LOANS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans in process of foreclosure
Other real estate owned, net	$ 25,792	$ 32,111
Residential
Loans in process of foreclosure
Recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process	22,200	16,900
Loans Receivable \| PCI loans
Nonaccrual loans
Loans on nonaccrual status	59,100	63,400
Residential real estate properties
Loans in process of foreclosure
Carrying amount of foreclosed residential real estate properties included in total net OREO	$ 4,100	$ 3,500

Recorded investment of consumer mortgage loan receivables secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ewbc_MortgageLoansInProcessOfForeclosureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	ewbc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Recorded investment in financing receivables that are on nonaccrual status as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5111-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonaccrualStatus
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other real estate and foreclosed assets. Other real estate may include real estate investments, real estate loans that qualify as investments in real estate, and premises that are no longer used in operations may also be included in real estate owned. Foreclosed assets include all assets obtained in full or partial satisfaction of a debt arrangement through foreclosure proceedings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(4))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherRealEstateAndForeclosedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherRealEstateAndForeclosedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of land and buildings obtained through foreclosure proceedings or defeasance in full or partial satisfaction of a debt arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4437-111522

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 28

-Article 12

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule III

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ewbc_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis=us-gaap_LoansReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=ewbc_ReceivablesAcquiredWithDeterioratedCreditQualityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ewbc_CollateralAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: