
Purchased loan discounts
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(51
)
 
(15
)
 
—

 
(66
)
State taxes
 
(912
)
 
—

 
—

 
(912
)
 
(8,244
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8,244
)
Gain from FDIC-assisted acquisition
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,063
)
 
(64
)
 
—

 
(2,127
)
Acquired debt
 
(2,295
)
 
(637
)
 
—

 
(2,932
)
 
(2,237
)
 
1,369

 
—

 
(868
)
Acquired loans and OREO
 
(7,222
)
 
(1,714
)
 
(406
)
 
(9,342
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other, net
 
(1,740
)
 
(883
)
 
—

 
(2,623
)
 
(1,652
)
 
(473
)
 
—

 
(2,125
)
Total gross deferred tax (liabilities)
 
(43,351
)
 
(11,893
)
 
(406
)
 
(55,650
)
 
(53,261
)
 
(9,726
)
 
—

 
(62,987
)
Deferred tax assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax credit and other investments (1)
 
(1,250
)
 
3,894

 
—

 
2,644

 
5,523

 
6,349

 
—

 
11,872

Allowance for loan losses and OREO reserves
 
102,382

 
28,686

 
1,153

 
132,221

 
93,749

 
23,615

 
1,409

 
118,773

NOL carryforwards
 
—

 
282

 
—

 
282

 
—

 
749

 
—

 
749

Deferred compensation
 
21,484

 
6,028

 
—

 
27,512

 
16,505

 
4,785

 
—

 
21,290

Mortgage servicing assets
 
875

 
243

 
—

 
1,118

 
2,570

 
735

 
—

 
3,305

Purchased loan premium
 
172

 
48

 
—

 
220

 
292

 
84

 
—

 
376

Unrealized loss on securities
 
4,685

 
1,279

 
—

 
5,964

 
42,737

 
12,638

 
—

 
55,375

FDIC receivable & clawback
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
36,630

 
11,736

 
—

 
48,366

Acquired loans and OREO
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
139,360

 
36,678

 
256

 
176,294

Nonaccrual interest income
 
4,124

 
1,144

 
—

 
5,268

 
356

 
102

 
—

 
458

Other, net
 
12,905

 
3,573

 
96

 
16,574

 
11,833

 
4,116

 
97

 
16,046

Total gross deferred tax assets (1)
 
145,377

 
45,177

 
1,249

 
191,803

 
349,555

 
101,587

 
1,762

 
452,904

Valuation allowance
 
—

 
(282
)
 
—

 
(282
)
 
—

 
(316
)
 
—

 
(316
)
Net deferred tax assets (1)
 
$
102,026

 
$
33,002

 
$
843

 
$
135,871

 
$
296,294

 
$
91,545

 
$
1,762

 
$
389,601

 
(1)
Prior period was restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance is used, as needed, to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

The Company expects to have sufficient taxable income in future years to fully realize the deferred tax assets. Based on the available evidence, management believes that it is more likely than not that all of the benefit of the deferred tax assets recorded as of December 31, 2015 will be realized, with the exception of the deferred tax assets related to certain state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. A valuation allowance has been recorded for the state NOL (for states other than California, Georgia, Massachusetts and New York) since management believes that these NOLs may not be fully utilized. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for all income tax uncertainties consistent with the standards of ASC 740-10. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had net deferred tax assets of $135.9 million and $389.6 million, respectively. The decrease in deferred tax assets in 2015 was mainly due to the termination of the FDIC shared-loss agreements, realization of previously impaired available-for-sale investment securities and the deductibility of certain acquired loans for tax purposes. Net deferred tax assets are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


109


The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning Balance
 
$
5,020

 
$
4,677

Additions for tax positions of prior years
 
2,105

 
343

Reductions for tax positions of prior years
 
—

 
—

Additions for tax positions of current year
 
—

 
—

Settlements
 
—

 
—

Ending Balance
 
$
7,125

 
$
5,020

 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company increased the unrecognized tax benefits by $2.1 million and $343 thousand, respectively, for the California enterprise zone net interest deduction. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the balances of unrecognized tax benefits related to tax uncertainties, including interest and penalties was $8.9 million and $7.2 million, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Also, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $4.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
 
Every year, subsequent to 2012, the Company has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the IRS to voluntarily participate in the IRS Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”) where the IRS will assist the Company in identifying and resolving any tax issues that may arise throughout the tax year. The objective of the CAP is to resolve issues in a timely and contemporaneous manner and eliminate the need for a lengthy post-filing examination. Filed in September 2014, the 2013 tax return received a full acceptance of all tax matters from the IRS. The Company has executed a MOU with the IRS for the 2014 to 2016 tax years. For federal tax purposes, tax years from 2011 and beyond remain open. For California franchise tax purposes, tax years from 2003 and beyond remain open. The state of North Carolina has initiated an audit of East West Bank’s corporate income tax return for the 2012 tax year. The Company does not believe that the outcome of unresolved issues or claims in any tax jurisdiction is likely to be material to the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations. The Company further believes that adequate provisions have been made for all income tax uncertainties. The Company does not anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if applicable, related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recorded a change in interest and penalties of ($460) thousand, $597 thousand and ($744) thousand for its unrecognized tax positions as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $1.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Credit Extensions — In the normal course of business, the Company has various outstanding commitments to extend credit that are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. While the Company does not anticipate losses as a result of these transactions, commitments to extend credit are included in determining the appropriate level of the allowance for unfunded commitments and unissued SBLCs. The following table summarizes the Company’s credit-related commitments as of December 31:
 
($ in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Loan commitments
 
$
3,370,271

 
$
2,973,577

Commercial and standby letters of credit (“SBLCs”)
 
$
1,293,547

 
$
1,253,066

 

 Loan commitments are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require maintenance of compensatory balances. Of the $3.37 billion unfunded loan commitments as of December 31, 2015, approximately $1.84 billion are expected to expire in 2016. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements.


