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EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 29, 2008, relating to the consolidated financial statements of East West Bancorp, Inc. and the effectiveness of East West Bancorp, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of East West Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2007, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Los Angeles, California
January 5, 2009

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EXHIBIT 23.1