BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q include the accounts 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. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. As of September 30, 2015, East West has six wholly-owned subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”), one of which was the result of the acquisition of MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. (“MetroCorp”) during the three months ended March 31, 2014, as discussed in Note 3 — Business Combination to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, the Trusts are not consolidated into the Company. The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), applicable guidelines prescribed by regulatory authorities, and general practices within the banking industry, reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair statement of the interim period financial statements. Certain prior year balances and notes have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The Company restated prior period financial statements to reflect the impact of the retrospective application of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-01, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. See Note 10 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details. The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole. Events subsequent to the Consolidated Balance Sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements are issued for inclusion in the accompanying financial statements. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015 (the “2014 Form 10-K”).

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q include the accounts 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. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. As of September 30, 2015, East West has six wholly-owned subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”), one of which was the result of the acquisition of MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc. (“MetroCorp”) during the three months ended March 31, 2014, as discussed in Note 3 — Business Combination to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, the Trusts are not consolidated into the Company.

The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), applicable guidelines prescribed by regulatory authorities, and general practices within the banking industry, reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair statement of the interim period financial statements. Certain prior year balances and notes have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

The Company restated prior period financial statements to reflect the impact of the retrospective application of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-01, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. See Note 10 — Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole. Events subsequent to the Consolidated Balance Sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements are issued for inclusion in the accompanying financial statements. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015 (the “2014 Form 10-K”).