110


Commercial letters of credit are issued to facilitate domestic and foreign trade transactions while SBLCs generally are contingent upon the failure of the customers to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party. As a result, the total contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements. The Company’s historical experience is that SBLCs typically expire without being funded. Additionally, in many cases, the Company holds collateral in various forms against these SBLCs. As part of its risk management activities, the Company monitors the creditworthiness of customers in conjunction with its SBLC exposure. The customer is obligated to reimburse the Company for any payment made on the customer’s behalf. If the customer fails to pay, the Company would, as applicable, liquidate the collateral and/or offset accounts. Total letters of credit of $1.29 billion consisted of commercial letters of credit of $64.9 million and SBLCs of $1.23 billion as of December 31, 2015. Approximately $420.8 million of these letters of credit will expire in 2016.

The Company uses the same credit underwriting criteria in extending loans, commitments, and conditional obligations to customers. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s credit. Collateral may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
 
Estimated exposure to loss from these commitments is included in the allowance for unfunded credit reserves and amounted to $19.8 million and $10.5 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Guarantees — The Company has sold or securitized loans with recourse in the ordinary course of business. The recourse component in the loans sold or securitized with recourse is considered a guarantee. As the guarantor, the Company is obligated to make payments when the loans default. As of December 31, 2015, the maximum potential future payment, which is generally the unpaid principal balance of total loans sold or securitized with recourse amounted to $191.3 million and was comprised of $29.8 million in single-family loans with full recourse and $161.5 million in multifamily loans with limited recourse. In comparison, total loans sold or securitized with recourse amounted to $249.8 million as of December 31, 2014, and was comprised of $35.5 million in single-family loans with full recourse and $214.3 million in multifamily loans with limited recourse. The recourse provision on multifamily loans varies by loan sale and is limited to 4% of the top loss on the underlying loans. The Company’s recourse reserve related to these guarantees is included in the allowance for unfunded credit reserves and totaled $630 thousand and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The allowance for unfunded credit reserves were included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company continues to experience minimal losses from the single-family and multifamily loan portfolios sold or securitized with recourse.
 
Lease Commitments — The Company conducts a portion of its operations utilizing leased premises and equipment under operating leases. Rental expense amounted to $24.6 million, $26.2 million and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases are estimated as follows:
 
Years Ending December 31,
 
Amount
 
 
($ in thousands)
2016
 
$
28,042

2017
 
24,902

2018
 
21,263

2019
 
18,112

2020
 
14,708

Thereafter
 
53,320

Total
 
$
160,347

 
 
Related Party Transactions — In the ordinary course of business, the Company may enter into transactions with various related parties. The Company’s related party transactions were not material for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.


111


Litigation — The Company is a party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, the Company accrues reserves for currently outstanding lawsuits, claims, and proceedings when a loss contingency is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The outcome of such legal actions is inherently difficult to predict and it is possible that one or more of the currently pending or threatened legal or regulatory matters could have material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, consolidated financial position, and/or results of operations. Based on the information currently available, advice of counsel and established reserves, the Company believes that the eventual outcome of pending legal matters will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. On September 8, 2014, a jury in the case titled “F&F, LLC and 618 Investment, Inc. v. East West Bank,” Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC462714, delivered a verdict in favor of plaintiff F&F, LLC. The case is being appealed.  The litigation accrual was $35.4 million and $31.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Other Commitments — The Company has commitments to invest in qualified affordable housing partnerships and other tax credit investments qualifying for community reinvestment tax credits or other types of tax credits. These commitments are payable on demand. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, these commitments were $174.7 million and $114.7 million, respectively. These commitments are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


NOTE 15 — STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
 
Pursuant to the Company’s 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, the Company issues stock options, RSAs and RSUs to employees. An aggregate of 11.0 million shares of common stock were authorized under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and the total number available for grant was approximately 3.0 million as of December 31, 2015.

The following table summarizes the total share-based compensation expense and the related net tax benefit associated with its various employee share-based compensation plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Compensation expense related to RSAs and RSUs
 
$
16,502

 
$
13,883

 
$
13,531

Net tax benefit recognized in equity for stock compensation plans
 
$
3,291

 
$
6,513

 
$
5,522

 

Stock Options — The Company issues stock options to certain employees, officers and directors. Stock options are issued at the current market price on the date of grant. No options have been granted since 2011. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 42,116 stock options outstanding that were vested and exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $20.75. These options had a four-year vesting period and contractual term of seven years. During 2015, all outstanding stock options have been fully exercised and there were no outstanding options as of December 31, 2015.

The following table presents information related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Cash proceeds from options exercised
 
$
874

 
$
4,937

 
$
1,680

Net tax benefit recognized from options exercised
 
$
320

 
$
1,398

 
$
48

Total intrinsic value of options exercised
 
$
760

 
$
3,546

 
$
926

Total fair value of options vested
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
363

 

 RSAs and RSUs — RSAs and RSUs are granted under our long-term incentive plan at no cost to the recipient. RSAs vest ratably over three years, cliff vest after three years, or vest at a rate of 50% each at the fourth and fifth year of continued employment from the date of the grant. RSUs vest ratably over three years or cliff vest after three or five years of continued employment from the date of the grant. The restricted stock entitles the recipient to receive cash dividends equivalent to any dividends paid on the underlying common stock during the period the restricted stock is outstanding and, as such, are considered participating securities as discussed in Note 17 — Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Share to the Consolidated Financial Statements. All RSAs have vested as of December 31, 2015. While a portion of the RSAs and RSUs are time-vesting awards, others vest subject to the attainment of specified performance goals. All RSAs and RSUs are subject to forfeiture until vested.


