Name:	ewbc_NumberOfDaysTroubledDebtRestructuringsBecomeDelinquent
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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.

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Number of financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953682-111524

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Amount of investment related to financing receivables modified by troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months, for which there was a payment default.

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

Reflects the unfunded portion of contractual agreements to lend funds to borrowers for loans whose terms have been modified by troubled debt restructuring.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82895541&loc=d3e18794-111554

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

Name:	us-gaap_ReceivablesAcquiredWithDeterioratedCreditQualityAxis=ewbc_ReceivablesOriginatedOrAcquiredWithoutDeterioratedCreditQualityMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=ewbc_CommercialAndIndustrialLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=ewbc_ConstructionAndLandLoanMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember
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