0001069157us-gaap:ExtendedMaturityAndInterestRateReductionMember2024-01-012024-12-31
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 000-24939
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
95-4703316
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
135 North Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, California, 91101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(626) 768-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | | EWBC | | Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | | | |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | | | Emerging growth company | ☐ | | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 28, 2024 was $10,044,106,703 (based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock on such date of $73.23 per share). As of January 31, 2025, 138,439,815 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
2024 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“this Form 10-K”) contains “forward-looking statements” that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for such statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “EWBC”) may make forward-looking statements in other documents that it files with, or furnishes to, the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, investors, media members and others. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate to historical facts and that are based on current assumptions, beliefs, estimates, expectations and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements may relate to various matters, including the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, business or industry, and usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipates,” “assumes,” “believes,” “can,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “remains,” “should,” “target,” “trend,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions or variations thereof, and the negative thereof, but these terms are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Factors that might cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
•changes in local, regional and global business, economic and political conditions, and natural or geopolitical events;
•the soundness of other financial institutions and the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other industry volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance premiums and assessments, and deposit withdrawals;
•changes in laws or the regulatory environment, including trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws and current or potential disputes between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China;
•changes in the commercial and consumer real estate markets;
•changes in consumer or commercial spending, savings and borrowing habits, and patterns and behaviors;
•the Company’s ability to compete effectively against financial institutions and other entities, including as a result of emerging technologies;
•the success and timing of the Company’s business strategies;
•the Company’s ability to retain key officers and employees;
•changes in interest rates, competition, regulatory requirements and product mix;
•changes in the Company’s costs of operation, compliance and expansion;
•disruption, failure in, or breach of, the Company’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors with which the Company does business, including as a result of cyber-attacks, and the disclosure or misuse of confidential information;
•the adequacy of the Company’s risk management framework;
•future credit quality and performance, including expectations regarding future credit losses and allowance levels;
•adverse changes to the Company’s credit ratings;
•legal proceedings, regulatory investigations and their resolution;
•the Company’s capital requirements and its ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;
•the impact on the Company’s liquidity due to changes in the Company’s ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; and
•any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, the introduction of new or expanded products and services or other events that may directly or indirectly result in a negative impact on the financial performance of the Company and its customers.
For a more detailed discussion of some of the factors that might cause such differences, see Item 1A. Risk Factors presented in this Form 10-K. You should treat forward-looking statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Organization
East West is a bank holding company incorporated in Delaware on August 26, 1998, and is registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). The Company commenced business on December 30, 1998 when, pursuant to a reorganization, it acquired all of the voting stock of East West Bank (“East West Bank” or the “Bank”), which became its principal asset. East West’s principal business is to serve as a holding company for the Bank and other banking or banking-related subsidiaries that East West may establish or acquire. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $76.0 billion in total assets, $53.0 billion in total net loans, $63.2 billion in total deposits, and $7.7 billion in total stockholders’ equity.
The Company operates in over 110 locations in the U.S. and Asia. In the U.S., the Bank’s corporate headquarters and main administrative offices are located in California. Its U.S. branches and offices are located in California, Texas, New York, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and Nevada. In Asia, the Bank has full-service branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou and Shenzhen; representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Singapore; and administrative support offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
East West Bank has a commercial banking license in China through its subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited, which makes it unique among U.S.-based regional banks. This license allows the Bank to open branches, make loans and collect deposits in China. The Bank continues to develop its international banking presence in Asia with its network of overseas branches and representative offices. In addition to facilitating traditional letters of credit and trade financing to businesses, these representative offices allow the Bank to assist existing clients and develop new business relationships. Through its branches and offices, the Bank focuses on growing its cross-border client base between the U.S. and Asia, helping U.S.-based businesses expand in Asia, and assisting companies based in Asia pursue business opportunities in the U.S.
The Bank believes its customers benefit from the Bank’s understanding of the Asian market through its physical presence, corporate and organizational ties in Asia, as well as the Bank’s international banking products and services. The Bank believes this approach, combined with its senior management and Board of Directors’ ties to Asian business opportunities and Asian American communities, provides the Bank with a competitive advantage. The Bank utilizes its presence overseas to identify and build corporate relationships, which the Bank may leverage to create business opportunities in California and other U.S. markets.
Banking Services
As of December 31, 2024, East West Bank was the largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Southern California based on total assets. The Bank is also the largest independent bank in the U.S. focused on the financial service needs of individuals and businesses that operate both in the U.S. and Asia, and has a strong focus on the Asian American community. Through its network of over 110 banking locations in the U.S. and Asia, the Bank provides a wide range of personal and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses. The Bank provides services to its customers in English and in over 10 other languages. In addition to offering traditional deposit products that include personal and business checking and savings accounts, money market, and time deposits, the Bank also offers foreign exchange, treasury management and wealth management services. The Bank’s lending activities include commercial and residential real estate lending, construction finance, commercial business lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, letters of credit, affordable housing lending, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, project finance, equipment financing and loan syndication. The Bank also provides financing services to clients to facilitate their business transactions between the U.S. and Asia. Additionally, to support the business needs of its customers, the Bank offers hedging advisory and various derivative contracts such as interest rate, energy commodity and foreign exchange contracts.
The integration of digital with brick-and-mortar channels has been an area of investment for the Bank, for both commercial and consumer banking. Our strategic priorities include the use of technology to innovate and expand commercial payments, treasury management products and services, and consumer banking. We have developed mobile and online banking platforms, which are continually enhanced to enrich our customer’s user experience, and which offer a full suite of banking services tailored to our customers’ unique needs. In our view, the omnichannel banking service approach increases efficiency and deepens customer relationships.
Operating Segments
The Bank’s three operating segments, (1) Consumer and Business Banking, (2) Commercial Banking and (3) Treasury and Other, are based on the Bank’s core strategy. The Consumer and Business Banking segment primarily provides financial products and services to consumer and commercial customers through the Company’s domestic branch network and digital banking platforms. The Commercial Banking segment primarily generates domestic commercial loans and deposits. The remaining centralized functions, including the corporate treasury activities of the Company and eliminations of inter-segment amounts, are aggregated and included in the Treasury and Other segment. For complete discussion and disclosure, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) — Results of Operations — Operating Segment Results and Note 17 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Competition
The Bank operates in a highly competitive environment. The Company faces intense competition from domestic and foreign lending institutions, numerous other financial services providers and other new technology-driven products and services. Competition is based on a number of factors including, among others, customer service and convenience, quality and range of products and services offered, reputation, fees, interest rates on loans and deposits and lending limits. Competition also varies based on the types of customers and locations served. The Company is a leader of banking market share in the Asian American community. The Company maintains a differentiated presence within selected markets by providing cross-border commercial banking expertise to customers operating in the U.S. and Asia.
While the Company believes it is well positioned within a highly competitive industry, the industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory, economic, and technological changes, as well as continuing consolidation.
Human Capital
As a company that delivers relationship-driven financial solutions to our customers, we believe the strength of our workforce is one of the most significant contributors to our success. Our key human capital objectives are to attract, develop, and retain quality talent that embody our values and enable us to attract customers and serve them effectively. To achieve these objectives, our human resource programs have been designed to incorporate our core values of absolute integrity, customer orientation, creativity, respect and fairness, teamwork, expertise and professionalism, and selflessness. Embracing these core values position our employees to better serve our customers and pave the way for their future career advancement. We are committed to strengthening our recruiting process and growing internal talent to prepare for our next phase of growth. We also seek to recognize our employees for their contributions and service to the Bank.
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately 3,100 full-time equivalent employees. The majority of our workforce consisted of full-time employees who were located in our core markets in California, Texas, and New York. The Company’s full-time equivalent employees also included 230 employees located in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
Talent Acquisition, Development, Promotion and Engagement
An experienced, dedicated and well-qualified workforce is essential in delivering high quality and reliable banking services to our customers and in managing the Company. We endeavor to attract, develop, and retain motivated individuals as part of our ongoing commitment in building a stronger workforce to serve our customers and communities. In 2024, we were able to continue our quality hiring efforts with nearly 500 external new hires.
The focus on leadership development and promoting from within is a critical part of our succession planning for key roles throughout the organization and fostering organizational stability. We recognize the importance of employee development and career growth in supporting employee retention, which is one of the Company's strategic objectives. In 2024, 16% of our employees have advanced their careers within the Bank through over 510 internal promotions or new opportunities, which highlights our commitment to rewarding results-driven performance. We also provide a variety of resources to help employees grow in their current roles and acquire new skills for future advancement through continuing education and tuition reimbursement.
We celebrate our employees’ dedicated years of service to the Bank through our Milestone Anniversary Program, which offers rewards and recognition through gifts and events upon attaining certain service milestones. As of December 31, 2024, 335 of our employees have celebrated 20 years or more of service. Our dedication to results-driven performance earned us the recognition of the top-ranked performing bank in the $50 billion and above asset category in Bank Director’s 2024 Ranking Banking study, and among the top 10 in Forbes’ 2024 America’s Best Bank list. We have also been included in Newsweek’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces since 2022.
The Company’s compensation and employee benefits expense of $551 million and $509 million, comprised 57% and 50% of total noninterest expense in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Employee compensation packages include a competitive base salary and, subject to Company and individual performance, may include an annual cash and/or stock incentive bonus. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation programs, we regularly assess the current business environment and labor markets to review our compensation and benefits program for pay equity. The Bank also matches 75% of the U.S. employees’ contributions up to the first 6% of their eligible compensation and maintains a deferred compensation plan.
To foster a strong sense of ownership and to align the interests of our employees with our stockholders, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are awarded to eligible employees under our stock incentive programs. We also award stock grants under our “Spirit of Ownership” program to all our employees, regardless of job title or part-time/full-time status. The program allows each employee to share directly in the Company’s success. In 2024, the Company granted over 650 thousand RSUs as part of its stock compensation programs.
Health and Well-being
We are committed to supporting our employees’ well-being by offering flexible and competitive benefits. We offer a hybrid schedule to promote flexibility and enhance productivity. Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision) is offered to employees working at least 30 hours each week. We further demonstrate our commitment to employee well-being by absorbing the increases in our employees’ health benefits. We offer life insurance, disability insurance, parental leave, wellness and benefits programs designed to assist employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, paid time off such as vacation hours, and 10 days of annual sick time, which is more than the required allotment from any of the states in which we do business. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program, which aids benefits-eligible employees and their household members with personal and professional issues. We apply a consistent approach towards employee policies, opportunities, benefits, and protections to all employees regardless of their locations, except if there are contradictions between individual state laws.
Commitment to Community
We are committed to making positive and lasting impacts in our communities through our business activities and our volunteer and charitable efforts. We engage in meaningful and effective programs that help increase homeownership, preserve affordable housing, promote wealth building, enable greater access to banking services and help alleviate homelessness.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table presents the Company’s executive officers’ names, ages, positions and offices, and business experience during the last five years as of February 28, 2025. There is no family relationship between any of the Company’s executive officers or directors. The Board of Directors of the Company appointed each of the executive officers.
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| Name | | Age | | Positions and Offices, and Business Experience | | |
| Dominic Ng | | 66 | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since 1992. | | |
| Douglas P. Krause | | 68 | | Vice Chairman and Chief Corporate Officer of the Company and the Bank since 2020; 2018 - 2020: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; 2010 - 2018: Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel. | | |
| Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles | | 54 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since October 2023; 2012 - 2022 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Associated Banc-Corp and Associated Bank, N.A. | | |
| Lisa L. Kim | | 60 | | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company and the Bank since 2020; 2014 - 2020: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay Bank. | | |
| Deborah Leerhsen | | 45 | | Executive Vice President and Head of Global Banking of the Company and the Bank since December 2024; 2023 - 2024: Executive General Manager, Institutional Banking & Markets at Commonwealth Bank of Australia; 2021 - 2023: Deputy Head of Asia & Oceania Corporate Banking, Hong Kong and Singapore at Mizuho Bank Ltd; 2019 - 2021: Head of Global Banking, Hong Kong at HSBC Holdings plc. | | |
| Irene H. Oh | | 47 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank since October 2023; 2010 - 2023: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank. | | |
| Parker Shi | | 55 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank since December 2021; June 2021 - November 2021: Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy, Growth and Technology Officer; March 2021 - June 2021: Consultant of the Bank; 2020: Senior Advisor at PharmScript; 2018 - 2019: Senior Managing Director at Accenture; 2013 - 2018: Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. | | |
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| Gary Teo | | 52 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company and the Bank since February 2022; 2015 - 2022: Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources. | | |
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Supervision and Regulation
Overview
East West and the Bank are subject to regulations under U.S. federal and state laws. Regulation and supervision by the federal and state banking agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) administered by the FDIC, consumers, and the banking system as a whole, and not for the protection of our investors. As a bank holding company, East West is subject to primary regulation, supervision, and examination by the Federal Reserve under the BHC Act. The Bank is regulated, supervised, and examined by the Federal Reserve, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”), and, with respect to consumer laws, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB’). As the insurer of the Bank’s deposits, the FDIC has back-up examination and other regulatory authority of the Bank as well. In addition, the Bank and its wholly-owned subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited, are regulated by foreign regulatory agencies in international jurisdictions where we have a presence, including China, Hong Kong and Singapore. East West also has a wholly-owned nonbank subsidiary, East West Markets, LLC ("East West Markets"), which is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"). East West Markets is subject to regulatory requirements from several regulatory bodies, including the SEC, FINRA, and state securities regulators.
The Company is also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “EWBC” and subject to Nasdaq rules for listed companies.
Described below are certain provisions of selected statutes and regulations applicable to East West and the Bank. The descriptions are not intended to be complete, nor are they meant to fully address the statutes and regulations’ effects and potential effects on East West and the Bank, and the descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policies may have a material effect on the Company’s business.
East West
As a bank holding company and pursuant to its election of financial holding company status, East West is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Federal Reserve under the BHC Act. The BHC Act provides a federal framework for the regulation and supervision of bank holding companies and their nonbank subsidiaries. The BHC Act and other federal statutes grant the Federal Reserve authority to, among other things:
•require periodic reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require;
•require bank holding companies to maintain certain levels of capital and restrict dividends and other distributions from bank holding companies and their subsidiaries (see the sections captioned “Regulatory Capital Requirements” and “Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds” included elsewhere under this item);
•require bank holding companies to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to subsidiary banks and commit resources, as necessary, to support each subsidiary bank, including at times when bank holding companies may not be inclined to do so;
•require bank holding companies to terminate an activity or terminate control of or liquidate or divest certain nonbank subsidiaries, affiliates or investments if the Federal Reserve believes that the activity, ownership, or control of the nonbank subsidiary or affiliate constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of the bank holding company, or if the activity, ownership, or control is inconsistent with the purposes of the BHC Act;
•regulate provisions of certain bank holding company debt, including a bank holding company obtaining prior approval to purchase or redeem its securities in certain situations;
•approve in advance certain senior executive officer or director changes and prohibit certain golden parachute payments to officers and employees, including change in control agreements and new employment agreements, that are contingent upon termination; and
•approve in advance the acquisitions of and mergers with bank holding companies, banks and other financial companies, and consider competitive, managerial resources, financial stability and other factors in granting these approvals. DFPI approval may also be required for certain acquisitions and mergers involving a California state-chartered bank such as the Bank.
East West has elected to be a financial holding company under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”). Financial holding companies are generally allowed to engage in, or acquire and retain ownership in a company engaged in any activity that the Federal Reserve has determined to be financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature, without prior Federal Reserve approval. Activities that are considered financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance agency and underwriting, merchant banking activities and activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. To maintain financial holding company status and continue to be able to engage in new activities or investments that are financial in nature, a financial holding company and all its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed,” and the financial holding company’s depository institution subsidiaries must have Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) ratings of at least “Satisfactory.” A depository institution subsidiary is considered “well capitalized” if it satisfies the requirements for this status discussed in the sections captioned “Regulatory Capital Requirements” and “Prompt Corrective Action,” included elsewhere under this item. A depository institution subsidiary is considered “well managed” if it received a composite rating and a management rating of at least “Satisfactory” in its most recent examination. See the section captioned “Community Reinvestment Act” included elsewhere under this item.
The Bank and its Subsidiaries
East West Bank is a California state-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC. The Bank’s operations in the U.S. are primarily regulated and supervised by the Federal Reserve and the DFPI, and its activities outside the U.S. are regulated and supervised by its U.S. regulators and the applicable regulatory authority in the host country in which each overseas office is located. Specific federal and state laws and regulations that are applicable to banks govern, among other things, their regulatory capital levels, the scope of their business, their investments, their reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds, and the nature and amount of collateral for certain loans. Bank regulatory agencies also have extensive discretion to impose various restrictions on management or operations and to issue policies and guidance in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies.
Regulation of Foreign Subsidiaries and Branches
The Bank’s foreign subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited, is subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations, such as those implemented by the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration. East West Bank’s Hong Kong branch is subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations, such as those implemented by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. The Bank’s Singapore representative office is subject to applicable foreign laws and regulations, such as those implemented by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The federal banking agencies have imposed capital adequacy requirements, known as the Basel III Capital Rules, intended to ensure that banking organizations maintain capital that is commensurate with the degree of risk associated with their operations. The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of regulatory capital, including Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”), Tier 1 and 2 capital, and set forth minimum capital adequacy ratios of capital to risk-weighted assets and total assets. The Basel III Capital Rules also prescribe a standardized approach for risk-weighting assets and include a number of risk-weighting categories that affect the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios.
Under the Basel III Capital Rules, to be considered adequately capitalized, standardized approach banking organizations, such as the Company and the Bank are required to maintain minimum capital ratios of at least 4.5% CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets, 6.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, 8.0% total risk-based capital (i.e., Tier 1 plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets and a 4.0% Tier 1 leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets. The Basel III Capital Rules also include a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% on top of each of the minimum risk-based capital ratios. Banking institutions with a risk-based capital ratio that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement but does not exceed the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and discretionary bonus payments based on the amount of the shortfall. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s and the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded the minimum capital adequacy requirements of the federal banking agencies, including the capital conservation buffer, and the Company and the Bank were classified as “well capitalized.” For additional discussion and disclosure see Item 7. MD&A — Regulatory Capital and Ratios and Note 16 — Regulatory Requirements and Matters to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Bank is also subject to additional capital requirements under the Prompt Corrective Action (“PCA”) regulations that implement Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”), as discussed below under the Prompt Corrective Action section.
Regulatory Capital-Related Developments
From time to time, the regulatory agencies propose changes and amendments to, and issue interpretations of, risk-based capital requirements and related reporting instructions. Such proposals and interpretations could, if implemented, affect our regulatory capital requirements and reported capital ratios.
On July 27, 2023, the federal banking agencies jointly released a proposed rule, known as the “Basel III Endgame,” to implement the international capital standards issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The Basel III Endgame proposal would revise the capital framework applicable to large banking organizations with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets or with significant trading activity and, if finalized, would likely result in meaningfully increased capital requirements for those organizations. On September 10, 2024, the Vice Chair for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System announced that he will recommend re-proposing the Basel III Endgame rules. Under the expected re-proposal of the rules, banks with assets between $100 billion and $250 billion would no longer be subject to the Basel III Endgame changes, other than the requirement to recognize unrealized gains and losses of their securities in regulatory capital. The Company had total consolidated assets of less than $100 billion as of December 31, 2024, and therefore would not be subject to the Basel III Endgame requirements as proposed or as expected to be re-proposed. However, any Basel III Endgame requirements that are adopted and applied to banking organizations with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets could reduce the benefits of growth beyond that size for a banking organization that has less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, such as the Company.
Prompt Corrective Action
The FDIA, as amended, requires federal banking agencies to take PCA with respect to insured depository institutions (“IDIs”) that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulations. The capital tiers in the PCA framework do not apply directly to bank holding companies (such as the Company); however, the Federal Reserve is authorized to take action at the bank holding company level based on the undercapitalized status of the bank holding company’s subsidiary banking institution. Under the federal banking agencies’ regulations implementing the PCA provisions of the FDIA, an IDI (such as the Bank) generally is classified in the following categories based on the capital measures indicated:
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| | Risk-Based Capital Ratios | | |
| PCA Category | | Total Capital | | Tier 1 Capital | | CET1 Capital | | Tier 1 Leverage |
Well capitalized (1) | | ≥ 10% | | ≥ 8% | | ≥ 6.5% | | ≥ 5% |
| Adequately capitalized | | ≥ 8% | | ≥ 6% | | ≥ 4.5% | | ≥ 4% |
| Undercapitalized | | < 8% | | < 6% | | < 4.5% | | < 4% |
| Significantly undercapitalized | | < 6% | | < 4% | | < 3.0% | | < 3% |
| Critically undercapitalized | | Tangible equity/Total assets ≤ 2% |
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(1)Additionally, to be classified as “well capitalized”, an IDI may not be subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or PCA directive issued by its primary federal regulator to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.
An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios, if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying PCA regulations and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of any dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company, if the depository institution would thereafter be “undercapitalized.” Undercapitalized institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.” Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to several requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks and/or restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator. The FDIA also generally permits only “well capitalized” IDIs to accept brokered deposits, although an “adequately capitalized” institution may apply to the FDIC for a waiver of this restriction.
Stress Testing
Under the enhanced prudential standards adopted by the Federal Reserve, bank holding companies with $100 billion or more in total assets are subject to supervisory capital stress tests and internal liquidity stress testing requirements. Although the Company and the Bank are not required to conduct capital or liquidity stress tests, we conduct annual capital and quarterly liquidity stress tests as part of our risk management processes.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Supervision
The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB, which has the authority to implement, examine and enforce compliance with federal consumer financial laws that apply to banking institutions with total consolidated assets exceeding $10 billion (such as the Bank) and their affiliates. The CFPB focuses its supervisory, examination, and enforcement efforts on, among other things:
•risks to consumers and compliance with federal consumer financial laws when evaluating the policies and practices of a financial institution;
•unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices;
•rulemaking to implement various federal consumer statutes such as the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, and the Consumer Financial Protection Act; and
•the markets in which firms operate and risks to consumers posed by activities in those markets.
The statutes and regulations that the CFPB enforces mandate certain disclosure and other requirements, and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with consumers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting payments on loans, and providing other services. The CFPB’s rulemaking, examination and enforcement authority has affected and will continue to impact financial institutions that provide consumer financial products and services, including the Company and the Bank. These regulatory activities may limit the types of financial services and products the Company may offer. Failure to comply with federal and state laws prohibiting unfair, abusive, or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising and unfair competition, can subject the Bank to various penalties, including, but not limited to, enforcement actions, injunctions, fines or criminal penalties, punitive damages, restitution to consumers, and the loss of certain contractual rights or business opportunities and may also result in significant reputational harm.
On October 22, 2024, the CFPB released a final rule to implement Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the final rule, financial institutions are required, upon request, to make available to a consumer or third party authorized by the consumer certain information the Bank has concerning a consumer financial product or service covered by the rule, such as a credit card or a deposit account. In issuing this rule, the CFPB said that the rule will move the U.S. closer to an “open banking” system that will allow consumers to switch banks or other providers more easily. The final rule also requires, among other things, covered data providers, such as the Bank, to establish a developer interface that satisfies certain performance and data security specifications through which the data provider can receive requests for, and provide, specific types of data covered by the rule in an electronic, usable form to authorized third parties directly or through data aggregators. Under the final rule, the Bank will be prohibited from charging fees for maintaining the developer interface or providing access to such data. The Bank may also act as an authorized third party to request and access covered data from other financial institutions that are covered data providers. The final rule places data security, authorization, and other obligations on those authorized third parties, including limitations on secondary uses of the data received. Industry organizations have challenged the final rule in court and the litigation is ongoing. If the challenge is not successful, as a data provider, the Bank must comply with the rule beginning April 1, 2027. We are monitoring the status of the litigation and evaluating the impact of this rule.
The final outcome of any proposed and final rules issued by the CFPB is uncertain as they may conflict with the rulemaking agenda and vision for the bureau under the Trump administration.
Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve’s Reserve Requirements
The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco. As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to own a certain amount of capital stock in the FHLB. The Bank may also access both short- and long-term secured credit from the FHLB.
The Federal Reserve requires all depository institutions to maintain reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts either in the form of vault cash or an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve. Effective March 26, 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced reserve requirement ratios to zero percent, eliminating the reserve requirement for all depository institutions. The Bank is a member bank and stockholder of the FRB of San Francisco.
Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds
The principal source of liquidity of East West is dividends received from the Bank. Federal and California law limit the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to East West. Regulatory approval is required under federal law if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year would exceed the sum of the Bank’s net income for that year and its retained earnings for the preceding two years. Federal law also prohibits the Bank from paying dividends that would be greater than its undivided profits unless the Bank has received prior approval from the Federal Reserve. California law imposes its own limitations on capital distributions by California-chartered banks that could require the Bank to obtain the approval of the DFPI prior to making a distribution to East West. Furthermore, under the federal PCA regime, the Federal Reserve or FDIC may prohibit a bank holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “significantly undercapitalized” or, in some circumstances, “undercapitalized.” It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that a bank holding company should generally pay dividends on common stock only if the company’s net income available to common stockholders over the past four quarters, net of distributions, would be sufficient to fully fund the dividends, and if the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that a bank holding company should not maintain dividend levels that undermine the company’s ability to be a financial source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. The Federal Reserve requires bank holding companies to continuously review their dividend policy in light of their organizations’ financial condition and in compliance with regulatory capital requirements, and discourages payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels, unless both asset quality and capital are strong.
Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders
Pursuant to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, as implemented by the Federal Reserve’s Regulation W, banks are subject to restrictions that limit their ability to engage in transactions with their affiliates, including their parent bank holding companies. Regulation W limits the types, terms and amounts of these transactions and generally requires the transactions to be on an arm’s-length basis. In general, Regulation W requires that “covered transactions,” which include a bank’s extension of credit to or purchase of assets from an affiliate, be limited to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus with respect to any one affiliate, and 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus with respect to the aggregate of all covered transactions with all affiliates. In addition, a bank generally may not extend credit to an affiliate unless the extension of credit is secured by specified amounts of collateral. The Dodd-Frank Act expanded the coverage and scope of the limitations on affiliate transactions, including by treating derivative transactions resulting in a bank’s credit exposure to an affiliate as covered transactions. In addition, the Volcker Rule under the Dodd-Frank Act establishes certain prohibitions, restrictions and requirements (known as “Super 23A” and “Super 23B”) on transactions between a covered fund and a banking entity that serves as an investment manager, investment adviser, organizer and offeror, or sponsor with respect to that covered fund, regardless of whether the banking entity has an ownership interest in the fund.
Federal law also limits a bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and principal stockholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons (collectively, “insiders”). Among other things, extensions of credit to insiders are required to be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons. The terms of such extensions of credit may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features and may not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the bank’s capital.
Community Reinvestment Act
Under the CRA, an IDI has a continuing and affirmative obligation to help serve the credit needs of its communities, including low- and moderate-income borrowers and neighborhoods. The Federal Reserve periodically evaluates a state member bank’s performance under applicable performance criteria and assign a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.” The Federal Reserve takes this performance into account when reviewing applications by banks and their parent companies to expand branches, relocate, add subsidiaries and affiliates, expand into new financial activities and merge with or acquire other financial institutions. Unsatisfactory CRA performance may result in the denial of such applications. Based on the most recent CRA examination as of March 8, 2021, the Bank was rated “outstanding”.
On October 24, 2023, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule revising their framework for evaluating banks’ records of community reinvestment under the CRA. The final rule provides that banks with assets of at least $2 billion, such as the Bank, are considered large banks and their retail lending, retail services and products, community development financing, and community development services are subject to periodic evaluation. Under the final rule, depending on a large bank’s geographic distribution of lending, the evaluation of retail lending may include assessment areas in which the bank extends loans but does not operate any deposit-taking facilities, in addition to assessment areas in which the bank has deposit taking facilities. Industry organizations have challenged the final rule in court, and on March 29, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted an injunction and stay of the final rule. The final outcome of such challenges remains uncertain.
FDIC Deposit Insurance Assessments
The FDIC insures the Bank’s customer deposits through the DIF up to $250,000 for each depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category. The DIF is funded mainly through quarterly insurance assessments on insured banks based on their assessment base. The Dodd-Frank Act revised the FDIC’s fund management authority by establishing a minimum Designated Reserve Ratio of 1.35 percent of total estimated insured deposits and redefining the assessment base to be calculated as average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. The Bank’s DIF quarterly assessment is calculated by multiplying its assessment base by the applicable assessment rate. The assessment rate is calculated based on an institution’s risk profile, including capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market risk ratings, certain financial measures to assess an institution’s ability to withstand asset related stress and funding related stress, and a measure of loss severity that estimates the relative magnitude of potential losses to the FDIC in the event of the Bank’s failure.
In October 2022, the FDIC adopted a final rule, applicable to all IDIs, to increase the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate schedules uniformly by two basis points (“bps”) to increase the likelihood that the DIF reserve ratio reaches the statutory minimum of 1.35 percent by the statutory deadline of September 30, 2028. The increase in rates took effect in the first quarterly assessment period of 2023 and will remain in effect unless and until the reserve ratio of the DIF meets or exceeds 2 percent.
In November 2023, the FDIC approved a final rule to implement a special deposit insurance assessment to recover losses to the DIF arising from the protection of uninsured depositors following the receiverships of failed institutions in the spring of 2023. Under the final rule, the assessment base for the special assessment is equal to an IDI’s estimated uninsured deposits, reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, minus the first $5 billion in estimated uninsured deposits. The FDIC will collect the special assessment over eight initial quarterly assessment periods starting with the first quarter of 2024, at a quarterly rate of 3.36 bps. The Company recognized the entire initial FDIC special assessment charge (the “FDIC charge”) of approximately $70 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. However, depending on future adjustments to the DIF’s estimated loss, the FDIC retained the ability to cease collection early, extend the special assessment collection period, or impose a one-time final shortfall assessment. During 2024, the FDIC updated its estimate of the DIF’s losses and projected that the special assessment would be collected for an additional two quarters beyond the initial eight-quarter collection periods, at an estimated quarterly rate of 1.69 bps. Accordingly, the Company recognized an additional FDIC charge of $9 million in 2024.
The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound, that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, or that the institution has violated any applicable rule, regulation, condition, or order imposed by the FDIC.
Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering
The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001 (“PATRIOT Act”), the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 and other federal laws and regulations impose obligations on U.S. financial institutions to implement and maintain a program reasonably designed to prevent, detect and report money laundering and the financing of terrorism, verify the identity of their customers, and comply with recordkeeping and other requirements. Regulatory agencies require that the Bank have an effective governance structure for the program that includes effective oversight by our Board of Directors and management. We regularly evaluate and continue to enhance our program to comply with the BSA, the PATRIOT Act and other anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws, regulations and initiatives. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate BSA/AML programs, or to comply with all applicable laws or regulations, could have serious legal, compliance, operational, financial and reputational consequences for the institution.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for helping to ensure that U.S. financial institutions do not engage in transactions with certain prohibited parties, as defined by various executive orders and Acts of Congress. Federal banking regulators also examine banks for compliance with regulations administered by the OFAC for economic sanctions against designated foreign countries, designated nationals, and others. OFAC publishes lists of persons and organizations suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, known as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Generally, if a bank identifies a transaction or account relating to a person or entity on an OFAC list, it must freeze the account, block or reject the transaction, file a suspicious activity report and/or notify the appropriate authorities. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal, compliance, operational, financial, and reputational consequences, and result in civil monetary penalties on the Company and the Bank.
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Federal statutes and regulations, including the GLBA, require banking organizations to take certain actions to protect nonpublic consumer financial information. The Bank has a privacy policy that it must disclose to consumers annually. In some cases, the Bank must obtain a consumer’s consent before sharing information with an unaffiliated third party, and the Bank must allow a consumer to opt out of the Bank’s sharing of information with its affiliates for marketing and certain other purposes. These additional conditions affect the Bank’s information exchanges with credit reporting agencies. The Bank’s privacy practices and the effectiveness of its systems to protect consumer privacy are subjects covered in the Federal Reserve’s periodic compliance examinations.
The Federal Reserve and state regulators, as well as the SEC, CFPB and other self-regulatory organizations, regularly issue guidance on cybersecurity practices and procedures that is intended to enhance cybersecurity risk management among financial institutions and their holding companies and affiliates. For example, the interagency council of the federal banking agencies, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (“FFIEC”), has issued several policy statements and other guidance for banks in light of the growing risk posed by cybersecurity threats. The FFIEC has continued to focus on such matters as compromised customer credentials, cyber resilience and business continuity planning. Examinations by the banking agencies now include review of an institution’s information technology and its ability to thwart or mitigate cyber-attacks. The federal banking agencies require banking organizations to notify their primary federal regulator of significant computer security incidents within 36 hours of determining that such an incident has occurred. Effective December 2023, the SEC also has imposed Form 8-K disclosure obligations for a material cybersecurity incident, among other cybersecurity related disclosure obligations.
Consumer data privacy and data protection are also the subject of state laws. For example, the Bank is subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). This statute grants consumers several rights, including the right to request disclosure of information collected about them and whether that information has been sold or shared with others, the right to request correction of information, the right to request deletion of personal information (subject to certain exceptions), and the right to opt out of the sale of their personal information. However, a consumer does not have these rights with respect to information that is collected, processed, sold, or disclosed pursuant to the GLBA or the California Financial Information Privacy Act. The CCPA was amended by the California Privacy Rights Act. A new agency, the California Privacy Protection Agency, was established to enforce California privacy law.
The Personal Information Protection Law (“PIPL”), the Cybersecurity Law and the Data Security Law form a regulatory framework for privacy and data protection in China. The PIPL establishes guiding principles on the protection of a Chinese citizen’s personal information and applies to entities operating in China. In limited circumstances, the PIPL also applied to certain processing activities of Chinese citizen’s personal information outside China. The Cybersecurity Law focuses on cybersecurity concerns and requires network operators to implement measures to safeguard the security of networks and systems in China. The Data Security Law complements the PIPL and Cybersecurity Law by addressing broader data security issues, emphasizing the protection of critical data infrastructure and promoting a risk-based approach to data security to address China’s national security concerns.
On September 30, 2024, China released the Network Data Security Management Regulation, which becomes effective on January 1, 2025. The Network Data Security Management Regulation was formulated under the framework pillars of the PIPL and the Cybersecurity Law and provides practical implementation requirements and guidance on various aspects of data compliance, covering both personal information and certain non-personal information categories. New supporting guidelines and standards are expected as China's cybersecurity, data security, and personal information protection framework continues to evolve. All these changes have potential impact on the business and operations of our Bank and its subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited.
Climate-Related Risk Management
In recent years, the federal banking agencies increased their focus on climate-related risks affecting the operations of banks, the communities they serve and the broader financial system. The agencies enhanced their supervisory expectations regarding banks’ climate risk management practices, including by adopting guidance that encourages large banking organizations to, among other things: evaluate the potential impact of climate-related risks on the bank’s financial condition, operations and business objectives as part of its strategic planning process; account for the effects of climate change in stress testing scenarios and systemic risk assessments; revise expectations for credit portfolio concentrations based on climate-related factors; and prepare for the transition risks to the bank associated with the adjustment to a low-carbon economy and related changes in laws, regulations, governmental policies, technology, and consumer behavior and expectations.
States such as California are taking similar actions on climate-related financial risks. In October 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (“CCDAA”) and Senate Bill 261, the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (“CRFRA”). The CCDAA is applicable to U.S.-organized entities that do business in California with annual revenue in excess of $1 billion. Subject to the adoption of implementing regulations by the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”), these entities will need to file annual reports publicly disclosing their direct greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from operations (“Scope 1 emissions”), indirect GHG emissions from energy use (“Scope 2 emissions”) and indirect upstream and downstream supply-chain GHG emissions (“Scope 3 emissions”). The reporting requirements related to Scope 1 and 2 emissions will begin in 2026, while the reporting requirements of Scope 3 emissions will begin in 2027. The CRFRA requires U.S.-organized entities that do business in California, with annual revenues over $500 million to prepare biennial reports disclosing climate-related financial risk and the measures they have adopted to reduce and adapt to that risk. The initial round of the climate risk disclosure reports will be due by January 1, 2026. On September 27, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 219 (“SB 219”) into law, which extended the date for the CARB to adopt the regulation for the CCDAA to July 1, 2025. SB 219 also clarified that reports under the CCDAA would be permitted to be consolidated at the parent company level and that subsidiaries subject to the law would not be required to file separate reports in addition to a parent-level report.
The reporting requirements for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions under the CCDAA remain in 2026; reporting entities will be required to report Scope 3 emissions at a date in 2027 to be specified by the CARB. The first deadline for required reports under CRFRA remains on or before January 1, 2026. The Company is a reporting entity under both laws and may incur compliance, maintenance, and remediation costs to conform to such requirements.
Resolution Planning
On June 20, 2024, the FDIC released a final rule that requires covered IDIs to develop and submit detailed plans demonstrating how they could be resolved in an orderly and timely manner in the event of receivership. IDIs with total assets of $100 billion or more are required to submit full resolution plans, and IDIs with total assets between $50 billion and $100 billion, including the Bank, are required to submit more limited informational filings. Going forward, the Bank will be required to submit informational filings every three years and interim supplements annually. Under the final rule, if the FDIC deemed a resolution plan or informational filing not credible and the IDI failed to resubmit a credible plan, the IDI could become subject to an enforcement action. The Company has established a management-level working group to meet the requirements under the final rule for timely submission on or before October 1, 2025.
Potential Regulatory Reforms
On August 29, 2023, the federal banking agencies jointly released a proposed rule that would require bank holding companies and non-consolidated banks with total assets of $100 billion or more to issue and maintain minimum amounts of long-term debt. The Company has total consolidated assets of less than $100 billion and would not be subject to the long-term debt requirements if they are finalized as proposed. However, by imposing additional costs on bank holding companies with $100 billion or more in total consolidated assets, this rule proposal could reduce the benefits of growth beyond that size for a bank holding company that has less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, such as the Company.
On July 30, 2024, the FDIC issued a proposed rule that would revise the FDIC’s regulations governing the classification and treatment of brokered deposits. The proposal would require many IDIs to classify a greater amount of their deposits obtained with the involvement of third parties as brokered deposits. An increase in brokered deposits on the Company’s balance sheet could, among other consequences, increase the Company’s deposit insurance assessment costs.
On September 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) withdrew its 1995 Bank Merger Guidelines and announced that it will instead evaluate the competitive impact of bank mergers using its 2023 Merger Guidelines that the DOJ applies to mergers in all industries. Compared to the 1995 Bank Merger Guidelines, the 2023 Merger Guidelines set forth more stringent market concentration limits and add several largely qualitative bases on which the DOJ may challenge a merger. While the effect of these changes in the DOJ’s bank merger antitrust policy for particular transactions remains unclear, these changes may make it more difficult and/or costly for banks to obtain regulatory approval for an acquisition or otherwise result in more onerous conditions to obtain approval for an acquisition.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump released an executive memo, “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” halting all rulemaking processes at executive agencies. The memo, which does not apply to independent agencies including several federal financial regulators, directs all executive agencies not to propose or issue any rule without the approval of an appointed agency head or the President. The memo also directs executive agencies to withdraw any rules that have been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register but have not been published. In addition, the memo directs executive agencies to consider postponing the effective dates of rules that have been finalized and published in the Federal Register, but have not become effective yet. The Company expects the Trump administration will seek to implement a regulatory reform agenda that is significantly different than that of the Biden administration, which will impact the rulemaking, supervision, examination and enforcement priorities of the federal banking agencies, even if those agencies are not directly subject to the executive memo.
Future Legislation, Regulation and Supervision Activities
New statutes, regulations and policies that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of financial institutions and public companies operating in the U.S. are regularly adopted. Such changes to applicable statutes, regulations, and policies may change the Company’s operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways, increase the Company’s cost of conducting business, impede the efficiency of internal business processes, subject the Company to increased supervision activities and disclosure and reporting requirements, and restrict or expand the activities in which the Company may engage. Accordingly, such changes may have a significant influence on our operations and activities, financial condition, results of operations, growth plans or future prospects, and the overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits. We cannot predict whether or in what form any statute, regulation or policy will be proposed or adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new statute, regulation or policy.
Available Information
The Company’s website is www.eastwestbank.com. The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and other filings with the SEC are available free of charge at http://investor.eastwestbank.com under the heading “SEC Filings,” as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. These reports are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Company’s Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Management Development Committee, Executive Committee, Risk Oversight Committee (“ROC”) and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, and other corporate governance materials are available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. The information contained on the Company’s website as referenced in this report is not part of this report.
Stockholders may also request a copy free of charge of any of the above-referenced reports and corporate governance documents by writing to: Investor Relations, East West Bancorp, Inc., 135 N. Los Robles Avenue, 7th Floor, Pasadena, California 91101; by calling (626) 768-6000; or by sending an e-mail to InvestorRelations@eastwestbank.com.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We, like other financial institutions, face risks inherent to our business, results of operations, and financial condition. The risks below address factors of which we are currently aware that could impact us materially by causing actual results to differ from our historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. Although these risks are organized by headings and each risk is discussed separately, many are interrelated. In addition, there may be additional risks that may impact us materially that are not presently known, that are not currently believed to be significant, or that are common to all businesses.
Risks Related to Geopolitical Uncertainties
Unfavorable general economic, market, political or industry conditions, either domestically or internationally, may adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our business and results of operations are affected by the financial markets and general economic conditions globally, particularly in the U.S. and Asia, including factors such as the level and volatility of short- and long-term interest rates, inflation, deflation, residential and commercial property prices, collateral asset prices, unemployment and under-employment levels, rental rates and occupancy levels, market or supply chain disruption, labor shortages, bankruptcies, household income, consumer behavior, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets and currencies, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of capital and credit, government spending and the federal debt ceiling, investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets, and sustainability of economic growth in the U.S. and Asia. The deterioration of any of these conditions could adversely affect our consumer and commercial business, securities and derivatives portfolios, the level of charge-offs and provision for credit losses, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, capital levels, liquidity, and results of operations. In addition, because our operations and the collateral securing our real estate lending portfolio are primarily concentrated in California, we may be particularly susceptible to adverse economic conditions in California. Any unfavorable economic, market, political, or industry conditions in California and other regions where we operate could lead to the following outcomes, among others:
•greater than expected losses in our credit exposure due to unforeseen economic conditions, which may, in turn, adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition;
•failure of our borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, or a decrease in the value of real estate or other collateral securing the payment of such loans, which could result in credit losses, delinquencies, foreclosures and customer bankruptcies, and in turn have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition;
•a decrease in deposit balances and in the demand for loans and other products and services;
•disruptions in the capital markets or other events, including adverse actions by rating agencies and deteriorating investor expectations, which may result in an inability to borrow on favorable terms or at all from other financial institutions;
•an adverse effect on the value of the debt securities portfolio as a result of debt defaults; and
•a loss of confidence in the financial services industry, our market sector and the equity markets by investors, placing pressure on our stock price.
We face risks associated with international operations.
A substantial number of our customers have economic and cultural ties to Asia. The Bank’s international presence includes locations in Hong Kong, China and Singapore. Our presence in Asia carries certain risks, including risks relating to our ability to generate revenues from foreign operations and to leverage and conduct business on an international basis, due to legal, regulatory, and tax requirements and restrictions; tariffs, trade barriers, or other trade restrictions; uncertainties regarding liability; difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; political and economic risks; and financial risks including currency and payment risks. For example, economic trade and political tensions, including tariffs and other punitive trade policies and disputes between the U.S. and China pose a risk to our business and customers. On February 1, 2025, the Trump administration announced the imposition of a 10% tariff on imports from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. However, the tariffs on Mexico and Canada have been temporarily paused for 30 days following agreements from both countries. The timing and extent of these trade policy changes remain subject to further developments. The imposition of tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, export controls or other trade restrictions on products, materials or other goods that our customers import or export could impact prices, reduce demand, or otherwise negatively impact our customers’ businesses and their ability to service debt. We may also experience a decrease in the demand for loans and other financial products or a deterioration in the credit quality of the loans extended to customers in industry sectors that are most sensitive to the trade restrictions.