112


The following table presents a summary of the activity for the Company’s time-based RSAs and RSUs, and performance-based RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2015 based on the target amount of awards:
 
 
 
2015
 
RSAs and RSUs
 
Time-Based
 
Performance-Based
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year
 
751,020

 
$
30.61

 
400,508

 
$
27.51

Granted
 
477,417

 
40.36

 
133,295

 
41.15

Vested
 
(225,566
)
 
23.65

 
(144,445
)
 
22.05

Forfeited
 
(69,559
)
 
36.64

 
—

 
—

Outstanding at end of year
 
933,312

 
$
36.83

 
389,358

 
$
34.21

 
 
The weighted average fair values of the time-based awards granted during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $40.36, $36.59 and $25.82, respectively. The weighted average fair value of the performance-based awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $41.15, $36.85 and $25.25, respectively. The total fair value of time-based awards that vested during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $9.1 million, $21.6 million and $24.7 million, respectively. The total fair value of performance-based awards that vested during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $5.8 million, $3.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
 
Compensation expense for the Company’s time-based awards is based on the quoted market price of the related stock at the grant date. Performance-based awards granted that include discretionary performance based vesting conditions are subject to variable accounting. As of December 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation cost related to time-based and performance-based RSAs amounted to $23.3 million and $10.0 million, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.92 years and 1.78 years, respectively.
 
Stock Purchase Plan — The 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”) provides eligible employees of the Company the right to purchase shares of its common stock at a discount. Employees could purchase shares at 90% of the fair market price subject to an annual purchase limitation of $22,500 per employee. As of December 31, 2015, the Purchase Plan qualifies as a non-compensatory plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized. 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been made available for sale under the Purchase Plan. During 2015 and 2014, 55,485 shares totaling $2.0 million and 58,587 shares totaling $1.9 million, respectively, have been sold to employees under the Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 2015, there were 639,228 shares available under the Purchase Plan.



113


NOTE 16 — EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan, the East West Bank Employees 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”), designed to provide retirement benefits financed by participants’ tax deferred contributions for the benefits of its employees. A Roth 401(k) investing option is also available to the participants, which is designed to be made on an after-tax basis. Under the terms of the Plan, eligible employees may elect to defer up to 80% of their compensation before taxes, up to the dollar limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes. Participants can also designate a part or all of their contributions as Roth 401(k) contributions. Effective as of April 1, 2014, the Company matches 75% of the first 6% of the Plan participant’s deferred compensation. The Company’s contributions to the Plan are determined annually by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) in accordance with the Plan requirements. Plan participants become vested in the matching contributions received from the Plan sponsor at the rate of 20% per year for each full year of service after the first year such that the Plan participants become 100% vested after five years of credited service. For the Plan years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company expensed $7.5 million, $5.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

During 2001, the Company adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). The SERP meets the definition of a pension plan per ASC 715-30, Compensation — Retirement Benefits — Defined Benefit Plans — Pension, pursuant to which the Company will pay supplemental pension benefits to certain executive officers designated by the Board upon retirement based upon the officers’ years of service and compensation. The SERP is an unfunded, non-qualified plan under which the participants have no rights beyond those of a general creditor of the Company, and there are no specific assets set aside by the Company in connection with the plan. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 there was only one executive accruing benefits under the SERP. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, $619 thousand, $583 thousand and $644 thousand, respectively, of benefits were expensed and accrued for. The benefit obligation was $6.1 million and $5.8 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The following table presents a summary of expected SERP payments to be paid for the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
Amount
 
 
($ in thousands)
2016
 
$
2,617

2017
 
310

2018
 
319

2019
 
329

2020
 
339

Thereafter
 
8,563

Total
 
$
12,477

 
 
 


NOTE 17 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Series A Preferred Stock Offering — In April 2008, the Company issued 200,000 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A”), with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The Company received $194.1 million of additional Tier 1 qualifying capital, after deducting stock issuance costs. On May 1, 2013, the Company exercised its mandatory conversion right related to all the outstanding shares of its Series A preferred stock. At the conversion date, the remaining 85,710 shares of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock were converted to 5,594,080 shares of common stock.

MetroCorp Warrant — The Company completed the acquisition of MetroCorp on January 17, 2014. Prior to the acquisition, MetroCorp had an outstanding warrant to purchase 771,429 shares of its common stock.  Upon the acquisition, the rights of the warrant holder were converted into the right to acquire 230,282 shares of East West’s common stock until January 16, 2019. The warrant has not been exercised as of December 31, 2015.
 
Stock Repurchase Program — On January 23, 2013, the Company’s Board authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to $200.0 million of the Company’s common stock. During 2013, the Company completed the authorized repurchased program, repurchasing 8,026,807 shares at a weighted average price of $24.89 per share for a total cost of $200.0 million. On July 17, 2013, the Company’s Board authorized an additional stock repurchase program to buy back up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company has not repurchased any shares under this program. Although this program has no stated expiration date, the Company does not intend to repurchase any shares pursuant to this program absent further action of the Company’s Board.


114


Quarterly Dividends — The Company paid quarterly dividends on its common stock of $0.20 per share for each quarter of 2015. In comparison, the Company paid quarterly dividends on its common stock of $0.18 and $0.15 per share for each quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total dividends amounting to $116.2 million, $104.0 million and $83.3 million were paid to the Company’s common stockholders during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company’s Board declared and paid quarterly preferred stock cash dividends of $20.00 per share on its Series A preferred stock in 2013. Cash dividends totaling $3.4 million were paid to the Company’s Series A preferred stock stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2013. The Series A preferred stock were converted into common stock on May 1, 2013.

EPS — EPS is calculated using the two-class method. Certain of the Company’s instruments containing rights to nonforfeitable dividends granted in stock-based payment transactions are considered participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, have been included in the earnings allocations to compute basic and diluted EPS.

