PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 75,782	$ 73,157	$ 74,015	$ 72,091	$ 71,900	$ 71,110	$ 70,557	$ 68,083	$ 295,045	$ 281,650	$ 245,234
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization									101,169	82,536	67,460
Stock compensation costs									14,178	13,238	13,543
Tax benefit from stock plans									(5,522)	(462)	(717)
Net cash provided by operating activities									425,845	287,526	255,317
Purchases of:
Investment securities available-for-sale									(1,316,764)	(1,835,823)	(2,713,546)
Proceeds from:
Net cash used in investing activities									(2,734,846)	(758,905)	(1,071,226)
Payment for:
Repayment of long-term debt									(10,310)	(75,000)	(23,918)
Repurchase of vested shares due to employee tax liability									(13,833)	(3,012)	(649)
Repurchase of common stock warrants											(14,500)
Repurchase of shares of treasury stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan									(199,992)	(199,950)
Proceeds from:
Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock plans and agreements									3,054	3,821	5,726
Tax benefit from stock plans									5,522	462	717
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									1,881,715	364,200	914,211
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS									(427,286)	(108,079)	97,236
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR				1,323,106				1,431,185	1,323,106	1,431,185	1,333,949
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	895,820				1,323,106				895,820	1,323,106	1,431,185
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest									112,169	136,760	175,772
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock									83,027		31
East West Bancorp, Inc.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income									295,045	281,650	245,234
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed (income) of subsidiaries									(291,659)	(285,636)	(250,513)
Depreciation and amortization									8,806	445	1,034
Prepayment penalty on other borrowings											526
Stock compensation costs											1,767
Gain on sale of other investments									(161)
Tax benefit from stock plans									(5,522)	(462)	(717)
Net change in other assets									293,153	322,361	73,797
Net change in other liabilities									(13,011)	(259)	(3,709)
Net cash provided by operating activities									286,651	318,099	67,419
Purchases of:
Investment securities available-for-sale									(69,986)
Proceeds from:
Redemption of certificates of deposit											198
Net cash used in investing activities									(69,986)		198
Payment for:
Repayment of long-term debt									(10,310)		(23,918)
Repurchase of vested shares due to employee tax liability									(13,833)	(3,012)	(649)
Cash dividends on preferred stock									(3,428)	(6,857)	(6,857)
Cash dividends on common stock									(82,862)	(57,361)	(23,822)
Repurchase of common stock warrants											(14,500)
Repurchase of shares of treasury stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan									(199,992)	(199,950)
Proceeds from:
Increase in long-term borrowings									100,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock plans and agreements									3,683	3,821	5,726
Tax benefit from stock plans									5,522	462	717
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(201,220)	(262,897)	(63,303)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS									15,445	55,202	4,314
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR				64,489				9,287	64,489	9,287	4,973
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	79,934				64,489				79,934	64,489	9,287
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest									3,292	3,112	5,167
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock									83,027		31
Issuance of common stock to Board of Directors									$ 630	$ 570	$ 520