Further, a downturn in economic growth and real estate markets in China and volatility in the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges, among other things, may negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of our customers operating in this region. These risks could adversely affect the success of our international operations and could have a material adverse effect on our overall business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, we face risks that our employees and affiliates may fail to comply with applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations governing our international operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could, among other things, result in enforcement actions and fines against us, limitations on our conduct and reputational harm, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Natural disasters, the effects of climate change and geopolitical events beyond our control could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, extreme weather conditions, hurricanes, floods, droughts, widespread health emergencies or pandemics and other acts of nature, and geopolitical events involving political unrest, terrorism, or military conflicts have in the past, and may in the future, cause substantial damage and loss to real and personal property. These events can seriously harm our customers and adversely affect our business operations, including by impairing borrowers’ ability to service their loans, decreasing the level and duration of deposits by customers, eroding the value of loan collateral, or resulting in an increase in nonperforming assets, net charge-offs, and provision for credit losses. In addition, natural disasters and geopolitical events could also create macroeconomic challenges such as supply-chain shortages, volatile energy prices, tightened monetary policy and inflation, and economic instability, and otherwise cause a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Climate change also presents physical risks to us and our customers, including from discrete weather events, changing climate patterns and other disruptions, as well as transition risks of a shift to a low-carbon economy, including changes in policies, regulations, technologies, consumer sentiment and preferences. Regulatory changes regarding climate risk management and practices may result in higher regulatory and compliance risks and costs. Our reputation and client relationships may be damaged as a result of our practices related to climate change, including our direct or indirect involvement in, or decision not to participate in, certain industries or projects associated with causing climate change, as well as any decisions to conduct or change our activities in response to climate change considerations. Our ability to attract and retain employees may also be harmed if our response to climate change is perceived to be ineffective or insufficient. These climate-driven changes could materially and negatively impact our and our customers’ business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
Risks Related to Financial Matters
A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate and at a higher degree of risk from a downturn in real estate markets.
Since many of our loans are secured by real estate, a decline in the real estate markets could impact our business and financial condition. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by changes in general economic conditions and employment levels, fluctuations in interest rates, the availability of loans to potential purchasers and the availability and demand for types of real property investments, changes in tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies, and natural disasters, such as wildfires and earthquakes, which are particularly prevalent in California, where a significant portion of our real estate collateral is located. For example, during 2024, the commercial real estate (“CRE”) market remained under pressure, primarily from decreased demand for office space, which affected the demand for CRE loans and loan performance. If real estate values decline, the value of real estate collateral securing our loans could be significantly reduced. Our ability to recover on defaulted loans by foreclosing and selling the real estate collateral would be further diminished, and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans. Furthermore, CRE and multifamily residential loans typically involve larger balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Since payments on these loans are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, as well as the business and financial condition of the borrowers, repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market, adverse economic conditions, shifts in demand for different types of properties, or changes in applicable government regulations. Borrowers’ inability to repay such loans may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Our financial results depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on interest-earning assets and the interest expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities. Interest-earning assets primarily include loans extended, securities held in our investment portfolio, and excess cash held to manage short-term liquidity. We fund our assets using deposits and borrowings. We offer interest-bearing deposit products, and a portion of our deposit balances are from noninterest-bearing products. We also enter into interest rate derivatives to manage interest rate risk exposure. The interest rates we receive on our interest-earning assets and pay on our interest-bearing liabilities could be affected by various factors, including macroeconomic challenges, Federal Reserve policies, market interest rate changes in response to inflation, competition, regulatory requirements or a change in our product mix. Changes in key variable market interest rates, such as the federal funds, national prime, or U.S. Treasury rates generally impact our interest rate spread. Because of the differences in maturities and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, changes in interest rates do not produce equivalent changes in interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Rising interest rates may cause our funding costs to increase at a faster pace than the yield we earn from our assets, ultimately causing our net interest margin to decrease. Higher interest rates may also result in lower loan production and increased charge-offs in certain segments of the loan portfolio. Declining interest rates could lead to higher loan refinancing activity, which, in turn, would increase the likelihood of prepayments of loans and mortgage related securities. Changes in interest rates also impact the value of our investments in debt securities, particularly debt securities with longer maturities. Accordingly, changes in levels of interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest income, net interest margin, cost of deposits, loan origination volume, average loan portfolio balance, asset quality, liquidity, and overall profitability.
Inflation can have an adverse impact on our business and on our customers.
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Recent data has indicated the pace of inflation in the U.S. is slowing and the Federal Reserve has begun to cut the federal funds rate. However, the future rate of inflation and other economic factors remain uncertain, and the Federal Reserve may decrease or increase interest rates slower or faster than anticipated. If inflation increases and interest rates rise, the value of our investment securities, particularly those with longer maturities, will decrease, although this effect is less pronounced for floating rate instruments. Prolonged periods of inflation also may impact our profitability by negatively impacting our costs and expenses, including increasing funding costs and expenses related to talent acquisition and retention, and negatively impacting the demand for our products and services. Moreover, our customers are also affected by inflation and the rising costs of goods and services used in their households and businesses, which could have a negative impact on their ability to repay their loans. Adverse changes in inflation and interest rates could negatively impact consumer and business confidence, and adversely affect the economy as well as our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.
The Federal Reserve Board regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. Its policies determine in large part the cost of funds for lending and investing and affect the return earned on those loans and investments, both of which in turn affect our net interest margin. They can also materially decrease the value of financial assets we hold. Federal Reserve policies may also adversely affect borrowers, potentially increasing the risk that they may fail to repay their loans, or could adversely create asset bubbles resulting from prolonged periods of accommodative policy. This, in turn, may result in volatile markets and rapidly declining collateral values. Changes in Federal Reserve policies are beyond our control. Consequently, the impact of these changes on our business, results of operations and financial condition is difficult to predict.
Further downgrades of the U.S. credit rating, potential automatic spending cuts or a government shutdown could negatively impact our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Over the past few years, U.S. debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility of U.S. government shutdowns, automatic spending cuts, additional U.S. credit rating downgrades and economic slowdowns, or a recession in the U.S. As the federal debt level rises and interest rates remain elevated, the cost of servicing the debt may increase and the perceived creditworthiness of the U.S. government may decrease. The impact of any further downgrades to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or its perceived creditworthiness could adversely affect the U.S. and global financial markets and economic conditions. Adverse political and economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
We are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Our foreign currency translation exposure derives, in part, from our China subsidiary that has its functional currency denominated in Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). In addition, as we continue to expand our cross-border business, we have a higher volume of customer transactions in foreign currencies. We have entered into derivative instruments to offset some of the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. However, given the volatility of exchange rates, there is no assurance that we will be able to effectively manage foreign currency translation risk. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could have a material unfavorable impact on our net income, therefore adversely affecting our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Capital Resources and Liquidity
As a regulated entity, we are subject to capital requirements, and a failure to meet these standards could adversely affect our financial condition.
We and the Bank are subject to certain capital and liquidity rules, including the Basel III Capital Rules, which establish the minimum capital adequacy requirements and may require us to increase our regulatory capital or liquidity targets, increase regulatory capital ratios, or change how we calculate regulatory capital. We may be required to increase our capital levels, even in the absence of actual adverse economic conditions or forecasts, and enhance capital planning based on hypothetical future adverse economic scenarios. As of December 31, 2024, we met the requirements of the Basel III Capital Rules, including the capital conservation buffer. Compliance with capital requirements may limit capital-intensive operations and increase operational costs, and we may be limited or prohibited from distributing dividends or repurchasing our stock. This could adversely affect our ability to expand or maintain present business levels, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Additional information on the regulatory capital requirements applicable to us and the Bank is set forth in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Regulatory Capital Requirements in this Form 10-K.
As a holding company, we depend on dividends and distributions from the Bank for our liquidity.
We derive most of our cash flow from dividends paid by the Bank. These dividends are the primary source from which we pay dividends on our common stock and principal and interest on our debt obligations. Various federal and California laws and regulations, as well as regulatory expectations, limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to us. See Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds in this Form 10-K for a discussion of regulatory requirements applicable to dividends by us and the Bank. Although we have historically declared cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and there may be circumstances under which we would reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We are subject to liquidity risk, which could negatively affect the level or cost of our funding.
Market conditions or other events could negatively affect the level of or cost of funding, which in turn could affect our ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, or fund asset growth and new business initiatives at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences. Although we have implemented strategies to maintain sufficient and diverse sources of funding to accommodate planned, as well as unanticipated changes in assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet commitments under various economic conditions, a substantial, unexpected or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If the cost effectiveness or the availability of supply in the credit or wholesale funding markets is reduced for a prolonged period of time, our funding needs may require us to access funding and manage liquidity by other means. These alternatives may include generating client deposits, securitizing or selling loans, and further managing loan growth and investment opportunities. These alternative means of funding may not be available under stressed market conditions or realized in a timely fashion.
Any downgrades in our credit ratings could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, cost of funding, cash flows, business, results of operations and financial condition.
Credit rating agencies evaluate us regularly, and their ratings are based on several factors, including our financial strength, capital adequacy, liquidity, asset quality and ability to generate earnings. Some of these factors are not entirely within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry as a whole. Severe downgrades in our credit ratings could impact our business and reduce our profitability in different ways, including a reduction in our access to capital markets, triggering additional collateral or funding obligations which could negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, our counterparties, as well as our clients, rely on our financial strength and stability and evaluate the risks of doing business with us on a regular basis. If we experience a decline in our credit ratings, this could result in a decrease in the number of counterparties and clients who may be willing to transact with us. Our borrowing costs may also be affected by various external factors, including market volatility and concerns or perceptions about the financial services industry. There can be no assurance that we can maintain our credit ratings nor that they will not be changed in the future.
The proportion of our deposit account balances that exceed FDIC insurance limits may expose us to enhanced liquidity risk.
A significant factor in the 2023 bank failures may have been the proportion of the deposits held by institutions that exceeded applicable FDIC insurance limits, and the withdrawal of such deposits over a short period of time. The ease and speed of the electronic withdrawals may accelerate this process. If a significant portion of our deposits were to be withdrawn within a short period of time such that additional sources of funding would be required to meet withdrawal demands, we may be unable to obtain funding at favorable terms, which may have an adverse effect on our net interest margin. Moreover, obtaining adequate funding to meet our deposit obligations may be more challenging during periods of elevated interest rates and financial industry instability. Our ability to attract depositors during a time of actual or perceived distress or instability in the marketplace may be limited. Further, interest rates paid for borrowing generally exceed the interest rates paid on deposits. This spread may be exacerbated by higher prevailing interest rates. In addition, because our available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities lose value when interest rates rise, our ability to cover liquidity needs from sale or pledging of these securities may be negatively impacted during periods of elevated interest rates. Under these circumstances, we may be required to access additional funding from other sources in order to manage our liquidity risk.
Risks Related to Credit Matters
Our allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
We establish an allowance for credit losses in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which includes the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded credit commitments. Our allowance for loan losses is based on our evaluation of risks associated with our loans held-for-investment portfolio, including historical loss experience, current borrower characteristics, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, delinquencies, performing status, the size and composition of the loan portfolio, and concentrations within the portfolio. The allowance estimation process requires subjective and complex judgments, including analysis of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. Unexpected changes in economic, market, operating and other conditions in the U.S. and in the international markets could result in, among other things, greater than expected deterioration in credit quality of our loan portfolio or in the value of collateral securing these loans. Due to the inherent risk associated with accounting estimates, our allowance for loan losses and our reserve for losses associated with our unfunded credit commitments, which is determined using a similar methodology as that used to establish our allowance for loan losses, may not be adequate to absorb actual losses, and future provisions for such losses could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We may be subject to increased credit risk and higher credit losses to the extent our loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral.
Our credit risk and credit losses can increase if our loans are concentrated in borrowers engaged in the same or similar activities, industries, or geographies or to borrowers who as a group may be uniquely or disproportionately affected by economic or market conditions, which could result in materially higher credit losses. For example, the Bank has a concentration of real estate loans in California. Potential deterioration in the California commercial or residential real estate markets or economic conditions could result in additional loan charge-offs and provision for loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If any industry, market sector, or collateral type were to experience economic difficulties, loan collectability from customers operating in those industries or sectors or holding such collateral types may deteriorate, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Operations
A cyber-attack, information or security breach, or failure of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors, could disrupt our business, and adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and liquidity, as well as damage our reputation.
Our business is highly dependent on the security and efficacy of our infrastructure, computer, network and data management systems, as well as those of third parties with which we interact. We face risks of loss resulting from, but not limited to, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of our internal control system or external compliance requirements, fraud or unauthorized transactions by employees or third parties, cybersecurity incidents, business continuation and disaster recovery. The potential for operational loss exposure exists throughout our organization and among our interactions with third parties, and are expected to increase as we expand our interconnectivity with our customers and other third parties. Any of these operational risk exposures, if realized, could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and liquidity, and result in regulatory action, significant litigation exposure and harm to our reputation.
Our ability to process transactions, provide service and conduct our business may be adversely affected by significant disruptions to us or our vendors, which can be caused by events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. These events include, and are not limited to, electrical, telecommunications, networking or other major physical infrastructure outages, cybersecurity incidents, pandemics, natural disasters, and political or social events, including terrorist acts, wars and civil disturbances. We have taken measures to implement backup systems and safeguards and frequently update our systems to support our operations and growth, requiring significant costs and creating risks associated with implementing and integrating new systems. To date, we have not experienced any known cybersecurity incidents resulting in a material impact on our business, financial condition, or operating results. However, we can provide no assurance that all of our security measures will be effective.
Third parties that facilitate our business activities could also be sources of operational and security risks to us. Our ability to implement backup systems or other safeguards with respect to third-party systems is limited. Furthermore, an attack on or failure of a third-party system may not be revealed to us in a timely manner, which could compromise our ability to respond effectively. Some third parties may engage vendors of their own, which introduces the risk that these “fourth parties” could be the source of operational and security failures. If a third party or fourth party with access to the customer account data on our systems experiences a breach or misappropriates such data, we and our customers could suffer material harm, including heightened risk of fraudulent transactions, losses from fraudulent transactions, increased operational costs to remediate any security breach, and reputational harm.
Cybersecurity risks, including ransomware, malware, social engineering, and phishing attacks, for financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunication technologies to conduct financial transactions, the significant increased use of remote workstations by employees in recent years, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, nation-states, and other threat actors. Our business and many of our customers may have experienced, and may experience again in the future, losses incurred due to fraud or theft related to customers, employees or third parties. These losses may negatively affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, reputation or prospects. We have limited ability to assure the safety and security of our customers’ transactions with us to the extent our customers are using their own devices or are a victim of cyberattacks, fraud or other scams by threat actors. Failure to mitigate breaches of security, or to comply with increasingly demanding new and changing industry standards and regulatory requirements could also result in violation of applicable privacy laws, reputational damage, regulatory fines, litigation exposure, increased security compliance costs, and could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Failure to keep pace with technological change could adversely affect our business. We may face risks associated with the utilization of information technology systems to support our operations effectively.
The financial services industry is continuously undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services, including financial technology and non-banking entities. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological solutions. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we do not implement systems effectively or if our outsourcing business partners do not perform their functions properly, there could be an adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively maintain or improve our systems and processes, or utilize outsourced talent, to meet our business needs successfully. Any such failure could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
We may be impacted by the actions, soundness or creditworthiness of other financial institutions, which can cause disruption within the industry and increase expenses.
Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. We execute transactions with various counterparties in the financial industry, including broker-dealers, commercial banks, and investment banks. Defaults or failures of financial services institutions and instability in the financial services industry in general can lead to market-wide liquidity problems, increased credit risk and withdrawals of uninsured deposits. Such events could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as the market price and volatility of our common stock.
Bank failures may increase the risk of a recession or lead to regulatory changes and initiatives, such as enhanced capital, liquidity, or risk management requirements, which could adversely impact us. Changes to laws or regulations, or the imposition of additional restrictions through supervisory or enforcement activities, could have a material impact on our business. Regulatory changes could also adversely impact our ability to access funding, increase the cost of funding, limit our access to capital markets, and negatively impact our overall financial condition. The 2023 bank failures also resulted in a special assessment by the FDIC to replenish the DIF.
Our controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance and enterprise risk management (“ERM”) policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurances of the effectiveness of these systems and controls, and that the objectives of these controls have been met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures, and any failure to comply with regulations or supervisory expectations related to controls and procedures could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our enterprise risk management program may not be effective at mitigating the risks to which we are subject, based upon our size, scope, and complexity.
We have established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor, report, and analyze the types of risk to which we are subject, including capital, market, liquidity, credit, operational, compliance, legal, strategic, technology and reputational risks. Although we seek to manage our exposure to such risks, and employ a broad and diverse set of risk monitoring and mitigation techniques in the process, those techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or development of risks that are currently unknown or unanticipated. Any system of control and any system to reduce risk exposure, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, in some cases we use analytical or forecasting models in our management of risks. If the models are inadequate, or are subject to ineffective governance, our risk management program may also prove ineffective. Actions taken to mitigate identified risks may prove less effective than anticipated. If our risk management program proves ineffective, we could suffer unexpected losses and reputational damage.
We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects.
Competition for qualified personnel in the banking industry is intense and there is a limited number of qualified people with knowledge of, and experience in, the regional banking industry, especially in the West Coast markets, and in international banking operations, especially in Asia. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategies is often lengthy. The labor market is currently challenging, with high employee turnover and increased wage pressure. In addition, the proliferation of hybrid work environments may exacerbate the challenges of attracting and retaining talented employees as job markets may be less constrained by physical geography. Our success depends, to a significant degree, on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled and qualified personnel, as well as the continued contributions of those individuals. In particular, our success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of certain key executives. Accordingly, we believe that our future success is dependent upon the development and, when needed, implementation of adequate succession plans. Although both the Board of Directors and management monitor our succession planning for our senior management team, the loss of key personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results.
We face strong competition in the financial services industry, and we could lose business or suffer margin declines as a result.
We operate in a highly competitive environment. Our competitors include, but are not limited to, commercial banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banks, nonbank financial institutions, and other regional, national, and global financial institutions. Some of our major competitors include multinational financial service companies whose greater resources may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous locations and mount extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. Areas of competition include interest rates on loans and deposits, customer services, and range of price and quality of products and services, including new technology-driven products and services. Ongoing or increased competition may put pressure on the pricing for our products and services or may cause us to lose market share, particularly with respect to traditional banking products such as loans and deposits. Failure to attract and retain banking customers may adversely impact our loan and deposit growth and in turn, our revenues.
We have engaged in and may continue to engage in further expansion through acquisitions, which could cause disruption to our business and may dilute existing stockholders’ interests.
There are risks associated with expanding through mergers and acquisitions. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the asset quality of a bank acquired in a particular transaction, incurring greater than anticipated costs in integrating acquired business, failing to retain customers or employees, and the inability to profitably deploy assets acquired or realize synergies from a transaction. Additional country or region-specific risks are associated with transactions outside the U.S., including in China. To the extent we issue capital stock in connection with acquisition transactions, these transactions and related stock issuances may have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share (“EPS”) and share ownership.
New products and services may subject us to additional risks.
From time to time, we may seek to implement new business arrangements or new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. We may invest significant time and resources in developing and marketing new business arrangements, lines of business and/or new products and services. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new business initiatives, new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved, and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible, which could in turn have a material negative effect on our operating results. New business arrangements, new lines of business and/or new products or services also could subject us to additional regulatory requirements, increased scrutiny by our regulators and other legal risks. For example, we and other regional banks are increasingly partnering with fintech and other providers to distribute or market our products and services. Bank regulators have, and may in the future, hold banks responsible for the activities of these fintech companies, including in respect of BSA/AML and consumer compliance matters, or may take the view that these relationships present safety and soundness issues.
Our investments in certain tax-advantaged projects may not generate returns as anticipated, which could result in an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We invest in certain tax-advantaged investments that support qualified affordable housing projects, community development, and renewable energy resources. Our investments in these projects are designed to generate a return in part through the realization of federal and state income tax credits, and other tax benefits, over specified time periods. We are subject to the risk that previously recorded tax credits, which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level, may fail to meet certain government compliance requirements and may not be able to be realized. The risk of not being able to realize, or of subsequently incurring a recapture of, the tax credits and other tax benefits depends on various factors, some of which are outside of our control, including changes in the applicable tax code, as well as the continued economic viability of the project and project operator. In addition, the Trump administration has announced an intent to repeal green energy tax credits, although the timing and extent of changes in tax credits remains uncertain. The possible inability to realize these tax credits and other tax benefits would have a negative impact on our financial results.
Risks Related to Regulatory, Compliance and Legal Matters
Changes in regulation may require us to change our business practices, increase our costs, limit our ability to make investments and generate revenue, or otherwise adversely affect our business operations and/or competitiveness.
We are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws, as well as supervision and examination by the DFPI, FDIC, Federal Reserve, SEC, CFPB in the U.S. and foreign regulators and other government authorities. We are also subject to enforcement oversight by the DOJ and state attorneys general. In addition, we face certain legal, reputational, and financial risks as a result of serving customers in new or evolving industries that are subject to changing, and at times conflicting laws. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, or policies could affect the manner in which we conduct business. Such changes could also subject us to additional costs and may limit the types of financial services and products we offer, and the investments we make.
For example, as we approach the $100 billion total asset threshold, we anticipate becoming subject to enhanced regulatory and supervisory requirements, which may include but are not limited to, increased capital and liquidity requirements, resolution planning obligations, stress testing, long-term debt requirements, and heightened supervisory scrutiny under existing or proposed federal banking regulations. Compliance with these requirements will require substantial investment in systems, processes, and personnel. The enhanced regulatory framework could also impact our ability to compete with financial institutions that are not subject to similar requirements. Failure to adequately prepare for and address these challenges could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operation.
Given that banks operate in an extensively regulated environment under federal and state law, good standing with our regulators is of fundamental importance to the continuation and growth of our business. In the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties, the U.S. federal and state regulators, and non-U.S. regulators, have significant discretion and power to initiate enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations, and unsafe and unsound practices. Further, regulators and bank supervisors continue to exercise qualitative supervision of our industry and specific business operations and related matters. Violations of laws and regulations or deemed deficiencies in risk management or other qualitative practices also may be incorporated into our confidential bank supervisory ratings. A downgrade in these ratings, or other regulatory settlements, enforcement actions or supervisory criticisms, could impose additional risk management and other regulatory oversight requirements, limit our ability to pursue acquisitions or conduct other expansionary activities, require new or additional regulatory approvals before engaging in certain other business activities, and result in civil monetary penalties, other sanctions, and damage to our reputation, all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.
Failure to comply with laws, regulations, or policies could result in civil or criminal sanctions by U.S. federal and state, and non-U.S. agencies, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of our banking charter, civil or criminal monetary penalties, and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. We continue to adjust our business and operations, capital, policies, procedures, and controls to comply with these laws and regulations, final rulemaking, supervisory requirements and interpretations from the regulatory authorities. See Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation in this Form 10-K for more information about the regulations to which we are subject.
Changes to fiscal policies and tax legislation may adversely affect our business.
From time to time, the U.S. government may introduce new fiscal policies and tax laws or make substantial changes to existing tax legislation. These changes could have a material impact on our business and our customers’ business, results of operations, and financial condition. Our positions or our actions taken prior to such changes may be compromised by such changes. In addition, our actions taken in response to, or in reliance upon, such changes in the tax laws may impact our tax position in a manner that may result in an adverse financial condition. We also provide for current and deferred taxes in our financial statements, based on our results of operations and financial condition. We may take tax return filing positions for which the final determination of tax is uncertain, and our income tax expense could be increased if a federal, state, or local authority were to assess additional taxes that have not been provided for in our consolidated financial statements. There can be no assurance that we will achieve our anticipated effective tax rate. The U.S. government could further introduce new tax legislation or amend current tax laws in a manner that would adversely affect us.
Complying with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering and sanctions statutes and regulations can increase our compliance costs and risks.
The BSA, the PATRIOT Act, and other laws and regulations require us and other financial institutions to institute and maintain an effective AML program and file suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports when appropriate. We may provide banking services to customers considered to be higher risk customers, which subjects us to greater enforcement risk under the BSA and requires us to ensure our third-party vendors adhere to the BSA and related regulations. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network may impose significant civil monetary penalties for violations of those requirements and has been engaging in coordinated enforcement efforts with the federal and state banking regulators, as well as the DOJ, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service.
We are also required to comply with the U.S. economic and trade sanctions administered by the OFAC regarding, among other things, the prohibition of transacting business with, and the need to freeze assets of, certain persons and organizations identified as a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the U.S. A violation of any AML or OFAC-related law or regulation could subject us to significant civil and criminal penalties as well as regulatory enforcement actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including any acquisition plans. Any of these violations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, reputation, and future prospects.
We could face material legal and reputational harm if we fail to safeguard personal information.
We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations, both inside and outside the U.S., governing the privacy and protection of personal information. Individuals whose personal information may be protected by law can include our customers (and in some cases our customers’ customers), prospective customers, job applicants, employees, and the employees of our suppliers, and third parties. Complying with laws and regulations applicable to our collection, use, transfer, and storage of personal information can increase operating costs, impact the development and marketing of new products or services, and reduce operational efficiency. Any mishandling or misuse of personal information by us or a third party affiliated with us could expose us to litigation or regulatory fines, penalties or other sanctions.
We are subject to significant financial and reputational risk arising from lawsuits and other legal proceedings.
We operate in a heavily regulated industry and face significant risks from lawsuits and proceedings brought by customers, borrowers, bank regulators and counterparties. These actions include claims for monetary damages, penalties, fines, and demands for injunctive relief. If these lawsuits or proceedings, whether founded or unfounded, are not resolved in a favorable manner to us, they could lead to significant financial obligations for us, as well as restrictions or changes to how we conduct our business. Although we establish accruals for legal matters when and as required by U.S. GAAP and certain expenses and liabilities in connection with such matters may or may not be covered by insurance, the amount of loss ultimately incurred in relation to those matters may be substantially higher than the amounts accrued and/or insured. As a participant in the financial services industry, we expect to continue to incur significant risks arising from litigation and government scrutiny related to our businesses and operations. Substantial legal liability and government scrutiny could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, we may suffer significant reputational harm as a result of lawsuits and proceedings, adversely impacting our ability to attract and retain customers, employees, and investors. Moreover, it may be difficult to predict the outcome of certain legal proceedings, which may present additional uncertainty to our business prospects.
General Risk Factors
Changes in accounting standards or changes in how the accounting standards are interpreted or applied could materially impact our financial statements.
The preparation of our financial statements is based on accounting standards established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC. From time to time, these accounting standards may change, and such changes may have a material impact on our financial statements. In addition, the FASB, SEC, banking regulators, and our independent registered public accounting firm may amend or reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how various standards should be applied. These changes may be difficult to predict and could impact how we prepare and report our financial statements. In some cases, we could be required to adopt a new or revised standard retrospectively, potentially resulting in restatements to a prior period’s financial statements.
Our consolidated financial statements are based in part on assumptions and estimates which, if incorrect, could cause unexpected losses in the future.
Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, we are required to use certain assumptions and estimates in preparing our financial statements, including in determining the allowance for credit loss, accrued liability for litigation, and the fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities, among other items. Our assumptions and estimates may be inaccurate or subjective, particularly in times of market stress or under unforeseen circumstances. Inaccurate assumptions or inadequate design of our forecasting models could result in incorrect or misleading information, and in turn could lead to inappropriate business decisions, such as an inadequate reserve for credit losses, and adversely impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Our significant accounting policies and use of estimates are fundamental to understanding our results of operations and financial condition. Some accounting policies, by their nature, are inherently subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. In addition, some significant accounting policies require significant judgments in applying complex accounting principles to individual transactions and determining the most appropriate treatment. We have procedures and processes in place to facilitate making these judgments. For a description of these policies, refer to Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements and Item 7. MD&A – Critical Accounting Estimates in this Form 10-K.
Impairment of goodwill could result in a charge against earnings and thus a reduction in stockholders’ equity.
We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently, if necessary. A significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a material change in interest rates, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates, or a significant or sustained decline in the price of our common stock may necessitate taking future charges related to the impairment of goodwill. If we determine that a future write-down of goodwill is necessary, the amount of such an impairment charge could be significant and could adversely affect earnings as well as capital.
Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our stockholders.
Provisions of Delaware and California law and of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, as amended and restated, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or could have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of us. For example, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of voting stock to approve certain business combinations. We are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would make it more difficult for another party to acquire us without the approval of the Board of Directors. Additionally, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock which could be issued as a defensive measure in response to a takeover proposal.
Additionally, prior approval of the Federal Reserve and the DFPI is required for any person to acquire control of us, and control for these purposes may be presumed to exist when a person owns 10% or more of our outstanding common stock. Federal Reserve approval is also required for a bank holding company to acquire more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. These and other provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of the stockholders.
Managing reputational risk is important to attracting and maintaining customers, investors, and employees.
Threats to our reputation can come from many sources, including unethical practices, employee misconduct, failure to deliver minimum standards of service or quality, compliance deficiencies, and questionable or fraudulent activities of our customers or other threat actors. We have policies and procedures, including our Code of Conduct, in place to govern the personal conduct, action and work relationship of our employees with customers, fellow employees, competitors, governmental officials, and suppliers under both official and unofficial situations, in which employees may reasonably be perceived by others as acting as representatives of us. In addition, employees who fail to comply with the Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, termination of employment, and/or prosecution. However, these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental scrutiny.
Evolving expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations may expose us to additional costs, reputational harm, and other adverse effects on our business.
Regulators, investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices relating to business, including climate change, human rights, health and safety, diversity, and labor conditions. While some authorities and stakeholders have acted to promote ESG practices and disclosures, others have discouraged or prohibited consideration of ESG factors by investment advisors, and the Trump administration has announced an intent to repeal some ESG-related regulations. Failure to comply with changing regulatory requirements, or to meet evolving investor or stakeholder expectations and standards, could result in legal or regulatory proceedings and negatively impact our business, reputation, results of operations, financial conditions, and stock price. California has passed legislation that would impact the amount of required reporting of ESG practices and other state legislatures have proposed similar laws. Such enacted and proposed government regulations could also cause new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and expand mandatory and voluntary reporting, diligence, and disclosures.
The price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to various factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include the risk factors discussed herein, as well as:
•actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations and financial condition;
•changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts and rating agencies;
•speculation or changes in perception in the press or investment community;
•strategic actions and announcements by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
•actions by institutional stockholders;
•addition or departure of key personnel;
•fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors;
•general market conditions and, in particular, market conditions in the financial services industry;
•anticipated, proposed or adopted regulatory changes or developments;
•cyclical fluctuations;
•trading volume of our common stock; and
•anticipated or pending investigations, proceedings or litigation that involve or affect us.
Industry factors, general economic and political conditions and events, such as cybersecurity incidents or terrorist attacks, economic downturn or recessions, interest rate changes, credit default trends, currency fluctuations, changes to fiscal, monetary or trade policies, or public health issues could also cause our stock price to decline regardless of our operating results. A significant decline in our stock price could result in substantial losses for stockholders.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk Management and Strategy
The Company maintains an Information Security Program to support the management of cybersecurity risk as an integral component of the Company’s ERM framework. The Information Security Program encompasses the Company’s cybersecurity policies and practices, which focus on prevention, detection, mitigation and recovery from cybersecurity incidents. In addition, as part of the Information Security Program, the Company has a Security Incident Response Policy and Plan to enable a coordinated response to protect the integrity, security and resiliency of the Company’s information systems, to mitigate the risk of cybersecurity incidents and to escalate information regarding certain cybersecurity incidents to the appropriate management personnel and Board members in a timely fashion. The Information Security Program follows a National Institute of Standards and Technology based Cybersecurity Framework and other applicable industry standards.
The Information Security Program is supported by our three lines of defense model of risk management. The Information Security Team is the first line of defense under the Chief Information Security Officer and provides day-to-day cybersecurity operations including identification and reporting of internal and external threats, access control, data security, protective controls, detection of malicious or unauthorized activity, incident response, recovery planning, performance of vulnerability and third party information security assessments, and employee awareness and training programs. In addition, the Information Security Team works in coordination with the individual business lines that have direct and primary responsibility and accountability for identifying, controlling and monitoring cybersecurity risk embedded in their business activities. The Information Security Team uses reputable industry service providers for security operations, monitoring, investigation and incident response. The Information Risk Management team conducts periodic assessments in collaboration with consulting services with expertise in the cybersecurity domains. As the second line of defense, the ERM Team under the Chief Risk Officer independently monitors the cybersecurity risk framework across the Company, as well as the effectiveness of the Information Security Program, and third party vendors’ vulnerability and penetration tests against the Company’s network. Furthermore, the Third-Party Risk Management Team, in conjunction with the ERM Team and the Information Security Team, oversees, identifies, monitors, investigates and addresses material risks from cybersecurity threats associated with the Company’s use of third-party service providers. The Third-Party Risk Management Team is also part of the independent risk management function of the Bank and included in the second line of defense. The ERM Team reports the status of the annual assessment of the effectiveness of the Information Security Program to the Chief Risk Officer, who reports to the Board’s ROC. When applicable, the Company obtains Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagement 18 reports or equivalent reports for vendor products and services hosted by third parties. Internal Audit serves as the third line of defense and provides additional independent assurance and evaluates the effectiveness of cybersecurity risk management. In addition, the Company regularly engages independent external assessors to perform assessments of its cybersecurity control environment and operating effectiveness.
In addition, the Company uses several internal training methods, through annual mandatory courses on security and privacy for all employees, as well as multiple simulated phishing attacks and regularly providing information security awareness materials throughout the year. The Company also maintains cybersecurity insurance.
Board Oversight
The Board’s ROC has primary oversight responsibility for management’s efforts to mitigate cybersecurity risk and respond to cybersecurity incidents. The ROC receives quarterly cybersecurity reports, including any reportable incidents, and reviews and approves the Information Security Program at least annually or whenever significant changes are made to the program. These updates include information regarding management’s ongoing efforts to manage cybersecurity risk and the steps management has taken to address and mitigate the evolving cybersecurity threat environment. The ROC members include independent directors from the Board who have expertise in areas relevant to their responsibilities over cybersecurity, including senior leadership experience in financial services and information technology.
Role of Management
At the management level, the Information Technology Steering Committee has overall responsibility for identifying, assessing, and managing information security risks, including cybersecurity risk. The Information Technology Steering Committee provides cybersecurity reports periodically to the ROC and is comprised of the Company’s senior information technology, information security and third party risk management leaders, including the Chief Risk Officer and Chief Information Security Officer. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for managing cybersecurity risk and coordinating with the Chief Information Security Officer to ensure the Company’s cybersecurity risk profile is managed in a manner consistent with its risk appetite. The Chief Risk Officer also provides periodic reports to the Board’s ROC, outlining the overall status of the Company’s Information Security Program and its compliance with regulatory guidelines, and coordinating and reporting on incident response. The Chief Information Security Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Information Security Program and Security Incident Response Policy and Plan. The Chief Risk Officer has held various leadership roles at the bank, including over 13 years previously serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Information Security Officer has over 20 years of work experience in cybersecurity at financial institutions. The majority of Information Security Team members have over 10 years of cybersecurity experience and cumulatively hold over 50 active professional certifications in related fields.
Material Cybersecurity Threat Risk
To date, the Company has not experienced any known cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. However, we can provide no assurance that all of our security measures will be effective. For additional information regarding cybersecurity threats, please refer to Item 1, Business – Supervision and Regulation – Privacy and Cybersecurity and Item 1A, Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Operations.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
East West’s corporate headquarters is located at 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, an eight-story office building, of which it owns 50%. The Company operates in 21 owned and 86 leased locations in the U.S., as well as 11 leased locations in Asia. In the U.S., the Bank’s corporate headquarters and main administrative offices are located in California, and its branches and offices are located in California, Texas, New York, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois and Nevada. In Asia, East West’s presence includes full service branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou and Shenzhen, representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Singapore, and administrative support offices in Beijing and Shanghai. All properties occupied by the Bank are used across all business segments and for corporate purposes.
The Company believes that its facilities are adequate and suitable for its business needs. It evaluates its current and projected space needs and may determine that certain premises or facilities are no longer necessary for its operations. The Company believes that, if necessary, it could secure alternative properties on similar terms without adversely affecting its operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information, Holders of Common Stock and Dividends
The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EWBC”. As of January 31, 2025, the Company had 675 stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock. The actual number of stockholders is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by banks, brokers and other nominees.
A discussion of dividend restrictions is set forth in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds and Note 16 — Regulatory Requirements and Matters to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K. For information regarding dividends, see Item 7. MD&A — Balance Sheet Analysis — Capital in this Form 10-K.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans, see Note 13 — Stock Compensation Plans to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters in this Form 10-K.
Five-Year Stock Performance
The following graph and table compare the Company’s five-year cumulative total return on its common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index and the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index (“BKX”). The cumulative total shareholder return assumes the investment of $100 in the Company’s common stock and in each index on December 31, 2019 and the reinvestment of common stock dividends. The returns shown are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.
The S&P 500 Index is utilized as a benchmark against performance and is a commonly referenced U.S. equity benchmark consisting of leading companies from different economic sectors. The BKX is designed to track the performance of the leading banks and thrifts that are publicly-traded in the U.S., and comprises 24 banking stocks representing the large U.S. national money centers, regional banks and thrift institutions.
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| | December 31, |
| Index | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 |
| East West Bancorp, Inc. | | $100.00 | | $107.23 | | $169.41 | | $144.94 | | $163.38 | | $223.56 |
| BKX | | $100.00 | | $89.68 | | $124.06 | | $97.52 | | $96.65 | | $132.60 |
| S&P 500 Index | | $100.00 | | $118.40 | | $152.39 | | $124.79 | | $157.59 | | $197.02 |
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Repurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table summarizes the Company’s common stock repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of 2024:
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| Calendar Month | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | Average Price Paid per Share of Common Stock | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in millions) (2)(3) |
| October | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 49 | |
| November | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 49 | |
| December | | 200,850 | | | $ | 97.80 | | | 200,850 | | | $ | 29 | |
| Fourth quarter | | 200,850 | | | $ | 97.80 | | | 200,850 | | | |
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(1)Excludes the repurchase of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements.
(2)Excludes excise taxes and commissions. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a 1% excise tax was imposed on net share repurchases effective January 1, 2023.
(3)On March 3, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of its common stock. The stock repurchase authorization has no expiration date. On January 22, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the additional repurchase of $300 million of East West stock, which will remain valid until December 31, 2026.
Refer to Item 7. MD&A — Balance Sheet Analysis — Capital and Item 8. Financial Statements — Note 14 — Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Share for information regarding repurchases under the Company’s common share repurchase program.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
The following discussion provides information about the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of the Company, including its subsidiary bank, East West Bank. This information is intended to facilitate the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K. For information on our business, see Item 1. Business in this Form 10-K.
Current Economic Developments
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) cut the Federal Funds Rate by a total of 100 bps through three consecutive cuts in September, November, and December of 2024 in response to the slower pace of inflation demonstrated by external data in the second half of 2024. The Federal Reserve indicated at its December 2024 meeting that the interest rate cuts in 2025 would likely continue at a slower pace than previously anticipated, which was in line with the January 2025 decision to hold rates steady. However, concerns over persistent inflation, labor market trends, and the potential impact of the Trump administration’s economic policies may influence the Federal Reserve’s response in 2025. Elevated interest rates created affordability challenges for many borrowers in 2024. The CRE market remained under pressure during 2024, primarily from decreased demand for office space, which affected the demand for CRE loans and loan performance. It is uncertain whether such trends will continue or whether potential U.S. economic growth in 2025 will include a moderate recovery in real estate investment activity. The Company monitors changes in economic and industry conditions and their impacts on the Company’s business, customers, employees, communities and markets.
Further discussion of the potential impacts on the Company’s business due to the economic environment has been provided in Item 1A. — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Financial Matters in this Form 10-K.
Financial Review
Our MD&A analyzes the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for 2024 and 2023. Some tables include additional periods to comply with disclosure requirements or to illustrate trends in greater depth. The page locations of specific sections that we refer to are presented in the table of contents. To review our financial condition and results of operations for 2023 and a comparison between 2023 and 2022 results, see Item 7. MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
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| ($ and shares in thousands, except per share, and ratio data) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | |
| Summary of operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Net interest income before provision for credit losses | | $ | 2,278,716 | | | $ | 2,312,254 | | | | | | | |
| Noninterest income | | 335,218 | | | 295,264 | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue | | 2,613,934 | | | 2,607,518 | | | | | | | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 174,000 | | | 125,000 | | | | | | | |
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| Noninterest expense | | 958,073 | | | 1,022,748 | | | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | | 1,481,861 | | | 1,459,770 | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 316,275 | | | 298,609 | | | | | | | |
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| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | | | | | |
| Per share: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic earnings | | $ | 8.39 | | | $ | 8.23 | | | | | | | |
| Diluted earnings | | $ | 8.33 | | | $ | 8.18 | | | | | | | |
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| Dividends declared | | $ | 2.20 | | | $ | 1.92 | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | 138,898 | | | 141,164 | | | | | | | |
| Diluted | | 139,958 | | | 141,902 | | | | | | | |
| Performance metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets (“ROA”) | | 1.60 | % | | 1.71 | % | | | | | | |
| Return on average common equity (“ROE”) | | 15.93 | % | | 17.91 | % | | | | | | |
Return on average tangible common equity (“TCE”) (1) | | 17.05 | % | | 19.35 | % | | | | | | |
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| Common dividend payout ratio | | 26.58 | % | | 23.62 | % | | | | | | |
| Net interest margin | | 3.27 | % | | 3.61 | % | | | | | | |
Efficiency ratio (2) | | 36.65 | % | | 39.22 | % | | | | | | |
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| At year end: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 75,976,475 | | | $ | 69,612,884 | | | | | | | |
| Total loans | | $ | 53,726,637 | | | $ | 52,210,898 | | | | | | | |
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| Total deposits | | $ | 63,175,023 | | | $ | 56,092,438 | | | | | | | |
| Common shares outstanding at period-end | | 138,437 | | | 140,027 | | | | | | | |
| Book value per share | | $ | 55.79 | | | $ | 49.64 | | | | | | | |
Tangible book value per share (1) | | $ | 52.39 | | | $ | 46.27 | | | | | | | |
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(1)For additional information regarding the reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, refer to Item 7. MD&A — Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in this Form 10-K.
(2)Efficiency ratio is calculated as noninterest expense divided by total revenue.
The Company’s 2024 net income was $1.2 billion, a $4 million or 0.4% increase from 2023. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in noninterest expense and an increase in noninterest income, partially offset by higher provision for credit losses, lower net interest income before provision for credit losses, and higher income tax expense. Noteworthy items about the Company’s performance for 2024 included:
•Net interest income and net interest margin. Year-over-year net interest income before provision for credit losses decreased $34 million or 1% to $2.3 billion in 2024. Full year 2024 net interest margin was 3.27%, a 34 bp decrease year-over-year.
•Earnings per share growth. Full year 2024 basic and diluted EPS each expanded 2% to $8.39 and $8.33, respectively.
•Efficiency ratio improvement. The efficiency ratio was 36.65% in 2024, a 257 bp improvement compared with 2023. The improvement in the efficiency ratio primarily reflected a year-over-year decrease in the amortization of tax credit and CRA investments due to the expanded application of the proportional amortization method (“PAM”) since the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-02, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures on January 1, 2024, and a decrease in the FDIC charge.
•Asset growth. Total assets reached $76.0 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $6.4 billion or 9% year-over-year, primarily driven by an increase in AFS debt securities of $4.7 billion or 75%, and loan growth of $1.5 billion or 3%.
•Deposit growth. Total deposits were $63.2 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $7.1 billion or 13% year-over-year, primarily reflecting growth across the Consumer and Business Banking, and Commercial Banking segments.
•Strong capital levels. Stockholders’ equity was $7.7 billion as of December 31, 2024, up from $7.0 billion as of December 31, 2023. Book value per share of $55.79 as of December 31, 2024, increased $6.15 or 12% from December 31, 2023. Tangible book value per share of $52.39 as of December 31, 2024, increased $6.12 or 13% from December 31, 2023. Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. For additional details, see the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures presented under Item 7. MD&A — Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Net Interest Income
The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the interest income earned on interest-earning assets less interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. Net interest income and net interest margin are impacted by several factors, including changes in average balances and the composition of interest-earning assets and funding sources, market interest rate fluctuations and the slope of the yield curve, repricing characteristics and maturity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the volume of noninterest-bearing sources of funds, and asset quality.