The following table presents EPS calculations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share data, shares in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
293,324

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
3,428

          Earnings allocated to participating securities
 
3

 
506

 
1,682

Net income allocated to common stockholders (1)
 
$
384,674

 
$
345,372

 
$
288,214

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
143,818

 
142,952

 
137,342

Basic EPS (1)
 
$
2.67

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income allocated to common stockholders (1)
 
$
384,674

 
$
345,372

 
$
288,214

Add: Convertible preferred stock dividends
 
—

 
—

 
3,428

Net income allocated to diluted common stockholders (1)
 
$
384,674

 
$
345,372

 
$
291,642

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
143,818

 
142,952

 
137,342

Diluted potential common shares (2)
 
694

 
611

 
2,232

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
144,512

 
143,563

 
139,574

Diluted EPS (1)
 
$
2.66

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.09

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2)
Includes dilutive shares from stock options, and RSUs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Also includes dilutive shares from warrants for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and dilutive shares from preferred stock for the year ended December 31, 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 16 thousand weighted average anti-dilutive shares of RSUs, were excluded from the diluted EPS computation. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 27 thousand and 187 thousand weighted average anti-dilutive shares, respectively, comprised of stock options and RSUs, were excluded from the diluted EPS computation.
 


115


NOTE 18 — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents the changes in the components of AOCI balances for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Available-
for-Sale Investment
Securities
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments (1)
 
Total
 
Available-
for-Sale Investment
Securities
 
Total
 
Available-
for-Sale Investment
Securities
 
Total
Beginning balance
 
$
4,237

 
$
—

 
$
4,237

 
$
(30,459
)
 
$
(30,459
)
 
$
4,669

 
$
4,669

Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
 
13,012

 
(8,797
)
 
4,215

 
40,911

 
40,911

 
(27,833
)
 
(27,833
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
(23,393
)
 
—

 
(23,393
)
 
(6,215
)
 
(6,215
)
 
(7,295
)
 
(7,295
)
Changes, net of taxes
 
(10,381
)
 
(8,797
)
 
(19,178
)
 
34,696

 
34,696

 
(35,128
)
 
(35,128
)
Ending balance
 
$
(6,144
)
 
$
(8,797
)
 
$
(14,941
)
 
$
4,237

 
$
4,237

 
$
(30,459
)
 
$
(30,459
)
 
(1)
Represents foreign currency translation adjustments related to the Company’s net investment in non-U.S. operations, including related hedges. In the third quarter of 2015, there was a change in functional currency from USD to the local currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiary.

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss), reclassifications to net income and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Before-Tax
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net-of-Tax
 
Before-Tax
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net-of-Tax
 
Before-Tax
 
Tax
Effect
 
Net-of-Tax
Available-for-sale investment securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period
 
$
22,454

 
$
(9,442
)
 
$
13,012

 
$
70,537

 
$
(29,626
)
 
$
40,911

 
$
(47,988
)
 
$
20,155

 
$
(27,833
)
Net realized gains reclassified into net income (1)
 
(40,367
)
 
16,974

 
(23,393
)
 
(10,715
)
 
4,500

 
(6,215
)
 
(12,577
)
 
5,282

 
(7,295
)
Net change
 
(17,913
)
 
7,532

 
(10,381
)
 
59,822

 
(25,126
)
 
34,696

 
(60,565
)
 
25,437

 
(35,128
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized losses arising during period
 
(8,797
)
 
—

 
(8,797
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net change
 
(8,797
)
 
—

 
(8,797
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other comprehensive (loss)income
 
$
(26,710
)
 
$
7,532

 
$
(19,178
)
 
$
59,822

 
$
(25,126
)
 
$
34,696

 
$
(60,565
)
 
$
25,437

 
$
(35,128
)
 
(1)
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the pretax amount was reported in net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the pretax amount was reported in net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities and other fees and other operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.



116

NOTE 19 — REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND MATTERS
 
Capital Adequacy — The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. The Bank is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank is the Bank’s primary regulator. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank published Basel III Capital Rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The Basel III Capital Rules apply to all depository institutions and top-tier bank holding companies with assets of $500.0 million or more, and accordingly are effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for certain of their components). The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 requires that the federal regulatory agencies adopt regulations defining capital tiers for banks: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Basel III Capital Rules: (i) introduced a new capital measure called Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-based Capital (“CET1”) and a related regulatory capital ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) specified that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments, which are instruments treated as Tier 1 instruments under the prior capital rules that meet certain revised requirements; (iii) mandated that most deductions or adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital; and (iv) expanded the scope of the deductions from and adjustments to capital, compared to existing regulations. The Basel III Capital Rules also prescribed a new standardized approach for risk weightings that expanded the risk weighting categories from the previous four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories.

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Bank was categorized as well capitalized based on applicable U.S. regulatory capital ratio requirements, as set forth in the table below. The Company believes that no changes in conditions or events have occurred since December 31, 2015, which would result in changes that would cause the Company or the Bank to fall below the well capitalized level. The following tables present the regulatory capital information of the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)
 
Basel III
 
Basel I
 
Actual
 
Minimum Requirement
 
Well Capitalized Requirement
 
Actual
 
Minimum Requirement
 
Well Capitalized Requirement
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Ratio
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Ratio
 
Ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
 
$
3,082,945

 
12.2
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
$
2,753,599

 
12.6
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
East West Bank
 
$
3,039,524

 
12.1
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
$
2,590,173

 
11.8
%
 
8.0
%
 
10.0
%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Company
 
$
2,686,627

 
10.7
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.0
%
 
$
2,405,452

 
11.0
%
 
4.0
%
 
6.0
%
East West Bank
 
$
2,754,201

 
11.0
%
 
6.0
%
 
8.0
%
 
$
2,316,615

 
10.6
%
 
4.0
%
 
6.0
%
CET1 capital (1) (to risk-weighted assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Company
 
$
2,650,413

 
10.5
%

4.5
%
 
6.5
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

  East West Bank
 
$
2,754,201

 
11.0
%

4.5
%
 
6.5
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Tier I leverage capital (to adjusted average assets)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
 
$
2,686,627

 
8.5
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
$
2,405,452

 
8.4
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
East West Bank
 
$
2,754,201

 
8.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
 
$
2,316,615

 
8.2
%
 
4.0
%
 
5.0
%
Risk weighted assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
 
$
25,232,575

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
21,931,486

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

East West Bank
 
$
25,129,885

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
21,875,078

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Adjusted quarterly average total assets (2)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
 
