East West Bancorp, Inc. Q1 2026 Earnings Recap

East West Bancorp delivered a strong Q1 2026, achieving record levels in loans, deposits, and fee income, supported by disciplined growth and stable credit quality.

Key Takeaways

• Total deposits increased by 9% YoY, with a notable $800 million rise in noninterest-bearing deposits driven by retail and small business solutions.
• Loan growthstood at 7% YoY, with C&I loans up over $900 million quarter-over-quarter, mainly from capital call borrowings amid active M&A and real estate activity.
• Fee income reached a record $99 million, up 12% YoY, fueled by wealth management and deposit-related fees, with a focus on diversification.
• Net interest income rose to $671 million, benefiting from balance sheet expansion and deposit cost reductions, with deposit costs down 111 basis points since rate cut cycle start.
• Capital position remains robust with a tangible ratio of 10.3%, supporting share repurchases and dividend increases amid stable credit performance.