Net interest income and net interest margin for 2024 decreased year-over-year, which primarily reflected higher deposit funding costs and shifts in the deposit mix to higher cost time and money market deposits, partially offset by loan growth and higher loan yields, and increases in AFS debt securities’ volume and yield. Although the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times since September 2024, the impacts of prior interest rate hikes spurred customers to seek high-yielding time deposits, which increased deposit costs at a faster rate than the increase in loan yields, and resulted in slight pressures on the Company’s net interest margin during 2024.
Average interest-earning assets increased $5.7 billion or 9% to $69.7 billion in 2024. The yield on average interest-earning assets was 6.01% in 2024, an increase of 24 bps from 2023. The increases in both the average balance and yield on interest-earning assets primarily reflected loan growth, an increase in AFS debt securities, and higher benchmark interest rates.
The average loan yield was 6.67% in 2024, an increase of 27 bps from 2023. The year-over-year change in the average loan yield primarily reflected loan growth and the loan portfolio’s sensitivity to higher benchmark interest rates. Approximately 58% of loans held-for-investment were variable-rate as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Deposits are an important source of funds and impact both net interest income and net interest margin. Average deposits of $59.7 billion in 2024, increased $4.7 billion or 9% from 2023. Average noninterest-bearing deposits of $14.8 billion in 2024, decreased $2.4 billion or 14% from 2023. Average noninterest-bearing deposits made up 25% and 31% of average deposits for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The average cost of deposits was 2.88% in 2024, an increase of 69 bps from 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 3.83% in 2024, an increase of 64 bps from 2023. These year-over-year increases primarily reflected shifts in the deposit mix to time and money market deposits, and higher deposit costs in response to the interest rate environment.
The average cost of funds calculation includes deposits, short-term borrowings, FHLB advances, assets sold under repurchase agreements (“repurchase agreements”) and long-term debt. In 2024, the average cost of funds was 3.02%, an increase of 67 bps from 2023. The year-over-year increase was mainly driven by the change in the average cost of deposits discussed above.
The Company utilizes various tools to manage interest rate risk. Refer to the Interest Rate Risk Management section of Item 7. MD&A — Risk Management — Market Risk Management for details.
The following table presents the interest spread, net interest margin, average balances, interest income and expense, and the average yield/rate by asset and liability component in 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
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| ($ in thousands) | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Average Yield/Rate | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Average Yield/Rate | | Average Balance | | Interest | | Average Yield/Rate |
| ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing cash and deposits with banks | | $ | 4,936,550 | | | $ | 231,794 | | | 4.70 | % | | $ | 4,638,630 | | | $ | 220,643 | | | 4.76 | % | | $ | 3,127,234 | | | $ | 41,113 | | | 1.31 | % |
Assets purchased under resale agreements (1) | | 519,263 | | | 11,254 | | | 2.17 | % | | 691,223 | | | 20,164 | | | 2.92 | % | | 1,398,080 | | | 29,767 | | | 2.13 | % |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AFS (2)(3) | | 8,811,274 | | | 399,280 | | | 4.53 | % | | 6,105,999 | | | 225,592 | | | 3.69 | % | | 6,629,945 | | | 152,514 | | | 2.30 | % |
Held-to-maturity (“HTM”) (2) | | 2,935,937 | | | 49,785 | | | 1.70 | % | | 2,976,237 | | | 50,598 | | | 1.70 | % | | 2,756,382 | | | 46,392 | | | 1.68 | % |
Total debt securities (2) | | 11,747,211 | | | 449,065 | | | 3.82 | % | | 9,082,236 | | | 276,190 | | | 3.04 | % | | 9,386,327 | | | 198,906 | | | 2.12 | % |
| Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) (2) | | 16,492,472 | | | 1,294,451 | | | 7.85 | % | | 15,499,899 | | | 1,190,940 | | | 7.68 | % | | 15,013,560 | | | 715,778 | | | 4.77 | % |
CRE (2) | | 20,316,013 | | | 1,292,973 | | | 6.36 | % | | 19,824,272 | | | 1,227,795 | | | 6.19 | % | | 17,896,853 | | | 791,839 | | | 4.42 | % |
| Residential mortgage | | 15,504,795 | | | 900,514 | | | 5.81 | % | | 14,155,784 | | | 750,813 | | | 5.30 | % | | 12,315,334 | | | 538,255 | | | 4.37 | % |
| Other consumer | | 55,500 | | | 3,041 | | | 5.48 | % | | 65,181 | | | 3,198 | | | 4.91 | % | | 93,711 | | | 2,429 | | | 2.59 | % |
Total loans (2)(4)(5) | | 52,368,780 | | | 3,490,979 | | | 6.67 | % | | 49,545,136 | | | 3,172,746 | | | 6.40 | % | | 45,319,458 | | | 2,048,301 | | | 4.52 | % |
| Restricted equity securities | | 147,080 | | | 10,104 | | | 6.87 | % | | 82,177 | | | 4,062 | | | 4.94 | % | | 77,963 | | | 3,144 | | | 4.03 | % |
| Total interest-earning assets | | $ | 69,718,884 | | | $ | 4,193,196 | | | 6.01 | % | | $ | 64,039,402 | | | $ | 3,693,805 | | | 5.77 | % | | $ | 59,309,062 | | | $ | 2,321,231 | | | 3.91 | % |
| Noninterest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and due from banks | | 345,056 | | | | | | | 555,689 | | | | | | | 652,673 | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses | | (688,448) | | | | | | | (625,785) | | | | | | | (559,746) | | | | | |
| Other assets | | 3,446,350 | | | | | | | 3,788,199 | | | | | | | 3,436,293 | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 72,821,842 | | | | | | | $ | 67,757,505 | | | | | | | $ | 62,838,282 | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Checking deposits | | $ | 7,731,828 | | | $ | 221,367 | | | 2.86 | % | | $ | 7,658,414 | | | $ | 179,200 | | | 2.34 | % | | $ | 6,696,200 | | | $ | 29,808 | | | 0.45 | % |
| Money market deposits | | 13,970,375 | | | 525,870 | | | 3.76 | % | | 11,680,540 | | | 399,482 | | | 3.42 | % | | 12,443,437 | | | 107,442 | | | 0.86 | % |
| Savings deposits | | 1,770,041 | | | 17,764 | | | 1.00 | % | | 2,128,943 | | | 15,573 | | | 0.73 | % | | 2,901,940 | | | 8,550 | | | 0.29 | % |
| Time deposits | | 21,400,834 | | | 955,173 | | | 4.46 | % | | 16,301,856 | | | 611,295 | | | 3.75 | % | | 9,473,744 | | | 106,038 | | | 1.12 | % |
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 44,873,078 | | | 1,720,174 | | | 3.83 | % | | 37,769,753 | | | 1,205,550 | | | 3.19 | % | | 31,515,321 | | | 251,838 | | | 0.80 | % |
| Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”), short-term borrowings and federal funds purchased | | 962,061 | | | 42,163 | | | 4.38 | % | | 3,591,114 | | | 157,002 | | | 4.37 | % | | 81,719 | | | 1,801 | | | 2.20 | % |
| FHLB advances | | 2,752,733 | | | 147,269 | | | 5.35 | % | | 123,288 | | | 6,430 | | | 5.22 | % | | 105,966 | | | 1,754 | | | 1.66 | % |
| Repurchase agreements | | 3,613 | | | 197 | | | 5.45 | % | | 34,443 | | | 1,497 | | | 4.35 | % | | 467,413 | | | 14,362 | | | 3.07 | % |
| Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities | | 58,467 | | | 4,677 | | | 8.00 | % | | 152,790 | | | 11,072 | | | 7.25 | % | | 152,325 | | | 5,595 | | | 3.67 | % |
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | $ | 48,649,952 | | | $ | 1,914,480 | | | 3.94 | % | | $ | 41,671,388 | | | $ | 1,381,551 | | | 3.32 | % | | $ | 32,322,744 | | | $ | 275,350 | | | 0.85 | % |
| Noninterest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Demand deposits | | 14,799,961 | | | | | | | 17,192,978 | | | | | | | 22,784,258 | | | | | |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | 2,056,755 | | | | | | | 2,410,154 | | | | | | | 1,948,255 | | | | | |
| Stockholders’ equity | | 7,315,174 | | | | | | | 6,482,985 | | | | | | | 5,783,025 | | | | | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 72,821,842 | | | | | | | $ | 67,757,505 | | | | | | | $ | 62,838,282 | | | | | |
| Interest rate spread | | | | | | 2.07 | % | | | | | | 2.45 | % | | | | | | 3.06 | % |
| Net interest income and net interest margin | | | | $ | 2,278,716 | | | 3.27 | % | | | | $ | 2,312,254 | | | 3.61 | % | | | | $ | 2,045,881 | | | 3.45 | % |
|
(1)Includes the average balances and interest income for securities and loans purchased under resale agreements for 2023. There were no loans purchased under resale agreements for 2024.
(2)Yields on tax-exempt debt securities and loans are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
(3)Includes the amortization of net premiums on AFS debt securities of $35 million, $31 million and $72 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(4)Average balances include nonperforming loans and loans held-for-sale.
(5)Includes the accretion of net deferred loan fees and amortization of net premiums, which totaled $53 million for each of 2024 and 2023, and $50 million for 2022.
The following table summarizes the extent to which changes in (1) interest rates, and (2) volume of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities affected the Company’s net interest income for the periods presented. The total change for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is segmented into changes attributable to variations in volume and yield/rate. Changes that are not solely due to either volume or yield/rate are allocated proportionally based on the absolute value of the change related to average volume and average yield/rate.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 vs. 2023 | | 2023 vs. 2022 |
| | Total Change | | Changes Due to | | Total Change | | Changes Due to |
| ($ in thousands) | | | Volume | | Yield/Rate | | | Volume | | Yield/Rate |
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing cash and deposits with banks | | $ | 11,151 | | | $ | 14,019 | | | $ | (2,868) | | | $ | 179,530 | | | $ | 27,977 | | | $ | 151,553 | |
Assets purchased under resale agreements (1) | | (8,910) | | | (4,382) | | | (4,528) | | | (9,603) | | | (18,266) | | | 8,663 | |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| AFS | | 173,688 | | | 114,930 | | | 58,758 | | | 73,078 | | | (12,895) | | | 85,973 | |
| HTM | | (813) | | | (684) | | | (129) | | | 4,206 | | | 3,733 | | | 473 | |
| Total debt securities | | 172,875 | | | 114,246 | | | 58,629 | | | 77,284 | | | (9,162) | | | 86,446 | |
| Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | 103,511 | | | 77,492 | | | 26,019 | | | 475,162 | | | 23,900 | | | 451,262 | |
| CRE | | 65,178 | | | 30,853 | | | 34,325 | | | 435,956 | | | 95,037 | | | 340,919 | |
| Residential mortgage | | 149,701 | | | 74,955 | | | 74,746 | | | 212,558 | | | 87,511 | | | 125,047 | |
| Other consumer | | (157) | | | (506) | | | 349 | | | 769 | | | (907) | | | 1,676 | |
| Total loans | | 318,233 | | | 182,794 | | | 135,439 | | | 1,124,445 | | | 205,541 | | | 918,904 | |
| Restricted equity securities | | 6,042 | | | 4,045 | | | 1,997 | | | 918 | | | 177 | | | 741 | |
| Total interest and dividend income | | $ | 499,391 | | | $ | 310,722 | | | $ | 188,669 | | | $ | 1,372,574 | | | $ | 206,267 | | | $ | 1,166,307 | |
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Checking deposits | | $ | 42,167 | | | $ | 1,734 | | | $ | 40,433 | | | $ | 149,392 | | | $ | 4,879 | | | $ | 144,513 | |
| Money market deposits | | 126,388 | | | 83,521 | | | 42,867 | | | 292,040 | | | (6,983) | | | 299,023 | |
| Saving deposits | | 2,191 | | | (2,930) | | | 5,121 | | | 7,023 | | | (2,792) | | | 9,815 | |
| Time deposits | | 343,878 | | | 213,823 | | | 130,055 | | | 505,257 | | | 118,581 | | | 386,676 | |
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | 514,624 | | | 296,148 | | | 218,476 | | | 953,712 | | | 113,685 | | | 840,027 | |
| BTFP, short-term borrowings and federal funds purchased | | (114,839) | | | (115,219) | | | 380 | | | 155,201 | | | 151,725 | | | 3,476 | |
| FHLB advances | | 140,839 | | | 140,669 | | | 170 | | | 4,676 | | | 330 | | | 4,346 | |
| Repurchase agreements | | (1,300) | | | (1,606) | | | 306 | | | (12,865) | | | (17,113) | | | 4,248 | |
| Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities | | (6,395) | | | (7,443) | | | 1,048 | | | 5,477 | | | 17 | | | 5,460 | |
| Total interest expense | | $ | 532,929 | | | $ | 312,549 | | | $ | 220,380 | | | $ | 1,106,201 | | | $ | 248,644 | | | $ | 857,557 | |
| Changes in net interest income | | $ | (33,538) | | | $ | (1,827) | | | $ | (31,711) | | | $ | 266,373 | | | $ | (42,377) | | | $ | 308,750 | |
|
(1)Includes the impact of securities purchased under resale agreements for 2024, and both securities and loans purchased under resale agreements for 2023 and 2022.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents the components of noninterest income for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | % Change from 2023 | | 2022 |
| Deposit account fees | | $ | 103,880 | | | $ | 93,811 | | | | | 11 | % | | $ | 95,177 | |
| Lending fees | | 98,455 | | | 83,876 | | | | | 17 | % | | 79,208 | |
| Foreign exchange income | | 54,605 | | | 48,276 | | | | | 13 | % | | 41,416 | |
| Wealth management fees | | 38,627 | | | 26,994 | | | | | 43 | % | | 27,738 | |
| Customer derivative income | | 16,401 | | | 20,200 | | | | | (19) | % | | 29,057 | |
| Net gains on sales of loans | | 44 | | | 3,634 | | | | | (99) | % | | 6,411 | |
| Net gains (losses) on AFS debt securities | | 2,069 | | | (6,862) | | | | | NM | | 1,306 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Other investment income | | 5,611 | | | 9,348 | | | | | (40) | % | | 7,037 | |
| Other income | | 15,526 | | | 15,987 | | | | | (3) | % | | 11,316 | |
| Total noninterest income | | $ | 335,218 | | | $ | 295,264 | | | | | 14 | % | | $ | 298,666 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
NM — Not meaningful.
Noninterest income comprised 13% and 11% of total revenue in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Noninterest income for 2024 was $335 million, an increase of $40 million compared with 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher lending, wealth management, and deposit account fees, net gains on AFS debt securities, and foreign exchange income, partially offset by lower customer derivative, other investment income and net gains on sales of loans.
Deposit account fees were $104 million in 2024, an increase of $10 million or 11%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to analysis service fees, which reflected fee increases and customer growth.
Lending fees were $98 million in 2024, an increase of $15 million or 17%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher trade finance and commitment fees driven by customer growth, and higher credit enhancement fee income.
Foreign exchange income was $55 million, an increase of $6 million or 13%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the favorable valuation of certain foreign currency denominated balance sheet items.
Wealth management fees were $39 million in 2024, an increase of $12 million or 43%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase primarily reflected customer demand for higher-yielding products in response to the interest rate environment.
Customer derivative income was $16 million, a decrease of $4 million or 19% compared with 2023. The year-over-year decrease primarily reflected lower fee income due to decreased customer activity, partially offset by favorable credit valuation adjustments.
Net gains on sales of loans were $44 thousand, a decrease of $4 million, or 99%, compared with 2023. The 2023 net gain on sales of loans primarily reflected CRE loan sales.
Net gains on AFS debt securities of $2 million in 2024 were due to sales of U.S. government agency residential mortgage-backed securities. In comparison, net losses on AFS debt securities of $7 million in 2023, was due to a $10 million write-off of an impaired subordinated AFS debt security, partially offset by a $3 million gain when the security was subsequently sold.
Other investment income was $6 million in 2024, a decrease of $4 million or 40% compared with 2023. The year-over-year decrease primarily reflected lower earnings from the Company’s equity method CRA investments.
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents the components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | % Change from 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | $ | 550,734 | | | $ | 508,538 | | | | | 8 | % | | $ | 477,635 | | | | | |
| Occupancy and equipment expense | | 64,399 | | | 62,763 | | | | | 3 | % | | 62,501 | | | | | |
| Deposit account expense | | 47,390 | | | 43,143 | | | | | 10 | % | | 25,508 | | | | | |
| Computer and software related expenses | | 47,271 | | | 44,475 | | | | | 6 | % | | 42,776 | | | | | |
| Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments | | 45,736 | | | 103,308 | | | | | (56) | % | | 19,449 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other operating expense | | 148,301 | | | 140,222 | | | | | 6 | % | | 118,166 | | | | | |
| Amortization of tax credit and CRA investments | | 54,242 | | | 120,299 | | | | | (55) | % | | 113,358 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total noninterest expense | | $ | 958,073 | | | $ | 1,022,748 | | | | | (6) | % | | $ | 859,393 | | | | | |
| | | | |
Noninterest expense was $1.0 billion in 2024, a decrease of $65 million or 6%, compared with 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower amortization of tax credit and CRA investments, and deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments, partially offset by higher compensation and employee benefits, and other operating expense.
Compensation and employee benefits were $551 million in 2024, an increase of $42 million or 8%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by annual merit increases and staffing growth.
Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments were $46 million in 2024, a decrease of $58 million or 56%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to a $9 million FDIC charge recorded in 2024, compared with the initial $70 million FDIC charge recorded in 2023. For additional information related to the FDIC charge, see Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — FDIC Deposit Insurance Assessments in this Form 10-K.
Other operating expense was $148 million in 2024, an increase of $8 million or 6%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to write-downs of other real estate owned (“OREO”).
Amortization of tax credit and CRA investments was $54 million in 2024, a decrease of $66 million or 55%, compared with 2023. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to the expanded application of the PAM since the adoption of ASU 2023-02, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures on January 1, 2024, and the timing of tax credit investments that closed in a given period. For additional information on the PAM, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 7 — Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Income Taxes
The following table presents the income before income taxes, income tax expense and effective tax rate for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Income before income taxes | | $ | 1,481,861 | | | $ | 1,459,770 | | | $ | 1,411,654 | |
| Income tax expense | | $ | 316,275 | | | $ | 298,609 | | | $ | 283,571 | |
| Effective tax rate | | 21.3 | % | | 20.5 | % | | 20.1 | % |
|
Income tax expense for 2024, compared with 2023, increased $18 million or 6%, primarily due to the impacts from the expanded application of PAM on the Company’s tax credit investments following the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, partially offset by an increase in tax credits and prior period adjustments in 2023. The differences between the 2024 and 2023 effective tax rates from the federal statutory rate of 21% were primarily due to state taxes and tax credits associated with renewable energy, historic and new market tax credit related projects as described in Note 11 — Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Operating Segment Results
The Company organizes its operations into three reportable operating segments: (1) Consumer and Business Banking; (2) Commercial Banking; and (3) Treasury and Other. These segments are defined by the type of customers served, and the related products and services provided. For a description of the Company’s internal management reporting process, including the segment cost allocation methodology, see Note 17 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Segment net interest income represents the difference between actual interest earned on assets and interest incurred on liabilities of the segment, adjusted for funding charges or credits through the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing (“FTP”) process.
During 2024, the Company refined its segment allocation methodology and reclassified certain deposits and their related income or expenses from the “Consumer and Business Banking” segment to the “Commercial Banking” or “Treasury and Other” segments, and certain loan balances and their related income or expenses from the “Commercial Banking” segment to the “Treasury and Other” segment. Prior years’ balances have been reclassified for comparability.
Consumer and Business Banking
The Consumer and Business Banking segment primarily provides financial products and services to consumer and commercial customers through the Company’s domestic branch network and digital banking platforms. This segment offers consumer and commercial deposits, mortgage and home equity loans, and other products and services. It also originates commercial loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises through the Company’s branch network. Other products and services provided by this segment include wealth management, private banking, treasury management, interest rate risk hedging and foreign exchange services.
The following table presents financial information for the Consumer and Business Banking segment for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | | | | Change from 2023 | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | $ | | % | | 2022 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue before provision for credit losses | | $ | 1,260,806 | | | $ | 1,329,844 | | | $ | (69,038) | | | (5) | % | | $ | 1,174,960 | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 8,691 | | | 21,454 | | | (12,763) | | | (59) | % | | 25,983 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 217,612 | | | 203,387 | | | 14,225 | | | 7 | % | | 195,394 | |
| Other noninterest expense | | 234,494 | | | 262,086 | | | (27,592) | | | (11) | % | | 196,581 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 452,106 | | | 465,473 | | | (13,367) | | | (3) | % | | 391,975 | |
| Segment income before income taxes | | 800,009 | | | 842,917 | | | (42,908) | | | (5) | % | | 757,002 | |
| Income tax expense | | 236,791 | | | 247,952 | | | (11,161) | | | (5) | % | | 219,248 | |
| Segment net income | | $ | 563,218 | | | $ | 594,965 | | | $ | (31,747) | | | (5) | % | | $ | 537,754 | |
| Average loans | | $ | 18,966,662 | | | $ | 17,739,984 | | | $ | 1,226,678 | | | 7 | % | | $ | 15,534,259 | |
| Average deposits | | $ | 30,815,912 | | | $ | 28,174,781 | | | $ | 2,641,131 | | | 9 | % | | $ | 27,276,151 | |
|
Consumer and Business Banking segment net income decreased $32 million or 5% to $563 million in 2024, primarily due to a decrease in net interest income and higher compensation and employee benefits, partially offset by lower other noninterest expense and provision for credit losses. The decrease in net interest income before provision for credit losses was primarily driven by a higher cost of interest-bearing deposits and a continued shift to interest-bearing products in the deposit mix. The decrease in provision for credit losses was primarily driven by the improvement in the macroeconomic outlook in the residential mortgage loan sector. The increase in compensation and employee benefits was primarily driven by annual merit increases and staffing growth. The decrease in other noninterest expense was primarily driven by lower deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments compared with the higher FDIC special assessment charge recognized in 2023.
Commercial Banking
The Commercial Banking segment primarily generates domestic commercial loan and deposit products. Commercial loan products include CRE lending, construction finance, commercial business lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, letters of credit, affordable housing lending, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, project finance and equipment financing. Commercial deposit products and other financial services include treasury management, foreign exchange services, and interest rate and commodity risk hedging.
The following table presents financial information for the Commercial Banking segment for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | | | | Change from 2023 | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | $ | | % | | 2022 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue before provision for credit losses | | $ | 1,323,711 | | | $ | 1,284,515 | | | $ | 39,196 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 1,162,523 | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 166,953 | | | 100,391 | | | 66,562 | | | 66 | % | | 48,248 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 234,240 | | | 217,663 | | | 16,577 | | | 8 | % | | 211,355 | |
| Other noninterest expense | | 161,969 | | | 158,949 | | | 3,020 | | | 2 | % | | 102,018 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 396,209 | | | 376,612 | | | 19,597 | | | 5 | % | | 313,373 | |
| Segment income before income taxes | | 760,549 | | | 807,512 | | | (46,963) | | | (6) | % | | 800,902 | |
| Income tax expense | | 224,897 | | | 237,359 | | | (12,462) | | | (5) | % | | 230,920 | |
| Segment net income | | $ | 535,652 | | | $ | 570,153 | | | $ | (34,501) | | | (6) | % | | $ | 569,982 | |
| Average loans | | $ | 32,996,221 | | | $ | 31,365,547 | | | $ | 1,630,674 | | | 5 | % | | $ | 29,321,701 | |
| Average deposits | | $ | 25,820,956 | | | $ | 23,304,066 | | | $ | 2,516,890 | | | 11 | % | | $ | 23,252,073 | |
|
Commercial Banking segment net income decreased $35 million or 6% to $536 million in 2024, primarily driven by increases in provision for credit losses and compensation and employee benefits, partially offset by higher noninterest income. The increase in noninterest income was primarily driven by higher lending and deposit account fees. The increase in provision for credit losses was primarily driven by higher net charge-offs in the C&I portfolio. The increase in compensation and employee benefits was primarily driven by annual merit increases and staffing growth.
Treasury and Other
Centralized functions, including the corporate treasury activities of the Company, eliminations of inter-segment amounts, and centrally managed departments, have been aggregated and included in the Treasury and Other segment. Tax credit investment amortization is recorded in the Treasury and Other segment.
The following table presents financial information for the Treasury and Other segment for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | | | | Change from 2023 | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | $ | | % | | 2022 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue (loss) before (reversal of) provision for credit losses | | $ | 29,417 | | | $ | (6,841) | | | $ | 36,258 | | | NM | | $ | 7,064 | |
| (Reversal of) provision for credit losses | | (1,644) | | | 3,155 | | | (4,799) | | | NM | | (731) | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 98,882 | | | 87,488 | | | 11,394 | | | 13 | % | | 70,886 | |
| Other noninterest expense | | 10,876 | | | 93,175 | | | (82,299) | | | (88) | % | | 83,159 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 109,758 | | | 180,663 | | | (70,905) | | | (39) | % | | 154,045 | |
| Segment loss before income taxes | | (78,697) | | | (190,659) | | | 111,962 | | | 59 | % | | (146,250) | |
| Income tax benefit | | (145,413) | | | (186,702) | | | 41,289 | | | 22 | % | | (166,597) | |
| Segment net income (loss) | | $ | 66,716 | | | $ | (3,957) | | | $ | 70,673 | | | NM | | $ | 20,347 | |
| Average loans | | $ | 405,897 | | | $ | 439,605 | | | $ | (33,708) | | | (8) | % | | $ | 463,498 | |
| Average deposits | | $ | 3,036,171 | | | $ | 3,483,884 | | | $ | (447,713) | | | (13) | % | | $ | 3,771,355 | |
|
NM — Not meaningful.
Treasury and Other segment loss before income taxes decreased $112 million in 2024, primarily driven by lower noninterest expense and higher net interest income. The increase in net interest income was primarily driven by higher interest income from AFS debt securities. The decrease in noninterest expense was primarily due to lower amortization of tax credit and CRA investments resulting from the expanded application of PAM since the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, where the amortization of tax credit and CRA investments were recorded as a component of income tax benefit in this segment.
Income tax expense is allocated to the Consumer and Business Banking and the Commercial Banking segments by applying statutory income tax rates to the respective segment income before income taxes. The income tax expense or benefit in the Treasury and Other segment consists of the remaining unallocated income tax expense or benefit after allocating income tax expense to the two core segments, and the impact of tax credit investment activity.
Balance Sheet Analysis
Debt Securities
The Company maintains a portfolio of high quality and liquid debt securities with a moderate duration profile. It closely manages the overall portfolio credit, interest rate and liquidity risks. The Company’s debt securities provide:
•interest income for earnings and yield enhancement;
•funding availability for needs arising during the normal course of business;
•the ability to execute interest rate risk management strategies in response to changes in economic or market conditions; and
•collateral to support pledging agreements as required and/or to enhance the Company’s borrowing capacity.
While the Company does not intend to sell its debt securities, it may sell AFS debt securities in response to changes in the balance sheet and related interest rate risk to meet liquidity, regulatory and strategic requirements.
The following table presents the distribution of the Company’s AFS and HTM debt securities portfolio as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and by credit ratings as of December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | | | | | Rating as of December 31, 2024 (1) | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | | % of Fair Value | | Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | | % of Fair Value | | | | | | AAA/AA | | A | | BBB | | | | BB and Lower | | No Rating (2) | |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 676,300 | | | $ | 638,265 | | | | 6 | % | | $ | 1,112,587 | | | $ | 1,060,375 | | | | 17 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 308,220 | | | 262,587 | | | | 3 | % | | 412,086 | | | 364,446 | | | | 6 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (3) | | 8,447,303 | | | 8,164,474 | | | | 75 | % | | 2,488,304 | | | 2,195,853 | | | | 35 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Municipal securities | | 287,301 | | | 250,153 | | | | 2 | % | | 297,283 | | | 261,016 | | | | 4 | % | | | | | | 99 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | 1 | % | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities | | 808,762 | | | 692,078 | | | | 6 | % | | 1,052,913 | | | 921,187 | | | | 15 | % | | | | | | 91 | % | | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | | | — | % | | 7 | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 653,500 | | | 526,166 | | | | 5 | % | | 653,501 | | | 502,425 | | | | 8 | % | | | | | | — | % | | 31 | % | | 65 | % | | | | 4 | % | | — | % | |
| Foreign government bonds | | 244,803 | | | 233,880 | | | | 2 | % | | 239,333 | | | 227,874 | | | | 4 | % | | | | | | 45 | % | | 55 | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Asset-backed securities | | 35,086 | | | 34,715 | | | | 0 | % | | 43,234 | | | 42,300 | | | | 1 | % | | | | | | 29 | % | | 71 | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Collateralized loan obligations | | 44,500 | | | 44,493 | | | | 1 | % | | 617,250 | | | 612,861 | | | | 10 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | $ | 11,505,775 | | | $ | 10,846,811 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 6,916,491 | | | $ | 6,188,337 | | | | 100 | % | | | | | | 93 | % | | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | | | 0 | % | | 1 | % | |
| HTM debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 535,080 | | | $ | 499,858 | | | | 21 | % | | $ | 529,548 | | | $ | 488,551 | | | | 20 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 1,004,479 | | | 804,220 | | | | 34 | % | | 1,001,836 | | | 814,932 | | | | 33 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (4) | | 1,190,221 | | | 943,134 | | | | 39 | % | | 1,235,784 | | | 1,004,697 | | | | 41 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Municipal securities | | 187,633 | | | 140,542 | | | | 6 | % | | 188,872 | | | 145,791 | | | | 6 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Total HTM debt securities | | $ | 2,917,413 | | | $ | 2,387,754 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 2,956,040 | | | $ | 2,453,971 | | | | 100 | % | | | | | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | | | — | % | | — | % | |
| Total debt securities | | $ | 14,423,188 | | | $ | 13,234,565 | | | | | | $ | 9,872,531 | | | $ | 8,642,308 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
(1)Credit ratings express opinions about the credit quality of a debt security. The Company determines the credit rating of a security according to the lowest credit rating made available by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). Investment grade debt securities are those with ratings similar to BBB- or above (as defined by NRSROs), and are generally considered by the rating agencies and market participants to be low credit risk. Ratings percentages are allocated based on fair values.
(2)For debt securities not rated by NRSROs, the Company uses other factors which include but are not limited to the priority in collections within the securitization structure, and whether the contractual payments have historically been on time.
(3)Includes Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) AFS debt securities totaling $7.3 billion of amortized cost and $7.2 billion of fair value as of December 31, 2024, and $1.3 billion of amortized cost and $1.2 billion of fair value as of December 31, 2023.
(4)Includes GNMA HTM debt securities totaling $86 million of amortized cost and $68 million of fair value as of December 31, 2024, and $92 million of amortized cost and $75 million of fair value of as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s AFS and HTM debt securities portfolios had an effective duration (defined as the sensitivity of the value of the portfolio to interest rate changes) of 2.4 and 7.0, respectively, compared with 3.6 and 7.5, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in the AFS effective duration was primarily due to the purchases of floating rate GNMA securities during 2024. The decrease in the HTM effective duration was due to the portfolio seasoning. The Company estimated that the effective duration of its AFS debt securities was 3.1 for an instantaneous 100 bp parallel increase and 2.1 for an instantaneous 100 bp parallel decrease as of December 31, 2024.
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The fair value of AFS debt securities increased $4.7 billion or 75% to $10.8 billion in 2024 from December 31, 2023, primarily due to the purchases of GNMA securities. The Company’s AFS debt securities are carried at fair value with non-credit related unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Pre-tax net unrealized losses on AFS debt securities were $659 million as of December 31, 2024, compared with $728 million as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, 99% and 97%, respectively, of the carrying value of the AFS debt securities portfolio was rated investment grade by NRSROs. Of the AFS debt securities with gross unrealized losses, substantially all were rated investment grade as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. There was no allowance for credit losses provided against the AFS debt securities as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Additionally, there were no credit losses recognized in earnings for both 2024 and 2023.
Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
All HTM debt securities were issued, guaranteed, or supported by the U.S. government or government-sponsored enterprises. Accordingly, the Company applied a zero credit loss assumption for these securities and no allowance for credit loss was recorded as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
For additional information on AFS and HTM securities, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note 4 — Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Loan Portfolio
The Company offers a broad range of financial products designed to meet the credit needs of its borrowers. The Company’s loan portfolio segments include commercial loans, which consist of C&I, CRE, multifamily residential, and construction and land loans, as well as consumer loans, which consist of single-family residential, home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”) and other consumer loans. The composition of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024 was similar to the composition as of December 31, 2023.
The following table presents the composition of the Company’s total loan portfolio by loan type as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 17,397,158 | | | 32 | % | | $ | 16,581,079 | | | 32 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 14,655,340 | | | 28 | % | | 14,777,081 | | | 28 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential | | 4,953,442 | | | 9 | % | | 5,023,163 | | | 10 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | 666,162 | | | 1 | % | | 663,868 | | | 1 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total CRE | | 20,274,944 | | | 38 | % | | 20,464,112 | | | 39 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 37,672,102 | | | 70 | % | | 37,045,191 | | | 71 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 14,175,446 | | | 27 | % | | 13,383,060 | | | 26 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | 1,811,628 | | | 3 | % | | 1,722,204 | | | 3 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 15,987,074 | | | 30 | % | | 15,105,264 | | | 29 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other consumer | | 67,461 | | | 0 | % | | 60,327 | | | 0 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | 16,054,535 | | | 30 | % | | 15,165,591 | | | 29 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total loans held-for-investment (1) | | 53,726,637 | | | 100 | % | | 52,210,782 | | | 100 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses | | (702,052) | | | | | (668,743) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans held-for-sale | | — | | | | | 116 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans, net | | $ | 53,024,585 | | | | | $ | 51,542,155 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1)Includes $46 million and $71 million of net deferred loan fees and net unamortized premiums as of December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Commercial
The Company actively monitors the commercial lending portfolio for credit risk and reviews credit exposures for sensitivity to changing economic conditions.
Commercial — Commercial and Industrial Loans. Total C&I loan commitments were $25.8 billion and $24.6 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with a utilization rate of 67% as of both dates. As of December 31, 2024, total C&I loans were $17.4 billion, up $816 million or 5% from December 31, 2023. The C&I loan portfolio includes loans and financing for businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. The Company offers a variety of C&I products, including commercial business lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, letters of credit, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, project finance and equipment financing. Additionally, the Company has a portfolio of broadly syndicated C&I loans, which represent revolving or term loan facilities that are marketed and sold primarily to institutional investors. This portfolio totaled $845 million and $645 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The majority of the C&I loans had variable interest rates as of both December 31, 2024, and 2023.
The C&I portfolio is well-diversified by industry. The Company monitors concentrations within the C&I loan portfolio by industry and customer exposure, and has exposure limits by industry and loan product. The following table presents the industry mix within the Company’s C&I loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024, and 2023:
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| | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 | | | | December 31, 2023 (1) |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % | | ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % |
| Industry: | | | | | | Industry: | | | | |
| Real estate investment & management | | $ | 2,381,186 | | | 14 | % | | Capital call lending | | $ | 2,171,367 | | | 13 | % |
| Capital call lending | | 2,230,457 | | | 13 | % | | Real estate investment & management | | 1,970,713 | | | 12 | % |
| Media & entertainment | | 2,031,242 | | | 12 | % | | Media & entertainment | | 1,891,199 | | | 11 | % |
| Manufacturing & wholesale | | 1,074,073 | | | 6 | % | | Financial services | | 1,136,731 | | | 7 | % |
| Financial services | | 1,005,216 | | | 6 | % | | Manufacturing & wholesale | | 1,110,544 | | | 7 | % |
| Infrastructure & clean energy | | 963,165 | | | 5 | % | | Infrastructure & clean energy | | 1,023,662 | | | 6 | % |
| Tech & telecom | | 770,521 | | | 4 | % | | Tech & telecom | | 729,922 | | | 4 | % |
| Healthcare | | 685,550 | | | 4 | % | | Food production & distribution | | 655,340 | | | 4 | % |
| Food production & distribution | | 664,135 | | | 4 | % | | Consumer finance | | 586,468 | | | 4 | % |
| Oil & gas | | 576,605 | | | 3 | % | | Hospitality & leisure | | 576,328 | | | 3 | % |
| Other | | 5,015,008 | | | 29 | % | | Other | | 4,728,805 | | | 29 | % |
| Total C&I | | $ | 17,397,158 | | | 100 | % | | Total C&I | | $ | 16,581,079 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Revised prior year’s segmentation to conform with the current year’s categories.
Commercial — Total Commercial Real Estate Loans. The total CRE portfolio consists of CRE, multifamily residential, and construction and land loans, and affordable housing lending. The Company’s underwriting parameters for CRE loans are established in compliance with supervisory guidance, including: property type, geography and loan-to-value (“LTV”).
The Company’s total CRE loan portfolio is well-diversified by property type with an average CRE loan size of $3 million as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The following table summarizes the Company’s total CRE loans by property type as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % |
| Property types: | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily | | $ | 4,953,442 | | | 24 | % | | $ | 5,023,164 | | | 25 | % |
| Retail | | 4,347,032 | | | 21 | % | | 4,297,569 | | | 21 | % |
| Industrial | | 3,972,389 | | | 20 | % | | 3,997,764 | | | 20 | % |
| Hotel | | 2,404,385 | | | 12 | % | | 2,446,504 | | | 12 | % |
| Office | | 2,125,210 | | | 11 | % | | 2,271,508 | | | 11 | % |
| Healthcare | | 788,806 | | | 4 | % | | 852,362 | | | 4 | % |
| Construction and land | | 666,162 | | | 3 | % | | 663,868 | | | 3 | % |
| Other | | 1,017,518 | | | 5 | % | | 911,373 | | | 4 | % |
| Total CRE loans | | $ | 20,274,944 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 20,464,112 | | | 100 | % |
|
The weighted-average LTV ratio of the total CRE loan portfolio was 50% as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Weighted-average LTV is based on the most recent LTV, which considers the latest available appraisal and current loan commitment. Approximately 91% of total CRE loan commitments had an LTV ratio of 65% or lower as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s CRE, multifamily residential, and construction and land loans by geography as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The distribution of the total CRE loan portfolio largely reflects the Company’s geographical branch footprint, which is primarily concentrated in California:
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|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | CRE | | % | | Multifamily Residential | | % | | Construction and Land | | % | | Total CRE | | % |
| Geographic markets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Southern California | | $ | 7,516,638 | | | 51 | % | | $ | 2,316,404 | | | 47 | % | | $ | 230,297 | | | 35 | % | | $ | 10,063,339 | | | 50 | % |
| Northern California | | 2,693,768 | | | 19 | % | | 992,406 | | | 20 | % | | 163,633 | | | 24 | % | | 3,849,807 | | | 19 | % |
| California | | 10,210,406 | | | 70 | % | | 3,308,810 | | | 67 | % | | 393,930 | | | 59 | % | | 13,913,146 | | | 69 | % |
| Texas | | 1,091,626 | | | 8 | % | | 467,796 | | | 9 | % | | 131,963 | | | 20 | % | | 1,691,385 | | | 8 | % |
| New York | | 732,694 | | | 5 | % | | 249,357 | | | 5 | % | | 44,597 | | | 7 | % | | 1,026,648 | | | 5 | % |
| Washington | | 493,972 | | | 3 | % | | 155,022 | | | 3 | % | | 10,401 | | | 1 | % | | 659,395 | | | 3 | % |
| Arizona | | 348,877 | | | 2 | % | | 182,955 | | | 4 | % | | 23,903 | | | 4 | % | | 555,735 | | | 3 | % |
| Nevada | | 293,927 | | | 2 | % | | 139,292 | | | 3 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 433,219 | | | 2 | % |
| Other markets | | 1,483,838 | | | 10 | % | | 450,210 | | | 9 | % | | 61,368 | | | 9 | % | | 1,995,416 | | | 10 | % |
| Total loans | | $ | 14,655,340 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 4,953,442 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 666,162 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 20,274,944 | | | 100 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | CRE | | % | | Multifamily Residential | | % | | Construction and Land | | % | | Total CRE | | % |
| Geographic markets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Southern California | | $ | 7,604,053 | | | 51 | % | | $ | 2,295,592 | | | 46 | % | | $ | 294,879 | | | 44 | % | | $ | 10,194,524 | | | 50 | % |
| Northern California | | 2,737,635 | | | 19 | % | | 1,055,852 | | | 21 | % | | 147,031 | | | 22 | % | | 3,940,518 | | | 19 | % |
| California | | 10,341,688 | | | 70 | % | | 3,351,444 | | | 67 | % | | 441,910 | | | 66 | % | | 14,135,042 | | | 69 | % |
| Texas | | 1,122,428 | | | 8 | % | | 445,391 | | | 9 | % | | 41,768 | | | 6 | % | | 1,609,587 | | | 8 | % |
| New York | | 696,950 | | | 5 | % | | 287,961 | | | 6 | % | | 43,227 | | | 7 | % | | 1,028,138 | | | 5 | % |
| Washington | | 495,577 | | | 3 | % | | 173,367 | | | 3 | % | | 10,375 | | | 2 | % | | 679,319 | | | 3 | % |
| Arizona | | 355,047 | | | 2 | % | | 148,970 | | | 3 | % | | 38,897 | | | 6 | % | | 542,914 | | | 3 | % |
| Nevada | | 257,105 | | | 2 | % | | 142,133 | | | 3 | % | | 6,325 | | | 1 | % | | 405,563 | | | 2 | % |
| Other markets | | 1,508,286 | | | 10 | % | | 473,897 | | | 9 | % | | 81,366 | | | 12 | % | | 2,063,549 | | | 10 | % |
| Total loans | | $ | 14,777,081 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 5,023,163 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 663,868 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 20,464,112 | | | 100 | % |
|
As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, 69% of total CRE loans were concentrated in California. Changes in California’s economy and real estate values could have a significant impact on the collectability of these loans and the required level of allowance for loan losses. For additional information related to the higher degree of risk from a downturn in the California economic and real estate markets, see Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Geopolitical Uncertainties and Risks Related to Financial Matters in this Form 10-K.
Commercial — Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Company focuses on providing financing to experienced real estate investors and developers who have moderate levels of leverage, many of whom are long-time customers of the Bank. Interest rates on CRE loans may be fixed, variable or hybrid. As of December 31, 2024, 57% of our CRE portfolio had variable rates, of which 52% had customer-level interest rate derivative contracts in place. These were hedging contracts offered by the Company to help our customers manage their interest rate risk while the Bank’s exposure remained variable rate. In comparison, as of December 31, 2023, 58% of our CRE portfolio had variable rates, of which 50% had customer-level interest rate derivative contracts in place. The Company seeks to underwrite loans with conservative standards for cash flows, debt service coverage and LTV.
Owner-occupied properties comprised 20% of the CRE loans as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The remainder were non-owner-occupied properties, where 50% or more of the debt service for the loan is typically provided by rental income from an unaffiliated third party.
Commercial — Multifamily Residential Loans. The multifamily residential loan portfolio is largely comprised of loans secured by residential properties with five or more units. The Company offers a variety of first lien mortgages, including fixed- and variable-rate loans, as well as hybrid loans with interest rates that adjust annually after an initial fixed rate period of three to ten years. As of December 31, 2024, 50% of our multifamily residential portfolio had variable rates, of which 45% had customer-level interest rate derivative contracts in place. In comparison, as of December 31, 2023, 48% of our multifamily residential loan portfolio had variable rates, of which 40% had customer-level interest rate derivative contracts in place. These were hedging contracts offered by the Company to help our customers manage their interest rate risk while the Bank’s exposure remained variable rate.
Commercial — Construction and Land Loans. Construction and land loans provide financing for a portfolio of projects diversified by real estate property type. Construction loan exposure was made up of $506 million in loans outstanding, plus $391 million in unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2024, compared with $526 million in loans outstanding, plus $672 million in unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2023. Land loans totaled $160 million as of December 31, 2024, compared with $138 million as of December 31, 2023.