$
31,458,517

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
28,501,115

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

East West Bank
 
$
31,385,333

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
28,418,340

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
(1)
CET1 capital measurement was introduced under the Basel III Capital Rules implemented during 2015.
(2)
Reflects adjusted average total assets for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
N/A = not applicable


117

Reserve Requirement — The Bank is required to maintain a percentage of its deposits as reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “FRB”). The daily average reserve requirement was approximately $395.6 million and $325.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Regulatory Matters — The Bank entered into a Written Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, with the FRB (the “Written Agreement”), to correct less than satisfactory Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) programs detailed in a joint examination by the FRB and the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”). The Bank also entered into a related MOU with the DBO. The Written Agreement, among other things, requires the Bank to:

•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written plan to strengthen the Board’s oversight of the Bank’s compliance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to AML, including compliance with the BSA, the rules and regulations issued thereunder by the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the AML requirements of Regulation H of the Board of Governors (collectively, “BSA/AML Requirements”);
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written revised program for compliance with all applicable BSA/AML Requirements, which, at a minimum, will include, among other things, a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with all applicable BSA/AML Requirements and controls designed to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements relating to correspondent accounts for foreign financial institutions;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written revised program for conducting appropriate levels of customer due diligence, including policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the Bank collects, analyzes, and retains complete and accurate customer information for all account holders, including customers of the Bank’s foreign operations;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit an enhanced written program to reasonably ensure the identification and timely, accurate and complete reporting by the Bank of all known or suspected violations of law or suspicious transactions to law enforcement and supervisory authorities as required by applicable suspicious activity reporting laws and regulations;
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a written plan to the FRB for the full installation, testing, and activation of an effective automated transaction monitoring system to reasonably ensure the identification and timely, accurate, and complete reporting by the Bank of all known or suspected violations of law or suspicious transactions to law enforcement and supervisory authorities;
•
within 30 days following completion of the customer account remediation required by the Written Agreement, engage an independent consultant to conduct a review of, and prepare a report detailing findings relating to, account and transaction activity associated with any high risk customer accounts during a six-month period in 2014 to determine whether suspicious activity involving high risk customer accounts or transactions was properly identified and reported; and
•
within 60 days of the Written Agreement, submit a plan to enhance the Bank’s compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) Regulations, including enhanced OFAC screening procedures and an improved methodology for assessing OFAC risks.

We believe the Bank is making progress in executing the compliance plans and programs required by the Written Agreement and MOU, although there can be no assurances that our plans and progress will be found to be satisfactory by our regulators. As a result, the Bank will continue to require significant management and third party consultant resources to comply with the Written Agreement and MOU and to address any additional findings or recommendations by the regulators. The Bank has already added significant resources to meet the monitoring and reporting obligations imposed by the Written Agreement. The Bank expects these incremental administrative and third party costs, as well as the operational restrictions imposed by the Written Agreement, to adversely affect the Bank’s results of operations.

If additional compliance issues are identified or if the regulators determine that the Bank has not satisfactorily complied with the terms of the Written Agreement, the regulators could take further actions with respect to the Bank and, if such further actions were taken, such actions could have a material adverse effect on the Bank. The operating and other conditions of the Written Agreement could lead to an increased risk of being subject to additional regulatory actions by the DBO or FRB or other government agencies, as well as additional actions resulting from future regular annual safety and soundness and compliance examinations by the federal and state regulators that downgrade the regulatory ratings of the Bank.



118


NOTE 20 — BUSINESS SEGMENTS
 
The Company utilizes an internal reporting system to measure the performance of various operating segments within the Bank and the Company. The Company has identified three operating segments for purposes of management reporting: (1) Retail Banking; (2) Commercial Banking; and (3) Other. These three business divisions meet the criteria of an operating segment: the segment engages in business activities from which it earns revenues and incurs expenses, its operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision-maker to render decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance and discrete financial information is available.
 
The Retail Banking segment focuses primarily on retail operations through the Bank’s branch network. The Commercial Banking segment, which includes CRE, primarily generates commercial loans through the commercial lending offices located in the Bank’s production offices. Furthermore, the Company’s Commercial Banking segment offers a wide variety of international finance and trade services and products. The remaining centralized functions, including treasury activities and eliminations of inter-segment amounts, have been aggregated and included in the “Other” segment, which provides broad administrative support to the two core segments.
 
The Company’s funds transfer pricing assumptions are intended to promote core deposit growth and to reflect the current risk profiles of various loan categories within the credit portfolio. Transfer pricing assumptions and methodologies are reviewed at least annually to ensure that the Company’s process is reflective of current market conditions. The transfer pricing process is formulated with the goal of incenting loan and deposit growth that is consistent with the Company’s overall growth objectives, as well as to provide a reasonable and consistent basis for the measurement of the Company’s business segments and product net interest margins.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating segment results are based on the Company’s internal management reporting process, which reflects assignments and allocations of certain operating and administrative costs and the provision for credit losses. Net interest income is based on the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing system which assigns a cost of funds or a credit for funds to assets or liabilities based on their type, maturity or repricing characteristics. Noninterest income and noninterest expense, including depreciation and amortization, directly attributable to a segment are assigned to that business segment. Indirect costs, including overhead expense, are allocated to the segments based on several factors, including, but not limited to, full-time equivalent employees, loan volume and deposit volume. The provision for credit losses is allocated based on actual charge-offs for the period as well as average loan balances for each segment during the period. The Company evaluates overall performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes excluding nonrecurring gains and losses.
 
Changes in the Company’s management structure or reporting methodologies may result in changes in the measurement of operating segment results. Results for prior periods are generally restated for comparability for changes in management structure or reporting methodologies unless it is not deemed practicable to do so.
 

