Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of financing receivable contracts modified as troubled debt restructuring within previous 12 months, with subsequent payment default.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118936363&loc=SL6953682-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultNumberOfContracts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of financing receivable modified as troubled debt restructuring within previous 12 months, with subsequent payment default.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118936363&loc=SL6953682-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unfunded portion of contractual agreement to lend funds to borrower for financing receivable modified as troubled debt restructuring.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118939409&loc=d3e18794-111554

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditLossStatusAxis=ewbc_ReceivablesOriginatedOrAcquiredWithoutDeterioratedCreditQualityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=ewbc_CommercialAndIndustrialLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses (Loans Modified as TDRs that Subsequently Defaulted) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) loan	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Financing Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
Recorded Investment	$ 0
Additional funds committed to lend to borrowers whose terms have been modified	$ 2,300,000		$ 2,200,000
Non-PCI Loans \| Commercial lending
Financing Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
Number of Loans \| loan		3
Recorded Investment		$ 4,618,000
Non-PCI Loans \| Commercial lending \| Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)
Financing Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
Number of Loans \| loan		3
Recorded Investment		$ 4,618,000