Consumer
Residential mortgage loans are primarily originated through the Bank’s branch network. The average total residential loan size was $437 thousand and $436 thousand as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following tables summarize the Company’s single-family residential and HELOC loan portfolios by geography as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Single-Family Residential | | % | | HELOCs | | % | | Total Residential Mortgage | | % |
| Geographic markets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Southern California | | $ | 5,475,929 | | | 39 | % | | $ | 853,858 | | | 47 | % | | $ | 6,329,787 | | | 39 | % |
| Northern California | | 1,825,462 | | | 13 | % | | 379,692 | | | 21 | % | | 2,205,154 | | | 14 | % |
| California | | 7,301,391 | | | 52 | % | | 1,233,550 | | | 68 | % | | 8,534,941 | | | 53 | % |
| New York | | 4,303,815 | | | 31 | % | | 266,529 | | | 15 | % | | 4,570,344 | | | 29 | % |
| Washington | | 715,968 | | | 5 | % | | 187,220 | | | 10 | % | | 903,188 | | | 6 | % |
| Massachusetts | | 457,147 | | | 3 | % | | 66,181 | | | 4 | % | | 523,328 | | | 3 | % |
| Georgia | | 466,790 | | | 3 | % | | 20,040 | | | 1 | % | | 486,830 | | | 3 | % |
| Nevada | | 447,097 | | | 3 | % | | 32,578 | | | 2 | % | | 479,675 | | | 3 | % |
| Texas | | 468,461 | | | 3 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 468,461 | | | 3 | % |
| Other markets | | 14,777 | | | 0 | % | | 5,530 | | | 0 | % | | 20,307 | | | 0 | % |
| Total | | $ | 14,175,446 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,811,628 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,987,074 | | | 100 | % |
| Lien priority: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First mortgage | | $ | 14,175,446 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,322,957 | | | 73 | % | | $ | 15,498,403 | | | 97 | % |
| Junior lien mortgage | | — | | | — | % | | 488,671 | | | 27 | % | | 488,671 | | | 3 | % |
| Total | | $ | 14,175,446 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,811,628 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,987,074 | | | 100 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Single-Family Residential | | % | | HELOCs | | % | | Total Residential Mortgage | | % |
| Geographic markets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Southern California | | $ | 4,990,848 | | | 37 | % | | $ | 799,571 | | | 46 | % | | $ | 5,790,419 | | | 38 | % |
| Northern California | | 1,650,905 | | | 13 | % | | 370,989 | | | 22 | % | | 2,021,894 | | | 13 | % |
| California | | 6,641,753 | | | 50 | % | | 1,170,560 | | | 68 | % | | 7,812,313 | | | 51 | % |
| New York | | 4,376,416 | | | 33 | % | | 247,202 | | | 14 | % | | 4,623,618 | | | 31 | % |
| Washington | | 696,028 | | | 5 | % | | 184,843 | | | 11 | % | | 880,871 | | | 6 | % |
| Massachusetts | | 391,666 | | | 3 | % | | 67,016 | | | 4 | % | | 458,682 | | | 3 | % |
| Georgia | | 432,258 | | | 3 | % | | 17,123 | | | 1 | % | | 449,381 | | | 3 | % |
| Texas | | 404,837 | | | 3 | % | | 33,959 | | | 2 | % | | 438,796 | | | 3 | % |
| Nevada | | 423,972 | | | 3 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 423,972 | | | 3 | % |
| Other markets | | 16,130 | | | 0 | % | | 1,501 | | | 0 | % | | 17,631 | | | 0 | % |
| Total | | $ | 13,383,060 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,722,204 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,105,264 | | | 100 | % |
| Lien priority: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First mortgage | | $ | 13,383,060 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,331,509 | | | 77 | % | | $ | 14,714,569 | | | 97 | % |
| Junior lien mortgage | | — | | | — | % | | 390,695 | | | 23 | % | | 390,695 | | | 3 | % |
| Total | | $ | 13,383,060 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,722,204 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,105,264 | | | 100 | % |
|
Consumer — Single-Family Residential Loans. The Company was in a first lien position for all of its single-family residential loans as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Many of these loans are reduced documentation loans, for which a substantial down payment is required, resulting in a low LTV ratio at origination, typically 65% or less. The weighted-average LTV ratio was 52% and 53% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These loans have historically experienced low delinquency and loss rates. The Company offers a variety of single-family residential first lien mortgage loan programs, including fixed- and variable-rate loans, as well as hybrid loans with interest rates that adjust on a regular basis, typically annually, after an initial fixed-rate period.
Consumer — Home Equity Lines of Credit. Total HELOC commitments were $5.3 billion and $5.2 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with a utilization rate of 34% as of December 31, 2024, compared with 33% as of December 31, 2023. Substantially all of the Company’s unfunded HELOC commitments are unconditionally cancellable. The Company was in a first lien position for 73% and 77% of total outstanding HELOCs as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. First lien HELOC LTV ratios are obtained by dividing the first lien HELOC against the value of the property at origination. Junior lien HELOCs for which the Bank also holds the first lien loan, are evaluated using combined LTV. The combined LTV measures the carrying value of the Bank’s loan and available line of credit combined with any outstanding senior liens against the value of the property at origination. The weighted-average LTV ratio was 46% and 48% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Many of these loans are reduced documentation loans, resulting in a low LTV ratio at origination, typically 65% or less. As a result, these loans have historically experienced low delinquency and loss rates. Substantially all of the Company’s HELOCs were variable-rate loans as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
All originated commercial and consumer loans are subject to the Company’s conservative underwriting guidelines and loan origination standards. Management believes that the Company’s underwriting criteria and procedures adequately consider the unique risks associated with these products. The Company conducts quality control procedures and periodic audits, including the review of lending and legal requirements, to ensure that the Company is in compliance with these requirements.
The following table presents the contractual loan maturities by loan category and the contractual distribution of loans to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | Due within one year | | Due after one year through five years | | Due after five years through fifteen years | | Due after fifteen years | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 6,779,126 | | | $ | 9,429,395 | | | $ | 1,024,787 | | | $ | 163,850 | | | $ | 17,397,158 | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 1,516,637 | | | 7,639,768 | | | 5,311,535 | | | 187,400 | | | 14,655,340 | |
| Multifamily residential | | 476,808 | | | 1,193,385 | | | 1,491,592 | | | 1,791,657 | | | 4,953,442 | |
| Construction and land | | 379,697 | | | 262,342 | | | 10,770 | | | 13,353 | | | 666,162 | |
| Total CRE | | 2,373,142 | | | 9,095,495 | | | 6,813,897 | | | 1,992,410 | | | 20,274,944 | |
| Total commercial | | 9,152,268 | | | 18,524,890 | | | 7,838,684 | | | 2,156,260 | | | 37,672,102 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 507 | | | 4,365 | | | 1,351,471 | | | 12,819,103 | | | 14,175,446 | |
| HELOCs | | 6 | | | 1,787 | | | 90,118 | | | 1,719,717 | | | 1,811,628 | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 513 | | | 6,152 | | | 1,441,589 | | | 14,538,820 | | | 15,987,074 | |
| Other consumer | | 63,145 | | | 844 | | | 3,472 | | | — | | | 67,461 | |
| Total consumer | | 63,658 | | | 6,996 | | | 1,445,061 | | | 14,538,820 | | | 16,054,535 | |
| Total loans held-for-investment | | $ | 9,215,926 | | | $ | 18,531,886 | | | $ | 9,283,745 | | | $ | 16,695,080 | | | $ | 53,726,637 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Distribution of loans to changes in interest rates: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Variable-rate loans | | $ | 7,606,998 | | | $ | 14,737,750 | | | $ | 4,226,273 | | | $ | 4,754,561 | | | $ | 31,325,582 | |
| Fixed-rate loans | | 1,549,561 | | | 2,796,586 | | | 2,311,797 | | | 4,456,284 | | | 11,114,228 | |
| Hybrid adjustable-rate loans | | 59,367 | | | 997,550 | | | 2,745,675 | | | 7,484,235 | | | 11,286,827 | |
| Total loans held-for-investment | | $ | 9,215,926 | | | $ | 18,531,886 | | | $ | 9,283,745 | | | $ | 16,695,080 | | | $ | 53,726,637 | |
|
Foreign Outstandings
The Company’s overseas offices, which include the branch in Hong Kong and the subsidiary bank in China, are subject to the general risks inherent in conducting business in foreign countries, such as regulatory, economic and political uncertainties, and foreign exchange risks. The following table presents the major financial assets held in the Company’s overseas offices as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % of Total Consolidated Assets | | Amount | | % of Total Consolidated Assets | | | |
| Hong Kong branch: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 730,227 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 631,487 | | | 1 | % | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
AFS debt securities (1) | | $ | 752,840 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 546,495 | | | 1 | % | | | |
Loans held-for-investment (2) | | $ | 968,973 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 934,734 | | | 1 | % | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 2,474,447 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 2,115,857 | | | 3 | % | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subsidiary bank in China: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 656,971 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 719,058 | | | 1 | % | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
AFS debt securities (3) | | $ | 127,582 | | | 0 | % | | $ | 120,167 | | | 0 | % | | | |
Loans held-for-investment (2) | | $ | 1,141,444 | | | 2 | % | | $ | 1,328,383 | | | 2 | % | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 1,971,922 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 2,156,548 | | | 3 | % | | | |
|
(1)Comprised of U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, and foreign government bonds as of December 31, 2024; comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and foreign government bonds as of December 31, 2023.
(2)Primarily comprised of C&I loans as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(3)Comprised of foreign government bonds as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The following table presents the total revenue generated by the Company’s overseas offices in 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % of Total Consolidated Revenue | | Amount | | % of Total Consolidated Revenue | | Amount | | % of Total Consolidated Revenue | | | | |
| Hong Kong Branch: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue | | $ | 69,809 | | | 3 | % | | $ | 55,747 | | | 2 | % | | $ | 47,644 | | | 2 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subsidiary Bank in China: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenue | | $ | 29,790 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 32,569 | | | 1 | % | | $ | 38,022 | | | 2 | % | | | | |
|
Capital
The Company maintains a strong capital base to support its anticipated asset growth, operating needs, and credit risks, and to ensure that the Company and the Bank are in compliance with all regulatory capital guidelines. The Company engages in regular capital planning processes on at least an annual basis to optimize the use of available capital and to appropriately plan for future capital needs, allocating capital to existing and future business activities. Furthermore, the Company conducts capital stress tests as part of its capital planning process. The stress tests enable the Company to assess the impact of adverse changes in the economy and interest rates on its capital base.
On March 3, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $500 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company repurchased $144 million of common stock or 1,943,346 shares, at an average cost of $74.33 per share in 2024. In comparison, the Company repurchased $82 million of common stock or 1,506,091 shares, at an average cost of $54.56 per share in 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the total remaining amount under the repurchase authorization was $29 million, excluding excise taxes and commissions. In addition, on January 22, 2025, East West’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $300 million East West stock.
The Company’s stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2024 increased $772 million or 11% to $7.7 billion from December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to $1.2 billion of net income, partially offset by $310 million of cash dividends declared and $144 million of common stock repurchases. For other factors that contributed to the changes in stockholders’ equity, refer to Item 8. Financial Statements — Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity in this Form 10-K.
The Company paid a cash dividend of $2.20 per share in 2024, an increase of 15% from 2023. In January 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2025 cash dividend of $0.60 per share, which represents a 9% or five cents per share increase from the previous quarter. The dividend was paid on February 17, 2025, to stockholders of record as of February 3, 2025.
Deposits and Other Sources of Funding
Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funding, the cost of which has a significant impact on the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin. Additional funding is provided by short- and long-term borrowings, and long-term debt. See Item 7. MD&A — Risk Management — Liquidity Risk Management in this Form 10-K for a discussion of the Company’s liquidity management. The following table summarizes the Company’s sources of funds as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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|
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | $ | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 15,450,428 | | | 24 | % | | $ | 15,539,872 | | | 28 | % | | $ | (89,444) | | | (1) | % |
| Interest-bearing checking | | 7,940,692 | | | 13 | % | | 7,558,908 | | | 14 | % | | 381,784 | | | 5 | % |
| Money market | | 14,816,511 | | | 23 | % | | 13,108,727 | | | 23 | % | | 1,707,784 | | | 13 | % |
| Savings | | 1,751,620 | | | 3 | % | | 1,841,467 | | | 3 | % | | (89,847) | | | (5) | % |
| Time deposits | | 23,215,772 | | | 37 | % | | 18,043,464 | | | 32 | % | | 5,172,308 | | | 29 | % |
| Total deposits | | $ | 63,175,023 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 56,092,438 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 7,082,585 | | | 13 | % |
| Other Funds: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| BTFP borrowings | | $ | — | | | — | % | | $ | 4,500,000 | | | 97 | % | | $ | (4,500,000) | | | (100) | % |
| FHLB advances | | 3,500,000 | | | 99 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 3,500,000 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | 32,001 | | | 1 | % | | 148,249 | | | 3 | % | | (116,248) | | | (78) | % |
| Total other funds | | $ | 3,532,001 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 4,648,249 | | | 100 | % | | $ | (1,116,248) | | | (24) | % |
| Total sources of funds | | $ | 66,707,024 | | | | | $ | 60,740,687 | | | | | $ | 5,966,337 | | | 10 | % |
|
Deposits
The Company’s strategy is to grow and retain relationship-based deposits to provide a stable and low-cost source of funding and liquidity. Accordingly, the Company offers a wide variety of deposit products to meet the needs of its consumer and commercial customers. As a result, we believe our deposit base is seasoned, stable and well-diversified. Total deposits of $63.2 billion as of December 31, 2024 increased $7.1 billion or 13%, compared with the prior year, primarily due to growth in time and money market deposits.
The following table provides a breakdown of the Company’s deposits by segment and region as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | $ | | % |
| Deposits by segment/region: | | | | | | | | |
Consumer and Business Banking - U.S. (1) | | $ | 32,832,926 | | | $ | 28,571,255 | | | $ | 4,261,671 | | | 15 | % |
Commercial Banking - U.S. (1) | | 23,405,769 | | | 22,059,662 | | | 1,346,107 | | | 6 | % |
International Branches (2) | | 3,412,262 | | | 3,172,222 | | | 240,040 | | | 8 | % |
Treasury and Other - U.S. (3) | | 3,524,066 | | | 2,289,299 | | | 1,234,767 | | | 54 | % |
| Total deposits | | $ | 63,175,023 | | | $ | 56,092,438 | | | $ | 7,082,585 | | | 13 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
(1)Excludes deposits presented under International Branches.
(2)Deposits of our Hong Kong branch and China subsidiary, primarily a subset of Commercial Banking segment deposits.
(3)Treasury and Other segment deposits reflect wholesale, public funds, and brokered deposits, primarily managed by the Company’s Treasury department.
Customer deposit accounts in the U.S. offices are insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000. The deposits in the Company’s subsidiary bank in China and the branch in Hong Kong are insured by each jurisdiction’s deposit insurance authority for up to 500,000 RMB and 800,000 HKD, respectively. Uninsured deposits represent the portion of deposit accounts that exceed the insurance limits of the FDIC and each foreign jurisdiction. The Company calculates its uninsured deposits based on the methodologies and assumptions used for regulatory reporting.
The following table presents total uninsured deposits by location as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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|
| | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Domestic | | China | | Hong Kong | | Total |
| | | | | | | | |
| Uninsured deposits as of 12/31/2024 | | $ | 32,767,680 | | | $ | 1,453,223 | | | $ | 1,848,652 | | | $ | 36,069,555 | |
| Uninsured deposits as of 12/31/2023 | | $ | 27,592,714 | | | $ | 1,572,592 | | | $ | 1,487,833 | | | $ | 30,653,139 | |
| | | | | | |
Uninsured time deposits totaled $13.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. The following table presents the maturity distribution for uninsured customer time deposits by location as of December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | Domestic | | China | | Hong Kong | | Total |
| Three months or less | | $ | 5,483,018 | | | $ | 109,270 | | | $ | 959,464 | | | $ | 6,551,752 | |
| Over three months through six months | | 4,345,073 | | | 90,663 | | | 46,243 | | | 4,481,979 | |
| Over six months through 12 months | | 1,524,043 | | | 296,282 | | | 31,011 | | | 1,851,336 | |
| Over 12 months | | 68,414 | | | 506,734 | | | — | | | 575,148 | |
| Total | | $ | 11,420,548 | | | $ | 1,002,949 | | | $ | 1,036,718 | | | $ | 13,460,215 | |
| | | | | | |
Uninsured deposits, per regulatory requirements represent the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit as reported on Schedule RC-OM item 2 of the Bank’s Call Report. Management believes that presenting uninsured domestic deposits with an adjustment to exclude collateralized and affiliate deposits provides a more accurate view of the deposits at risk, given that collateralized deposits are secured, and affiliate deposits are not customer-facing and are eliminated in consolidation.
The following table summarizes the Company’s uninsured domestic deposit balances reported on Schedule RC-OM item 2 of the Bank’s Call Report as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, after certain adjustments:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Uninsured deposits, per regulatory reporting requirements | | | $ | 32,767,680 | | | $ | 27,592,714 | |
| Less: Collateralized deposits | | | (4,781,377) | | | (4,631,047) | |
| Affiliate deposits | | | (485,824) | | | (491,992) | |
| Uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized and affiliate deposits | (a) | | $ | 27,500,479 | | | $ | 22,469,675 | |
| | | | | |
| Total domestic deposits per Call Report | (b) | | $ | 60,326,394 | | | $ | 53,486,990 | |
| Uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized and affiliate deposits, ratio | (a) / (b) | | 46 | % | | 42 | % |
| | | | | |
Additional information regarding the impact of deposits on net interest income, with a comparison of average deposit balances and rates, is provided in Item 7 — MD&A — Results of Operations — Net Interest Income in this Form 10-K. See also the discussion of the impact of deposits on liquidity in Item 7. MD&A — Liquidity Risk Management in this Form 10-K.
Other Sources of Funding
The Company had $4.5 billion of BTFP borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2023. These borrowings were repaid upon maturity during the first quarter of 2024.
The Company had $3.5 billion of FHLB advances as of December 31, 2024, compared with no FHLB advances as of December 31, 2023. FHLB advances as of December 31, 2024 had fixed and floating interest rates ranging from 3.87% to 4.61% with remaining maturities between 2 months and 2.0 years.
The Company’s long-term debt consists of junior subordinated debt, which qualifies as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company redeemed approximately $117 million of junior subordinated debt. Refer to Note 10 — Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information on the junior subordinated debt.
Regulatory Capital and Ratios
The federal banking agencies have risk-based capital adequacy requirements intended to ensure that banking organizations maintain capital that is commensurate with the degree of risk associated with their operations. The Company and the Bank are each subject to these regulatory capital adequacy requirements. See Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Regulatory Capital Requirements and Regulatory Capital-Related Development in this Form 10-K for additional details.
The measurement of the allowance for credit losses is based on management’s best estimate of lifetime expected credit losses inherent in the Company’s relevant financial assets in accordance with ASU 2016-13. The Company has elected the phase-in option provided by a final rule that delays an estimate of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) effect on regulatory capital for two years and phases in the impact over three years. The rule permits certain banking organizations to exclude from regulatory capital the initial adoption impact of CECL, plus 25% of the cumulative changes in the allowance for credit losses under CECL for each period until December 31, 2021, followed by a three-year phase-out period in which the aggregate benefit is reduced by 25% in 2022, 50% in 2023 and 75% in 2024. Accordingly, our capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 reflect a delay of 25% of the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital.
The following table presents the Company’s and the Bank’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 under the Basel III Capital Rules, and those required by regulatory agencies for capital adequacy and well-capitalized classification purposes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Basel III Capital Rules |
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | | | | | |
| | Company | | Bank | | Company | | Bank | | Minimum Regulatory Requirements | | Minimum Regulatory Requirements including Capital Conservation Buffer | | Well-Capitalized Requirements |
| Risk-based capital ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CET1 capital (1) | | 14.3 | % | | 13.4 | % | | 13.3 | % | | 12.6 | % | | 4.5 | % | | 7.0 | % | | 6.5 | % |
Tier 1 capital (2) | | 14.3 | % | | 13.4 | % | | 13.3 | % | | 12.6 | % | | 6.0 | % | | 8.5 | % | | 8.0 | % |
| Total capital | | 15.6 | % | | 14.7 | % | | 14.8 | % | | 13.8 | % | | 8.0 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 10.0 | % |
Tier 1 leverage (1) | | 10.4 | % | | 9.8 | % | | 10.2 | % | | 9.6 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 5.0 | % |
|
(1)The CET1 capital and Tier 1 leverage well-capitalized requirements apply to the Bank only. There is no requirement on CET1 capital ratio or Tier 1 leverage ratio for a well-capitalized bank holding company.
(2)The well-capitalized Tier 1 capital ratio requirements for the Company and the Bank are 6.0% and 8.0%, respectively.
The Company is committed to maintaining strong capital levels to assure its investors, customers and regulators that the Company and the Bank are financially sound. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company and the Bank continued to exceed all “well-capitalized” capital requirements and the required minimum capital requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules. Total risk-weighted assets as of December 31, 2024 increased $1.3 billion to $54.9 billion from December 31, 2023, primarily due to growth across major loan portfolios.
Risk Management
Overview
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to a variety of risks, some of which are inherent to the financial services industry and others which are more specific to the Company’s business. The Company operates under a Board-approved ERM program. The Company’s ERM program outlines the company-wide approach to risk management and oversight, and describes the structures and practices employed to manage current and emerging risks inherent to the Company. The Company’s ERM program incorporates risk management throughout the organization in identifying, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks. It identifies the Company’s major risk categories as: credit, liquidity, market, operational, reputational, legal, compliance, BSA/AML & OFAC, strategic, and technology risk.
The ROC of the Board of Directors monitors the ERM program through such identified enterprise risk categories and provides oversight of the Company’s risk appetite and control environment. The ROC provides focused oversight of the Company’s identified enterprise risk categories on behalf of the full Board of Directors. Under the authority of the ROC, management committees apply targeted strategies to manage the risks to which the Company’s operations are exposed.
The Company’s ERM program is executed along the three lines of defense model, which provides for a consistent and standardized risk management control environment across the enterprise. The first line of defense is comprised of revenue generating, operational and support units. The second line of defense is comprised of risk management and control functions that provide independent risk oversight of first line activities and report to the Chief Risk Officer. The Chief Risk Officer reports to both the ROC and the Chief Executive Officer. The third line of defense is comprised of the Internal Audit and Independent Asset Review (“IAR”) functions. Internal Audit reports to the Chief Audit Executive (“CAE”) who reports to the Board’s Audit Committee. Internal Audit provides assurance and evaluates the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes as established by the Company. IAR serves as an internal loan review and independent credit risk monitoring function within the Bank that works under the direction of the CAE and reports to the Audit Committee. IAR provides management and the Audit Committee with an objective and independent assessment of the Bank’s credit profile and credit risk management processes. Further discussion and analysis of selected primary risk areas are discussed in the following subsections of Risk Management.
Credit Risk Management
Credit risk is the risk that a borrower or a counterparty will fail to perform according to the terms and conditions of a loan, investment or derivative and expose the Company to loss. Credit risk exists with many of the Company’s assets and exposures such as loans, debt securities and certain derivatives. The majority of the Company’s credit risk is associated with lending activities.
The ROC has primary oversight responsibility for the identified enterprise risk categories including credit risk. The ROC monitors management’s assessment of asset quality, credit risk trends, credit quality administration, underwriting standards, and portfolio credit risk management strategies and processes, such as diversification and liquidity, all of which enable management to control credit risk. At the management level, the Credit Risk Management Committee has primary oversight responsibility for credit risk. The Senior Credit Supervision function manages credit policy for the line of business transactional credit risk, assuring that all exposure is risk-rated according to the requirements of the credit risk rating policy. The Senior Credit Supervision function also evaluates and reports the overall credit risk exposure to senior management and the ROC. Reporting directly to the Board’s Audit Committee, the IAR function provides additional validation of support to the Company’s robust credit risk management culture by performing an independent and objective assessment of underwriting and documentation quality. A key focus of our credit risk management is adherence to a well-controlled underwriting and loan monitoring process.
The Company assesses the overall performance and credit quality of the loans held-for-investment portfolio through an integrated analysis of specific performance ratios. This approach forms the basis of the discussion in the sections immediately following: Credit Quality, Nonperforming Assets, and Allowance for Credit Losses.
Credit Quality
The Company utilizes a credit risk rating system to assist in monitoring credit quality. Loans are evaluated using the Company’s internal credit risk rating of 1 through 10. For more information on the Company’s credit quality indicators and internal credit risk ratings, refer to Note 6 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents the Company’s criticized loans as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | $ | | % |
| Criticized loans: | | | | | | | | |
| Special mention loans | | $ | 447,290 | | | $ | 404,241 | | | $ | 43,049 | | | 11 | % |
Classified loans (1) | | 725,863 | | | 573,969 | | | 151,894 | | | 26 | % |
Total criticized loans (2) | | $ | 1,173,153 | | | $ | 978,210 | | | $ | 194,943 | | | 20 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Special mention loans to loans held-for-investment | | 0.83 | % | | 0.77 | % | | | | |
| Classified loans to loans held-for-investment | | 1.35 | % | | 1.10 | % | | | | |
| Criticized loans to loans held-for-investment | | 2.18 | % | | 1.87 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
(1)Consists of substandard, doubtful and loss categories.
(2)Excludes loans held-for-sale.
Criticized loans increased $195 million or 20%, to $1.2 billion from December 31, 2023, primarily driven by an increase in criticized CRE loans.
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets are comprised of nonaccrual loans, OREO and other nonperforming assets. Other nonperforming assets and OREO are repossessed assets and properties, respectively, acquired through foreclosure, or through full or partial satisfaction of loans held-for-investment.
The following table presents nonperforming assets information as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | $ | | % |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 86,165 | | | $ | 37,036 | | | $ | 49,129 | | | 133 | % |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 2,430 | | | 23,249 | | | (20,819) | | | (90) | % |
| Multifamily residential | | 4,572 | | | 4,669 | | | (97) | | | (2) | % |
| Construction and land | | 11,316 | | | — | | | 11,316 | | | 100 | % |
| Total CRE | | 18,318 | | | 27,918 | | | (9,600) | | | (34) | % |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 32,423 | | | 24,377 | | | 8,046 | | | 33 | % |
| HELOCs | | 22,046 | | | 13,411 | | | 8,635 | | | 64 | % |
| Total residential mortgage | | 54,469 | | | 37,788 | | | 16,681 | | | 44 | % |
| Other consumer | | 66 | | | 132 | | | (66) | | | (50) | % |
| Total nonaccrual loans | | 159,018 | | | 102,874 | | | 56,144 | | | 55 | % |
| OREO, net | | 35,077 | | | 11,141 | | | 23,936 | | | 215 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total nonperforming assets | | $ | 194,095 | | | $ | 114,015 | | | $ | 80,080 | | | 70 | % |
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | | 0.26 | % | | 0.16 | % | | | | |
| Nonaccrual loans to loans held-for-investment | | 0.30 | % | | 0.20 | % | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans | | 441.49 | % | | 650.06 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status at the earlier of when they become 90 days past due or when the full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain regardless of the length of past due status. Collectability is generally assessed based on economic and business conditions, the borrower’s financial condition and the adequacy of collateral, if any. For additional details regarding the Company’s nonaccrual loan policy, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Loans Held-for-Investment to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Nonaccrual loans of $159 million as of December 31, 2024 increased $56 million or 55% from December 31, 2023, primarily driven by an increase in C&I nonaccrual loans. As of December 31, 2024, $49 million or 31% of nonaccrual loans were less than 90 days delinquent. In comparison, $40 million or 39% of nonaccrual loans were less than 90 days delinquent as of December 31, 2023.
The following table presents the accruing loans past due by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | Total Accruing Past Due Loans (1) | | Change | | Percentage of Total Loans Outstanding |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | $ | | % | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | $ | 22,855 | | | $ | 35,649 | | | $ | (12,794) | | | (36) | % | | 0.13 | % | | 0.21 | % |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | | | 5,640 | | | 3,517 | | | 2,123 | | | 60 | % | | 0.04 | % | | 0.02 | % |
| Multifamily residential | | | | 931 | | | 597 | | | 334 | | | 56 | % | | 0.02 | % | | 0.01 | % |
| Construction and land | | | | 927 | | | 13,251 | | | (12,324) | | | (93) | % | | 0.14 | % | | 2.00 | % |
| Total CRE | | | | 7,498 | | | 17,365 | | | (9,867) | | | (57) | % | | 0.04 | % | | 0.08 | % |
| Total commercial | | | | 30,353 | | | 53,014 | | | (22,661) | | | (43) | % | | 0.08 | % | | 0.14 | % |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | | | 54,937 | | | 45,228 | | | 9,709 | | | 21 | % | | 0.39 | % | | 0.34 | % |
| HELOCs | | | | 19,364 | | | 21,492 | | | (2,128) | | | (10) | % | | 1.07 | % | | 1.25 | % |
| Total residential mortgage | | | | 74,301 | | | 66,720 | | | 7,581 | | | 11 | % | | 0.46 | % | | 0.44 | % |
| Other consumer | | | | 107 | | | 3,265 | | | (3,158) | | | (97) | % | | 0.16 | % | | 5.41 | % |
| Total consumer | | | | 74,408 | | | 69,985 | | | 4,423 | | | 6 | % | | 0.46 | % | | 0.46 | % |
| Total | | | | $ | 104,761 | | | $ | 122,999 | | | $ | (18,238) | | | (15) | % | | 0.19 | % | | 0.24 | % |
|
(1)There were no accruing loans past due 90 days or more as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains its allowance for credit losses at a level it believes is sufficient to provide appropriate reserves to absorb estimated future credit losses in accordance with GAAP. For additional information on the policies, methodologies and judgments used to determine the allowance for credit losses, see Item 7. MD&A — Critical Accounting Estimates, Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 6 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents an allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio segments and unfunded credit commitments as of the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Allowance Allocation | | | | % of Loan Type to Total Loans | | Allowance Allocation | | % of Loan Type to Total Loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 384,319 | | | | | 32 | % | | $ | 392,685 | | | 32 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 218,677 | | | | | 28 | % | | 170,592 | | | 28 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential | | 32,117 | | | | | 9 | % | | 34,375 | | | 10 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | 17,497 | | | | | 1 | % | | 10,469 | | | 1 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total CRE | | 268,291 | | | | | 38 | % | | 215,436 | | | 39 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 652,610 | | | | | 70 | % | | 608,121 | | | 71 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 44,816 | | | | | 27 | % | | 55,018 | | | 26 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | 3,132 | | | | | 3 | % | | 3,947 | | | 3 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 47,948 | | | | | 30 | % | | 58,965 | | | 29 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other consumer | | 1,494 | | | | | 0 | % | | 1,657 | | | 0 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | 49,442 | | | | | 30 | % | | 60,622 | | | 29 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total allowance for loan losses | | $ | 702,052 | | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 668,743 | | | 100 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for unfunded credit commitments | | $ | 39,526 | | | | | | | $ | 37,699 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total allowance for credit losses | | $ | 741,578 | | | | | | | $ | 706,442 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans held-for-investment | | $ | 53,726,637 | | | | | | | $ | 52,210,782 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses to loans held-for-investment | | 1.31 | % | | | | | | 1.28 | % | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
The following table presents net charge-offs and the net charge-offs to average loans ratios based on the loan categories as of the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | December 31, | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) | | Average Loans Held-for-Investment | | % of Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Held-for-Investment | | Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) | | Average Loans Held-for-Investment | | % of Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Held-for-Investment | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 118,908 | | | $ | 16,490,180 | | | 0.72 | % | | $ | 29,770 | | | $ | 15,497,693 | | | 0.19 | % | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 13,823 | | | 14,587,444 | | | 0.09 | % | | 6,616 | | | 14,312,459 | | | 0.05 | % | | |
| Multifamily residential | | (426) | | | 5,061,821 | | | (0.01) | % | | (542) | | | 4,756,885 | | | (0.01) | % | | |
| Construction and land | | 2,086 | | | 666,748 | | | 0.31 | % | | 10,177 | | | 754,928 | | | 1.35 | % | | |
| Total CRE | | 15,483 | | | 20,316,013 | | | 0.08 | % | | 16,251 | | | 19,824,272 | | | 0.08 | % | | |
| Total commercial | | 134,391 | | | 36,806,193 | | | 0.37 | % | | 46,021 | | | 35,321,965 | | | 0.13 | % | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 26 | | | 13,753,247 | | | 0.00 | % | | (69) | | | 12,274,773 | | | 0.00 | % | | |
| HELOCs | | (58) | | | 1,751,500 | | | 0.00 | % | | 105 | | | 1,881,008 | | | 0.01 | % | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | (32) | | | 15,504,747 | | | 0.00 | % | | 36 | | | 14,155,781 | | | 0.00 | % | | |
| Other consumer | | 4,259 | | | 55,500 | | | 7.67 | % | | 197 | | | 65,181 | | | 0.30 | % | | |
| Total consumer | | 4,227 | | | 15,560,247 | | | 0.03 | % | | 233 | | | 14,220,962 | | | 0.00 | % | | |
| Total | | $ | 138,618 | | | $ | 52,366,440 | | | 0.26 | % | | $ | 46,254 | | | $ | 49,542,927 | | | 0.09 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liquidity Risk Management
Liquidity. Liquidity risk arises from the Company’s inability to meet its customer deposit withdrawals and obligations to other counterparties as they come due, or to obtain adequate funding at a reasonable cost to meet those obligations. Liquidity risk also considers the stability of deposits. The objective of liquidity management is to manage the potential mismatch of asset and liability cash flows. Maintaining an adequate level of liquidity depends on the institution’s ability to efficiently meet both expected and unexpected cash flow and collateral needs without adversely affecting daily operations or the financial condition of the institution. To achieve this objective, the Company analyzes its liquidity risk, maintains readily available liquid assets, and utilizes diverse funding sources including its stable core deposit base.
The ROC has primary oversight responsibility over liquidity risk management. At the management level, the Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) establishes the liquidity guidelines that govern the day-to-day active management of the Company’s liquidity position by requiring sufficient asset-based liquidity to cover potential funding requirements and avoid over-dependence on volatile, less reliable funding markets. These guidelines are established and monitored for both the Bank and East West on a stand-alone basis to ensure that East West can serve as a source of strength for its subsidiaries. The ALCO regularly monitors the Company’s liquidity status and related management processes, and provides regular reports on the Company’s liquidity position relative to policy limits and guidelines to the Board of Directors. The Company believes its liquidity management practices have been effective under normal operating and stressed market conditions.
The Company also maintains a Contingency Funding Plan that utilizes early-warning indicators that will be monitored to provide timely detection of adverse liquidity situations and enable management to promptly respond. The Contingency Funding Plan describes the procedures, roles and responsibilities, and communication protocols for managing any identified emerging liquidity problem. Management monitors the early-warning indicators defined in the Contingency Funding Plan, which include metrics for measuring the Company’s internal liquidity status as well as company-specific and market-wide external factors. When early warning indicators are triggered, management will evaluate the severity of the emerging liquidity problem and exercise appropriate management actions to address any liquidity and funding shortfalls.
Liquidity Sources. The Company’s primary source of funding is from deposits, generated by its banking business, which we believe is a relatively stable and low-cost source of funding. Our loans are funded by deposits, which amounted to $63.2 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared with $56.1 billion as of December 31, 2023. The Company’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 85% as of December 31, 2024, compared with 93% as of December 31, 2023.
In addition to deposits, the Company has access to various sources of wholesale financing, including borrowing capacity with the FHLB and FRB, and several master repurchase agreements with major brokerage companies to sustain an adequate liquid asset portfolio, meet daily cash demands and allow management flexibility to execute its business strategy. However, general financial market and economic conditions could impact our access and cost of external funding. Additionally, the Company’s access to capital markets is affected by the ratings received from various credit rating agencies.
Unencumbered loans and/or debt securities are pledged to the FHLB and the FRB discount window as collateral. The Company has established operational procedures to enable borrowing against these assets, including regular monitoring of the total pool of loans and debt securities eligible as collateral. Eligibility of collateral is defined in guidelines from the FHLB and FRB and is subject to change at their discretion. See Item 7. — MD&A — Balance Sheet Analysis — Deposits and Other Sources of Funding in this Form 10-K for further details related to the Company’s funding sources. The Company operated below its established risk limits for liquidity measures as of December 31, 2024. Accordingly, the Company believes the cash and cash equivalents, and available collateralized borrowing capacity described below provide sufficient liquidity above its expected cash needs.
The Company maintains its source of liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing capacity with its eligible loans and debt securities as collateral. The following table presents the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents and collateralized borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | Change |
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | $ | | % |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 5,250,742 | | | $ | 4,614,984 | | | $ | 635,758 | | | 14 | % |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | 48,198 | | | 10,498 | | | 37,700 | | | 359 | % |
| Collateralized borrowing capacity: | | | | | | | | |
| FHLB | | 9,928,152 | | | 12,373,002 | | | (2,444,850) | | | (20) | % |
| FRB | | 12,383,005 | | | 9,830,769 | | | 2,552,236 | | | 26 | % |
| Unpledged available debt securities | | 7,819,531 | | | 1,988,526 | | | 5,831,005 | | | 293 | % |
| Total | | $ | 35,429,628 | | | $ | 28,817,779 | | | $ | 6,611,849 | | | 23 | % |
| | | | |
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents and collateralized borrowing capacity increased to $35.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared with $28.8 billion as of December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily related to increases in unpledged available debt securities and available borrowing capacity at the FRB due to the repayment of BTFP borrowings. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in available borrowing capacity at the FHLB, primarily due to the increase in FHLB advances. Deposit growth during 2024 allowed the Company to grow its debt securities portfolio, which was a primary driver of the increase in unpledged available securities.
Cash Requirements. In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters contractual obligations that require future cash payments, including funding for customer deposit withdrawals, repayments for short- and long-term borrowings and other cash commitments. For additional information on these obligations, see the following Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K:
•Note 7 — Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net
•Note 9 — Deposits
•Note 10 — Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
The Company also has off-balance sheet arrangements which represent transactions that are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements include (1) commitments to extend credit, such as loan commitments, commercial letters of credit for foreign and domestic trade, standby letters of credit (“SBLCs”), and financial guarantees, to meet the financing needs of its customers, (2) future interest obligations related to customer deposits and the Company’s borrowings, and (3) transactions with unconsolidated entities that provide financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company, or engage in leasing, hedging or research and development services with the Company. Because many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements. The Company does not expect the total commitment amounts as of December 31, 2024 to have a material current or future impact on the Company’s financial conditions or results of operations. Additional information about the Company’s loan commitments, commercial letters of credit and SBLCs is provided in Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows summarizes the Company’s sources and uses of cash by type of activity for 2024, 2023 and 2022. Excess cash generated by operating and investing activities may be used to repay outstanding debt or invest in liquid assets.
Liquidity for East West. In addition to bank level liquidity management, the Company manages liquidity at the parent company level for various operating needs including payment of dividends, repurchases of common stock, principal and interest payments on its borrowings, acquisitions and additional investments in its subsidiaries. East West’s primary source of liquidity is from cash dividends distributed by its subsidiary, East West Bank. The Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends as discussed in Item 1. Business — Supervision and Regulation — Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds in this Form 10-K. East West held $395 million and $446 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management believes that East West has sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet the projected cash obligations for the coming year.
Liquidity Stress Testing. The Company utilizes liquidity stress analysis to determine the appropriate amounts of liquidity to maintain at the Company, foreign subsidiary and foreign branch to meet contractual and contingent cash outflows under a range of scenarios. Scenario analyses include assumptions about significant changes in key funding sources, market triggers, potential uses of funding and economic conditions in certain countries. In addition, Company specific events are incorporated into the stress testing. Liquidity stress tests are conducted to ascertain potential mismatches between liquidity sources and uses over various time horizons and under a variety of stressed conditions. Given the range of potential stresses, the Company maintains contingency funding plans on a consolidated basis and for individual entities.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company believes it has adequate liquidity resources to conduct operations and meet other needs in the ordinary course of business, and is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, capital resources or operations. Given the changing market and economic conditions, the Company will continue to actively evaluate the impact on its business and financial position. For more details on how economic conditions may impact our liquidity, see Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Form 10-K.
Market Risk Management
Market risk refers to the risk of potential loss due to adverse movements in market risk factors, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, and credit spreads. The Company is primarily exposed to interest rate risk through its core business activities of extending loans and acquiring deposits. The ROC of the Company’s Board of Directors has primary oversight responsibility and has given the ALCO the task of market risk management. The ALCO establishes guidelines, risk measures and limits, and monitors compliance with the policies and risk limits pertaining to market risk management activities.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Interest rate risk is the risk that market fluctuations in interest rates can have a negative impact on the Company’s earnings and capital stemming from mismatches in the Company’s asset and liability cash flows primarily arising from customer-related activities such as lending and deposit-taking. The Company is subject to interest rate risk because:
•Assets and liabilities may mature or reprice at different times. If assets reprice faster than liabilities and interest rates are generally rising, earnings will initially increase;
•Assets and liabilities may reprice at the same time but by different amounts;
•Short- and long-term market interest rates may change by different amounts. For example, the shape of the yield curve may affect the yield of new loans and funding costs differently;
•The remaining maturity of various assets or liabilities may shorten or lengthen as interest rates change. For example, if long-term mortgage interest rates increase sharply, mortgage-related products may pay down at a slower rate than anticipated, which could impact portfolio income and valuation; or
•Interest rates may have a direct or indirect effect on loan demand, collateral values, mortgage origination volume, and the fair value of other financial instruments.
The ALCO coordinates the overall management of the Company’s interest rate risk, meets regularly to review the Company’s open market positions and establishes policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk. Interest rate risk management is carried out primarily through strategies involving the Company’s loan portfolio, debt securities portfolio, available funding channels and capital market activities. In addition, the Company’s policies permit the use of derivative instruments to assist in managing interest rate risk.
We measure and monitor interest rate risk exposure through various risk management tools, which include a simulation model that performs interest rate sensitivity analyses under multiple interest rate scenarios against a baseline. The simulation model incorporates the market’s forward rate expectations and the Company’s earning assets and liabilities. The Company uses a dynamic balance sheet, incorporating expected forward growth and/or deposit product mix shift to perform the interest rate sensitivity analyses. The simulated interest rate scenarios include an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve and a gradual parallel shift in the yield curve (“linear rate ramp”). In addition, the Company also performs simulations using other alternative interest rate scenarios, including various permutations of the yield curve flattening, steepening or inverting. The Company uses the results of these simulations to formulate and gauge strategies to achieve a desired risk profile within its capital and liquidity guidelines.
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company transitioned its net interest income volatility simulations from a static to a dynamic balance sheet approach and adopted market forward rates instead of flat forward rates. This change better reflects the interest rate risk on the Company’s financial statements. Furthermore, the Company standardized its simulation scenarios by shifting from non-parallel to parallel shocks for both instantaneous and gradual net interest income simulations, as well as for economic value of equity (“EVE”) simulations. This alignment with industry-standard scenario definitions is intended to enhance interpretability and comparability.
The net interest income simulation model is based on the maturity and repricing characteristics of the Company’s interest rate sensitive assets, liabilities, and related derivative contracts. This model also incorporates various assumptions, which management believes to be reasonable but may have a significant impact on the results. These key assumptions include the timing and magnitude of changes in interest rates, the yield curve evolution and shape, the correlation between various interest rate indices, financial instruments’ future repricing characteristics and spread relative to benchmark rates, and the effect of interest rate floors and caps. The modeled results are highly sensitive to deposit mix and deposit beta assumptions, which are derived from a regression analysis of the Company’s historical deposit data.
Simulation results are highly dependent on modeled behaviors and input assumptions. To the extent that actual behaviors are different from the assumptions used in the models, there could be material changes to the interest rate sensitivity results. The key behavioral models impacting interest rate sensitivity simulations include deposit repricing, deposit balance forecasts, and mortgage prepayments. These models and assumptions are documented, supported, and periodically back-tested to assess the reasonableness and effectiveness. The Company also regularly monitors the sensitivity of the other important modeling assumptions, such as loan and security prepayments and early withdrawal on fixed-rate customer liabilities. The Company makes appropriate calibrations to the model as needed and continually validates the model, methodology and results. Changes to key model assumptions are reviewed by the Technical ALCO, a subcommittee of ALCO. Scenario results do not reflect strategies that the management could employ to limit the impact of changing interest rate expectations. The simulation does not represent a forecast of the Company’s net interest income but is a tool utilized to assess the risk of the impact of changing market interest rates across a range of interest rate environments.
The Company employs a variety of quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture historical deposit repricing and balance behaviors. These historical observations are performed at a granular level based on key product characteristics, including distinctions for brokered, public, and large commercial deposits, which are then combined with forward-looking market expectations and the competitive landscape to generate the deposit repricing and balance forecasting models. The Company uses these deposit repricing models to forecast deposit interest expense. The repricing models provide sufficient granularity to reflect key behavioral differences across product and customer types. The deposit beta, which defines the sensitivity of deposit rates to changes in the effective federal funds rate, is a key parameter of the deposit rate forecast. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company assumed a weighted-average beta of 55% for total deposits, an increase of approximately 4% from December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to deposit beta assumption updates and deposit product mix changes.