119


The following tables present the operating results and other key financial measures for the individual operating segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Retail
Banking
 
Commercial
Banking
 
Other
 
Total
Interest income
 
$
331,755

 
$
654,966

 
$
67,094

 
$
1,053,815

Charge for funds used
 
(86,769
)
 
(163,601
)
 
(66,773
)
 
(317,143
)
Interest spread on funds used
 
244,986

 
491,365

 
321

 
736,672

Interest expense
 
(53,088
)
 
(18,025
)
 
(32,263
)
 
(103,376
)
Credit on funds provided
 
261,117

 
36,251

 
19,775

 
317,143

Interest spread on funds provided
 
208,029

 
18,226

 
(12,488
)
 
213,767

Net interest income (loss)
 
$
453,015

 
$
509,591

 
$
(12,167
)
 
$
950,439

(Reversal of) provision for credit losses
 
$
(5,835
)
 
$
20,052

 
$
—

 
$
14,217

Depreciation, amortization and accretion (1)
 
$
10,051

 
$
(28,096
)
 
$
64,247

 
$
46,202

Segment pre-tax profit (loss)
 
$
212,036

 
$
382,233

 
$
(15,548
)
 
$
578,721

Segment assets
 
$
7,095,737

 
$
17,923,319

 
$
7,331,866

 
$
32,350,922

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Retail
Banking
 
Commercial
Banking
 
Other
 
Total
Interest income
 
$
378,445

 
$
715,075

 
$
60,178

 
$
1,153,698

Charge for funds used
 
(94,162
)
 
(141,652
)
 
(47,570
)
 
(283,384
)
Interest spread on funds used
 
284,283

 
573,423

 
12,608

 
870,314

Interest expense
 
(48,020
)
 
(15,650
)
 
(49,150
)
 
(112,820
)
Credit on funds provided
 
225,873

 
38,592

 
18,919

 
283,384

Interest spread on funds provided
 
177,853

 
22,942

 
(30,231
)
 
170,564

Net interest income (loss)
 
$
462,136

 
$
596,365

 
$
(17,623
)
 
$
1,040,878

Provision for credit losses
 
$
14,979

 
$
34,179

 
$
—

 
$
49,158

Depreciation, amortization and accretion (1)(2)
 
$
14,376

 
$
(8,372
)
 
$
76,549

 
$
82,553

Segment pre-tax profit (loss) (2)
 
$
181,286

 
$
293,425

 
$
(27,688
)
 
$
447,023

Segment assets (2)
 
$
7,621,808

 
$
15,595,862

 
$
5,525,922

 
$
28,743,592

 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Retail
Banking
 
Commercial
Banking
 
Other
 
Total
Interest income
 
$
374,818

 
$
627,118

 
$
66,749

 
$
1,068,685

Charge for funds used
 
(86,552
)
 
(116,161
)
 
(18,244
)
 
(220,957
)
Interest spread on funds used
 
288,266

 
510,957

 
48,505

 
847,728

Interest expense
 
(47,287
)
 
(15,185
)
 
(50,020
)
 
(112,492
)
Credit on funds provided
 
173,194

 
29,262

 
18,501

 
220,957

Interest spread on funds provided
 
125,907

 
14,077

 
(31,519
)
 
108,465

Net interest income
 
$
414,173

 
$
525,034

 
$
16,986

 
$
956,193

Provision for credit losses
 
$
10,911

 
$
11,453

 
$
—

 
$
22,364

Depreciation, amortization and accretion (1)(2)
 
$
19,865

 
$
8,120

 
$
47,829

 
$
75,814

Segment pre-tax profit (2)
 
$
132,961

 
$
283,885

 
$
30,300

 
$
447,146

Segment assets (2)
 
$
7,820,191

 
$
11,545,405

 
$
5,366,620

 
$
24,732,216

 
(1)
Includes amortization and accretion related to the FDIC indemnification asset/net payable to the FDIC.
(2)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



120


NOTE 21 — PARENT COMPANY CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The financial information of East West Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS 
 
($ in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
18,898

 
$
211,053

Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value
 
8,731

 
8,370

Investment in subsidiaries (1)
 
3,233,206

 
2,847,227

Tax credit investments, net
 
47,488

 
41,054

Other assets
 
46,894

 
22,474

TOTAL (1)
 
$
3,355,217

 
$
3,130,178

LIABILITIES
 
 

 
 

Long-term debt
 
$
206,084

 
$
225,848

Other liabilities
 
26,183

 
48,219

Total liabilities
 
232,267

 
274,067

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 164,246,517 and 163,772,218 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
164

 
164

Additional paid in capital
 
1,701,295

 
1,677,767

Retained earnings (1)
 
1,872,594

 
1,604,141

Treasury stock at cost—20,337,284 shares in 2015 and 20,189,989 shares in 2014.
 
(436,162
)
 
(430,198
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
(14,941
)
 
4,237

Total stockholders’ equity (1)
 
3,122,950

 
2,856,111

TOTAL (1)
 
$
3,355,217

 
$
3,130,178

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Dividends from subsidiaries
 
$
88

 
$
111,701

 
$
319,085

Other income
 
625

 
7,414

 
821

Total income
 
713

 
119,115

 
319,906

Interest expense
 
4,636

 
4,823

 
3,436

Compensation and net occupancy reimbursement to subsidiary
 
5,386

 
4,039

 
3,662

Other expense
 
24,829

 
50,280

 
12,677

Total expense
 
34,851

 
59,142

 
19,775

(Loss) income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries
 
(34,138
)
 
59,973

 
300,131

Income tax benefit
 
30,849

 
80,674

 
22,885

Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries (1)
 
387,966

 
205,231

 
(29,692
)
Net income (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
293,324

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


121


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
($ in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income (1)
 
$
384,677

 
$
345,878

 
$
293,324

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries (1)
 
(387,965
)
 
(317,620
)
 
(289,309
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
22,870

 
46,365

 
8,806

Gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities and other investments
 
(20
)
 
(4,357
)
 
(161
)
Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
(3,291
)
 
(6,513
)
 
(5,522
)
Net change in other assets and other liabilities
 
(37,334
)
 
186,382

 
293,112

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
(21,063
)
 
250,135

 
300,250

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net increase in tax credit investments
 
(35,633
)
 
(53,071
)
 
