<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001482107</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001069157</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>EAST WEST BANCORP INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>000-24939</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. 7TH FLOOR</com:street1>
        <com:city>PASADENA</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>91101</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>6267686000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Oh Irene H</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>The Charles Schwab Corporation</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3000 Schwab Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westlake</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>76262</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>10750</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>1395457.50</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>137011856</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>09/15/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>03/04/2024</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Compensation</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>10750</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>03/04/2024</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>Irene Oh</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>135 North Los Robles Ave., 7th Fl</com:street1>
          <com:city>Pasadena</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>91101</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Cmmon</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>06/15/2026</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>800</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>106549.64</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>09/15/2026</noticeDate>
      <signature>Irene Oh</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