As loan and debt security prepayment assumptions are key components of the Company’s model, the Company incorporates third-party vendor models to forecast prepayment behavior on mortgage loans and securities, which have mortgage loans as underlying collateral. These third-party vendor models have access to more comprehensive industry-level data that captures specific borrower and collateral characteristics over a variety of interest rate cycles. The Company will periodically assess and adjust the vendor models when appropriate to include its own available observations and expectations.
Twelve-Month Net Interest Income Simulation
Net interest income simulation modeling measures interest rate risk through earnings volatility. The simulation projects the cash flow changes in interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities, expressed in terms of net interest income, over a specified time horizon for defined interest rate scenarios. Net interest income simulations provide insight into the impact of market rate changes on earnings, which help guide risk management decisions. The Company assesses interest rate risk by comparing the changes of net interest income in different interest rate scenarios.
The following table presents the Company’s net interest income sensitivity related to an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in market interest rates by 100 and 200 bps as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, on a balance sheet assuming market implied forward rates and a dynamic balance sheet with forecasted loan and deposit growth on the date of analysis.
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| | | | Net Interest Income Volatility (1) |
| | | | December 31, |
| | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 |
| Change in Interest Rates (in bps) | | | | % | | | | % |
| +200 | | | | 4.7 | % | | | | 4.6 | % |
| +100 | | | | 3.5 | % | | | | 2.7 | % |
| -100 | | | | (4.0) | % | | | | (3.3) | % |
| -200 | | | | (7.4) | % | | | | (6.7) | % |
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(1)The percentage change represents net interest income change over a 12-month period under market forward rates and expected balance sheet growth as of the analysis date versus various interest rate scenarios.
The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio creates sensitivity to interest rate movements due to a mismatch of repricing behavior between the floating-rate loan portfolio and deposit products. In the table above, the net interest income volatility expressed in relation to base-case net interest income increased in both rising and decreasing rate scenarios as of December 31, 2024. This change reflects deposit product mix assumptions, which assume noninterest-bearing deposits decrease in higher interest rate environments and are replaced with term deposit products.
The Company also models scenarios based on gradual shifts in interest rates and assesses the corresponding impacts. These interest rate scenarios provide additional information to estimate the Company’s underlying interest rate risk. The rate ramp table below shows the net interest income volatility under a gradual parallel shift of the market implied forward rates, in even monthly increments over the first 12 months, with the full shift passed through to the forward rates thereafter. The results are based on a dynamic balance sheet with expected loan and deposit growth as of the date of the analysis.
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| | | | Net Interest Income Volatility |
| | | | December 31, |
| | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 |
| Change in Interest Rates (in bps) | | | | % | | | | % |
| +200 Rate ramp | | | | 4.3 | % | | | | 4.0 | % |
| +100 Rate ramp | | | | 2.3 | % | | | | 2.0 | % |
| -100 Rate ramp | | | | (2.4) | % | | | | (1.7) | % |
| -200 Rate ramp | | | | (4.6) | % | | | | (3.8) | % |
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As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s net interest income profile reflects an asset sensitive position, where assets reprice faster or more significantly than liabilities. Net interest income is expected to increase when interest rates rise as the Company has a large population of variable rate loans, primarily tied to Prime and Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) indices. The Company’s interest income is sensitive to changes in short-term interest rates. As of December 31, 2024, the Company designated interest rate contracts with a notional amount of $5.3 billion as cash flow hedges, which reduced net interest income volatility by approximately 1.30% of the base net interest income for every 100 bp change in interest rate.
A majority of the Company’s deposit portfolio is composed of non-maturity deposits, which are not directly tied to short-term interest rate indices, but are, nevertheless, sensitive to changes in short-term interest rates. The modeled results are highly sensitive to modeled behavior and assumptions. Actual net interest income results may deviate from the model’s net interest income due to earning asset growth variation and deposit mix changes based on customer preferences relative to the interest rate environment. During a period of declining interest rates, balance sheet growth could offset headwinds to net interest income from yield compression.
Economic Value of Equity at Risk
EVE is a cash flow calculation that takes the present value of all asset cash flows and subtracts the present value of all liability cash flows. This calculation is used for asset/liability management and measures changes in the present value of the bank’s assets and liabilities due to changes in interest rates.
The economic value approach provides a comparatively broader scope than the net interest income volatility approach since it represents the discounted present value of cash flows over the expected life of the instruments. Due to this longer horizon, EVE is useful to identify risks arising from repricing, prepayment and maturity gaps between assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, as well as from off-balance sheet derivative exposures, over their lifetime. This long-term economic perspective into the Company’s interest rate risk profile allows the Company to identify anticipated negative effects of interest rate fluctuations. However, the difference in time horizons can cause the EVE analysis to diverge from the shorter-term net interest income analysis presented above. Given the uncertainty of the magnitude, timing and direction of future interest rate movements, the shape of the yield curve, and potential changes to the balance sheet, actual results may vary from those predicted by the Company’s model.
The following table presents the Company’s EVE sensitivity related to an instantaneous parallel shift in market interest rates by 100 and 200 bps as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
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| | | | Economic Value of Equity Volatility (1) | | |
| | | | December 31, | | |
| | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | |
| Change in Interest Rates (in bps) | | | | % | | | | % | | |
| +200 | | | | (12.5) | % | | | | (10.3) | % | | |
| +100 | | | | (5.2) | % | | | | (5.4) | % | | |
| -100 | | | | 4.6 | % | | | | 3.0 | % | | |
| -200 | | | | 9.5 | % | | | | 6.0 | % | | |
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(1)The percentage change represents net present value change of the balance sheet as of the analysis date versus the various interest rate scenarios.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s EVE is expected to decrease when interest rates rise. The EVE sensitivity represents a duration mismatch between fixed-rate assets versus fixed-rate liabilities where more fixed- rate assets are expected to produce more stable net interest income in the short term but may lead to decreases in net present value of future cash flows.
Derivatives
It is the Company’s policy not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. However, the Company periodically enters into derivative transactions in order to manage its exposure to market risk, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company believes these derivative transactions, when properly structured and managed, provide a hedge against inherent risk in certain assets and liabilities or against risk in specific transactions. Hedging transactions may be implemented using a variety of derivative instruments such as swaps, forwards, options and collars. The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in interest received on certain floating-rate commercial loans and interest paid on certain floating-rate borrowings. Foreign exchange derivatives are used in net investment hedging strategies to mitigate the risk of changes in the U.S. dollar (“USD”) equivalent value of a designated monetary amount of the Company’s net investment in East West Bank (China) Limited. Prior to entering any accounting hedge activity, the Company analyzes the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to alternative strategies. The Company also repositions its hedging derivatives portfolio based on the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate and foreign currency environments, balance sheet composition and trends, and the relative mix of its cash and derivative positions.
In addition, the Company enters into derivative transactions in order to accommodate its customers with their business needs or to assist customers with their risk management objectives, such as managing exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currencies and commodity prices. To economically hedge against the derivative contracts entered into with the Company’s customers, the Company enters into offsetting derivative contracts with third-party financial institutions, some of which are cleared through central counterparty clearing houses. The exposures from derivative transactions are collateralized by cash and/or eligible securities based on limits as set forth in the respective agreements between the Company and counterparty financial institutions. The fair value changes of the derivative contracts traded with third-party financial institutions are expected to be largely comparable to the fair value changes of the derivative transactions executed with customers throughout the terms of these contracts, except for the credit valuation adjustment component in the contracts and the spread variances between the customer derivatives and the offsetting financial counterparty positions. The Company also utilizes foreign exchange contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments to mitigate the economic effect of fluctuations in certain foreign currency on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, primarily foreign currency denominated deposits offered to its customers.
The Company is subject to credit risk associated with the counterparties to derivative contracts. This counterparty credit risk is a multi-dimensional form of risk, affected by both the exposure and credit quality of the counterparty, both of which are sensitive to market-induced changes. The Company’s Credit Risk Management Committee provides oversight of credit risk and the Company has guidelines in place to manage counterparty concentration, tenor limits, and collateral. The Company manages the credit risk of its derivative positions by diversifying its positions among various counterparties, by entering into legally enforceable master netting agreements, and by requiring collateral arrangements, where possible. The Company may also transfer counterparty credit risk related to interest rate swaps to third-party financial institutions through the use of credit risk participation agreements (“RPAs”). Certain derivative contracts are required to be cleared through central counterparty clearing houses, to further mitigate counterparty credit risk, where variation margin is applied daily as settlement to the fair value of the derivative contracts. In addition, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments and other market standard methodologies to appropriately reflect the counterparty’s and the Company’s own nonperformance risk in the fair value measurement of its derivatives. As of December 31, 2024, the Company anticipates performance by all its counterparties and has not incurred any related credit losses.
The following table summarizes certain information on derivative instruments designated as accounting hedges and utilized by the Company in its management of interest rate and foreign currency risks as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company does not have active net investment hedges as of December 31, 2024:
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| | December 31, 2024 | | |
| | | | | | Weighted Average | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Notional Amount | | Fair Value Assets (Liabilities) | | Fixed Rate | | Floating Rate | (1) | Remaining Term (In months) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash flow hedges | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative Contracts Hedging Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate swaps - Receive fixed pay floating | | $ | 4,000,000 | | | $ | (27,294) | | | 4.95 | % | | 6.47 | % | | 23.8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps - Receive fixed pay floating -
Forward Starting | | 1,000,000 | | | (2,054) | | | 3.90 | % | | N/A | (2) | 67.8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate collars - Buy floor sell cap | | 250,000 | | (216) | | Cap: 4.58%
Floor: 1.50% | | 4.55 | % | | 17.0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total cash flow hedges | | $ | 5,250,000 | | | $ | (29,564) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Weighted Average | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Notional Amount | | Fair Value Assets (Liabilities) | | Fixed Rate | | Floating Rate | (1) | Remaining Term (In months) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash flow hedges | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative Contracts Hedging Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate swaps - Receive fixed pay floating | | $ | 4,000,000 | | | $ | 6,489 | | | 4.95 | % | | 7.32 | % | | 35.8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate swaps - Receive fixed pay floating -
Forward Starting | | 1,000,000 | | 32,101 | | 3.90 | % | | N/A | (2) | 79.8 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate collars - Buy floor sell cap | | 250,000 | | (1,293) | | Cap: 4.58%
Floor: 1.50% | | 5.34 | % | | 29.0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total cash flow hedges | | $ | 5,250,000 | | | $ | 37,297 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Net investment hedges | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivative Contracts Hedging Net Investment in East West Bank (China) Limited | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange forwards | | $ | 81,480 | | | $ | 3,394 | | | 6.75 | | (3) | 7.05 | | (4) | 2.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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(1)Floating rates are indexed to SOFR or Prime.
(2)The swaps are forward starting and not effective as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(3)Represents the weighted average strike foreign exchange rate between Chinese Yuan (“CNY”) and USD.
(4)Represents the weighted average market foreign exchange rate between CNY and USD as of December 31, 2023.
Additional information on the Company’s derivatives is presented in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Derivatives, Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and Note 5 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K. Certain of these policies include critical accounting estimates, which are subject to valuation assumptions, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and it is likely that materially different amounts could be reported under different assumptions and conditions. The Company has procedures and processes in place to facilitate making these judgments. The following is a brief description of the Company’s critical accounting estimates involving significant judgments.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company’s allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and certain lending-related commitments. The allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment on a number of matters including development and weighting of macroeconomic forecasts, incorporation of historical loss experience, assessment of key credit risk characteristics, assignment of risk ratings, valuation of collateral, and the determination of remaining expected life. For additional information on these judgements and the Company’s policies and methodologies used to determine the allowance for credit losses, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Loan Losses and Unfunded Credit Commitments, and Note 6 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
A critical judgement in the process is estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to macroeconomic forecasts that are incorporated into quantitative methods. As any one economic outlook is inherently uncertain, the Company utilizes a baseline and upside or downside scenarios which are applied based on a probability weighting, to better reflect management’s estimate of the expected credit losses given existing market conditions and the changes in the economic environment. Changes in the Company’s assumptions and economic forecasts could significantly affect its estimate of expected credit losses, which could potentially lead to significant changes in the estimate from one reporting period to the next. For further discussion on the economic forecast incorporated into the 2024 model, see Note 6 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The allowance for credit losses is sensitive to changes in macroeconomic forecast assumptions. Given the dynamic relationship between macroeconomic variables within the Company’s models, it is difficult to estimate the impact of a change in any one factor or input on the allowance. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all geographies or product types, and changes in factors and input may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor may offset deterioration in others. However, to provide additional context regarding the sensitivity of the allowance for credit losses to changes in key variables, the Company compared the quantitative modeled estimate when applying a 100% probability weighting to the downside scenario rather than the weighting of multiple scenarios used to estimate the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2024. Without considering model overlays and qualitative adjustments which could result in a materially different estimate, this sensitivity analysis would have been approximately $483 million higher.
This analysis demonstrates the sensitivity to the allowance for credit losses to key quantitative assumptions and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as it does not capture all the potentially unknown variables that could arise in the forecast period, but it provides an approximation of a possible outcome under hypothetical severe conditions. Management believes that the estimate for the allowance for credit losses was reasonable and appropriate as of December 31, 2024.
Fair Value Estimates
Certain financial instruments are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet on a recurring basis, including AFS debt securities, certain equity securities and derivatives. Changes in fair value are recorded either through earnings or other comprehensive income (loss). Other financial instruments, such as certain individually evaluated loans held-for-investment, loans held-for-sale, affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, OREO and other nonperforming assets, are not carried at fair value each period but may require nonrecurring fair value adjustments primarily due to application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.
In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses market prices of the same or similar instruments whenever such prices are available. Changes in market conditions, such as reduced liquidity in the capital markets or changes in secondary market activities, may increase variability or reduce the availability of market prices used to determine fair value. If observable market prices are unavailable or impracticable to obtain, then fair value is estimated using modeling techniques such as discounted cash flows analysis. These modeling techniques incorporate management’s assessments regarding the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or the liability, including the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique and the risk of nonperformance. The use of methodologies or assumptions different than those used by the Company could result in different estimates of fair value of financial instruments.
Significant judgment is also required to determine the fair value hierarchy for certain financial instruments. When fair values are based on valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement, the financial assets and liabilities are classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy established under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10, Fair Value Measurement.
The following table presents the Company’s assets recorded at fair value and the portion of such assets that are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
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| | December 31, | | | | | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Total Balance (1) | | Level 3 | | Total Balance (1) | | Level 3 | | | | | | |
| Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis | | $ | 11,395,533 | | | $ | 239 | | | $ | 6,823,916 | | | $ | 336 | | | | | | | |
| Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis | | 85,872 | | | 85,872 | | | 46,760 | | | 46,760 | | | | | | | |
| Total assets measured at fair value | (a) | $ | 11,481,405 | | (b) | $ | 86,111 | | (d) | $ | 6,870,676 | | (f) | $ | 47,096 | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | (c) | $ | 75,976,475 | | | | (e) | $ | 69,612,884 | | | | | | | | | |
| Level 3 assets at fair value as a percentage of total assets | | (b)/(c) | 0.11 | % | | (f)/(e) | 0.07 | % | | | | | | |
| Level 3 assets at fair value as a percentage of total assets at fair value | | (b)/(a) | 0.75 | % | | (f)/(d) | 0.69 | % | | | | | | |
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(1)Before derivative netting adjustments.
For a complete discussion on the Company’s fair value hierarchy of financial instruments, fair value measurement techniques and assumptions, and the impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Fair Value and Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Goodwill Impairment
The valuation and testing methodologies used in the Company’s analysis of goodwill impairment are discussed in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Goodwill, Note 8 — Goodwill, and Note 17 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test on all three reporting units using a qualitative assessment. The qualitative test indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair values of all the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying values. The Company concluded that the goodwill allocated to its reporting units was not impaired as of December 31, 2024.
In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company assesses relevant events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance, the Company’s stock price and other relevant entity- and reporting-unit specific considerations.
Income Taxes
The Company files income tax returns in the jurisdictions in which it conducts business and evaluates income tax expense in two components: current and deferred income tax expense. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due to or due from various tax jurisdictions in the current year and deferred tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable in future years. The Company’s interpretations of the tax laws, including the U.S., its states and the municipalities, and the tax jurisdictions in Hong Kong and China, are complex and subject to audit by taxing authorities that disputes may occur regarding its view on a tax position taken by the Company.
In estimating accrued taxes, the Company assesses the appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent, and other pertinent information. The income tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the Company and the relevant government taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining the tax accruals and in evaluating the tax positions, including evaluating uncertain tax positions. Changes in the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, tax credits, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations by the tax authorities, and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance that could impact the relative merits and risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, impact tax expense and can materially affect our operating results and financial condition. The Company reviews its tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjusts to accrued taxes as new information becomes available. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been recorded for all income tax uncertainties consistent with ASC 740, Income Taxes as of December 31, 2024. For further information on the Company’s accounting for income taxes and significant tax attributes, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Income Taxes and Note 11 — Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
For detailed discussion and disclosure on new accounting pronouncements adopted, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with, or as an alternative to U.S. GAAP. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance that either excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have such an effect, that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable financial measure that is calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this Form 10-K are return on average TCE and tangible book value per share. Certain additional non-GAAP financial measures that are components of the foregoing non-GAAP financial measures are also set forth and reconciled in the table below. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance, and allow comparability to prior periods. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.
The following tables present the reconciliations of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for 2024 and 2023 :
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| | | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | |
| Net income | (a) | | | | | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | |
| Add: Amortization of core deposit intangibles | | | | | | | — | | | 1,763 | | | |
| Amortization of mortgage servicing assets | | | | | | | 1,322 | | | 1,328 | | | |
Tax effect of amortization adjustments (1) | | | | | | | (393) | | | (914) | | | |
| Tangible net income (non-GAAP) | (b) | | | | | | $ | 1,166,515 | | | $ | 1,163,338 | | | |
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| Average stockholders’ equity | (c) | | | | | | $ | 7,315,174 | | | $ | 6,482,985 | | | |
| Less: Average goodwill | | | | | | | (465,697) | | | (465,697) | | | |
Average other intangible assets (2) | | | | | | | (5,953) | | | (6,542) | | | |
| Average tangible book value (non-GAAP) | (d) | | | | | | $ | 6,843,524 | | | $ | 6,010,746 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ROE | (a)/(c) | | | | | | 15.93 | % | | 17.91 | % | | |
| Return on average TCE (non-GAAP) | (b)/(d) | | | | | | 17.05 | % | | 19.35 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | December 31, |
| ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data) | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Stockholders’ equity | | (a) | | $ | 7,723,054 | | | $ | 6,950,834 | | | |
| Less: Goodwill | | | | (465,697) | | | (465,697) | | | |
Other intangible assets (2) | | | | (5,234) | | | (6,602) | | | |
| Tangible book value (non-GAAP) | | (b) | | $ | 7,252,123 | | | $ | 6,478,535 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Number of common shares at period-end | | (c) | | 138,437 | | | 140,027 | | | |
| Book value per share | | (a)/(c) | | $ | 55.79 | | | $ | 49.64 | | | |
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | | (b)/(c) | | $ | 52.39 | | | $ | 46.27 | | | |
|
(1)Applied statutory rate of 29.73% for 2024 and 29.56% for 2023.
(2)Includes core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing assets. There were no core deposit intangibles in 2024.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
For quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding market risk in the Company’s portfolio, see Item 7. MD&A — Risk Management — Market Risk Management and Note 5 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
East West Bancorp, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of East West Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 28, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for loan losses for loans evaluated on a collective pool basis
As discussed in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for loan losses (ALL) is established as management’s estimate of expected credit losses inherent in the Company’s lending activities. As of December 31, 2024 the ALL was $702 million, which includes the ALL for commercial loans evaluated on a collective pool basis (the commercial collective ALL). The ALL is the portion of the loan’s amortized cost basis that the Company does not expect to collect due to anticipated credit losses over the loan’s contractual life, adjusted for estimated prepayments. The Company measured the expected credit losses on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics existed. The December 31, 2024 commercial collective ALL included quantitative and qualitative components. The Company developed and documented the commercial collective ALL methodology at the portfolio segment level. The commercial collective ALL methodology used various models and estimation techniques based on the Company’s historical loss
experience, current borrower characteristics, which included internal risk ratings, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable macroeconomic forecasts. The commercial loan portfolio is comprised of commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial real estate (CRE), which also included multifamily residential, and construction and land loans. The Company’s C&I lifetime loss rate model estimated credit losses by estimating a loss rate expected over the life of a loan which is applied to the amortized cost basis, excluding accrued interest receivables, to determine expected credit losses. The Company’s CRE model applies projected probability of defaults (“PDs”) and loss given defaults (“LGDs”) to the estimated exposure at default, considering the term and payment structure of the loan, to generate estimates of expected loss. The Company incorporated forward-looking information using macroeconomic scenarios, which included variables that are considered key drivers of increases and decreases in credit losses. A probability-weighted multiple scenario forecast over a reasonable and supportable forecast period is incorporated into both the quantitative models. The Company’s C&I lifetime loss rate model reverts to the historical average loss rate, expressed through the loan-level lifetime loss rate, after the reasonable and supportable forecast period. The Company’s CRE model considers the contractual life of the loans and the forecast of future economic conditions return to long-run historical economic trends within the reasonable and supportable period. In order to estimate the life of a loan under both quantitative models, the contractual term of the loan is adjusted for estimated prepayments based on historical prepayment experience. The Company also considered qualitative factors in determining the commercial collective ALL, if these factors have not already been captured by the quantitative model.
We identified the December 31, 2024 commercial collective ALL as a critical audit matter. A high degree of audit effort, including specialized skills and knowledge, and subjective and complex auditor judgment was involved in the assessment due to significant measurement uncertainty. Specifically, the assessment encompassed the evaluation of the commercial collective ALL methodology, including an evaluation of the conceptual soundness and performance of the methods and models used to estimate (1) the quantitative component and its significant data elements and assumptions, which included portfolio segments, historic loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecast period, internal risk ratings, probability-weighted macroeconomic forecast scenarios, contractual term of the loan adjusted for estimated prepayments, and (2) the qualitative component. In addition, auditor judgment was required to evaluate the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s measurement of the commercial collective ALL estimates, including controls over the:
•development of the commercial collective ALL methodology
•continued use and appropriateness of changes made to the quantitative models
•performance monitoring of the quantitative models
•identification and determination of the significant data elements and assumptions used in the quantitative models
•development of the qualitative component
•analysis of the commercial collective ALL results, trends, and ratios.
We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the commercial collective ALL estimates by testing the models, significant data elements and assumptions that the Company used, and considered the relevance and reliability of such models, data, factors, and assumptions. We performed ratio and trend analysis over key ratios and peer comparison information relevant to the commercial collective ALL. In addition, we involved credit risk professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
•evaluating the Company’s commercial collective ALL methodology for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
•evaluating judgments made by the Company relative to the assessment, conceptual soundness and performance testing of the quantitative models, which are based on historical loss experience by comparing them to relevant Company-specific metrics and trends and the applicable industry and regulatory practices
•evaluating the judgments made by the Company in selecting the macroeconomic forecast scenarios, including the reasonable and supportable period and the related probability-weighted macroeconomic forecast scenarios
•determining whether the loan portfolio is pooled based on loans with similar risk characteristics by comparing to the Company’s business environment and relevant industry practices
•evaluating risk ratings for a selection of collectively evaluated commercial loans
•evaluating the conceptual soundness of the framework used to develop the qualitative factors and the effect of those factors on the commercial collective ALL compared with relevant credit risk factors and consistency with credit trends and identified limitations of the underlying quantitative models.
We also assessed the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the commercial collective ALL estimates by evaluating the:
•cumulative results of audit procedures
•qualitative aspects of the Company’s accounting practices
•potential bias in accounting estimates.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.
Los Angeles, California
February 28, 2025
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except shares)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ASSETS | | | | |
| Cash and due from banks | | $ | 360,734 | | | $ | 444,793 | |
| Interest-bearing cash with banks | | 4,890,008 | | | 4,170,191 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | 5,250,742 | | | 4,614,984 | |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | 48,198 | | | 10,498 | |
| Securities purchased under resale agreements (“resale agreements”) | | 425,000 | | | 785,000 | |
| Debt securities: | | | | |
| Available-for-sale (“AFS”), at fair value (amortized cost of $11,505,775 and $6,916,491) | | 10,846,811 | | | 6,188,337 | |
| Held-to-maturity (“HTM”), at amortized cost (fair value of $2,387,754 and $2,453,971) | | 2,917,413 | | | 2,956,040 | |
| Loans held-for-sale | | — | | | 116 | |
| Loans held-for-investment (net of allowance for loan losses of $702,052 and $668,743) | | 53,024,585 | | | 51,542,039 | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) investments, net | | 926,640 | | | 905,036 | |
| Premises and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $166,154 and $157,622) | | 82,233 | | | 86,370 | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 81,967 | | | 94,024 | |
| Goodwill | | 465,697 | | | 465,697 | |
| Other assets | | 1,907,189 | | | 1,964,743 | |
| TOTAL | | $ | 75,976,475 | | | $ | 69,612,884 | |
| LIABILITIES | | | | |
| Deposits: | | | | |
| Noninterest-bearing | | $ | 15,450,428 | | | $ | 15,539,872 | |
| Interest-bearing | | 47,724,595 | | | 40,552,566 | |
| Total deposits | | 63,175,023 | | | 56,092,438 | |
| Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) borrowings | | — | | | 4,500,000 | |
| Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances | | 3,500,000 | | | — | |
| Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities | | 35,974 | | | 153,011 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | | 89,263 | | | 102,353 | |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | 1,453,161 | | | 1,814,248 | |
| Total liabilities | | 68,253,421 | | | 62,662,050 | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12) | | | | |
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | |
| Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 169,925,379 and 169,372,230 shares issued | | 170 | | | 169 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | 2,030,712 | | | 1,980,818 | |
| Retained earnings | | 7,311,542 | | | 6,465,230 | |
| Treasury stock, at cost 31,488,080 and 29,344,863 shares | | (1,034,110) | | | (874,787) | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”), net of tax | | (585,260) | | | (620,596) | |
| Total stockholders’ equity | | 7,723,054 | | | 6,950,834 | |
| TOTAL | | $ | 75,976,475 | | | $ | 69,612,884 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
80
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
($ and shares in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME | | | | | | |
| Loans receivable, including fees | | $ | 3,490,979 | | | $ | 3,172,746 | | | $ | 2,048,301 | |
| Debt securities | | 449,065 | | | 276,190 | | | 198,906 | |
| Assets purchased under resale agreements | | 11,254 | | | 20,164 | | | 29,767 | |
| Restricted equity securities | | 10,104 | | | 4,062 | | | 3,144 | |
| Interest-bearing cash and deposits with banks | | 231,794 | | | 220,643 | | | 41,113 | |
| Total interest and dividend income | | 4,193,196 | | | 3,693,805 | | | 2,321,231 | |
| INTEREST EXPENSE | | | | | | |
| Deposits | | 1,720,174 | | | 1,205,550 | | | 251,838 | |
| Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings | | 42,163 | | | 157,002 | | | 1,801 | |
| FHLB advances | | 147,269 | | | 6,430 | | | 1,754 | |
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements (“repurchase agreements”) | | 197 | | | 1,497 | | | 14,362 | |
| Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities | | 4,677 | | | 11,072 | | | 5,595 | |
| Total interest expense | | 1,914,480 | | | 1,381,551 | | | 275,350 | |
| Net interest income before provision for credit losses | | 2,278,716 | | | 2,312,254 | | | 2,045,881 | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 174,000 | | | 125,000 | | | 73,500 | |
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | | 2,104,716 | | | 2,187,254 | | | 1,972,381 | |
| NONINTEREST INCOME | | | | | | |
| Deposit account fees | | 103,880 | | | 93,811 | | | 95,177 | |
| Lending fees | | 98,455 | | | 83,876 | | | 79,208 | |
| Foreign exchange income | | 54,605 | | | 48,276 | | | 41,416 | |
| Wealth management fees | | 38,627 | | | 26,994 | | | 27,738 | |
| Customer derivative income | | 16,401 | | | 20,200 | | | 29,057 | |
| Net gains on sales of loans | | 44 | | | 3,634 | | | 6,411 | |
| Net gains (losses) on AFS debt securities | | 2,069 | | | (6,862) | | | 1,306 | |
| Other investment income | | 5,611 | | | 9,348 | | | 7,037 | |
| Other income | | 15,526 | | | 15,987 | | | 11,316 | |
| Total noninterest income | | 335,218 | | | 295,264 | | | 298,666 | |
| NONINTEREST EXPENSE | | | | | | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 550,734 | | | 508,538 | | | 477,635 | |
| Occupancy and equipment expense | | 64,399 | | | 62,763 | | | 62,501 | |
| Deposit account expense | | 47,390 | | | 43,143 | | | 25,508 | |
| Computer and software related expenses | | 47,271 | | | 44,475 | | | 42,776 | |
| Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments | | 45,736 | | | 103,308 | | | 19,449 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Other operating expense | | 148,301 | | | 140,222 | | | 118,166 | |
| Amortization of tax credit and CRA investments | | 54,242 | | | 120,299 | | | 113,358 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 958,073 | | | 1,022,748 | | | 859,393 | |
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | 1,481,861 | | | 1,459,770 | | | 1,411,654 | |
| Income tax expense | | 316,275 | | | 298,609 | | | 283,571 | |
| NET INCOME | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”) | | | | | | |
| BASIC | | $ | 8.39 | | | $ | 8.23 | | | $ | 7.98 | |
| DILUTED | | $ | 8.33 | | | $ | 8.18 | | | $ | 7.92 | |
| WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING | | | | | | |
| BASIC | | 138,898 | | | 141,164 | | | 141,326 | |
| DILUTED | | 139,958 | | | 141,902 | | | 142,492 | |
|
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
81
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | |
| Net changes in unrealized gains (losses) on AFS debt securities | | 48,845 | | | 81,763 | | | (508,799) | |
| Reclassification of unrealized losses on debt securities transferred from AFS to HTM | | — | | | — | | | (112,991) | |
| Amortization of unrealized losses on debt securities transferred from ASF to HTM | | 10,884 | | | 11,171 | | | 12,678 | |
| Net changes in unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges | | (23,411) | | | 52,155 | | | (49,788) | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | (982) | | | (56) | | | (16,348) | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | 35,336 | | | 145,033 | | | (675,248) | |
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | | $ | 1,200,922 | | | $ | 1,306,194 | | | $ | 452,835 | |
|
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
82
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
($ in thousands, except shares and per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Shares | | Amount | | Retained Earnings | | Treasury Stock | | AOCI, Net of Tax | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | 141,907,954 | | | $ | 1,893,725 | | | $ | 4,683,659 | | | $ | (649,785) | | | $ | (90,381) | | | $ | 5,837,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | 1,128,083 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,128,083 | |
| Other comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (675,248) | | | (675,248) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | 671,871 | | | 42,832 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 42,832 | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | (246,462) | | | — | | | — | | | (19,087) | | | — | | | (19,087) | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program | | | | | | | | (1,385,517) | | | — | | | — | | | (99,990) | | | — | | | (99,990) | |
| Cash dividends on common stock ($1.60 per share) | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | (229,196) | | | — | | | — | | | (229,196) | |
| BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | 140,947,846 | | | $ | 1,936,557 | | | $ | 5,582,546 | | | $ | (768,862) | | | $ | (765,629) | | | $ | 5,984,612 | |
Cumulative-effect of change in accounting principle (1) | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | (4,262) | | | — | | | — | | | (4,262) | |
| Net income | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | 1,161,161 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,161,161 | |
| Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 145,033 | | | 145,033 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | 913,185 | | | 44,430 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 44,430 | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | (327,573) | | | — | | | — | | | (23,751) | | | — | | | (23,751) | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program | | | | | | | | (1,506,091) | | | — | | | — | | | (82,174) | | | — | | | (82,174) | |
| Cash dividends on common stock ($1.92 per share) | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | (274,215) | | | — | | | — | | | (274,215) | |
| BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | 140,027,367 | | | $ | 1,980,987 | | | $ | 6,465,230 | | | $ | (874,787) | | | $ | (620,596) | | | $ | 6,950,834 | |
Cumulative-effect of change in accounting principle (2) | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | (9,482) | | | — | | | — | | | (9,482) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | 1,165,586 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,165,586 | |
| Other comprehensive income | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 35,336 | | | 35,336 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issuance of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | 553,149 | | | 49,895 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 49,895 | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | | | | | | | (199,871) | | | — | | | — | | | (14,877) | | | — | | | (14,877) | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program | | | | | | | | (1,943,346) | | | — | | | — | | | (144,446) | | | — | | | (144,446) | |
| Cash dividends on common stock ($2.20 per share) | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | (309,792) | | | — | | | — | | | (309,792) | |
| BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | 138,437,299 | | | $ | 2,030,882 | | | $ | 7,311,542 | | | $ | (1,034,110) | | | $ | (585,260) | | | $ | 7,723,054 | |
|
(1)Represents the change in the Company’s allowance for loan losses as a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and the Vintage Disclosures on January 1, 2023.
(2)Represents the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-02, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method on January 1, 2024. Refer to Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“this Form 10-K”) for additional information.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
83
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 174,000 | | | 125,000 | | | 73,500 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 198,447 | | | 163,460 | | | 159,851 | |
| Amortization of premiums (accretion of discount), net | | 13,891 | | | 10,723 | | | 56,703 | |
| Stock compensation costs | | 45,535 | | | 39,867 | | | 37,601 | |
| Deferred income tax benefit | | (14,283) | | | (49,139) | | | (43,988) | |
| Net gains on sales of loans | | (44) | | | (3,634) | | | (6,411) | |
| Net (gains) losses on AFS debt securities | | (2,069) | | | 6,862 | | | (1,306) | |
| | | | | | |
| Impairment on other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other foreclosed assets | | 7,735 | | | — | | | 6,861 | |
| Net gains on sales of OREO and other foreclosed assets | | (460) | | | (3,451) | | | (3,042) | |
| Loans held-for-sale: | | | | | | |
| Originations | | (2,881) | | | (116) | | | (447) | |
| Proceeds from sales and paydowns/payoffs of loans originally classified as held-for-sale | | 3,020 | | | — | | | 461 | |
| Distributions received from equity method investees | | 5,645 | | | 11,282 | | | 7,586 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets | | 63,743 | | | (146,270) | | | 187,512 | |
| Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities | | (242,443) | | | 105,304 | | | 461,385 | |
| Other operating activities, net | | (3,755) | | | 3,860 | | | 1,673 | |
| Total adjustments | | 246,081 | | | 263,748 | | | 937,939 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 1,411,667 | | | 1,424,909 | | | 2,066,022 | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Net (increase) decrease in: | | | | | | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments | | (378,305) | | | (228,550) | | | (167,303) | |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | (38,352) | | | 128,523 | | | 596,994 | |
| Assets purchased under resale agreements: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from paydowns and maturities | | 360,000 | | | 219,917 | | | 1,951,388 | |
| Purchases | | — | | | (212,725) | | | (390,077) | |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from sales | | 1,428,829 | | | 3,138 | | | 129,181 | |
| Proceeds from repayments, maturities and redemptions | | 1,547,058 | | | 1,470,819 | | | 896,726 | |
| Purchases | | (7,599,454) | | | (1,549,846) | | | (1,070,608) | |
| HTM debt securities: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from repayments, maturities and redemptions | | 54,249 | | | 61,744 | | | 75,635 | |
| Purchases | | — | | | — | | | (50,000) | |
| Loans held-for-investment: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from sales of loans originally classified as held-for-investment | | 715,088 | | | 711,862 | | | 602,725 | |
| Purchases | | (1,000,637) | | | (600,930) | | | (657,620) | |
| Other changes in loans held-for-investment, net | | (1,341,549) | | | (4,166,572) | | | (6,516,182) | |
| | | | | | |
| Proceeds from sales of OREO and other foreclosed assets | | 33,055 | | | 3,721 | | | 6,482 | |
| | | | | | |
| Distributions received from equity method investees | | 23,598 | | | 23,774 | | | 18,221 | |
| Purchases of FHLB stock, net | | (84,079) | | | — | | | — | |
| Other investing activities, net | | (14,704) | | | (112,036) | | | (8,454) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | (6,295,203) | | | (4,247,161) | | | (4,582,892) | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
84
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
(Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Net change in deposits | | 7,108,377 | | | 144,468 | | | 2,709,427 | |
| Net change in short-term borrowings | | (4,500,000) | | | 4,500,000 | | | 6 | |
| FHLB advances: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds | | 4,000,400 | | | 6,000,000 | | | 4,950,200 | |
| Repayments | | (500,400) | | | (6,000,000) | | | (5,200,200) | |
| Repurchase agreements: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Repayment | | — | | | (300,000) | | | — | |
| Extinguishment cost | | — | | | (3,872) | | | — | |
| Long-term debt and lease liabilities: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Repayment of junior subordinated debt and lease liabilities | | (117,437) | | | (871) | | | (943) | |
| Common stock: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from issuance pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | 3,023 | | | 3,208 | | | 3,178 | |
| Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes | | (14,877) | | | (23,751) | | | (19,087) | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program | | (143,082) | | | (82,174) | | | (99,990) | |
| Cash dividends paid | | (308,478) | | | (274,554) | | | (228,381) | |
| | | | | | |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | | 5,527,526 | | | 3,962,454 | | | 2,114,210 | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | (8,232) | | | (7,002) | | | (28,491) | |
| NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | 635,758 | | | 1,133,200 | | | (431,151) | |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR | | 4,614,984 | | | 3,481,784 | | | 3,912,935 | |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR | | $ | 5,250,742 | | | $ | 4,614,984 | | | $ | 3,481,784 | |
| | | | | | |
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | | | | | |
| Cash paid during the year for: | | | | | | |
| Interest | | $ | 2,057,967 | | | $ | 1,213,319 | | | $ | 249,587 | |
| Income taxes, net | | $ | 246,945 | | | $ | 291,685 | | | $ | 281,269 | |
| Noncash investing and financing activities: | | | | | | |
| Loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale | | $ | 659,322 | | | $ | 739,379 | | | $ | 623,777 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Securities transferred from AFS to HTM debt securities | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,010,003 | |
| Loans transferred to OREO or other foreclosed assets | | $ | 67,379 | | | $ | 11,141 | | | $ | 270 | |
|
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
85
EAST WEST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company”) is a registered bank holding company that offers a full range of banking services to individuals and businesses through its subsidiary bank, East West Bank and its subsidiaries (“East West Bank” or the “Bank”). The Bank is the Company’s principal asset. As of December 31, 2024, the Company operated in over 110 locations in the United States (“U.S.”) and Asia. In the U.S., the Bank’s corporate headquarters and main administrative offices are located in California, and its branches and offices are located in California, Texas, New York, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Nevada. In Asia, East West’s presence included full-service branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou and Shenzhen, representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Singapore, and administrative support offices in Beijing and Shanghai. The Bank has a banking subsidiary based in China — East West Bank (China) Limited.
Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation — The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), applicable guidelines prescribed by regulatory authorities and common practices in the banking industry. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, income and expenses during the reporting period, and the related disclosures. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Certain items on the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2024 presentation.
Principles of Consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K include the accounts of East West and its subsidiaries that are majority owned and in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, and variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which the Company has determined to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a VIE. Voting interest entities are entities that have sufficient equity and provide the equity investors voting rights that enable them to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations.
VIEs are entities that, by design, either (1) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) have equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses, or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. For a VIE, a controlling financial interest is where the Company has the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. If it is determined that the Company does not have a variable interest in the entity, no further analysis is required and the entity is not consolidated. The Variable Interest Model applies to all legal entities, including corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and trusts. For an entity that does not meet the definition of a VIE, the entity is determined to be a voting interest entity. The Company consolidates a voting interest entity if it can exert control over the financial and operating policies of an investee, which can occur if the Company has a more than 50% voting interest in the entity. For unconsolidated voting interest entities or VIE, the Company uses the proportional amortization method (“PAM”), equity, cost or measurement alternative method based on the Company’s voting or economic interest.
East West has one wholly-owned subsidiary that is a statutory business trust (the “Trust”). In accordance with the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation, the Trust has not been consolidated by the Company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in transit, cash due from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) of San Francisco and other financial institutions, and federal funds sold with original maturities up to three months.
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks — Interest-bearing deposits with banks include cash placed with other banks with original maturities greater than three months and less than one year.
Assets Purchased under Resale Agreements and Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements — Resale agreements are recorded as receivables based on the values at which the securities or loans are acquired. Repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded as liabilities based on the values at which the securities are sold. The Company monitors the values of the underlying assets collateralizing the resale and repurchase agreements, including accrued interest, and obtains or posts additional collateral in order to maintain the appropriate collateral requirements for the transactions. For allowance for credit losses on resale agreements, refer to the Allowance for Collateral-Dependent Financial Assets section of this note for details.
Debt Securities — Debt securities are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of their trade dates. The Company initially classifies its debt securities as trading securities, AFS or HTM debt securities based on management’s intention on the date of the purchase. Debt securities are purchased for liquidity and investment purposes, as part of asset/liability management and other strategic activities.
Debt securities for which the Company has the positive intention and ability to hold until maturity are classified as HTM and are carried at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses. Debt securities not classified as trading securities or HTM securities are classified as AFS. AFS debt securities are reported at fair value, net of the allowance for credit losses, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in AOCI, net of applicable income taxes. For details of the allowance for credit losses on debt securities, refer to the Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities sections of this note. Interest income, including any amortization of premium or accretion of discount, is included in debt securities of interest and dividend income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company recognizes realized gains and losses on the sale of AFS debt securities in earnings, using the specific identification method.
Upon transfer of a debt security from the AFS to HTM category, the security’s new amortized cost is reset to fair value, reduced by any previous write-offs but excluding any allowance for credit losses. Unrealized gains or losses at the date of transfer of these securities continue to be reported in AOCI and are amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the securities as effective yield adjustments, in a manner consistent with the amortization or accretion of the original purchase premium or discount on the associated security. For transfers of securities from the AFS to HTM category, any allowance for credit losses that was previously recorded under the AFS model is reversed and an allowance for credit losses is subsequently recorded under the HTM debt security model. The reversal and re-establishment of the allowance for credit losses are recorded in the provision for credit losses.
Equity Securities — The Company’s equity securities include both marketable and non-marketable equity securities. Marketable equity securities with readily determinable fair values are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses due to changes in fair value; and are included in Other investment income on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Marketable equity securities include mutual fund investments, which are included in Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Non-marketable equity securities including tax credit investments, and other equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are recorded in Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net, and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are accounted for under one of the following accounting methods:
•Equity Method — When the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee.
•Cost Method — The cost method is applied to restricted equity securities held for membership and regulatory purposes, such as FRB of San Francisco and FHLB stock. These investments are held at their cost minus impairment. If impaired, the carrying value is written down to the fair value of the security.
•Measurement Alternative — This method is applied to all remaining non-marketable equity securities. These securities are carried at cost adjusted for impairment, if any, plus or minus observable price changes in orderly transactions of an identical or similar security of the same issuer.
The Company’s impairment review for equity method, cost method and measurement alternative securities typically includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each security, the intent or requirement to sell the security, the expectations of cash flows, capital needs and the viability of its business model. For equity and cost method investments, the Company reduces the asset’s carrying value when the Company considers declines in value to be other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). For securities accounted for under the measurement alternative, the Company reduces the asset value when the fair value is less than the carrying value, without the consideration of recovery.
Loans Held-for-Sale — Loans are initially classified as loans held-for-sale when they are individually identified as being available for immediate sale and management has committed to a formal plan to sell them. Loans held-for-sale are carried at lower of cost or fair value. Subject to periodic review under the Company’s evaluation process, including asset/liability and credit risk management, the Company may transfer certain loans from held-for-investment to held-for-sale measured at lower of cost or fair value. Any write-downs in the carrying amount of the loan at the date of transfer are recorded as charge-offs to allowance for loan losses. Loan origination fees on loans held-for-sale, net of certain costs in processing and closing the loans, are deferred until the time of sale and are included in the periodic determination of the lower of cost or fair value adjustments and/or the gain or loss recognized at the time of sale. A valuation allowance is established if the fair value of such loans is lower than their cost, with a corresponding charge to noninterest income. If the loan or a portion of the loan cannot be sold, it is subsequently transferred back to the loans held-for-investment portfolio from the loans held-for-sale portfolio at the lower of cost or fair value on the transfer date.