(12,970
)
Purchases of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
—

 
(9,000
)
 
(69,986
)
Proceeds from sale of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale investment securities
 
20

 
74,002

 
—

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(35,613
)
 
11,931

 
(82,956
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Increase in long-term borrowings
 
—

 
—

 
100,000

Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock plans and agreements
 
2,835

 
6,794

 
3,054

Payments for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Repayment of long-term debt
 
(20,000
)
 
(30,310
)
 
(10,310
)
Repurchase of vested shares due to employee tax liability
 
(5,964
)
 
(10,326
)
 
(13,833
)
Repurchase of shares of treasury stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan
 
—

 
—

 
(199,992
)
Cash dividends on common stock
 
(115,641
)
 
(103,618
)
 
(82,862
)
Cash dividends on preferred stock
 
—

 
—

 
(3,428
)
Tax benefit from stock compensation plans, net
 
3,291

 
6,513

 
5,522

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(135,479
)
 
(130,947
)
 
(201,849
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(192,155
)
 
131,119

 
15,445

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
211,053

 
79,934

 
64,489

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
 
$
18,898

 
$
211,053

 
$
79,934

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash paid during the year for:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest
 
$
4,254

 
$
4,462

 
$
3,292

Noncash financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
83,027

Issuance of common stock related to acquisition
 
$
—

 
$
190,830

 
$
—

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



122


NOTE 22 — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)
 
 

Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share data)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,
2015

 


 


 


 

Interest and dividend income

$
270,477


$
264,632


$
255,445


$
263,261

Interest expense

23,536


24,343


27,953


27,544

Net interest income before (reversal of) provision for credit losses

246,941


240,289


227,492


235,717

(Reversal of) provision for credit losses

(2,000
)

7,736


3,494


4,987

Net interest income after (reversal of) provision for credit losses

248,941


232,553


223,998


230,730

Noninterest income

44,483


54,181


40,593


44,126

Noninterest expense

144,939


147,745


120,170


128,030

Income before taxes

148,485


138,989


144,421


146,826

Income tax expense

56,680


44,892


45,673


46,799

Net income

$
91,805


$
94,097


$
98,748


$
100,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic

$
0.64


$
0.65


$
0.69


$
0.70

Diluted

$
0.63


$
0.65


$
0.68


$
0.69

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
143,900

 
143,861

 
143,846

 
143,655

Diluted
 
144,686

 
144,590

 
144,480

 
144,349

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.20

 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
($ in thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
June 30,
 
March 31,
2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest and dividend income
 
$
287,135

 
$
285,948

 
$
294,442

 
$
286,173

Interest expense
 
27,647

 
28,974

 
27,992

 
28,207

Net interest income before provision for credit losses
 
259,488

 
256,974

 
266,450

 
257,966

Provision for credit losses
 
19,000

 
15,225

 
8,000

 
6,933

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
 
240,488

 
241,749

 
258,450

 
251,033

Noninterest income (loss)
 
7,805

 
10,342

 
(14,945
)
 
(14,916
)
Noninterest expense (1)
 
125,698

 
166,792

 
120,539

 
119,954

Income before taxes (1)
 
122,595

 
85,299

 
122,966

 
116,163

Income tax expense (benefit) (1)
 
27,093

 
(6,601
)
 
38,661

 
41,992

Net income (1)
 
$
95,502

 
$
91,900

 
$
84,305

 
$
74,171

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (1)
 
$
0.67

 
$
0.64

 
$
0.59

 
$
0.52

Diluted (1)
 
$
0.66

 
$
0.64

 
$
0.59

 
$
0.52

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
143,432

 
143,210

 
143,187

 
141,962

Diluted
 
144,116

 
143,810

 
143,689

 
142,632

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.18

 
$
0.18

 
$
0.18

 
$
0.18

 
(1)
Prior periods were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting the new accounting guidance related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects ASU 2014-01. Please see Note 9 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.



123


NOTE 23 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
Dividend Payout
 
On January 27, 2016, the Company’s Board declared first quarter 2016 dividends for the Company’s common stock. The common stock cash dividend of $0.20 per share was paid on February 16, 2016 to stockholders of record on February 1, 2016.

The Company has evaluated the effect of events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2015, and there have been no material events that would require recognition in the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



124


ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of December 31, 2015, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2015.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S GAAP.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company’s assessment, the Company concluded its internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria as of December 31, 2015.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2015, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Audit Report of the Company’s Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, issued an audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. The report is presented on the following page.


125


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
East West Bancorp, Inc.:
 
We have audited East West Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company, maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 2013 issued by COSO.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
/s/KPMG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
February 26, 2016



126


ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.

PART III 

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table presents the executive officers of the Company, their ages, positions and office, and business experience during the last five years. There is no family relationship between any of the Company’s executive officers or directors. Each officer is appointed by the Board of the Company or the Bank and serves at their pleasure.
 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Age (1)
 
Position with Company or Bank and Prior Positions
Dominic Ng
 
57
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since 1992.
Julia S. Gouw
 
56
 
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank since 2009.
Wendy Cai-Lee
 
41
 
Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Eastern and Texas Regions, Head of Consumer and Business Banking since 2015; 2014 - 2015: Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Eastern and Texas Regions;
2011 - 2014: Senior Managing Director and Head of U.S. Eastern and Texas Regions;
2009 - 2011: Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Douglas P. Krause
 
59
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary of the Company and the Bank since 1996.
Irene H. Oh
 
38
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since 2010.
Albert Sun
 
61
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank since 2015; 2014: Managing Director of Capital Markets of the Bank; 2012 - 2014: Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance and Restructuring of GE Capital; 2008 - 2012: Managing Director of Blackrock Capital Investment Corporation.
Gary Teo
 
43
 
Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources of the Company and the Bank since 2015; 2014 - 2015: Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources U.S. and Greater China of the Company and the Bank; 2013 - 2014: Senior Vice President and Director of Recruiting/Greater China Human Resources of the Company and the Bank; 2010 - 2013: First Vice President and Recruiting Manager of the Company and the Bank.
Andy Yen
 
58
 
Executive Vice President and Head of International and Commercial Banking since 2013; 2005 - 2013: Executive Vice President and Director of the Business Banking Division of the Bank.
 