Loans Held-for-Investment — At the time of commitment to originate or purchase a loan, the loan is determined to be held-for-investment if it is the Company’s intent to hold the loan to maturity or for the foreseeable future. Loans held-for-investment are stated at their outstanding principal, reduced by an allowance for loan losses and net of deferred loan fees or costs, or unearned fees on originated loans, net of unamortized premiums or unaccreted discounts on purchased loans. Nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan balances. The deferred net loan fees and costs are recognized in interest income as an adjustment to yield over the loan term using the effective interest method. Discounts/premiums on purchased loans are accreted/amortized to interest income using the effective interest method over the remaining contractual maturity. Interest on loans is calculated using the simple-interest method on daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due or more. Loans are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates. Loans are also placed on nonaccrual status when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain, regardless of the length of past due status. Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrual is discontinued and all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against interest income. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are reflected as a reduction of principal and not as interest income. A loan is returned to accrual status when the borrower has demonstrated a satisfactory payment trend subject to management’s assessment of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
Loan Modifications — The Company applies the general loan modification guidance provided in ASC 310-20 to all loan modifications, including modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Under ASC 310-20-35-9 to 310-20-35-10, a modification is treated as a new loan only if the following two conditions are met: (1) the terms of the new loan are at least as favorable to the Company as the terms for comparable loans to other customers with similar collection risks; and (2) modifications to the terms of the original loan are more than minor. If either condition is not met, the modification is accounted for as a continuation of the existing loan with any effect of the modification treated as a prospective adjustment to the loan’s effective interest rate. A modification made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty may vary by program and by borrower-specific characteristics, and may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, term extensions, and payment delays, and is intended to minimize the Company’s economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. The Company applies the same credit loss methodology it uses for similar loans that were not modified.
Troubled Debt Restructurings — Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, a loan was generally classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, granted a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a below-market change in the stated interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, a term extension, a payment forbearance and other actions. Loans with contractual terms that were modified as a TDR and were current at the time of restructuring may remain on accrual status if there was demonstrated performance prior to the restructuring and payment in full under the restructured terms was expected. Otherwise, these loans were placed on nonaccrual status and were reported as nonperforming, until the borrower demonstrated a sustained period of performance, generally six months, and the ability to repay the loan according to the contractual terms. If accruing TDRs ceased to perform in accordance with their modified contractual terms, they were placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming TDRs. TDRs were included in the quarterly allowance for credit losses valuation process.
Allowance for Loan Losses — The allowance for loan losses is established as management’s estimate of expected credit losses inherent in the Company’s lending activities; it is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by net charge-offs. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly by management based on regular reviews of the collectability of the Company’s loans, and more often if deemed necessary. The Company develops and documents the allowance for loan losses methodology at the portfolio segment level. The commercial loan portfolio is comprised of commercial and industrial (“C&I”), commercial real estate (“CRE”), multifamily residential, and construction and land loans; and the consumer loan portfolio is comprised of single-family residential, home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”), and other consumer loans.
The allowance for loan losses represents the portion of a loan’s amortized cost basis that the Company does not expect to collect due to anticipated credit losses over the loan’s contractual life, adjusted for prepayments. The Company measures the expected loan losses on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Models consisting of quantitative and qualitative components are designed for each pool to develop the expected credit loss estimates. Reasonable and supportable forecast periods vary by loan portfolio. The Company has adopted lifetime loss rate models for the portfolios, which use historical loss rates and forecast economic variables to calculate the expected credit losses for each loan pool. When loans do not share similar risk characteristics, the Company evaluates the loan for expected credit losses on an individual basis. Individually assessed loans include nonaccrual loans. The Company evaluates loans for expected credit losses on an individual basis if, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. When the loan is deemed uncollectible, it is the Company’s policy to charge off the uncollectible amount against the allowance for loan losses.
The amortized cost of loans held-for-investment excludes accrued interest, which is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has made an accounting policy election to not recognize an allowance for loan losses for accrued interest receivables as the Company reverses accrued interest if a loan is on nonaccrual status.
The allowance for loan losses is reported separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Provision for credit losses is reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Allowance for Unfunded Credit Commitments — The allowance for unfunded credit commitments includes reserves provided for unfunded loan commitments, letters of credit, standby letters of credit (“SBLCs”) and recourse obligations for loans sold. The Company estimates the allowance for unfunded credit commitments over the contractual period in which the entity is exposed to credit risk via a present contractual obligation to extend credit. Within the period of credit exposure, the Company considers both the likelihood that funding will occur, and the expected credit losses on the commitments that are expected to fund over their estimated lives.
The allowance for unfunded credit commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb expected credit losses related to unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities. For all off-balance sheet instruments and commitments, the unfunded credit exposure is calculated using assumptions based on the Company's historical utilization experience in related portfolio segments. Loss rates are applied to the calculated exposure balances to estimate the allowance for unfunded credit commitments. Other elements such as credit risk factors for loans outstanding, terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities, and other pertinent information are considered to determine the adequacy of the allowance.
The allowance for unfunded credit commitments is included in the Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Changes to the allowance for unfunded credit commitments are included in Provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Income Statements.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale Debt Securities — For each reporting period, each AFS debt security that is in an unrealized loss position is individually analyzed as part of the Company’s ongoing assessments to determine whether a fair value below the amortized cost basis has resulted from a credit loss or other factors. The initial indicator of impairment is a decline in fair value below the amortized cost of the AFS debt security, excluding accrued interest. The Company first considers whether there is a plan to sell the AFS debt security or it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell the AFS debt security before recovery of the amortized cost. In determining whether an impairment is due to credit related factors, the Company considers the severity of the decline in fair value, nature of the security, the underlying collateral, the financial condition of the issuer, changes in the AFS debt security’s ratings and other qualitative factors. For AFS debt securities that are guaranteed or issued by the U.S. government, or government-sponsored enterprises of high credit quality, the Company applies a zero credit loss assumption.
When the Company does not intend to sell the impaired AFS debt security and it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will not be required to sell the impaired debt security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the credit component of the unrealized loss of the impaired AFS debt security is recognized as an allowance for credit losses, with a corresponding Provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income and the non-credit component is recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, net of applicable taxes. At each reporting period, the Company increases or decreases the allowance for credit losses as appropriate, while limiting reversals of the allowance for credit losses to the extent of the amounts previously recorded. If the Company intends to sell the impaired debt security or it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the impaired debt security prior to recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire impairment amount is recognized as an adjustment to the debt security’s amortized cost basis, with a corresponding Provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The amortized cost of the Company’s AFS debt securities excludes accrued interest, which is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has made an accounting policy election not to recognize an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables on AFS debt securities as the Company reverses any accrued interest if a debt security is impaired. As each AFS debt security has a unique security structure, where the accrual status is clearly determined when certain criteria listed in the terms are met, the Company assesses the default status of each security as defined by the debt security’s specific security structure.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities — For each major HTM debt security type, the allowance for credit losses is estimated collectively for groups of securities with similar risk characteristics. For securities that do not share similar risk characteristics, the losses are estimated individually. The Company applies a zero credit loss assumption to certain HTM debt securities, including debt securities that are either guaranteed or issued by the U.S. government or government-sponsored enterprises, are highly rated by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”), and have a long history of no credit losses. Any expected credit loss is recorded through the allowance for credit losses and deducted from the amortized cost basis of the security, reflecting the net amount the Company expects to collect.
The amortized cost of the Company’s HTM debt securities excludes accrued interest, which is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has made an accounting policy election not to recognize an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables on HTM debt securities, as the Company reverses any accrued interest against interest income if a debt security is placed on nonaccrual status. The criteria used to place HTM debt securities on nonaccrual are largely similar to those described for loans. Any cash collected on nonaccrual HTM debt securities is applied to reduce the security’s amortized cost basis and not as interest income. Generally, the Company returns an HTM security to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal become current under the contractual terms of the security, and the collectability of remaining principal and interest is no longer doubtful.
Allowance for Collateral-Dependent Financial Assets — A financial asset is considered collateral-dependent if repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. The allowance for credit losses is measured on an individual basis for collateral-dependent financial assets and determined by comparing the fair value of the collateral less the cost to sell, to the amortized cost basis of the related financial asset at the reporting date. Other than loans, collateral-dependent financial assets could also include resale agreements. In arrangements which the borrower must continually adjust the collateral securing the asset to reflect changes in the collateral’s fair value (e.g., resale agreements), the Company estimates the expected credit losses on the basis of the unsecured portion of the amortized cost as of the balance sheet date. If the fair value of the collateral is equal to or greater than the amortized cost of the resale agreement, the expected losses would be zero. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the amortized cost of the asset, the expected losses are limited to the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the resale agreement.
Allowance for Purchased Credit Deteriorated Assets — Purchased assets that have experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are deemed Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) assets. For PCD HTM debt securities and PCD loans, the company records the allowance for credit losses by grossing up the initial amortized cost, which includes the purchase price and the allowance for credit losses. The expected credit losses of PCD debt securities are measured at the individual security level. The expected credit losses for PCD loans are measured based on the loan’s unpaid principal balance. Under this approach, there is no income statement impact from the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses on PCD assets will be recognized in Provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The non-credit discount or premium will be accreted to interest income based on the effective interest rate on the PCD assets determined after the gross-up for the allowance for credit losses.
Premises and Equipment, Net — The Company’s premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. The ranges of estimated useful lives for the principal classes of assets are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
|
| Premises and Equipment | | Useful Lives |
| Buildings | | 25 years |
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment | | 7 years |
| Leasehold improvements | | Term of lease or useful life, whichever is shorter |
|
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired when the fair value, which is the expected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life, is less than the net book value. The excess of the net book value over its fair value is charged as impairment loss to noninterest expense.
Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in an acquisition. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31, or more frequently as events occur or circumstances change that indicate a potential impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at each operating segment level. The Company organizes its operations into three reporting segments: (1) Consumer and Business Banking; (2) Commercial Banking; and (3) Treasury and Other. For information on how the reporting units are identified and the components are aggregated, see Note 17 — Business Segments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill or elect to bypass the qualitative test and proceed directly to a quantitative test. If the Company performs a qualitative assessment of goodwill to test for impairment and concludes it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, quantitative tests are not required. If the qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, the Company is required to perform a quantitative assessment to determine if there is goodwill impairment. Factors considered in the qualitative assessments include but are not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance of the respective operating segment and other relevant entity- and reporting-unit specific considerations. A quantitative valuation involves determining the fair value of each reporting unit and comparing the fair value to its corresponding carrying value. Goodwill impairment loss is recorded as a charge to noninterest expense and an adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are not allowed.
Derivatives — As part of its asset/liability management strategy, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks, and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. Derivatives utilized by the Company primarily include swaps, forwards and option contracts. Derivative instruments are included in Other assets or Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. All derivatives designated as fair value hedges and hedges of the net investments in certain foreign operations are linked to specific hedged items or to groups of specific assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cash flow hedges are linked to the forecasted transactions related to a recognized asset/liability or to groups of recognized assets/liabilities. The related cash flows impacts of derivatives are recognized on the Cash flows from operating activities section on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
The Company uses accounting hedges based on the exposure being hedged as either fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or hedges of the net investments in certain foreign operations. For fair value hedges of interest rate risk, changes in fair value of derivatives are reported in the same line item where the earnings effect of the hedged item is presented, as Interest expense or Interest and dividend income on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as hedges of the net investments in foreign operations are recorded as a component of AOCI. For cash flow hedges of floating-rate interest payments or receipts, the change in the fair value of hedges is recognized in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and reclassified to earnings in the same period when the hedged cash flows impact earnings. The changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument are recorded in the same income statement line item as the hedged item’s expense or income is recorded. For example, fair value changes of hedged on borrowings are recorded within Interest expense, and fair value changes of hedges on loan assets are recorded as interest income within Interest and dividend income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
To qualify as an accounting hedge under the hedge accounting rules (versus an economic hedge where hedge accounting is not sought), a derivative must be highly effective in offsetting the risk designated as being hedged at the inception and on an ongoing basis. The Company evaluates the hedge effectiveness and formally documents its hedging relationships at inception, including the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction at the time the derivative contract is executed. Subsequent to inception, on a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged items or the cash flows of attributable hedged risks. The quarterly assessment is performed on both a prospective basis (to reconfirm forward-looking expectations that the hedge will be highly effective) and a retrospective basis (to determine whether the hedging relationship was highly effective).
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (i) a derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting the risk being hedged; (ii) a derivative expires, or is sold, terminated or exercised, or (iii) the Company determines that designation of a derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. If a fair value hedge is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Income. When the hedged net investment is discontinued, any amounts that have not yet been recognized in earnings remain in AOCI until the net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated where the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reclassified out of AOCI into Foreign exchange income on the Consolidated Statement of Income. If a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged forecasted cash flow is still expected to happen, the derivative net gain or loss will remain in AOCI and be reclassified into earnings in the periods in which the hedged forecasted cash flow affects earnings. If a cash flow hedge is discontinued and it becomes probable that the forecasted cash flow is not expected to happen, the derivative net gain or loss will be reclassified into earnings immediately.
The Company also offers various interest rate, commodity and foreign exchange derivative products to customers. These derivative contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Customer derivative income or Foreign exchange income on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
From time to time, the Company obtains equity warrants to purchase preferred and/or common stock of public or private companies it provides loans to as part of the Company’s loan origination process. Separately, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) as part of its consideration for its investment in Rayliant Global Advisors Limited (“Rayliant”) during the third quarter of 2023. The vesting of these performance-based RSUs is contingent on Rayliant meeting certain financial performance targets during the future performance period. These equity contracts are accounted for as derivatives and recorded at fair value in Other assets or Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in fair value recorded in Lending fees, for equity warrants related to the loan origination process, or Other investment income, for performance-based RSU’s related to Rayliant, on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
The Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as expected. Valuation of derivative assets and liabilities reflect the value of the instrument inclusive of the nonperformance risk. The Company uses master netting arrangements to mitigate counterparty credit risk in derivative transactions. To the extent the derivatives are subject to master netting arrangements, the Company takes into account the impact of master netting arrangements that allow the Company to set off all derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty on a net basis, and to offset the net derivative position with the related cash and securities collateral. The Company elects to offset derivative transactions with the same counterparty on the Consolidated Balance Sheet when a derivative transaction has a legally enforceable master netting arrangement and when it is eligible for netting under ASC 210-20-45-1, Balance Sheet Offsetting: Netting Derivative Positions on Balance Sheet. Derivative balances and related cash collateral are presented net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition, the Company applies the Settlement to Market treatment for the cash variation margin received/pledged on our interest rate and commodity contracts cleared through certain centrally cleared counterparties. As a result, derivative balances with these counterparties are considered settled by the variation margin.
Fair Value — The Company records or discloses certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company uses various methods including market and income approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. Fair value measurements are based on the exit price notion that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. All inputs, whether observable or unobservable, are ranked in accordance with a prescribed fair value hierarchy that assigns the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to prices derived from data lacking transparency. The Company’s assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurements. The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities is classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
•Level 2 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments traded in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments traded in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable and can be corroborated by market data.
•Level 3 — Valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs for determining the fair value of assets or liabilities. These significant unobservable inputs reflect assumptions that market participants may use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
For additional information on fair value, see Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Stock-Based Compensation — The Company grants time-based RSUs, which include service conditions for vesting. RSUs that vest in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock are classified as equity. Compensation cost for these time-based awards is based on the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. RSUs that will be settled in cash instead of shares are liability classified awards and compensation cost for these awards is adjusted to fair value based on changes in the Company’s stock price up to the settlement date. In addition, the Company grants performance-based RSUs, which contain additional performance goals and market conditions that are required to be met in order for the awards to vest. Compensation expense for these performance-based RSUs is based on the grant-date fair value considering both performance and market conditions. Subsequently, the Company evaluates the probable outcome of the performance conditions quarterly and makes cumulative adjustments for current and prior periods in compensation expense in the period of change. Market conditions subsequent to the grant date have no impact on the amount of compensation expense. Compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is generally the maximum vesting period of the award. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies on share-based payment awards are recognized within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and are updated quarterly. As stock-based compensation expense is estimated based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced by the expense related to awards expected to be forfeited. If the estimated forfeitures are revised, a cumulative effect of changes in estimated forfeitures for the current and prior periods is recognized in compensation expense in the period of change. Refer to Note 13 — Stock Compensation Plans on the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers — The Company recognizes two primary types of revenue on its Consolidated Statement of Income: Net interest income and Noninterest income. The Company’s revenue from contracts with customers consists of service charges and fees related to deposit accounts, card income and wealth management fees. These revenue streams as described below comprised 43%, 41% and 41% of total noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
•Deposit Service Charges and Related Fee Income — The Company offers a range of deposit products to individuals and businesses, which includes savings, money market, checking and time deposit accounts. The deposit account services include ongoing account maintenance, as well as certain optional services such as various in-branch services, automated teller machine/debit card usage, wire transfer services or check orders. In addition, treasury management and business account analysis services are offered to commercial deposit customers. The monthly account fees may vary with the amount of average monthly deposit balances maintained, or the Company may charge a fixed monthly account maintenance fee if certain average balances are not maintained. In addition, each time a deposit customer selects an optional service, the Company may earn transaction fees, generally recognized by the Company at the point when the transaction occurs. For business analysis accounts, commercial deposit customers receive an earnings credit based on their account balance, which can be used to offset the cost of banking and treasury management services. Business analysis accounts that are assessed fees in excess of earnings credits received are typically charged at the end of each month, after all transactions are known and the credits are calculated. Deposit service charges and related fee income are recognized in all operating segments and included in Deposit account fees on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
•Card Income — Card income consists of merchant referral fees and interchange income. For merchant referral fees, the Company provides marketing and referral services to acquiring banks for merchant card processing services and earns variable referral fees based on transaction activities. The Company satisfies its performance obligation over time as the Company identifies, solicits, and refers business customers who are provided such services. The Company receives monthly fees net of consideration it pays to the acquiring bank performing the merchant card processing services. The Company recognizes revenue on a monthly basis when the uncertainty associated with the variable referral fees is resolved after the Company receives monthly statements from the acquiring bank. For interchange income, the Company, as a card issuer, has a stand ready performance obligation to authorize, clear, and settle card transactions. The Company earns or pays interchange fees, which are percentage-based on each transaction, and based on rates published by the corresponding payment network for transactions processed using their network. The Company measures its progress toward the satisfaction of its performance obligation over time as services are rendered, and the Company provides continuous access to this service and settles transactions as its customer or the payment network requires. Interchange income is presented net of direct costs paid to the customer and entities in their distribution chain, which are transaction-based expenses such as rewards program expenses and certain network costs. Revenue is recognized when the net profit is determined by the payment networks at the end of each day. Card income is recognized in consumer and business banking, and commercial banking segments and included in Deposit account fees on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
•Wealth Management Fees — The Company provides investment planning services for customers including wealth management services, asset allocation strategies, portfolio analysis and monitoring, investment strategies and risk management strategies. The fees the Company earns are variable and are generally received monthly. The Company recognizes revenue for the services performed at quarter-end based on actual transaction details received from the broker-dealer with whom the Company engages. Wealth management fees are recognized in both consumer and business banking, and commercial banking segments
Income Taxes — The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns, foreign tax returns, and various combined and separate company state tax returns. The calculation of the Company’s income tax provision and related tax accruals requires the use of estimates and judgments. Income tax expense consists of two components: current and deferred. Current tax expense represents taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period and includes income tax expense related to our uncertain tax positions. Income tax liabilities (receivables) represent the estimated amounts due to (due from) the various taxing jurisdictions where the Company has established a tax presence and are reported in Accrued expenses and other liabilities or Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between period, and is determined using the balance sheet method. Under the balance sheet method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for tax attributes such as net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Management regularly reviews the Company’s tax positions and deferred tax balances. In concluding whether a valuation allowance is required, the Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, based on the more-likely-than-not criteria that such assets will be realized. Factors considered in this analysis include the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income, implement tax-planning strategies (as defined in ASC 740, Income Taxes) and utilize taxable income from prior carryback years (if such carryback is permitted under the applicable tax law), as well as future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. To the extent a deferred tax asset is no longer expected more-likely-than-not to be realized, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets net of deferred tax liabilities are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. Uncertain tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that management believes has a greater than 50% likelihood of realization upon settlement. Tax benefits not meeting our realization criteria represent unrecognized tax benefits. The Company establishes a liability for potential taxes, interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions based on facts and circumstances, including the interpretation of existing law, new judicial or regulatory guidance, and the status of tax audits.
The Company uses the PAM for affordable housing partnership investments, whereby the associated tax credits are recognized as a reduction to tax expense. Upon the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, the Company also began applying the PAM to new markets, historic, production and renewable energy tax credit investments. Under PAM, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company also holds investments in other tax credit investments using either equity method or the measurement alternative method of accounting. These tax credits are recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements to the extent they are utilized on the Company’s income tax returns in the year the credit arises under the flow through method of accounting.
Earnings Per Share — Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by taking net income, adjusted to remove any fair value changes related to liability-classified contingent equity contracts, divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period, plus any incremental dilutive common share equivalents calculated for outstanding time- and performance-based RSUs and contingently issuable shares using the treasury stock method.
Foreign Currency Translation — The Company’s foreign subsidiary in China, East West Bank (China) Limited’s functional currency is in Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). As a result, assets and liabilities of East West Bank (China) Limited are translated, for the consolidation purpose, from its functional currency into the reporting currency U.S. dollar (“USD”) using period-end spot foreign exchange rates. Revenues and expenses of East West Bank (China) Limited are translated, for the purpose of consolidation, from its functional currency into the reporting currency USD at the transaction date foreign exchange rates. The effects of those translation adjustments are reported in the Foreign currency translation adjustments account within Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, net of any related hedged effects. For transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, including transactions denominated in the local currencies of foreign operations that use the USD as their functional currency, the effects of changes in exchange rates are reported in Foreign exchange income on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2024
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ASU 2023-02, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method
| January 1, 2024 | ASU 2023-02 expands the scope of the PAM to equity tax credit investment programs if certain conditions are met. Previously, the PAM could only be used for investments in low-income housing tax credit structures. Under this guidance, companies are able to elect, on a tax credit program-by-tax credit program basis, to apply the PAM to all equity investments meeting the criteria in ASC 323-740-25-1.
The amendments in this guidance must be applied on a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis. | The Company adopted ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, for all tax credit investments under a modified retrospective basis. The impact of the adoption decreased opening retained earnings on January 1, 2024 by $9 million. | | | |
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Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2024 (continued)
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ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures | December 31, 2024 | ASU 2023-07 expands the disclosure requirements for reportable segments of public entities by adding the following disclosure requirements:
• Requires, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. • Requires, on an annual and interim basis, amount and composition of other segment items. This amount reconciles segment revenues, less the significant segment expenses, to the reported measure of segment profit or loss. • Expands the current interim disclosure requirements to require all existing annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets also be made on an interim basis. • Clarifies that if a CODM uses more than one measure of segment profit or loss, then the entity may disclose one or more measures, but at least one measure should be that which is most consistent with GAAP measurement principles. • Requires annual disclosure of the title and position of the CODM as well as explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. | The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on December 31, 2024. The amendments have been applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. | | | |
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The following standards were adopted on January 1, 2024, but they did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
•ASU 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements
•ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet to be Adopted
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ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures | December 31, 2025
Early adoption is permitted. | ASU 2023-09 amends the disclosure requirements for income taxes, including the requirement for further disaggregation of the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures.
The amendments in this guidance must be applied prospectively, with the option to apply retrospectively. | The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. |
ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement —Reporting Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses | December 31, 2027
Early adoption is permitted. | ASU 2024-03 requires public companies to disclose, in interim and annual reporting periods, additional information about certain expenses in the notes to financial statements. Disclosures of disaggregated expenses include the following:
• The amounts of (a) purchases of inventory; (b) employee compensation; (c) depreciation; (d) intangible asset amortization; and (e) depreciation, depletion and amortization of capitalized costs related to oil- and gas-producing activities in each relevant expense caption. • A qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively. | The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. |
The following standards were adopted on January 1, 2025, but they did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
•ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations — Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement
•ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements — Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements
Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Under applicable accounting standards, the Company measures a portion of its assets and liabilities at fair value. These assets and liabilities are predominantly recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments only as required through the application of an accounting method such as lower of cost or fair value or write-down of individual assets. The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities into three levels based on the established fair value hierarchy and conducts a review of fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. For more information regarding the fair value hierarchy and how the Company measures fair value, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Fair Value to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of these instruments within the fair value hierarchy.
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities — The fair value of AFS debt securities is generally determined by independent external pricing service providers who have experience in valuing these securities or by taking the average quoted market prices obtained from independent external brokers. The valuations provided by the third-party pricing service providers are based on observable market inputs, which include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, prepayment expectations and reference data obtained from market research publications. Inputs used by the third-party pricing service providers in valuing collateralized mortgage obligations and other securitization structures also include newly issued data, monthly payment information, whole loan collateral performance, tranche evaluation and “To Be Announced” prices. In valuing securities issued by state and political subdivisions, inputs used by third-party pricing service providers also include material event notices. The valuations provided by the brokers incorporate information from their trading desks, research and other market data.
On a monthly basis, the Company validates the valuations provided by third-party pricing service providers to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance and the financial instruments are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. To perform this validation, the Company evaluates the fair values of securities by comparing the fair values provided by the third-party pricing service providers to prices from other available independent sources for the same securities. When significant variances in prices are identified, the Company further compares the inputs used by different sources to ascertain the reliability of these sources. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the valuation inputs and methodology furnished by third-party pricing service providers for each security category. On an annual basis, the Company assesses the reasonableness of broker pricing by reviewing the related pricing methodologies. This review includes corroborating pricing with market data, performing pricing input reviews under current market-related conditions, and investigating security pricing by instrument as needed.
When a quoted price in an active market exists for the identical security, this price is used to determine the fair value and the AFS debt security is classified as Level 1. Level 1 AFS debt securities consist of U.S. Treasury securities. When pricing is unavailable from third-party pricing service providers for certain securities, the Company requests market quotes from various independent external brokers and utilizes the average quoted market prices. In addition, the Company obtains market quotes from other official published sources. As these valuations are based on observable inputs in the current marketplace, they are classified as Level 2.
Equity Securities — Equity securities consist of mutual funds and exchange-traded equity securities. The Company invested in these mutual funds for CRA purposes. The Company uses net asset value (“NAV”) information to determine the fair value of these equity securities. When NAV is available periodically and the equity securities can be put back to the transfer agents at the publicly available NAV, the fair value of the equity securities is classified as Level 1. When NAV is available periodically, but the equity securities may not be readily marketable at its periodic NAV in the secondary market, the fair value of these equity securities is classified as Level 2.
Exchange-traded equity securities are measured based on quoted prices on an active exchange market, and classified as Level 1. Effective January 24, 2024, all of the outstanding shares of Visa B common stock (“Visa B shares”) were redenominated to Visa Class B-1 common stock (“Visa B-1 shares”). On April 8, 2024, Visa commenced an initial exchange offer for any and all outstanding Visa B-1 shares. In exchange for the Company’s 2,266 Visa B-1 shares, the Company received 1,133 Visa Class B-2 common stock (“Visa B-2 shares”) and 449 Visa Class C common stock (“Visa C shares”). The Visa B-2 shares remain subject to transfer restrictions and will continue to be held at cost. As the Visa C shares are convertible into Visa’s publicly traded Class A common stock (“Visa A shares”), the Company recognized the Visa C shares at fair value of $568 thousand based on the closing price of the Visa A shares as of December 31, 2024.
Interest Rate Contracts — Interest rate contracts consist of interest rate swaps and options. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The fair value of the interest rate options, which consist of floors and caps, is determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that will occur if variable interest rates fall below (rise above) the strike rate of the floors (caps). In addition, to comply with the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of its derivatives. The credit valuation adjustments associated with the Company’s derivatives utilize model-derived credit spreads, which are Level 3 inputs. Considering the observable nature of all other significant inputs utilized, the Company classifies these derivative instruments as Level 2.
Foreign Exchange Contracts — The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is determined at each reporting period based on changes in the applicable foreign exchange rates. These are over-the-counter contracts where quoted market prices are not readily available. Valuation is measured using conventional valuation methodologies with observable market data. Due to the short-term nature of the majority of these contracts, the counterparties’ credit risks are considered nominal and result in no adjustments to the valuation of the foreign exchange contracts. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the fair value of these contracts, the valuation of foreign exchange contracts is classified as Level 2. In addition, the Bank managed its foreign currency exposure in the net investment in its China subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Limited, a non-USD functional currency subsidiary, with foreign currency non-deliverable forward contracts. These foreign currency non-deliverable forward contracts were designated as net investment hedges. The fair value of foreign currency non-deliverable forward contracts is determined by comparing the contracted foreign exchange rate to the current market foreign exchange rate. Key inputs of the current market exchange rate include the spot and forward rates of the contractual currencies. Foreign exchange forward curves are used to determine which forward rate pertains to a specific maturity. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, these instruments are classified as Level 2.
Credit Contracts — Credit contracts utilized by the Company are comprised of credit risk participation agreements (“RPAs”) between the Company and institutional counterparties. The fair value of the RPAs is calculated by determining the total expected asset or liability exposure of the derivatives to the borrowers and applying the borrowers’ credit spread to that exposure. Total expected exposure incorporates both the current and potential future exposure of the derivatives, derived from using observable inputs, such as yield curves and volatilities. Due to the observable nature of all other significant inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, credit contracts are classified as Level 2.
Equity Contracts — Equity contracts consist of warrants to purchase common or preferred stock of public and/or private companies, and any liability-classified contingently issuable shares of the Company. The fair value of the warrants is based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For warrants from public companies, the model uses the underlying stock price, stated strike price, warrant expiration date, risk-free interest rate based on a duration-matched U.S. Treasury rate, and market-observable company-specific equity volatility as inputs to value the warrants. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the estimated fair value, warrants from public companies are classified as Level 2. For warrants from private companies, the model uses inputs such as the offering price observed in the most recent round of funding, stated strike price, warrant expiration date, risk-free interest rate based on duration-matched U.S. Treasury rate and equity volatility. The Company applies proxy volatilities based on the industry sectors of the private companies. The model values are then adjusted for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the underlying companies. Since both equity volatility and liquidity discount assumptions are subject to management’s judgment, measurement uncertainty is inherent in the valuation of private company warrants. Due to the unobservable nature of the equity volatility and liquidity discount assumptions used in deriving the estimated fair value, warrants from private companies are classified as Level 3. On a quarterly basis, the changes in the fair value of warrants from private companies are reviewed for reasonableness, and a measurement of uncertainty analysis on the equity volatility and liquidity discount assumptions is performed.
In connection with the Company’s acquisition of a 49.99% equity interest in Rayliant during the third quarter of 2023, the Company granted 349,138 performance-based RSUs as part of its consideration, in addition to $95 million in cash. The vesting of these equity contracts on September 1, 2028, is contingent on Rayliant meeting certain financial performance targets during the performance period. The fair value of liability-classified equity contracts varies based on the operating revenue and operating EBITDA of Rayliant to be achieved during the future performance period, and these performance-based RSUs are expected to vest into a variable number of the Company’s common stock, ranging from 20% to 200% of the target performance-based RSUs granted. Due to the unobservable nature of the input assumptions, these equity contracts are classified as Level 3. For additional information on the equity contracts, refer to Note 5 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Commodity Contracts — Commodity contracts consist of swaps and options referencing commodity products. The fair value of the commodity option contracts is determined using the Black-Scholes model and assumptions that include expectations of future commodity price and volatility. The future commodity contract price is derived from observable inputs such as the market price of the commodity. Commodity swaps are structured as an exchange of fixed cash flows for floating cash flows. The fair value of the commodity swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments) based on the market prices of the commodity. The fixed cash flows are predetermined based on the known volumes and fixed price as specified in the swap agreement. The floating cash flows are correlated with the change of forward commodity prices, which is derived from market corroborated futures settlement prices. As a result, the Company classifies these derivative instruments as Level 2 due to the observable nature of the significant inputs utilized.
The following tables present financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total Fair Value |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 638,265 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 638,265 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | | — | | | 262,587 | | | — | | | 262,587 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (1): | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 426,214 | | | — | | | 426,214 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 7,738,260 | | | — | | | 7,738,260 | |
| Municipal securities | | — | | | 250,153 | | | — | | | 250,153 | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 258,470 | | | — | | | 258,470 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 433,608 | | | — | | | 433,608 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | — | | | 526,166 | | | — | | | 526,166 | |
| Foreign government bonds | | — | | | 233,880 | | | — | | | 233,880 | |
| Asset-backed securities | | — | | | 34,715 | | | — | | | 34,715 | |
| Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) | | — | | | 44,493 | | | — | | | 44,493 | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | $ | 638,265 | | | $ | 10,208,546 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,846,811 | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net: | | | | | | | | |
| Equity securities | | $ | 20,817 | | | $ | 4,204 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25,021 | |
| Total affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | 20,817 | | | $ | 4,204 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25,021 | |
| Other assets: | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities (2) | | $ | 568 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 568 | |
| Total other assets | | $ | 568 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 568 | |
| Derivative assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 385,311 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 385,311 | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | — | | | 89,083 | | | — | | | 89,083 | |
| Credit contracts | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | |
| Equity contracts | | — | | | — | | | 239 | | | 239 | |
| Commodity contracts | | — | | | 48,499 | | | — | | | 48,499 | |
| Gross derivative assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 522,894 | | | $ | 239 | | | $ | 523,133 | |
Netting adjustments (3) | | $ | — | | | $ | (427,292) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (427,292) | |
| Net derivative assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 95,602 | | | $ | 239 | | | $ | 95,841 | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 414,172 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 414,172 | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | — | | | 71,254 | | | — | | | 71,254 | |
Equity contracts (4) | | — | | | — | | | 15,119 | | | 15,119 | |
| Credit contracts | | — | | | 12 | | | — | | | 12 | |
| Commodity contracts | | — | | | 45,328 | | | — | | | 45,328 | |
| Gross derivative liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 530,766 | | | $ | 15,119 | | | $ | 545,885 | |
Netting adjustments (3) | | $ | — | | | $ | (112,284) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (112,284) | |
| Net derivative liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 418,482 | | | $ | 15,119 | | | $ | 433,601 | |
|
Refer to footnotes on the following page.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total Fair Value |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 1,060,375 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,060,375 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | | — | | | 364,446 | | | — | | | 364,446 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (1): | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 468,259 | | | — | | | 468,259 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 1,727,594 | | | — | | | 1,727,594 | |
| Municipal securities | | — | | | 261,016 | | | — | | | 261,016 | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 367,516 | | | — | | | 367,516 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | 553,671 | | | — | | | 553,671 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | — | | | 502,425 | | | — | | | 502,425 | |
| Foreign government bonds | | — | | | 227,874 | | | — | | | 227,874 | |
| Asset-backed securities | | — | | | 42,300 | | | — | | | 42,300 | |
| CLOs | | — | | | 612,861 | | | — | | | 612,861 | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | $ | 1,060,375 | | | $ | 5,127,962 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,188,337 | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net: | | | | | | | | |
| Equity securities | | $ | 20,509 | | | $ | 4,150 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,659 | |
| Total affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | 20,509 | | | $ | 4,150 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,659 | |
| Derivative assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 473,907 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 473,907 | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | — | | | 57,072 | | | — | | | 57,072 | |
| Credit contracts | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | |
| Equity contracts | | — | | | — | | | 336 | | | 336 | |
| Commodity contracts | | — | | | 79,604 | | | — | | | 79,604 | |
| Gross derivative assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 610,584 | | | $ | 336 | | | $ | 610,920 | |
Netting adjustments (3) | | $ | — | | | $ | (312,792) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (312,792) | |
| Net derivative assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 297,792 | | | $ | 336 | | | $ | 298,128 | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 433,936 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 433,936 | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | — | | | 42,564 | | | — | | | 42,564 | |
Equity contract (4) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 15,119 | | | $ | 15,119 | |
| Credit contracts | | — | | | 25 | | | — | | | 25 | |
| Commodity contracts | | — | | | 121,670 | | | — | | | 121,670 | |
| Gross derivative liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 598,195 | | | $ | 15,119 | | | $ | 613,314 | |
Netting adjustments (3) | | $ | — | | | $ | (76,170) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (76,170) | |
| Net derivative liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 522,025 | | | $ | 15,119 | | | $ | 537,144 | |
|
(1)Includes Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) AFS debt securities totaling $7.2 billion and $1.2 billion of fair value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)Consists of exchange-traded equity securities. For additional information, see Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis — Equity Securities in Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments in this Form 10-K.
(3)Represents the balance sheet netting of derivative assets and liabilities and related cash collateral under master netting agreements or similar agreements. See Note 5 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information.
(4)Equity contracts classified as derivative liabilities consist of performance-based RSUs granted as part of EWBC’s consideration in its investment in Rayliant.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, Level 3 fair value measurements that were measured on a recurring basis consisted of warrant equity contracts issued by private companies and liability-classified contingently issuable shares of the Company. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of these equity contracts for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | | | 2022 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Equity contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Beginning balance | | | | | | | | $ | 336 | | | | | $ | 323 | | | | | $ | 215 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total (losses) gains included in earnings (1) | | | | | | | | (97) | | | | | (79) | | | | | 17 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issuances | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 92 | | | | | 91 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ending balance | | | | | | | | $ | 239 | | | | | $ | 336 | | | | | $ | 323 | | | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity contracts (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Beginning balance | | | | | | | | $ | 15,119 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issuances | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 15,119 | | | | | — | | | |
| Ending balance | | | | | | | | $ | 15,119 | | | | | $ | 15,119 | | | | | $ | — | | | |
| | |
(1)Includes unrealized (losses) gains recorded in Lending fees on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
(2)Equity contracts classified as derivative liabilities consist of performance-based RSUs granted as part of EWBC’s consideration in its investment in Rayliant.
The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The significant unobservable inputs presented in the table below are those that the Company considers significant to the fair value of the Level 3 assets. The Company considers unobservable inputs to be significant if, by their exclusion, the fair value of the Level 3 assets would be impacted by a predetermined percentage change.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| ($ in thousands) | | Fair Value Measurements (Level 3) | | Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Inputs | | Range of Inputs | | Weighted- Average of Inputs | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Equity contracts | | $ | 239 | | | Black-Scholes option pricing model | | Equity volatility | | 38% — 57% | | 50% | (1) |
| | | | | | Liquidity discount | | 47% | | 47% | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity contracts (2) | | $ | 15,119 | | | Internal model | | Payout % designated based on operating revenue and operating EBITDA of investee | | 84% | | 84% | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Equity contracts | | $ | 336 | | | Black-Scholes option pricing model | | Equity volatility | | 37% — 48% | | 45% | (1) |
| | | | | | Liquidity discount | | 47% | | 47% | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity contracts (2) | | $ | 15,119 | | | Internal model | | Payout % designated based on operating revenue and operating EBITDA of investee | | 84% | | 84% | |
| |
(1)Weighted-average of inputs is calculated based on the fair value of equity contracts as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(2)Equity contracts classified as derivative liabilities consist of performance-based RSUs granted as part of EWBC’s consideration in its investment in Rayliant.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include certain individually evaluated loans held-for-investment, investments in affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, OREO, loans held-for-sale, and other nonperforming assets. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments result from the impairment on certain individually evaluated loans held-for-investment and investments in affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, from the write-downs of OREO and other nonperforming assets, or from the application of lower of cost or fair value on loans held-for-sale.
Individually Evaluated Loans Held-for-Investment — Individually evaluated loans held-for-investment are classified as Level 3 assets. The following two methods are used to derive the fair value of individually evaluated loans held-for-investment:
•Discounted cash flow valuation techniques consist of developing an expected stream of cash flows over the life of the loans, and then calculating the present value of the loans by discounting the expected cash flows at a designated discount rate.
•When the repayment of an individually evaluated loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral, the fair value of the loan is determined based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, which may take the form of real estate, inventory, equipment, contracts or guarantees. The fair value of the underlying collateral is generally based on third-party appraisals, or an internal valuation if a third-party appraisal is not required by regulations, or is unavailable. An internal valuation utilizes one or more valuation techniques such as the income, market and/or cost approaches.
Loans Held-for-Sale — Loans held-for-investment subsequently transferred to held-for-sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value upon transfer. Loans held-for-sale may be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when fair value is less than cost. Fair value is generally determined based on available market data for similar loans and therefore, loans held-for-sale are classified as Level 2.
Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and CRA Investments, Net — The Company conducts due diligence and secures applicable internal and external approval on its affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments prior to closing the investment and initial funding. Subsequent to closing, the Company continues its periodic monitoring process to ensure that book values are realizable, investment is performing as expected and there is no significant tax credit recapture risk. This monitoring process includes reviewing the investment entity’s financial statements, production reports and annual tax returns, the annual financial statements of the sponsor and guarantor (if any) and a comparison of the actual performance to plan based on the final financial model at the time of closing. The Company assesses its tax credit and other investments for possible OTTI on an annual basis or when events or circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of the investments may not be realizable. These circumstances can include, but are not limited to the following factors:
•expected future cash flows that are less than the carrying amount of the investment;
•changes in the economic, market or technological environment that could adversely affect the investee’s operations;
•the potential for tax credit recapture; and
•other factors that raise doubt about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operations and the continuing prospects of the underlying operations of the investment.
All available information is considered in assessing whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary. Generally, none of the aforementioned factors are individually conclusive and the relative importance placed on individual facts may vary depending on the situation. In accordance with ASC 323-10-35-32, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures, an impairment charge would only be recognized in earnings for a decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary.
Other Real Estate Owned — The Company’s OREO represents properties acquired through foreclosure, or through full or partial satisfaction of loans held-for-investment such as an acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. These OREO properties are recorded at estimated fair value less the costs to sell at the time of foreclosure or at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less the costs to sell subsequent to acquisition. On a monthly basis, the current fair market value of each OREO property is reviewed to ensure that the current carrying value is appropriate. OREO properties are classified as Level 3.
Other Nonperforming Assets — Other nonperforming assets are recorded at fair value upon transfer from loans to foreclosed assets. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value. Fair value is based on independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimated recovery of the foreclosed asset. The Company records an impairment when the foreclosed asset’s fair value declines below its carrying value. The fair value measurement of other nonperforming assets is classified within one of the three levels in a valuation hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date.
The following tables present the carrying amounts of assets that were still held and had fair value adjustments measured on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
as of December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value Measurements |
| Loans held-for-investment: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 48,384 | | | $ | 48,384 | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | — | | | — | | | 1,678 | | | 1,678 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | — | | | — | | | 11,316 | | | 11,316 | |
| Total commercial | | — | | | — | | | 61,378 | | | 61,378 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | — | | | — | | | 108 | | | 108 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | — | | | — | | | 108 | | | 108 | |
| Total loans held-for-investment | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 61,486 | | | $ | 61,486 | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,000 | | | $ | 5,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
OREO (1) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,386 | | | $ | 19,386 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
(1)Represents the carrying value of OREO property that was written down subsequent to its initial classification as OREO and is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
as of December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value Measurements |
| Loans held-for-investment: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,035 | | | $ | 22,035 | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | — | | | — | | | 22,653 | | | 22,653 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | — | | | — | | | 44,688 | | | 44,688 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | — | | | — | | | 1,204 | | | 1,204 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | — | | | — | | | 1,204 | | | 1,204 | |
| Total loans held-for-investment | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 45,892 | | | $ | 45,892 | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 868 | | | $ | 868 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
The following table presents the change in the fair value of certain assets held at the end of the respective reporting periods, for which a nonrecurring fair value adjustment was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Loans held-for-investment: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | (43,754) | | | $ | (6,152) | | | $ | (25,996) | |
| CRE: | | | | | | |
| CRE | | (78) | | | (1,183) | | | (7,098) | |
| | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | (2,289) | | | — | | | — | |
| Total CRE | | (2,367) | | | (1,183) | | | (7,098) | |
| Total commercial | | (46,121) | | | (7,335) | | | (33,094) | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | (1,392) | | | — | | | — | |
| HELOCs | | — | | | (40) | | | 166 | |
| Total residential mortgage | | (1,392) | | | (40) | | | 166 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | (1,392) | | | (40) | | | 166 | |
| Total loans held-for-investment | | $ | (47,513) | | | $ | (7,375) | | | $ | (32,928) | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | (685) | | | $ | (1,140) | | | $ | 469 | |
| OREO | | $ | (7,735) | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Other nonperforming assets | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (6,861) | |
| | | | | | |
The following table presents the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of Level 3 fair value measurements that are measured on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| ($ in thousands) | | Fair Value Measurements (Level 3) | | Valuation Techniques | | Unobservable Inputs | | Range of Inputs | | Weighted-Average of Inputs | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans held-for-investment | | $ | 910 | | | Fair value of collateral | | Discount | | 50% | | 50% | |
| | $ | 22,993 | | | Fair value of collateral | | Contract value | | NM | | NM | |
| | $ | 37,583 | | | Fair value of property | | Selling cost | | 8% — 20% | | 10% | (1) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | 5,000 | | | Individual analysis of each investment | | Expected future tax
benefits and distributions | | NM | | NM | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| OREO | | $ | 19,386 | | | Fair value of property | | Selling cost | | 8% | | 8% | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans held-for-investment | | $ | 16,328 | | | Fair value of collateral | | Discount | | 15% — 75% | | 45% | (1) |
| | $ | 3,009 | | | Fair value of collateral | | Contract value | | NM | | NM | |
| | $ | 26,555 | | | Fair value of property | | Selling cost | | 8% | | 8% | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net | | $ | 868 | | | Individual analysis of each investment | | Expected future tax
benefits and distributions | | NM | | NM | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
NM - Not meaningful(1)Weighted-average of inputs is based on the relative fair value of the respective assets as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Disclosures about the Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following tables present the fair value estimates for financial instruments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, excluding financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as they are included in the tables presented elsewhere in this Note. The carrying amounts in the following tables are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet under the indicated captions, except for accrued interest receivable, restricted equity securities, at cost, and mortgage servicing rights that are included in Other assets, and accrued interest payable which is included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities. These financial instruments are measured on an amortized cost basis on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Carrying Amount | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 5,250,742 | | | $ | 5,250,742 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,250,742 | |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | $ | 48,198 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 48,198 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 48,198 | |
| Resale agreements | | $ | 425,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 329,769 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 329,769 | |
| HTM debt securities | | $ | 2,917,413 | | | $ | 499,858 | | | $ | 1,887,896 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,387,754 | |
| Restricted equity securities, at cost | | $ | 165,259 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 165,259 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 165,259 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Loans held-for-investment, net | | $ | 53,024,585 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 51,328,254 | | | $ | 51,328,254 | |
| Mortgage servicing rights | | $ | 5,234 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,822 | | | $ | 8,822 | |
| Accrued interest receivable | | $ | 316,392 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 316,392 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 316,392 | |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Demand, checking, savings and money market deposits | | $ | 39,959,251 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,959,251 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,959,251 | |
| Time deposits | | $ | 23,215,772 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 23,225,317 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 23,225,317 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| FHLB advances | | $ | 3,500,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,497,953 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,497,953 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | $ | 32,001 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 31,246 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 31,246 | |
| Accrued interest payable | | $ | 61,950 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 61,950 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 61,950 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Carrying Amount | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 4,614,984 | | | $ | 4,614,984 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,614,984 | |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | $ | 10,498 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,498 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,498 | |
| Resale agreements | | $ | 785,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 699,056 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 699,056 | |
| HTM debt securities | | $ | 2,956,040 | | | $ | 488,551 | | | $ | 1,965,420 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,453,971 | |
| Restricted equity securities, at cost | | $ | 79,811 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 79,811 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 79,811 | |
| Loans held-for-sale | | $ | 116 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 116 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 116 | |
| Loans held-for-investment, net | | $ | 51,542,039 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 50,256,565 | | | $ | 50,256,565 | |
| Mortgage servicing rights | | $ | 6,602 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,470 | | | $ | 9,470 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Accrued interest receivable | | $ | 331,490 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 331,490 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 331,490 | |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Demand, checking, savings and money market deposits | | $ | 38,048,974 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 38,048,974 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 38,048,974 | |
| Time deposits | | $ | 18,043,464 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 18,004,951 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 18,004,951 | |
| BTFP borrowings | | $ | 4,500,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,500,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,500,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | $ | 148,249 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 150,896 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 150,896 | |
| Accrued interest payable | | $ | 205,430 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 205,430 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 205,430 | |
|
Note 3 — Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements
The Company’s resale agreements expose it to credit risk from both the counterparties and the underlying collateral. The Company manages credit exposure from certain transactions by entering into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with the counterparties. The relevant agreements allow for an efficient closeout of the transaction, liquidation and set-off of collateral against the net amount owed by the counterparty following a default. It is the Company’s policy to take possession, where possible, of the assets underlying resale agreements. As a result of the Company’s credit risk mitigation practices with respect to resale agreements as described above, the Company did not hold any reserves for credit impairment with respect to these agreements as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Total securities purchased under resale agreements were $425 million and $785 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The weighted-average yields were 2.17%, 2.87% and 2.12% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Balance Sheet Offsetting
The Company’s resale and repurchase agreements are transacted under legally enforceable master netting agreements that, in the event of default by the counterparty, provide the Company the right to liquidate securities held and to offset receivables and payables with the same counterparty. The Company nets resale and repurchase transactions with the same counterparty on the Consolidated Balance Sheet when it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement and the transactions are eligible for netting under ASC 210-20-45-11, Balance Sheet Offsetting: Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Collateral received includes securities and loans that are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Collateral pledged consists of securities that are not netted on the Consolidated Balance Sheet against the related collateralized liability. Securities received or pledged as collateral in resale and repurchase agreements with other financial institutions may also be sold or re-pledged by the secured party, and are usually delivered to and held by third-party trustees.
The following table presents the resale agreements included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | |
| | | | | | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | | Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amounts of Assets Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Collateral Received (1) | | Net Amount |
| Resale agreements as of December 31, 2024 | | $ | 425,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 425,000 | | | $ | (329,603) | | | $ | 95,397 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Resale agreements as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | 785,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 785,000 | | | $ | (715,358) | | | $ | 69,642 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Represents the fair value of assets the Company has received under resale agreements, limited for table presentation purposes to the amount of the recognized asset due from each counterparty. The application of collateral cannot reduce the net position below zero. Therefore, excess collateral, if any, is not reflected above.
In addition to the amounts included in the table above, the Company also has balance sheet netting related to derivatives. Refer to Note 5 — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information.
Note 4 — Securities
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value by major categories of AFS and HTM debt securities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amortized Cost (1) | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 676,300 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (38,035) | | | $ | 638,265 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 308,220 | | | — | | | (45,633) | | | 262,587 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (2): | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 472,535 | | | 886 | | | (47,207) | | | 426,214 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 7,974,768 | | | 12,278 | | | (248,786) | | | 7,738,260 | |
| Municipal securities | | 287,301 | | | 38 | | | (37,186) | | | 250,153 | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 294,235 | | | 2 | | | (35,767) | | | 258,470 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 514,527 | | | — | | | (80,919) | | | 433,608 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 653,500 | | | — | | | (127,334) | | | 526,166 | |
| Foreign government bonds | | 244,803 | | | 2,069 | | | (12,992) | | | 233,880 | |
| Asset-backed securities | | 35,086 | | | — | | | (371) | | | 34,715 | |
| CLOs | | 44,500 | | | — | | | (7) | | | 44,493 | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | 11,505,775 | | | 15,273 | | | (674,237) | | | 10,846,811 | |
| HTM debt securities | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | 535,080 | | | — | | | (35,222) | | | 499,858 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 1,004,479 | | | — | | | (200,259) | | | 804,220 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (3): | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 486,388 | | | — | | | (91,461) | | | 394,927 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 703,833 | | | — | | | (155,626) | | | 548,207 | |
| Municipal securities | | 187,633 | | | — | | | (47,091) | | | 140,542 | |
| Total HTM debt securities | | 2,917,413 | | | — | | | (529,659) | | | 2,387,754 | |
| Total debt securities | | $ | 14,423,188 | | | $ | 15,273 | | | $ | (1,203,896) | | | $ | 13,234,565 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amortized Cost (1) | | | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | 1,112,587 | | | | | $ | 101 | | | $ | (52,313) | | | $ | 1,060,375 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 412,086 | | | | | — | | | (47,640) | | | 364,446 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (2): | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 531,377 | | | | | 158 | | | (63,276) | | | 468,259 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 1,956,927 | | | | | 380 | | | (229,713) | | | 1,727,594 | |
| Municipal securities | | 297,283 | | | | | 75 | | | (36,342) | | | 261,016 | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 409,578 | | | | | — | | | (42,062) | | | 367,516 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 643,335 | | | | | — | |
| (89,664) | | | 553,671 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | 653,501 | | | | | — | | | (151,076) | | | 502,425 | |
| Foreign government bonds | | 239,333 | | | | | 69 | | | (11,528) | | | 227,874 | |
| Asset-backed securities | | 43,234 | | | | | — | | | (934) | | | 42,300 | |
| CLOs | | 617,250 | | | | | — | | | (4,389) | | | 612,861 | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | 6,916,491 | | | | | 783 | | | (728,937) | | | 6,188,337 | |
| HTM debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | 529,548 | | | | | — | | | (40,997) | | | 488,551 | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | 1,001,836 | | | | | — | | | (186,904) | | | 814,932 | |
U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities (3): | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 493,348 | | | | | — | | | (88,968) | | | 404,380 | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 742,436 | | | | | — | | | (142,119) | | | 600,317 | |
| Municipal securities | | 188,872 | | | | | — | | | (43,081) | | | 145,791 | |
| Total HTM debt securities | | 2,956,040 | | | | | — | | | (502,069) | | | 2,453,971 | |
| Total debt securities | | 9,872,531 | | | | | 783 | | | (1,231,006) | | | 8,642,308 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Amortized cost excludes accrued interest receivables, which are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the accrued interest receivables were $45 million and $44 million, respectively. For the Company’s accounting policy related to debt securities’ accrued interest receivable, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale Debt Securities and Allowance for Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
(2)Includes GNMA AFS debt securities totaling $7.3 billion of amortized cost and $7.2 billion of fair value as of December 31, 2024, and $1.3 billion of amortized cost and $1.2 billion of fair value as of December 31, 2023.
(3)Includes GNMA HTM debt securities totaling $86 million of amortized cost and $68 million of fair value as of December 31, 2024, and $92 million of amortized cost and $75 million of fair value as of December 31, 2023.
Unrealized Losses of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The following tables present the fair value and the associated gross unrealized losses of the Company’s AFS debt securities, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| | Less Than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total |
| ($ in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 638,265 | | | $ | (38,035) | | | $ | 638,265 | | | $ | (38,035) | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | — | | | — | | | 262,587 | | | (45,633) | | | 262,587 | | | (45,633) | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 2,741 | | | (30) | | | 377,756 | | | (47,177) | | | 380,497 | | | (47,207) | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 2,719,228 | | | (16,404) | | | 1,528,252 | | | (232,382) | | | 4,247,480 | | | (248,786) | |
| Municipal securities | | 2,763 | | | (95) | | | 245,360 | | | (37,091) | | | 248,123 | | | (37,186) | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 10,767 | | | (332) | | | 235,668 | | | (35,435) | | | 246,435 | | | (35,767) | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | — | | | 433,608 | | | (80,919) | | | 433,608 | | | (80,919) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | — | | | — | | | 526,166 | | | (127,334) | | | 526,166 | | | (127,334) | |
| Foreign government bonds | | — | | | — | | | 87,008 | | | (12,992) | | | 87,008 | | | (12,992) | |
| Asset-backed securities | | — | | | — | | | 34,715 | | | (371) | | | 34,715 | | | (371) | |
| CLOs | | — | | | — | | | 44,493 | | | (7) | | | 44,493 | | | (7) | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | $ | 2,735,499 | | | $ | (16,861) | | | $ | 4,413,878 | | | $ | (657,376) | | | $ | 7,149,377 | | | $ | (674,237) | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| | Less Than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total |
| ($ in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 623,978 | | | $ | (52,313) | | | $ | 623,978 | | | $ | (52,313) | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | — | | | — | | | 364,446 | | | (47,640) | | | 364,446 | | | (47,640) | |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | — | | | 463,572 | | | (63,276) | | | 463,572 | | | (63,276) | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | 9,402 | | | (558) | | | 1,661,112 | | | (229,155) | | | 1,670,514 | | | (229,713) | |
| Municipal securities | | 2,825 | | | (15) | | | 254,773 | | | (36,327) | | | 257,598 | | | (36,342) | |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | | 2,742 | | | (4) | | | 364,774 | | | (42,058) | | | 367,516 | | | (42,062) | |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | | — | | | — | | | 553,671 | | | (89,664) | | | 553,671 | | | (89,664) | |
| Corporate debt securities | | — | | | — | | | 502,425 | | | (151,076) | | | 502,425 | | | (151,076) | |
| Foreign government bonds | | 110,955 | | | (144) | | | 88,616 | | | (11,384) | | | 199,571 | | | (11,528) | |
| Asset-backed securities | | — | | | — | | | 42,300 | | | (934) | | | 42,300 | | | (934) | |
| CLOs | | — | | | — | | | 612,861 | | | (4,389) | | | 612,861 | | | (4,389) | |
| Total AFS debt securities | | $ | 125,924 | | | $ | (721) | | | $ | 5,532,528 | | | $ | (728,216) | | | $ | 5,658,452 | | | $ | (728,937) | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 541 AFS debt securities in a gross unrealized loss position with no credit impairment, primarily consisting of 290 U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities, 66 corporate debt securities, and 83 non-agency mortgage-backed securities. In comparison, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had 547 AFS debt securities in a gross unrealized loss position with no credit impairment, primarily consisting of 255 U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities, 66 corporate debt securities, and 99 non-agency mortgage-backed securities.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
The Company evaluates each AFS debt security where the fair value declines below amortized cost. For a discussion of the factors and criteria the Company uses in analyzing securities for impairment related to credit losses, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-Sale Debt Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The gross unrealized losses presented in the preceding tables were primarily attributable to interest rate movement and the widening of liquidity and/or credit spreads. U.S. Treasury, U.S. government agency, U.S. government-sponsored agency, and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt and mortgage-backed securities are issued, guaranteed, or otherwise supported by the U.S. government and have a zero credit loss assumption. The remaining securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2024 were mainly comprised of the following:
•Corporate debt securities — The market value decline as of December 31, 2024 was primarily due to interest rate movement and spread widening. A portion of the corporate debt securities is comprised of subordinated debt securities issued by U.S. banks. Despite the reduction of the market value of these securities after the banking sector disruption in 2023, these securities are nearly all rated investment grade by NRSROs and issued by well-capitalized financial institutions with strong profitability. The contractual payments from these corporate debt securities have been and are expected to be received on time. The Company will continue to monitor the market developments in the banking sector and the credit performance of these securities.
•Non-agency mortgage-backed securities — The market value decline as of December 31, 2024, was primarily due to interest rate movement and spread widening. Since these securities are rated investment grade by NRSROs, or have high priority in the cash flow waterfall within the securitization structure, and the contractual payments have historically been on time, the Company believes the risk of credit losses on these securities is low.
As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company intended to hold the AFS debt securities with unrealized losses through the anticipated recovery period and it was more-likely-than-not that the Company would not have to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost. The issuers of these securities have not, to the Company’s knowledge, established any cause for default on these securities. As a result, the Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Accordingly, there was no allowance for credit losses provided against these securities as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. In addition, there was no provision for credit losses recognized for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
The Company separately evaluates its HTM debt securities for any credit losses using an expected loss model, similar to the methodology used for loans. For additional information on the Company’s credit loss methodology, refer to Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Allowance for Credit Losses on Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Company monitors the credit quality of the HTM debt securities using external credit ratings. As of December 31, 2024, all HTM securities were rated investment grade by NRSROs and issued, guaranteed, or supported by U.S. government entities and agencies. Accordingly, the Company applied a zero credit loss assumption and no allowance for credit losses was recorded as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Overall, the Company believes that the credit support levels of the debt securities are strong and, based on current assessments and macroeconomic forecasts, expects that full contractual cash flows will be received.
Realized Gains and Losses
The following table presents the gross realized gains from the sales and impairment write-off of AFS debt securities and the related tax expense (benefit) included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | | | | |
Gross realized gains from sales (1) | | $ | 2,069 | | | $ | 3,138 | | | $ | 1,306 | |
| | | | | | |
Impairment write-off (1) | | $ | — | | | $ | (10,000) | | | $ | — | |
| Related tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 612 | | | $ | (2,029) | | | $ | 386 | |
|
(1)During 2023, the Company recognized $7 million in net losses on AFS securities as a component of Noninterest income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income, consisting of a $10 million impairment write-off on a subordinated debt security, partially offset by a $3 million gain on the sale of the same security.
Interest Income
The following table presents the composition of interest income on debt securities for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Taxable interest | | $ | 429,003 | | | $ | 255,475 | | | $ | 179,720 | | | | | |
| Nontaxable interest | | 20,062 | | | 20,715 | | | 19,186 | | | | | |
| Total interest income on debt securities | | $ | 449,065 | | | $ | 276,190 | | | $ | 198,906 | | | | | |
|
Contractual Maturities of Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
The following tables present the contractual maturities, amortized cost, fair value and weighted average yields of AFS and HTM debt securities as of December 31, 2024. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities on certain securities as the issuers and borrowers of the underlying collateral may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
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|
| ($ in thousands) | | Within One Year | | After One Year through Five Years | | After Five Years through Ten Years | | After Ten Years | | Total |
| AFS debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | $ | 84,143 | | | $ | 592,157 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 676,300 | |
| Fair value | | 83,367 | | | 554,898 | | | — | | | — | | | 638,265 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | 2.23 | % | | 1.06 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 1.21 | % |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | 17,972 | | | 27,030 | | | 201,546 | | | 61,672 | | | 308,220 | |
| Fair value | | 17,595 | | | 25,492 | | | 169,448 | | | 50,052 | | | 262,587 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | 1.06 | % | | 1.13 | % | | 2.01 | % | | 2.00 | % | | 1.87 | % |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | 8,037 | | | 54,584 | | | 125,704 | | | 8,258,978 | | | 8,447,303 | |
| Fair value | | 7,990 | | | 51,845 | | | 114,109 | | | 7,990,530 | | | 8,164,474 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) (2) | | 3.24 | % | | 2.89 | % | | 2.79 | % | | 5.13 | % | | 5.07 | % |
| Municipal securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | 5,657 | | | 26,502 | | | 8,114 | | | 247,028 | | | 287,301 | |
| Fair value | | 5,558 | | | 25,160 | | | 7,394 | | | 212,041 | | | 250,153 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) (2) | | 2.25 | % | | 2.14 | % | | 3.38 | % | | 2.23 | % | | 2.25 | % |
| Non-agency mortgage-backed securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | 39,936 | | | 7,671 | | | 6,220 | | | 754,935 | | | 808,762 | |
| Fair value | | 39,337 | | | 7,605 | | | 6,207 | | | 638,929 | | | 692,078 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | 3.67 | % | | 2.95 | % | | 5.53 | % | | 2.40 | % | | 2.49 | % |
| Corporate debt securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | | — | | | 349,500 | | | 304,000 | | | 653,500 | |
| Fair value | | — | | | — | | | 311,947 | | | 214,219 | | | 526,166 | |
Weighted average yield (1) | | — | % | | — | % | | 3.50 | % | | 1.97 | % | | 2.79 | % |
| Foreign government bonds | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | 26,241 | | | 118,562 | | | 50,000 | | | 50,000 | | | 244,803 | |
| Fair value | | 26,305 | | | 120,567 | | | 49,743 | | | 37,265 | | | 233,880 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | 3.24 | % | | 2.22 | % | | 5.01 | % | | 1.50 | % | | 2.75 | % |
| Asset-backed securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 35,086 | | | 35,086 | |
| Fair value | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 34,715 | | | 34,715 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 5.37 | % | | 5.37 | % |
| CLOs | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | | — | | | 44,500 | | | — | | | 44,500 | |
| Fair value | | — | | | — | | | 44,493 | | | — | | | 44,493 | |
Weighted average yield (1) | | — | % | | — | % | | 6.08 | % | | — | % | | 6.08 | % |
| Total AFS debt securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | $ | 181,986 | | | $ | 826,506 | | | $ | 785,584 | | | $ | 9,711,699 | | | $ | 11,505,775 | |
| Fair value | | $ | 180,152 | | | $ | 785,567 | | | $ | 703,341 | | | $ | 9,177,751 | | | $ | 10,846,811 | |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | 2.62 | % | | 1.40 | % | | 3.26 | % | | 4.70 | % | | 4.33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | Within One Year | | After One Year through Five Years | | After Five Years through Ten Years | | After Ten Years | | Total |
| HTM debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | $ | — | | $ | 535,080 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 535,080 |
| Fair value | | — | | 499,858 | | — | | — | | 499,858 |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | — | % | | 1.05 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 1.05 | % |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise debt securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | — | | 371,825 | | 632,654 | | 1,004,479 |
| Fair value | | — | | — | | 316,243 | | 487,977 | | 804,220 |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | — | % | | — | % | | 1.89 | % | | 1.90 | % | | 1.90 | % |
| U.S. government agency and U.S. government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | 3,663 | | 94,280 | | 1,092,278 | | 1,190,221 |
| Fair value | | — | | 3,371 | | 80,374 | | 859,389 | | 943,134 |
Weighted-average yield (1) (2) | | — | % | | 1.42 | % | | 1.62 | % | | 1.69 | % | | 1.68 | % |
| Municipal securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | — | | — | | — | | 187,633 | | 187,633 |
| Fair value | | — | | — | | — | | 140,542 | | 140,542 |
Weighted-average yield (1) (2) | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 2.01 | % | | 2.01 | % |
| Total HTM debt securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| Amortized cost | | $ | — | | $ | 538,743 | | $ | 466,105 | | $ | 1,912,565 | | $ | 2,917,413 |
| Fair value | | $ | — | | $ | 503,229 | | $ | 396,617 | | $ | 1,487,908 | | $ | 2,387,754 |
Weighted-average yield (1) | | — | % | | 1.05 | % | | 1.83 | % | | 1.79 | % | | 1.66 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Weighted-average yields are computed based on amortized cost balances.
(2)Yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, AFS and HTM debt securities with carrying values of $5.4 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings, public deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes required or permitted by law.
Restricted Equity Securities
The following table presents the restricted equity securities included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| FRB of San Francisco stock | | $ | 63,930 | | | $ | 62,561 | |
| FHLB stock | | 101,329 | | | 17,250 | |
| Total restricted equity securities | | $ | 165,259 | | | $ | 79,811 | |
| | | | |
Note 5 — Derivatives
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposure to market risk, primarily interest rate and foreign currency risks, as well as to assist customers with their risk management objectives. The Company’s goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity and volatility to mitigate the effect of interest rate changes on earnings or capital. The Company also uses foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign exchange rate risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities, as well as the Bank’s investment in East West Bank (China) Limited. The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. While the Company designates certain derivatives as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship, other derivatives serve as economic hedges. For additional information on the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Derivatives to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents the notional amounts and fair values of the Company’s derivatives as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Certain derivative contracts are cleared though central clearing organizations where variation margin is applied daily as settlement to the fair values of the contracts. The fair values are presented on a gross basis prior to the application of bilateral collateral and master netting agreements, but after the application of variation margin payments as settlement to fair values of contracts cleared through central clearing organizations. Applying variation margin payments as settlement to the fair values of derivative contracts cleared through the London Clearing House (“LCH”) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) resulted in reductions in the derivative asset and liability fair values of $17 million and $15 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2024. In comparison, applying variation margin payments as settlement to LCH- and CME-cleared derivative transactions resulted in reductions in both the derivative asset and liability fair values of $43 million as of December 31, 2023. Total derivative asset and liability fair values are adjusted to reflect the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral received or paid. The resulting net derivative asset and liability fair values are included in Other assets and Accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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| |
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | |
| | | | Fair Value | | | | Fair Value | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Notional Amount | | Assets | | Liabilities | | Notional Amount | | Assets | | Liabilities | |
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | 5,250,000 | | | $ | 5,647 | | | $ | 35,211 | | | $ | 5,250,000 | | | $ | 50,421 | | | $ | 13,124 | | |
| Net investment hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 81,480 | | | 3,394 | | | — | | |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | | $ | 5,250,000 | | | $ | 5,647 | | | $ | 35,211 | | | $ | 5,331,480 | | | $ | 53,815 | | | $ | 13,124 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | 17,005,381 | | | $ | 379,664 | | | $ | 378,961 | | | $ | 17,387,909 | | | $ | 423,486 | | | $ | 420,812 | | |
Commodity contracts (1) | | — | | | 48,499 | | | 45,328 | | | — | | | 79,604 | | | 121,670 | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | 5,201,460 | | | 89,083 | | | 71,254 | | | 5,827,149 | | | 53,678 | | | 42,564 | | |
Credit contracts (2) | | 168,999 | | | 1 | | | 12 | | | 118,391 | | | 1 | | | 25 | | |
| Equity contracts | | — | | | 239 | | (3) | 15,119 | | (4) | — | | | 336 | | (3) | 15,119 | | (4) |
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | | $ | 22,375,840 | | | $ | 517,486 | | | $ | 510,674 | | | $ | 23,333,449 | | | $ | 557,105 | | | $ | 600,190 | | |
| Gross derivative assets/liabilities | | | | $ | 523,133 | | | $ | 545,885 | | | | | $ | 610,920 | | | $ | 613,314 | | |
| Less: Master netting agreements | | | | (111,124) | | | (111,124) | | | | | (75,534) | | | (75,534) | | |
| Less: Cash collateral received/paid | | | | (316,168) | | | (1,160) | | | | | (237,258) | | | (636) | | |
| Net derivative assets/liabilities | | | | $ | 95,841 | | | $ | 433,601 | | | | | $ | 298,128 | | | $ | 537,144 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)The notional amount of the Company’s commodity contracts totaled 20,614 thousand barrels of crude oil and 406,726 thousand units of natural gas, measured in million British thermal units (“MMBTUs”) as of December 31, 2024. In comparison, the notional amount of the Company’s commodity contracts totaled 18,631 thousand barrels of crude oil and 328,844 thousand MMBTUs of natural gas as of December 31, 2023.
(2)The notional amount for credit contracts reflects the Company’s pro-rata share of the notional amount in the derivative instruments in RPAs.
(3)The Company held equity contracts in eight private companies and no public company as of December 31, 2024, and 11 private companies and one public company as of December 31, 2023.
(4)Equity contracts classified as derivative liabilities consist of 349,138 performance-based RSUs granted as part of EWBC’s consideration in its investment in Rayliant.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Cash Flow Hedges — The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in the interest amount received on certain floating-rate commercial loans, or paid on certain floating-rate borrowings due to changes in contractually specified interest rates. As of December 31, 2024, interest rate contracts with total notional amount of $5.3 billion were designated as cash flow hedges to convert certain variable-rate loans from floating-rate payments to fixed-rate payments. Gains and losses on the hedging derivative instruments are recognized in AOCI and reclassified to earnings in the same period the hedged cash flows impact earnings and within the same income statement line item as the hedged cash flows. Considering the interest rates, yield curve and notional amounts as of December 31, 2024, the Company expects to reclassify an estimated $11 million of after-tax net losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges from AOCI into earnings during the next 12 months.
The following table presents the pre-tax changes in AOCI from cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The after-tax impact of cash flow hedges on AOCI is shown in Note 15 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
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| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | |
| Losses recognized in AOCI: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | $ | (124,382) | | | $ | (5,767) | | | $ | (74,069) | | | |
| Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into earnings: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense (for cash flow hedges on borrowings) | | $ | — | | | $ | 696 | | | $ | 3,200 | | | |
| Interest and dividend income (for cash flow hedges on loans) | | (91,083) | | | (82,153) | | | (7,204) | | | |
| Noninterest income | | — | | | 1,614 | | (1) | — | | | |
| Total | | $ | (91,083) | | | $ | (79,843) | | | $ | (4,004) | | | |
| | |
(1)Represents the amounts in AOCI reclassified into earnings resulting from forecasted cash flows that were no longer probable to occur.
Net Investment Hedges — The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of the Bank’s investment in East West Bank (China) Limited, a non-USD functional currency subsidiary in China. The hedging instruments designated as net investment hedges were used to hedge against the risk of adverse changes in the foreign currency exchange rate of the RMB. The following table presents the pre-tax gains (losses) recognized in AOCI on net investment hedges for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Gains recognized in AOCI | | $ | 586 | | | $ | 2,571 | | | $ | 4,509 | |
| | | | | | |
|
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Customer-Related Positions and Economic Hedge Derivatives — The Company enters into interest rate, commodity, and foreign exchange derivatives at the request of its customers and generally enters into offsetting derivative contracts with third-party financial institutions to mitigate the inherent market risk. The Company also utilizes foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the effect of currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency-denominated on-balance sheet assets and liabilities, primarily foreign currency denominated deposits that it offers to its customers. A majority of the foreign exchange contracts had original maturities of one year or less as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The following table presents the notional amounts and the gross fair values of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives entered into with customers and with third-party financial institutions as economic hedges to customers’ positions as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | | | |
| | | | Fair Value | | | | Fair Value | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Notional Amount | | Assets | | Liabilities | | Notional Amount | | Assets | | Liabilities | | | | |
| Customer-related positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | $ | 6,854,372 | | | $ | 11,828 | | | $ | 361,256 | | | $ | 6,835,822 | | | $ | 25,649 | | | $ | 377,388 | | | | | |
| Written options | | 1,458,428 | | | — | | | 4,953 | | | 1,522,531 | | | — | | | 12,756 | | | | | |
| Collars and corridors | | 181,039 | | | 80 | | | 440 | | | 322,732 | | | 440 | | | 4,481 | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 8,493,839 | | | 11,908 | | | 366,649 | | | 8,681,085 | | | 26,089 | | | 394,625 | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forwards and spot | | 996,486 | | | 11,693 | | | 24,201 | | | 956,618 | | | 9,466 | | | 6,756 | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 1,504,469 | | | 16,117 | | | 25,366 | | | 1,588,491 | | | 5,801 | | | 18,118 | | | | | |
| Purchased options | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 136,000 | | | 1,839 | | | — | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 2,500,955 | | | 27,810 | | | 49,567 | | | 2,681,109 | | | 17,106 | | | 24,874 | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 10,994,794 | | | $ | 39,718 | | | $ | 416,216 | | | $ | 11,362,194 | | | $ | 43,195 | | | $ | 419,499 | | | | | |
| Economic hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | $ | 6,872,075 | | | $ | 362,323 | | | $ | 12,228 | | | $ | 6,861,561 | | | $ | 380,123 | | | $ | 25,731 | | | | | |
| Purchased options | | 1,458,428 | | | 4,990 | | | — | | | 1,522,531 | | | 12,783 | | | — | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Collars and corridors | | 181,039 | | | 443 | | | 84 | | | 322,732 | | | 4,491 | | | 456 | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 8,511,542 | | | 367,756 | | | 12,312 | | | 8,706,824 | | | 397,397 | | | 26,187 | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forwards and spot | | 86,750 | | | 2,318 | | | 1,738 | | | 148,003 | | | 292 | | | 94 | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 2,613,755 | | | 58,955 | | | 19,949 | | | 2,862,037 | | | 36,280 | | | 15,757 | | | | | |
| Written options | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 136,000 | | | — | | | 1,839 | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 2,700,505 | | | 61,273 | | | 21,687 | | | 3,146,040 | | | 36,572 | | | 17,690 | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 11,212,047 | | | $ | 429,029 | | | $ | 33,999 | | | $ | 11,852,864 | | | $ | 433,969 | | | $ | 43,877 | | | | | |
| | | | |
The Company enters into energy commodity contracts with its customers in the oil and gas sector, which allow them to hedge against the risk of fluctuation in energy commodity prices. Offsetting contracts entered with third-party financial institutions are used as economic hedges to manage the Company’s exposure on its customer-related positions. The following table presents the notional amounts in units and the gross fair values of the commodity derivatives issued for its customers and entered for economic hedges as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | | | |
| | | | | Fair Value | | | | | Fair Value | | | | |
| (Amounts in thousands) | | Notional Units | | Assets | | Liabilities | | Notional Units | | Assets | | Liabilities | | | | |
| Customer-related positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commodity contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Crude oil: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 4,830 | | Barrels | | $ | 4,682 | | | $ | 6,874 | | | 3,277 | | Barrels | | $ | 3,735 | | | $ | 15,445 | | | | | |
| Collars | | 5,477 | | Barrels | | 1,604 | | | 3,362 | | | 5,966 | | Barrels | | 1,820 | | | 5,103 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 10,307 | | Barrels | | 6,286 | | | 10,236 | | | 9,243 | | Barrels | | 5,555 | | | 20,548 | | | | | |
| Natural gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 141,736 | | MMBTUs | | 13,095 | | | 17,708 | | | 118,325 | | MMBTUs | | 438 | | | 73,793 | | | | | |
| Collars | | 62,045 | | MMBTUs | | 6,061 | | | 4,556 | | | 45,854 | | MMBTUs | | 21 | | | 20,400 | | | | | |
| Written options | | 1,234 | | MMBTUs | | 167 | | | — | | | 1,874 | | MMBTUs | | — | | | 233 | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 205,015 | | MMBTUs | | 19,323 | | | 22,264 | | | 166,053 | | MMBTUs | | 459 | | | 94,426 | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | $ | 25,609 | | | $ | 32,500 | | | | | | $ | 6,014 | | | $ | 114,974 | | | | | |
| Economic hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commodity contracts: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Crude oil: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 4,830 | | Barrels | | $ | 4,479 | | | $ | 3,893 | | | 3,422 | | Barrels | | $ | 9,166 | | | $ | 4,924 | | | | | |
| Collars | | 5,477 | | Barrels | | 1,547 | | | 76 | | | 5,966 | | Barrels | | 1,685 | | | 1,467 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 10,307 | | Barrels | | 6,026 | | | 3,969 | | | 9,388 | | Barrels | | 10,851 | | | 6,391 | | | | | |
| Natural gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Swaps | | 139,136 | | MMBTUs | | 13,323 | | | 5,056 | | | 116,463 | | MMBTUs | | 49,941 | | | 305 | | | | | |
| Collars | | 61,341 | | MMBTUs | | 3,541 | | | 3,650 | | | 44,454 | | MMBTUs | | 12,565 | | | — | | | | | |
| Purchased options | | 1,234 | | MMBTUs | | — | | | 153 | | | 1,874 | | MMBTUs | | 233 | | | — | | | | | |
| Subtotal | | 201,711 | | MMBTUs | | 16,864 | | | 8,859 | | | 162,791 | | MMBTUs | | 62,739 | | | 305 | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | $ | 22,890 | | | $ | 12,828 | | | | | | $ | 73,590 | | | $ | 6,696 | | | | | |
| | | | |
Credit Contracts — The Company periodically enters into credit RPAs with institutional counterparties to manage the credit exposure of the interest rate contracts associated with syndication loans. Under the RPAs, a portion of the credit exposure is transferred from one party (the purchaser of credit protection) to another party (the seller of credit protection). The seller of credit protection is required to make payments to the purchaser of credit protection if the underlying borrower defaults on the related interest rate contract. The Company may enter into protection sold or protection purchased RPAs. Credit risk on RPAs is managed by monitoring the credit worthiness of the borrowers and the institutional counterparties, and is a part of the Company’s normal credit review and monitoring process. Assuming the underlying borrowers referenced in the interest rate contracts defaulted, the maximum exposure of protection sold RPAs would be $170 thousand and $177 thousand as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table presents the notional amounts and the gross fair values of RPAs sold and purchased outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Notional Amount | | Fair Value | | Notional Amount | | Fair Value |
| | Assets | | Liabilities | | | Assets | | Liabilities |
RPAs — protection sold (1) | | $ | 133,174 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 93,393 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25 | |
RPAs — protection purchased | | 35,825 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 24,998 | | | 1 | | | — | |
| Total RPAs | | $ | 168,999 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 118,391 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 25 | |
|
(1)All reference entities of the protection sold RPAs were investment grade. The weighted-average remaining maturities were 1.6 years and 2.8 years as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Equity Contracts — As part of the loan origination process, the Company may obtain warrants to purchase the preferred and/or common stock of the borrowers’ companies, which are mainly in the technology and life sciences sectors. Warrants grant the Company the right to buy a certain class of the underlying company’s equity at a certain price before expiration. In connection with the Company’s investment in Rayliant during the third quarter of 2023, the Company granted performance-based RSUs as part of its consideration. The vesting of these equity contracts is contingent on Rayliant meeting certain financial performance targets during the future performance period. For additional information on these equity contracts, refer to Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note 7 — Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents the net gains (losses) due to fair value changes that are recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | Classification on Consolidated Statement of Income | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | | | | | | | | |
| Interest rate contracts | | Customer derivative income | | $ | 549 | | | $ | (2,989) | | | $ | 13,905 | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | | Foreign exchange income | | 54,073 | | | 52,817 | | | 13,799 | |
| Credit contracts | | Customer derivative income | | — | | | (1) | | | 118 | |
| Equity contracts - warrants | | Lending fees | | (97) | | | 13 | | | 151 | |
| Commodity contracts | | Customer derivative income | | 929 | | | (25) | | | 48 | |
| Net gains | | | | $ | 55,454 | | | $ | 49,815 | | | $ | 28,021 | |
|
Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features — Certain of the Company’s over-the-counter derivative contracts contain early termination provisions that require the Company to settle any outstanding balances upon the occurrence of a specified credit-risk-related event. Such an event primarily relates to a downgrade in the credit rating of East West Bank to below investment grade. As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate fair value amounts of all derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position totaled $1 million, for which $1 million collateral was posted to cover these positions. In comparison, as of December 31, 2023, the aggregate fair value amounts of all derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position totaled $9 thousand, for which no collateral was posted to cover these positions. In the event that the credit rating of East West Bank had been downgraded to below investment grade, minimal additional collateral would have been required to be posted as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Offsetting of Derivatives
The following tables present the gross derivative fair values, the balance sheet netting adjustments, and the resulting net fair values recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as well as the cash and noncash collateral associated with master netting arrangements. The gross amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are presented after the application of variation margin payments as settlements to the fair values of contracts cleared through central counterparty clearing houses, where applicable. The collateral amounts in the following tables are limited to the outstanding balances of the related asset or liability. Therefore, instances of over-collateralization are not shown:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | As of December 31, 2024 |
| | | | Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amounts Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | |
| | Gross Amounts Recognized (1) | | Master Netting Arrangements | | Cash Collateral Received (3) | | | Security Collateral Received (5) | | Net Amount |
| Derivative assets | | $ | 523,133 | | | $ | (111,124) | | | $ | (316,168) | |
| $ | 95,841 | | | $ | (55,222) | |
| $ | 40,619 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amounts Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | |
| | Gross Amounts Recognized (2) | | Master Netting Arrangements | | Cash Collateral Pledged (4) | | | Security Collateral Pledged (5) | | Net Amount |
| Derivative liabilities | | $ | 545,885 | | | $ | (111,124) | | | $ | (1,160) | |
| $ | 433,601 | | | $ | — | |
| $ | 433,601 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | As of December 31, 2023 |
| | | | Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amounts Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | |
| | Gross Amounts Recognized (1) | | Master Netting Arrangements | | Cash Collateral Received (3) | | | Security Collateral Received (5) | | Net Amount |
| Derivative assets | | $ | 610,920 | | | $ | (75,534) | | | $ | (237,258) | | | $ | 298,128 | | | $ | (246,259) | | | $ | 51,869 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Net Amounts Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet | | |
| | Gross Amounts Recognized (2) | | Master Netting Arrangements | | Cash Collateral Pledged (4) | | | Security Collateral Pledged (5) | | Net Amount |
| Derivative liabilities | | $ | 613,314 | | | $ | (75,534) | | | $ | (636) | | | $ | 537,144 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 537,144 | |
|
(1)Includes $4 million and $3 million of gross fair value assets with counterparties that were not subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)Includes $27 million and $16 million of gross fair value liabilities with counterparties that were not subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3)Gross cash collateral received under master netting arrangements or similar agreements were $322 million and $244 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Of the gross cash collateral received, $316 million and $237 million were used to offset against derivative assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(4)Gross cash collateral pledged under master netting arrangements or similar agreements were $1 million as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Of the gross cash collateral pledged, $1 million cash collateral was used to offset against derivative liabilities as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(5)Represents the fair value of security collateral received or pledged limited to derivative assets or liabilities that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements. U.S. GAAP does not permit the netting of noncash collateral on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but requires disclosure of such amounts.
In addition to the amounts included in the tables above, the Company has balance sheet netting related to the resale and repurchase agreements. Refer to Note 3 — Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information. Refer to Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for fair value measurement disclosures on derivatives.
Note 6 — Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table presents the composition of the Company’s loans held-for-investment outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Commercial: | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 17,397,158 | | | | $ | 16,581,079 | |
| CRE: | | | | | |
| CRE | | 14,655,340 | | | | 14,777,081 | |
| Multifamily residential | | 4,953,442 | | | | 5,023,163 | |
| Construction and land | | 666,162 | | | | 663,868 | |
| Total CRE | | 20,274,944 | | | | 20,464,112 | |
| Total commercial | | 37,672,102 | | | | 37,045,191 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 14,175,446 | | | | 13,383,060 | |
| HELOCs | | 1,811,628 | | | | 1,722,204 | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 15,987,074 | | | | 15,105,264 | |
| Other consumer | | 67,461 | | | | 60,327 | |
| Total consumer | | 16,054,535 | | | | 15,165,591 | |
Total loans held-for-investment (1) | | $ | 53,726,637 | | | | $ | 52,210,782 | |
| Allowance for loan losses | | (702,052) | | | | (668,743) | |
Loans held-for-investment, net (1) | | $ | 53,024,585 | | | | $ | 51,542,039 | |
| | | | | |
(1)Includes $46 million and $71 million of net deferred loan fees and net unamortized premiums as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Accrued interest receivable on loans held-for-investment was $255 million and $267 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The interest income reversed was insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. For the Company’s accounting policy on accrued interest receivable related to loans held-for-investment, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Loans Held-for-Investment to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K. The Company also has loans held-for-sale. For the Company’s accounting policy on loans held-for-sale, refer to Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Loans Held-for-Sale to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Company’s FRB and FHLB borrowings are primarily secured by loans held-for-investment. Loans held-for-investment totaling $38.2 billion and $37.2 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings and provide additional borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Credit Quality Indicators
All loans are subject to the Company’s credit review and monitoring process. For the commercial loan portfolio, loans are risk rated based on an analysis of the borrower’s current payment performance or delinquency, repayment sources, financial and liquidity factors, including industry and geographic considerations. For the consumer loan portfolio, payment performance or delinquency is typically the driving indicator for risk ratings.
The Company utilizes internal credit risk ratings to assign each individual loan a risk rating of 1 through 10:
•Pass — loans risk rated 1 through 5 are assigned an internal risk rating category of “Pass.” Loans risk rated 1 are typically loans fully secured by cash. Pass loans have sufficient sources of repayment to repay the loan in full, in accordance with all terms and conditions.
•Special mention — loans assigned a risk rating of 6 have potential weaknesses that warrant closer attention by management; these are assigned an internal risk rating category of “Special Mention.”
•Substandard — loans assigned a risk rating of 7 or 8 have well-defined weaknesses that may jeopardize the full and timely repayment of the loan; these are assigned an internal risk rating category of “Substandard.”
•Doubtful — loans assigned a risk rating of 9 have insufficient sources of repayment and a high probability of loss; these are assigned an internal risk rating category of “Doubtful.”
•Loss — loans assigned a risk rating of 10 are uncollectible and of such little value that they are no longer considered bankable assets; these are assigned an internal risk rating category of “Loss.”
Loan exposures categorized as criticized consist of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss categories. The Company reviews the internal risk ratings of its loan portfolio on a regular basis, and adjusts the ratings based on changes in the borrowers’ financial status and the collectability of the loans.