(1)
As of February 26, 2016.
 
Information regarding the Company’s directors is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement to its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2016 Proxy Statement”) under the heading of Board of Directors and Nominees, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics
 
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer, controller, and persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is posted on the Company’s website at www.eastwestbank.com.
 
Audit Committee Financial Experts
 
The Company has determined that all members of the Audit Committee, namely Directors Molly Campbell, Rudolph Estrada, Keith Renken and Lester Sussman are “Audit Committee Financial Experts,” as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K. All members of the Audit Committee are independent of management.

 

127


ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Information regarding the Company’s executive compensation is included in the 2016 Proxy Statement under the headings of Director Compensation, Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Report by the Compensation Committee, and Compensation of Executive Officers. The information is incorporated into this item by reference.

ITEM 12. 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management not otherwise included herein is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
The following table sets forth the total number of shares available for issuance under the Company’s employee equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2015 regarding equity compensation plans:
 
 
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options
 
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
 
Plan Category
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
—

 
$
—

 
3,016,324

(1) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
—

 
—

 
—

 
Total
—

 
$
—

 
3,016,324

 
 
 
(1)
Represents future shares available under the shareholder-approved 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended effective May 24, 2011.

ITEM 13. 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is included in the 2016 Proxy Statement under the headings of Director Independence/Financial Experts and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. The information is incorporated into this item by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is included in the 2016 Proxy Statement under the heading Proposal No.2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The information is incorporated into this item by reference.


128


PART IV
 
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(1)
Financial Statements
 
The following financial statements of East West Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the auditor’s report thereon are filed as part of this report under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
 
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules
 
All financial statement schedules for East West Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the related footnotes, or are either inapplicable or not required.
 
(3)
Exhibits

A list of exhibits to this Form 10-K is set forth on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits and is incorporated into this item by reference.
 

129


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated:
February 26, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST WEST BANCORP INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ DOMINIC NG
 
 
 
 
Dominic Ng
 
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 

130


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DOMINIC NG
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
February 26, 2016
Dominic Ng
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JULIA GOUW
 
President and Chief Operating Officer
 
February 26, 2016
Julia Gouw
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ IRENE H. OH
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
February 26, 2016
Irene H. Oh
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MOLLY CAMPBELL
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Molly Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ IRIS CHAN
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Iris Chan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ RUDOLPH I. ESTRADA
 
Lead Director
 
February 26, 2016
Rudolph I. Estrada
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PAUL H. IRVING
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Paul H. Irving
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JOHN LEE
 
Vice-Chairman and Director
 
February 26, 2016
John Lee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ HERMAN Y. LI
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Herman Y. Li
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JACK C. LIU
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Jack C. Liu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KEITH W. RENKEN
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Keith W. Renken
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ LESTER M. SUSSMAN
 
Director
 
February 26, 2016
Lester M. Sussman
 
 
 
 
 



131


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
3.1.1
 
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i).1 from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Commission on March 28, 2003 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
3.1.2
 
Amendment to Certification of Incorporation to Increase Authorized Shares of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 15, 2005 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
3.1.3
 
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 24, 2008 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated January 29, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January 30, 2013 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
3.3
 
Certificate of Designations of 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, including Form of Series A Preferred Stock Certificate. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
4.1
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
4.2
 
Form of Certificate of the Registrant’s 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 from Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.1.1
 
Form of Employment Agreement- Mr. Ng* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
10.1.2
 
Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement – Mr. Ng* Filed herewith.
 
 
 
10.2.1
 
Form of Employment Agreement- Mr. Krause* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
10.2.2
 
Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement – Mr. Krause* Filed herewith.
 
 
 
10.3
 
Form of Employment Agreement – Mr. Yen* Filed herewith.
 
 
 
10.4
 
Form of July 2011 Executive Compensation Agreement – Julia Gouw* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 29, 2011 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.5.1
 
Form of Agreement Regarding Grants of Incentive Shares and Clawbacks – Mr. Ng* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2012 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.5.2
 
Form of Agreement Regarding Grants of Incentive Shares and Clawbacks – Ms. Gouw* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.1 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2012 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.5.3
 
Form of Agreement Regarding Grants of Incentive Shares and Clawbacks – Mr. Krause* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.2 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2012 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.5.4
 
Form of Agreement Regarding Grants of Incentive Shares and Clawbacks – Ms. Oh* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.3 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 10, 2012 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.6.1
 
East West Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and Forms of Agreements* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
10.6.2
 
Amended East West Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A from Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 14, 2011 (File No. 000-24939).]

132


Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
10.6.3
 
1998 NonQualified Stock Option Program for Employees and Independent Contractors* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 9, 2005 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.6.4
 
Amended Performance-Based Bonus Plan* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A from Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 20, 2012 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.6.5
 
1999 Spirit of Ownership Restricted Stock Program* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 9, 2005 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.6.6
 
2003 Directors’ Restricted Stock Program* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 9, 2005 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.7
 
East West Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on November 13, 1998 (File No. 333-63605).]
 
 
 
10.8
 
Amended Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans* [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on March 11, 2005 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.9
 
Director Compensation.* Filed herewith.
 
 
 
10.10
 
Purchase and Assumption Agreement – Whole Bank – All Deposits, among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of United Commercial Bank, San Francisco, California, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and East West Bank, dated as of November 6, 2009 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on November 12, 2009 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
10.11
 
Purchase and Assumption Agreement – Whole Bank – All Deposits, among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Washington First International Bank, Seattle, Washington, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and East West Bank, dated as of June 11, 2010 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the Commission on August 27, 2010 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
12.1
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG LLP. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
31.1
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
32.2
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
99.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between East West Bancorp, Inc. and MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. dated September 18, 2013 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on September 18, 2013 (File No. 000-24939).]
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.

*    Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 


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