The following tables summarize the Company’s loans held-for-investment and year-to-date gross write-offs by loan portfolio segments, internal risk ratings and vintage year as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The vintage year is the year of loan origination, renewal or major modification. Gross write-offs in the following tables are for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Revolving loans that are converted to term loans presented in the tables below are excluded from the term loans by vintage year columns.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Term Loans by Origination Year | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans | | Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans (1) | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | $ | 2,605,928 | | | $ | 1,508,948 | | | $ | 999,586 | | | $ | 612,015 | | | $ | 243,528 | | | $ | 295,884 | | | $ | 10,574,404 | | | $ | 23,032 | | | $ | 16,863,325 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 34,412 | | | 51,415 | | | 61,041 | | | 107,355 | | | 10,538 | | | 31,160 | | | 151,747 | | | — | | | 447,668 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 3,822 | | | 29,181 | | | 20,273 | | | 10,666 | | | 3,225 | | | 9,135 | | | 9,863 | | | — | | | 86,165 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total C&I | | 2,644,162 | | | 1,589,544 | | | 1,080,900 | | | 730,036 | | | 257,291 | | | 336,179 | | | 10,736,014 | | | 23,032 | | | 17,397,158 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | 20 | | | 47,963 | | | 14,848 | | | 11,119 | | | 1,568 | | | 3,012 | | | 27,099 | | | — | | | 105,629 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 1,660,877 | | | 2,296,763 | | | 3,692,498 | | | 1,925,220 | | | 1,296,439 | | | 3,176,450 | | | 96,791 | | | 49,302 | | | 14,194,340 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 34,543 | | | 44,557 | | | 90,105 | | | 31,615 | | | 75,578 | | | 167,401 | | | — | | | 14,771 | | | 458,570 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,756 | | | 674 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,430 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal CRE | | 1,695,420 | | | 2,341,320 | | | 3,782,603 | | | 1,956,835 | | | 1,373,773 | | | 3,344,525 | | | 96,791 | | | 64,073 | | | 14,655,340 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 386,743 | | | 521,754 | | | 1,337,599 | | | 752,230 | | | 613,115 | | | 1,242,586 | | | 14,640 | | | 1,253 | | | 4,869,920 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | — | | | — | | | 43,997 | | | 32,042 | | | — | | | 2,911 | | | — | | | — | | | 78,950 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,572 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,572 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal multifamily residential | | 386,743 | | | 521,754 | | | 1,381,596 | | | 784,272 | | | 613,115 | | | 1,250,069 | | | 14,640 | | | 1,253 | | | 4,953,442 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross write-offs | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10 | | | — | | | — | | | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 90,926 | | | 328,803 | | | 184,792 | | | 41,932 | | | — | | | 8,393 | | | — | | | — | | | 654,846 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | 11,316 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11,316 | |
| Subtotal construction and land | | 90,926 | | | 328,803 | | | 196,108 | | | 41,932 | | | — | | | 8,393 | | | — | | | — | | | 666,162 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross write-offs | | — | | | — | | | 2,289 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,289 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total CRE | | 2,173,089 | | | 3,191,877 | | | 5,360,307 | | | 2,783,039 | | | 1,986,888 | | | 4,602,987 | | | 111,431 | | | 65,326 | | | 20,274,944 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total CRE gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | 2,289 | | | — | | | — | | | 13 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,302 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | $ | 4,817,251 | | | $ | 4,781,421 | | | $ | 6,441,207 | | | $ | 3,513,075 | | | $ | 2,244,179 | | | $ | 4,939,166 | | | $ | 10,847,445 | | | $ | 88,358 | | | $ | 37,672,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total commercial gross write-offs (2) | | $ | 20 | | | $ | 47,963 | | | $ | 17,137 | | | $ | 11,119 | | | $ | 1,568 | | | $ | 3,025 | | | $ | 27,099 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 107,931 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Term Loans by Origination Year | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans | | Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans (1) | | Total |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pass (3) | | $ | 2,360,674 | | | $ | 2,762,921 | | | $ | 3,074,668 | | | $ | 2,079,323 | | | $ | 1,407,031 | | | $ | 2,437,446 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 14,122,063 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 4,175 | | | 3,409 | | | 750 | | | 5,810 | | | 1,548 | | | 6,069 | | | — | | | — | | | 21,761 | |
Criticized (nonaccrual) (3) | | 2,716 | | | 9,673 | | | 1,929 | | | 2,035 | | | 2,404 | | | 12,865 | | | — | | | — | | | 31,622 | |
| Subtotal single-family residential mortgage | | 2,367,565 | | | 2,776,003 | | | 3,077,347 | | | 2,087,168 | | | 1,410,983 | | | 2,456,380 | | | — | | | — | | | 14,175,446 | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | 9 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 7,453 | | | 3,288 | | | 4,071 | | | 3,236 | | | 7,570 | | | 8,152 | | | 1,648,337 | | | 99,488 | | | 1,781,595 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 1,436 | | | — | | | 1,420 | | | — | | | 135 | | | 2,064 | | | 2,338 | | | 594 | | | 7,987 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 3,161 | | | 3,095 | | | 2,520 | | | 39 | | | 418 | | | 7,301 | | | — | | | 5,512 | | | 22,046 | |
| Subtotal HELOCs | | 12,050 | | | 6,383 | | | 8,011 | | | 3,275 | | | 8,123 | | | 17,517 | | | 1,650,675 | | | 105,594 | | | 1,811,628 | |
| Gross write-offs | | — | | | 10 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | 15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 2,379,615 | | | 2,782,386 | | | 3,085,358 | | | 2,090,443 | | | 1,419,106 | | | 2,473,897 | | | 1,650,675 | | | 105,594 | | | 15,987,074 | |
Total residential mortgage gross write-offs (2) | | 9 | | | 10 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | 24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 14,916 | | | — | | | 22,992 | | | 132 | | | — | | | 6,800 | | | 22,555 | | | — | | | 67,395 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 66 | | | — | | | 66 | |
| Total other consumer | | 14,916 | | | — | | | 22,992 | | | 132 | | | — | | | 6,800 | | | 22,621 | | | — | | | 67,461 | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | 3,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 890 | | | — | | | 3,890 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | $ | 2,394,531 | | | $ | 2,782,386 | | | $ | 3,108,350 | | | $ | 2,090,575 | | | $ | 1,419,106 | | | $ | 2,480,697 | | | $ | 1,673,296 | | | $ | 105,594 | | | $ | 16,054,535 | |
Total consumer gross write-offs (2) | | $ | 9 | | $ | 3,010 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 890 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 3,914 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans held-for-investment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | $ | 7,127,517 | | | $ | 7,422,477 | | | $ | 9,316,206 | | | $ | 5,414,088 | | | $ | 3,567,683 | | | $ | 7,175,711 | | | $ | 12,356,727 | | | $ | 173,075 | | | $ | 52,553,484 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 74,566 | | | 99,381 | | | 197,313 | | | 176,822 | | | 87,799 | | | 209,605 | | | 154,085 | | | 15,365 | | | 1,014,936 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 9,699 | | | 41,949 | | | 36,038 | | | 12,740 | | | 7,803 | | | 34,547 | | | 9,929 | | | 5,512 | | | 158,217 | |
| Total | | $ | 7,211,782 | | | $ | 7,563,807 | | | $ | 9,549,557 | | | $ | 5,603,650 | | | $ | 3,663,285 | | | $ | 7,419,863 | | | $ | 12,520,741 | | | $ | 193,952 | | | $ | 53,726,637 | |
Total loans held-for-investment gross write-offs (2) | | $ | 29 | | | $ | 50,973 | | | $ | 17,137 | | | $ | 11,119 | | | $ | 1,568 | | | $ | 3,025 | | | $ | 27,989 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 111,845 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Term Loans by Origination Year | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans | | Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans (1) | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | $ | 2,314,463 | | | $ | 1,628,560 | | | $ | 1,296,936 | | | $ | 331,982 | | | $ | 245,173 | | | $ | 164,159 | | | $ | 10,053,757 | | | $ | 20,143 | | | $ | 16,055,173 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 105,119 | | | 67,899 | | | 120,574 | | | 15,064 | | | 40,920 | | | 22,098 | | | 117,196 | | | — | | | 488,870 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 2,104 | | | 7,916 | | | 131 | | | 4,819 | | | 2,979 | | | 18,137 | | | 950 | | | — | | | 37,036 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total C&I | | 2,421,686 | | | 1,704,375 | | | 1,417,641 | | | 351,865 | | | 289,072 | | | 204,394 | | | 10,171,903 | | | 20,143 | | | 16,581,079 | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | 350 | | | 10,454 | | | 424 | | | 3,758 | | | 9,748 | | | 2,648 | | | 1,593 | | | — | | | 28,975 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 2,492,915 | | | 4,086,385 | | | 2,216,257 | | | 1,428,724 | | | 1,600,844 | | | 2,494,382 | | | 92,851 | | | 62,771 | | | 14,475,129 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 36,855 | | | 34,485 | | | 30,336 | | | 48,250 | | | 24,437 | | | 104,340 | | | — | | | — | | | 278,703 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 444 | | | 22,805 | | | — | | | — | | | 23,249 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal CRE | | 2,529,770 | | | 4,120,870 | | | 2,246,593 | | | 1,476,974 | | | 1,625,725 | | | 2,621,527 | | | 92,851 | | | 62,771 | | | 14,777,081 | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,329 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,329 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 665,780 | | | 1,481,161 | | | 808,333 | | | 612,408 | | | 498,491 | | | 857,713 | | | 8,690 | | | 1,281 | | | 4,933,857 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | — | | | 3,356 | | | 54,614 | | | — | | | 693 | | | 25,974 | | | — | | | — | | | 84,637 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,669 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,669 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal multifamily residential | | 665,780 | | | 1,484,517 | | | 862,947 | | | 612,408 | | | 499,184 | | | 888,356 | | | 8,690 | | | 1,281 | | | 5,023,163 | |
| Gross write-offs | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 209,775 | | | 280,151 | | | 120,724 | | | 39,928 | | | 808 | | | 5,501 | | | 6,981 | | $ | — | | | 663,868 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subtotal construction and land | | 209,775 | | | 280,151 | | | 120,724 | | | 39,928 | | | 808 | | | 5,501 | | | 6,981 | | | — | | | 663,868 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total CRE | | 3,405,325 | | | 5,885,538 | | | 3,230,264 | | | 2,129,310 | | | 2,125,717 | | | 3,515,384 | | | 108,522 | | | 64,052 | | | 20,464,112 | |
Total CRE gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,332 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,332 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | $ | 5,827,011 | | | $ | 7,589,913 | | | $ | 4,647,905 | | | $ | 2,481,175 | | | $ | 2,414,789 | | | $ | 3,719,778 | | | $ | 10,280,425 | | | $ | 84,195 | | | $ | 37,045,191 | |
Total commercial gross write-offs (2) | | $ | 350 | | | $ | 10,454 | | | $ | 424 | | | $ | 3,758 | | | $ | 9,748 | | | $ | 3,980 | | | $ | 1,593 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 30,307 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2023 |
| | Term Loans by Origination Year | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | Prior | | Revolving Loans | | Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans (1) | | Total |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pass (3) | | $ | 3,188,830 | | | $ | 3,340,789 | | | $ | 2,279,802 | | | $ | 1,594,525 | | | $ | 980,686 | | | $ | 1,959,974 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 13,344,606 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 2,680 | | | 4,471 | | | 566 | | | 1,440 | | | 1,503 | | | 4,167 | | | — | | | — | | | 14,827 | |
Criticized (nonaccrual) (3) | | 4,466 | | | 837 | | | 3,902 | | | 2,081 | | | 3,626 | | | 8,715 | | | — | | | — | | | 23,627 | |
| Subtotal single-family residential mortgage | | 3,195,976 | | | 3,346,097 | | | 2,284,270 | | | 1,598,046 | | | 985,815 | | | 1,972,856 | | | — | | | — | | | 13,383,060 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 3,641 | | | 3,882 | | | 1,734 | | | 3,153 | | | 729 | | | 9,251 | | | 1,551,074 | | | 126,280 | | | 1,699,744 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 565 | | | 1,219 | | | 1,872 | | | 101 | | | 185 | | | 1,470 | | | 2,548 | | | 1,089 | | | 9,049 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 815 | | | 856 | | | 413 | | | 72 | | | 584 | | | 6,863 | | | 279 | | | 3,529 | | | 13,411 | |
| Subtotal HELOCs | | 5,021 | | | 5,957 | | | 4,019 | | | 3,326 | | | 1,498 | | | 17,584 | | | 1,553,901 | | | 130,898 | | | 1,722,204 | |
Gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 41 | | | — | | | 6 | | | 47 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 3,200,997 | | | 3,352,054 | | | 2,288,289 | | | 1,601,372 | | | 987,313 | | | 1,990,440 | | | 1,553,901 | | | 130,898 | | | 15,105,264 | |
Total residential mortgage gross write-offs (2) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 41 | | | — | | | 6 | | | 47 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | 2,286 | | | 18,098 | | | 135 | | | — | | | — | | | 13,244 | | | 26,432 | | | — | | | 60,195 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 132 | | | — | | | 132 | |
| Total other consumer | | 2,286 | | | 18,098 | | | 135 | | | — | | | — | | | 13,244 | | | 26,564 | | | — | | | 60,327 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | $ | 3,203,283 | | | $ | 3,370,152 | | | $ | 2,288,424 | | | $ | 1,601,372 | | | $ | 987,313 | | | $ | 2,003,684 | | | $ | 1,580,465 | | | $ | 130,898 | | | $ | 15,165,591 | |
Total consumer gross write-offs (2) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 41 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 47 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total by Risk Rating: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pass | | $ | 8,877,690 | | | $ | 10,839,026 | | | $ | 6,723,921 | | | $ | 4,010,720 | | | $ | 3,326,731 | | | $ | 5,504,224 | | | $ | 11,739,785 | | | $ | 210,475 | | | $ | 51,232,572 | |
| Criticized (accrual) | | 145,219 | | | 111,430 | | | 207,962 | | | 64,855 | | | 67,738 | | | 158,049 | | | 119,744 | | | 1,089 | | | 876,086 | |
| Criticized (nonaccrual) | | 7,385 | | | 9,609 | | | 4,446 | | | 6,972 | | | 7,633 | | | 61,189 | | | 1,361 | | | 3,529 | | | 102,124 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 9,030,294 | | | $ | 10,960,065 | | | $ | 6,936,329 | | | $ | 4,082,547 | | | $ | 3,402,102 | | | $ | 5,723,462 | | | $ | 11,860,890 | | | $ | 215,093 | | | $ | 52,210,782 | |
Total loans held-for-investment gross write-offs (2) | | $ | 350 | | | $ | 10,454 | | | $ | 424 | | | $ | 3,758 | | | $ | 9,748 | | | $ | 4,021 | | | $ | 1,593 | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 30,354 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)$7 million of total commercial loans, comprised of CRE and C&I revolving loans, were converted to term loans during the year ended December 31, 2024. In comparison, $29 million and $26 million of total commercial loans, primarily comprised of CRE revolving loans, were converted to term loans during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, $22 million and $44 million of total consumer loans, comprised of HELOCs, were converted to term loans. For the year ended December 31, 2022, no consumer loans were converted to term loans.
(2)Excludes gross write-offs associated with loans the Company sold or settled.
(3)As of each of December 31, 2024 and 2023, $1 million of nonaccrual loans whose payments were guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration were classified with a “Pass” rating.
Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans
Loans that are 90 or more days past due are generally placed on nonaccrual status, unless the loan is well-collateralized and in the process of collection. Loans that are less than 90 days past due but have identified deficiencies, such as when the full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain, are also placed on nonaccrual status. The following tables present the aging analysis of loans held-for-investment as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Current Accruing Loans | | Accruing Loans 30-59 Days Past Due | | Accruing Loans 60-89 Days Past Due | | | | | | Total Accruing Past Due Loans | | | | | | Total Nonaccrual Loans | | Total Loans | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 17,288,138 | | | $ | 5,690 | | | $ | 17,165 | | | | | | | $ | 22,855 | | | | | | | $ | 86,165 | | | $ | 17,397,158 | | | | | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 14,647,270 | | | 3,755 | | | 1,885 | | | | | | | 5,640 | | | | | | | 2,430 | | | 14,655,340 | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential | | 4,947,939 | | | 653 | | | 278 | | | | | | | 931 | | | | | | | 4,572 | | | 4,953,442 | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | 653,919 | | | 927 | | | — | | | | | | | 927 | | | | | | | 11,316 | | | 666,162 | | | | | |
| Total CRE | | 20,249,128 | | | 5,335 | | | 2,163 | | | | | | | 7,498 | | | | | | | 18,318 | | | 20,274,944 | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 37,537,266 | | | 11,025 | | | 19,328 | | | | | | | 30,353 | | | | | | | 104,483 | | | 37,672,102 | | | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 14,088,086 | | | 32,841 | | | 22,096 | | | | | | | 54,937 | | | | | | | 32,423 | | | 14,175,446 | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | 1,770,218 | | | 11,396 | | | 7,968 | | | | | | | 19,364 | | | | | | | 22,046 | | | 1,811,628 | | | | | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 15,858,304 | | | 44,237 | | | 30,064 | | | | | | | 74,301 | | | | | | | 54,469 | | | 15,987,074 | | | | | |
| Other consumer | | 67,288 | | | 92 | | | 15 | | | | | | | 107 | | | | | | | 66 | | | 67,461 | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | 15,925,592 | | | 44,329 | | | 30,079 | | | | | | | 74,408 | | | | | | | 54,535 | | | 16,054,535 | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 53,462,858 | | | $ | 55,354 | | | $ | 49,407 | | | | | | | $ | 104,761 | | | | | | | $ | 159,018 | | | $ | 53,726,637 | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Current Accruing Loans | | Accruing Loans 30-59 Days Past Due | | Accruing Loans 60-89 Days Past Due | | | | Total Accruing Past Due Loans | | | | | | Total Nonaccrual Loans | | Total Loans |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 16,508,394 | | | $ | 28,550 | | | $ | 7,099 | | | | | $ | 35,649 | | | | | | | $ | 37,036 | | | $ | 16,581,079 | |
| CRE: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 14,750,315 | | | 1,719 | | | 1,798 | | | | | 3,517 | | | | | | | 23,249 | | | 14,777,081 | |
| Multifamily residential | | 5,017,897 | | | 597 | | | — | | | | | 597 | | | | | | | 4,669 | | | 5,023,163 | |
| Construction and land | | 650,617 | | | 13,251 | | | — | | | | | 13,251 | | | | | | | — | | | 663,868 | |
| Total CRE | | 20,418,829 | | | 15,567 | | | 1,798 | | | | | 17,365 | | | | | | | 27,918 | | | 20,464,112 | |
| Total commercial | | 36,927,223 | | | 44,117 | | | 8,897 | | | | | 53,014 | | | | | | | 64,954 | | | 37,045,191 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential mortgage: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 13,313,455 | | | 29,285 | | | 15,943 | | | | | 45,228 | | | | | | | 24,377 | | | 13,383,060 | |
| HELOCs | | 1,687,301 | | | 12,266 | | | 9,226 | | | | | 21,492 | | | | | | | 13,411 | | | 1,722,204 | |
| Total residential mortgage | | 15,000,756 | | | 41,551 | | | 25,169 | | | | | 66,720 | | | | | | | 37,788 | | | 15,105,264 | |
| Other consumer | | 56,930 | | | 3,123 | | | 142 | | | | | 3,265 | | | | | | | 132 | | | 60,327 | |
| Total consumer | | 15,057,686 | | | 44,674 | | | 25,311 | | | | | 69,985 | | | | | | | 37,920 | | | 15,165,591 | |
| Total | | $ | 51,984,909 | | | $ | 88,791 | | | $ | 34,208 | | | | | $ | 122,999 | | | | | | | $ | 102,874 | | | $ | 52,210,782 | |
|
The following table presents the amortized cost of loans on nonaccrual status for which there was no related allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Nonaccrual loans may not have an allowance for credit losses if the loan balances are well secured by collateral values and there is no loss expectation.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 79,591 | | | $ | 33,089 | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | — | | | 22,653 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Multifamily residential | | 4,210 | | | 4,235 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Construction and land | | 11,316 | | | — | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 95,117 | | | 59,977 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | 6,279 | | | 4,852 | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | 15,380 | | | 7,256 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | 21,659 | | | 12,108 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total nonaccrual loans with no related allowance for loan losses | | $ | 116,776 | | | $ | 72,085 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreclosed Assets
The Company acquires assets from borrowers through loan restructurings, workouts, or foreclosures. Assets acquired may include real properties (e.g., real estate, land, and buildings) and commercial and personal properties. The Company recognizes foreclosed assets upon receiving assets in satisfaction of a loan (e.g., taking legal title or physical possession).
Foreclosed assets, consisting of OREO and other nonperforming assets, are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company had $35 million of foreclosed assets as of December 31, 2024, compared with $11 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company commences the foreclosure process on consumer mortgage loans after a borrower becomes more than 120 days delinquent in accordance with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidelines. The carrying value of the consumer real estate loans that were in an active or suspended foreclosure process was $16 million and $8 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty
As part of the Company’s loss mitigation efforts, the Company may agree to modify the contractual terms of a loan to assist borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company negotiates loan modifications on a case-by-case basis to achieve mutually agreeable terms that maximize loan collectability and meet the borrower’s financial needs. The Company considers various factors to identify borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The primary factor for consumer borrowers is delinquency status. For commercial loan borrowers, these factors include credit risk ratings, the probability of loan risk rating downgrades, and overall risk profile changes. The modification may include, but is not limited to, payment delays, interest rate reductions, term extensions, principal forgiveness, or a combination of such modifications. Commercial loan borrowers that require immaterial modifications such as insignificant interest rate changes, short-term extensions (90 days or less) from the original maturity date, or temporary waivers or extensions of financial covenants which would not constitute material credit actions, are generally not considered to be experiencing financial difficulty and are not included in the disclosure. Insignificant payment deferrals (three months or less in the last 12 months) are also not included in the disclosure.
The following tables present the amortized cost of loans that were modified during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 by loan class and modification type:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
| | Modification Type | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Term Extension | | Payment Delay | | Combination: Term Extension/ Payment Delay | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Term Extension | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Payment Delay | | | | Total | | Modification as a % of Loan Class |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 57,102 | | | $ | 26,420 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 83,522 | | | 0.48 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 86,258 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,052 | | | — | | | | | 92,310 | | | 0.63 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 143,360 | | | 26,420 | | | — | | | 6,052 | | | — | | | | | 175,832 | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | — | | | 15,397 | | | 222 | | | — | | | 140 | | | | | 15,759 | | | 0.11 | % |
| HELOCs | | — | | | 14,303 | | | — | | | — | | | 517 | | | | | 14,820 | | | 0.82 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | — | | | 29,700 | | | 222 | | | — | | | 657 | | | | | 30,579 | | | |
| Total | | $ | 143,360 | | | $ | 56,120 | | | $ | 222 | | | $ | 6,052 | | | $ | 657 | | | | | $ | 206,411 | | | |
|
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| | Modification Type | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Term Extension | | Payment Delay | | Combination: Term Extension/ Payment Delay | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Term Extension | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Payment Delay | | | | Total | | Modification as a % of Loan Class |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | $ | 62,704 | | | $ | 6,842 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 69,546 | | | 0.42 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | 13,939 | | | — | | | — | | | 32,470 | | | — | | | | | 46,409 | | | 0.31 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | 76,643 | | | 6,842 | | | — | | | 32,470 | | | — | | | | | 115,955 | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | — | | | 10,202 | | | 3,967 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 14,169 | | | 0.11 | % |
| HELOCs | | — | | | 3,148 | | | 1,170 | | | — | | | 815 | | | | | 5,133 | | | 0.30 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | — | | | 13,350 | | | 5,137 | | | — | | | 815 | | | | | 19,302 | | | |
| Total | | $ | 76,643 | | | $ | 20,192 | | | $ | 5,137 | | | $ | 32,470 | | | $ | 815 | | | | | $ | 135,257 | | | |
|
The following tables present the financial effects of the loan modifications for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 by loan class and modification type:
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| | | | | | | | Financial Effects of Loan Modifications |
| | | | | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | | | Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction | | Weighted-Average Term Extension (in years) | | Weighted-Average Payment Delay
(in years) |
| | | | | | | | | | Commercial: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | C&I | | | | — | % | | 2.1 | | 1.7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | CRE | | | | 1.28 | % | | 2.7 | | — | |
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| | | | | | | | | | Consumer: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Single-family residential | | | | 1.63 | % | | 10.0 | | 1.3 |
| | | | | | | | | | HELOCs | | | | 0.25 | % | | — | | | 1.7 |
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| | | | | | Financial Effects of Loan Modifications |
| | | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | Principal Forgiveness | | Weighted-Average Interest Rate Reduction | | Weighted-Average Term Extension (in years) | | Weighted-Average Payment Delay
(in years) |
| | | | | | | | | | Commercial: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | C&I | | $ | 371 | | (1) | — | % | (1) | 1.3 | | 0.9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | CRE | | — | | | 3.00 | % | | 2.1 | | — | |
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| | | | | | | | | | Consumer: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Single-family residential | | — | | | — | % | | 9.3 | | 1.8 |
| | | | | | | | | | HELOCs | | — | | | 0.11 | % | | 14.2 | | 4.6 |
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| | | | | | | | | | Total | | $ | 371 | | | | | | | |
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(1)Comprised of C&I loans modified during the year ended December 31, 2023 where the interest rate was waived in addition to principal forgiveness. No recorded investment was outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
A modified loan may become delinquent and may result in a payment default (generally 90 days past due) subsequent to modification. The following tables present information on loans that defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 that received modifications during the 12 months preceding payment default.
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| | | | | | Loans Modified Subsequently Defaulted During the Year Ended December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | Term Extension | | Payment Delay | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Payment Delay | | | | Combination: Term Extension/ Payment Delay | | Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | $ | 3,684 | | | $ | 4,937 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 8,621 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total commercial | | | | | | 3,684 | | | 4,937 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 8,621 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | | | | | — | | | 10,223 | | | 141 | | | | | 2,462 | | | 12,826 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | — | | | 4,690 | | | 517 | | | | | — | | | 5,207 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total consumer | | | | | | — | | | 14,913 | | | 658 | | | | | 2,462 | | | 18,033 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | | $ | 3,684 | | | $ | 19,850 | | | $ | 658 | | | | | $ | 2,462 | | | $ | 26,654 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | Loans Modified Subsequently Defaulted During the Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | Term Extension | | Payment Delay | | Combination: Rate Reduction/ Payment Delay | | | | Combination: Term Extension/ Payment Delay | | Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 267 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 267 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | — | | | 749 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 749 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total consumer | | | | | | — | | | 1,016 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 1,016 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,016 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,016 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The Company monitors the performance of modified loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table presents the performance of loans that were modified during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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| | | | Payment Performance as of December 31, 2024 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Current | | 30-89 Days Past Due | | 90+ Days Past Due | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 71,324 | | | $ | 12,198 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 83,522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 92,310 | | | — | | | — | | | 92,310 | |
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| Total commercial | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 163,634 | | | 12,198 | | | — | | | 175,832 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9,082 | | | 4,218 | | | 2,459 | | | 15,759 | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,591 | | | 3,069 | | | 3,160 | | | 14,820 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17,673 | | | 7,287 | | | 5,619 | | | 30,579 | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 181,307 | | | $ | 19,485 | | | $ | 5,619 | | | $ | 206,411 | |
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|
| | | | Payment Performance as of December 31, 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Current | | 30-89 Days Past Due | | 90+ Days Past Due | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 52,087 | | | $ | 8,153 | | | $ | 9,306 | | | $ | 69,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CRE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 46,409 | | | — | | | — | | | 46,409 | |
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| Total commercial | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 98,496 | | | 8,153 | | | 9,306 | | | 115,955 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Single-family residential | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11,197 | | | 2,425 | | | 547 | | | 14,169 | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,207 | | | 177 | | | 749 | | | 5,133 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15,404 | | | 2,602 | | | 1,296 | | | 19,302 | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 113,900 | | | $ | 10,755 | | | $ | 10,602 | | | $ | 135,257 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were modified were $10 million and $4 million, respectively.
Troubled Debt Restructurings Prior to the Adoption of ASU 2022-02
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, the Company accounted for a modification to the contractual terms of a loan that resulted in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties as a TDR. ASU 2022-02 eliminated TDR accounting prospectively for all restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2023.
The following table presents the additions to TDRs for the year ended December 31, 2022:
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|
| | | | | | | | | | Loans Modified as TDRs During the Year Ended |
| | | | December 31, 2022 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | Number of Loans | | Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment | | Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment (1) | | Financial Impact (2) |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | | | | | 7 | | | $ | 69,050 | | | $ | 38,415 | | | $ | 12,638 | |
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| Total commercial | | | | | | | | | | 7 | | | 69,050 | | | 38,415 | | | 12,638 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | 662 | | | 697 | | | 2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | 662 | | | 697 | | | 2 | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | 9 | | | $ | 69,712 | | | $ | 39,112 | | | $ | 12,640 | |
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(1)Includes subsequent payments after modification and reflects the balance as of December 31, 2022.
(2)Includes charge-offs and specific reserves recorded since the modification date. Loans modified more than once are reported in the period they were first modified.
The following table presents the TDR post-modification outstanding balances by the primary modification type for the year ended December 31, 2022:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Modification Type During the Year Ended |
| | | | December 31, 2022 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Principal (1) | | | | Other (2) | | Total |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 24,238 | | | | | $ | 14,177 | | | $ | 38,415 | |
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| Total commercial | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24,238 | | | | | 14,177 | | | 38,415 | |
| Consumer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELOCs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 697 | | | | | — | | | 697 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 697 | | | | | — | | | 697 | |
| Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 24,935 | | | | | $ | 14,177 | | | $ | 39,112 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Includes forbearance payments, term extensions and principal deferments that modify the terms of the loan from principal and interest payments to interest payments only.
(2)Includes primarily funding to secure additional collateral and provide liquidity to collateral-dependent and term extension to C&I loans.
After a loan is modified as a TDR, the Company continues to monitor its performance under its most recent restructured terms. A TDR may become delinquent and result in payment default (generally 90 days past due) subsequent to restructuring. The following table presents information on loans that entered into default during the year ended December 31, 2022 that were modified as TDRs during the 12 months preceding payment default:
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|
| | | | | | | | | | Loans Modified as TDRs that Subsequently During the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | Number of Loans | | Recorded Investment |
| Commercial: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C&I | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | $ | 10,296 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total commercial | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | 10,296 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Total | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | $ | 10,296 | |
|
As of December 31, 2022, the remaining commitments to lend to borrowers whose terms of their outstanding owed balances were modified as TDRs was $16 million.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company has a current expected credit losses (“CECL”) framework for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The Company’s allowance for credit losses, which includes both the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded credit commitments, is calculated with the objective of maintaining a reserve sufficient to absorb losses inherent in our credit portfolios. The measurement of the allowance for credit losses is based on management’s best estimate of lifetime expected credit losses, periodic evaluation of the loan portfolio, lending-related commitments and other relevant factors.
The allowance for credit losses is deducted from the amortized cost basis of a financial asset or a group of financial assets so that the balance sheet reflects the net amount the Company expects to collect. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred fees and costs, and escrow advances. Subsequent changes in expected credit losses are recognized in net income as a provision for, or a reversal of, credit loss expense.
The allowance for credit losses estimation involves procedures to consider the unique risk characteristics of the portfolio segments. The majority of the Company’s credit exposures that share risk characteristics with other similar exposures are collectively evaluated. The collectively evaluated loans include performing loans and unfunded credit commitments. If an exposure does not share risk characteristics with other exposures, the Company generally estimates expected credit losses on an individual basis.
Allowance for Collectively Evaluated Loans
The allowance for collectively evaluated loans consists of a quantitative component that assesses the different risk factors considered in our models and a qualitative component that considers risk factors external to the models. Each of these components are described below.
Quantitative Component — The Company applies quantitative methods to estimate loan losses by considering a variety of factors such as historical loss experience, the current credit quality of the portfolio, and an economic outlook over the life of the loan. The Company incorporates forward-looking information using macroeconomic scenarios which include variables that are considered key drivers of increases and decreases in credit losses. The Company utilizes a probability-weighted, multiple-scenario forecast approach. These scenarios may consist of a base forecast representing management's view of the most likely outcome, combined with downside or upside scenarios reflecting possible worsening or improving economic conditions. The quantitative models incorporate a probability-weighted calculation of these macroeconomic scenarios over a reasonable and supportable forecast period. If the life of the loans extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company will consider historical experience or long-run macroeconomic trends over the remaining life of the loans to estimate the allowance for loan losses.
There were no changes to the reasonable and supportable forecast period, except to the C&I segment, and no changes to the reversion to the historical loss experience method in 2024 and 2023. The reasonable and supportable forecast period for the C&I segment changed from 11 quarters to eight quarters due to model redevelopment during the third quarter of 2023.
The following table provides key credit risk characteristics and macroeconomic variables that the Company uses to estimate the expected credit losses by portfolio segment:
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| | | | |
| Portfolio Segment | | Risk Characteristics | | Macroeconomic Variables |
| C&I | | Age percentage, size at origination, delinquency status, sector and risk rating | | Unemployment rate, Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”), and U.S. Treasury rates |
| CRE, Multifamily residential, and Construction and land | | Delinquency status, maturity date, collateral value, property type, and geographic location | | Unemployment rate, GDP, and U.S. Treasury rates |
| Single-family residential and HELOCs | | FICO score, delinquency status, maturity date, collateral value, and geographic location | | Unemployment rate, GDP, and Home Price Indices |
| Other consumer | | Loss rate approach | | Immaterial - Macroeconomic variables are included in the qualitative estimate. |
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Quantitative Component — Allowance for Loan Losses for the Commercial Loan Portfolio
The Company’s C&I lifetime loss rate model estimates the loss rate expected over the life of a loan. This loss rate is applied to the amortized cost basis, excluding accrued interest receivable, to determine expected credit losses. The lifetime loss rate model’s reasonable and supportable period spans eight quarters, thereafter immediately reverting to the historical average loss rate, expressed through the loan-level lifetime loss rate.
To generate estimates of expected loss at the loan level for CRE, multifamily residential, and construction and land loans, projected probabilities of default (“PDs”) and loss given defaults (“LGDs”) are applied to the estimated exposure at default, considering the term and payment structure of the loan. The forecast of future economic conditions returns to long-run historical economic trends within the reasonable and supportable period.
To estimate the life of a loan under both models, the contractual term of the loan is adjusted for estimated prepayments based on historical prepayment experience.
Quantitative Component — Allowance for Loan Losses for the Consumer Loan Portfolio
For single-family residential and HELOC loans, projected PDs and LGDs are applied to the estimated exposure at default, considering the term and payment structure of the loan, to generate estimates of expected loss at the loan level. The forecast of future economic conditions returns to long-run historical economic trends after the reasonable and supportable period. To estimate the life of a loan for the single-family residential and HELOC loan portfolios, the contractual term of the loan is adjusted for estimated prepayments based on historical prepayment experience. For other consumer loans, the Company uses a loss rate approach.
Qualitative Component — The Company considers the following qualitative factors in the determination of the collectively evaluated allowance if these factors have not already been captured by the quantitative model. Such qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to:
–loan growth trends;
–the volume and severity of past due financial assets, and criticized or adversely classified financial assets;
–the Company’s lending policies and procedures, including changes in lending strategies, underwriting standards, collection, write-off and recovery practices;
–knowledge of a borrower’s operations;
–the quality of the Company’s credit review system;
–the experience, ability and depth of the Company’s management and associates;
–the effect of other external factors such as the regulatory and legal environments, or changes in technology;
–actual and expected changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions in which the Company operates; and
–risk factors in certain industry sectors not captured by the quantitative models.
The magnitude of the impact of these factors on the Company’s qualitative assessment of the allowance for credit losses changes from period to period according to changes made by management in its assessment of these factors. The extent to which these factors change may be dependent on whether they are already reflected in quantitative loss estimates during the current period and the extent to which changes in these factors diverge from period to period.
While the Company’s allowance methodologies strive to reflect all relevant credit risk factors, there continues to be uncertainty associated with, but not limited to, potential imprecision in the estimation process due to the inherent time lag of obtaining information and normal variations between expected and actual outcomes. The Company may hold additional qualitative reserves that are designed to provide coverage for losses attributable to such risk.
Allowance for Individually Evaluated Loans
When a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with other loans, such as in the case of certain nonaccrual loans, the Company estimates the allowance for loan losses on an individual loan basis. The allowance for loan losses for individually evaluated loans is measured as the difference between the recorded value of the loans and their fair value. For loans evaluated individually, the Company uses one of three different asset valuation measurement methods: (1) the fair value of collateral less costs to sell; (2) the present value of expected future cash flows; or (3) the loan's observable market price. If an individually evaluated loan is determined to be collateral dependent, the Company applies the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell method. If an individually evaluated loan is determined not to be collateral dependent, the Company uses the present value of future cash flows or the observable market value of the loan.
•Collateral-Dependent Loans — The allowance of a collateral-dependent loan is limited to the difference between the recorded value and fair value of the collateral less cost of disposal or sale. As of December 31, 2024, collateral-dependent commercial and consumer loans totaled $45 million and $23 million, respectively. In comparison, collateral-dependent commercial and consumer loans totaled $30 million and $12 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The Company's collateral-dependent loans were secured by real estate. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the collateral value of the properties securing the collateral-dependent loans, net of selling costs, exceeded the recorded value of the majority of the loans.
The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segments for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | | | | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | Multifamily Residential | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | HELOCs | | Other Consumer | | Total | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period | | $ | 392,685 | | | $ | 170,592 | | | $ | 34,375 | | | $ | 10,469 | | | $ | 55,018 | | | $ | 3,947 | | | $ | 1,657 | | | $ | 668,743 | | | | | |
| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans | (a) | 110,791 | | | 61,908 | | | (2,684) | | | 9,114 | | | (10,176) | | | (873) | | | 4,096 | | | 172,176 | | | | | |
| Gross charge-offs | | (125,413) | | | (14,236) | | | (10) | | | (2,289) | | | (35) | | | (15) | | | (4,259) | | | (146,257) | | | | | |
| Gross recoveries | | 6,505 | | | 413 | | | 436 | | | 203 | | | 9 | | | 73 | | | — | | | 7,639 | | | | | |
| Total net (charge-offs) recoveries | | (118,908) | | | (13,823) | | | 426 | | | (2,086) | | | (26) | | | 58 | | | (4,259) | | | (138,618) | | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | (249) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (249) | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, end of period | | $ | 384,319 | | | $ | 218,677 | | | $ | 32,117 | | | $ | 17,497 | | | $ | 44,816 | | | $ | 3,132 | | | $ | 1,494 | | | $ | 702,052 | | | | | |
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | | | | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | Multifamily Residential | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | HELOCs | | Other Consumer | | Total | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, December 31, 2022 | | $ | 371,700 | | | $ | 149,864 | | | $ | 23,373 | | | $ | 9,109 | | | $ | 35,564 | | | $ | 4,475 | | | $ | 1,560 | | | $ | 595,645 | | | | | |
| Impact of ASU 2022-02 adoption | | 5,683 | | | 337 | | | 6 | | | — | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 6,028 | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period | | 377,383 | | | 150,201 | | | 23,379 | | | 9,109 | | | 35,565 | | | 4,476 | | | 1,560 | | | 601,673 | | | | | |
| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans | (a) | 45,319 | | | 27,007 | | | 10,454 | | | 11,537 | | | 19,384 | | | (424) | | | 294 | | | 113,571 | | | | | |
| Gross charge-offs | | (36,573) | | | (7,048) | | | (3) | | | (10,413) | | | — | | | (138) | | | (197) | | | (54,372) | | | | | |
| Gross recoveries | | 6,803 | | | 432 | | | 545 | | | 236 | | | 69 | | | 33 | | | — | | | 8,118 | | | | | |
| Total net (charge-offs) recoveries | | (29,770) | | | (6,616) | | | 542 | | | (10,177) | | | 69 | | | (105) | | | (197) | | | (46,254) | | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | (247) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (247) | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, end of period | | $ | 392,685 | | | $ | 170,592 | | | $ | 34,375 | | | $ | 10,469 | | | $ | 55,018 | | | $ | 3,947 | | | $ | 1,657 | | | $ | 668,743 | | | | | |
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | | | | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | Multifamily Residential | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | HELOCs | | Other Consumer | | Total | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period | | $ | 338,252 | | | $ | 150,940 | | | $ | 14,400 | | | $ | 15,468 | | | $ | 17,160 | | | $ | 3,435 | | | $ | 1,924 | | | $ | 541,579 | | | | | |
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| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans | (a) | 37,604 | | | 8,212 | | | 15,651 | | | (6,433) | | | 18,867 | | | 1,124 | | | (258) | | | 74,767 | | | | | |
| Gross charge-offs | | (18,738) | | | (10,871) | | | (7237) | | | — | | | (775) | | | (193) | | | (106) | | | (37,920) | | | | | |
| Gross recoveries | | 16,824 | | | 1,583 | | | 559 | | | 74 | | | 312 | | | 109 | | | — | | | 19,461 | | | | | |
| Total net (charge-offs) recoveries | | (1,914) | | | (9,288) | | | (6,678) | | | 74 | | | (463) | | | (84) | | | (106) | | | (18,459) | | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | (2,242) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,242) | | | | | |
| Allowance for loan losses, end of period | | $ | 371,700 | | | $ | 149,864 | | | $ | 23,373 | | | $ | 9,109 | | | $ | 35,564 | | | $ | 4,475 | | | $ | 1,560 | | | $ | 595,645 | | | | | |
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In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company maintains an allowance for unfunded credit commitments. The Company has three general areas for which it provides the allowance for unfunded credit commitments: (1) recourse obligations for loans sold, (2) letters of credit, and (3) unfunded lending commitments. The allowance for unfunded credit commitments is maintained at a level that management believes to be sufficient to absorb estimated expected credit losses related to unfunded credit facilities. See Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for additional information related to unfunded credit commitments. The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for unfunded credit commitments for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Unfunded credit facilities | | | | | | |
| Allowance for unfunded credit commitments, beginning of period | | $ | 37,699 | | | $ | 26,264 | | | $ | 27,514 | |
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| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on unfunded credit commitments | (b) | 1,824 | | | 11,429 | | | (1,267) | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | 3 | | | 6 | | | 17 | |
| Allowance for unfunded credit commitments, end of period | | 39,526 | | | 37,699 | | | 26,264 | |
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| Provision for credit losses | (a) + (b) | $ | 174,000 | | | $ | 125,000 | | | $ | 73,500 | |
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The allowance for credit losses was $742 million as of December 31, 2024, compared with $706 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was primarily driven by the Company’s net loan growth, qualitative risk assessment and economic outlook that reflected continued caution regarding inflation, the high-interest rate environment and certain CRE markets.
The Company considers multiple economic scenarios to develop the estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The scenarios may consist of a baseline forecast representing management's view of the most likely outcome, and downside or upside scenarios that reflect possible worsening or improving economic conditions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company assigned the same weightings to its baseline, while slightly higher and lower weightings were applied to the upside and downside scenarios, respectively, as compared with December 31, 2023. The current baseline economic forecast continues to reflect key risks such as still-elevated interest rates, inflation, concerns over global conflicts and oil prices. Compared to December 2023, the December 2024 baseline forecast for GDP growth showed improvement in the near-term (full year 2025) and worsening for longer-term (2026 and beyond). The unemployment rate has remained low with the December 2024 forecast showing a small uptick beginning in 2026, compared with the December 2023 forecast for the same periods. The downside scenario assumed the economy falls into recession in the first quarter of 2025 as a result of tariffs, rising inflation, high interest rates, global and domestic political tensions, and reduced credit availability. The upside scenario assumed a more optimistic economic outlook, including stronger growth, stable financial market, and full employment starting in the first quarter of 2025.
Loan Transfers, Sales and Purchases
The Company’s primary business focus is on directly originated loans. The Company also purchases loans from and participates in loan financing with other banks. In the normal course of business, the Company also provides other financial institutions with the ability to participate in commercial loans that it originates, by selling loans to such institutions. Purchased loans may be transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale, and write-downs to allowance for loan losses are recorded, when appropriate. The following tables provide information on the carrying value of loans transferred, sold and purchased for the held-for-investment portfolio, during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | | | | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | | | | | Total |
Loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale (1) | | $ | 649,187 | | | $ | 9,417 | | | | | $ | 718 | | | $ | — | | | | | | | $ | 659,322 | |
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Sales (2)(3) | | $ | 650,256 | | | $ | 9,417 | | | | | $ | 718 | | | $ | 2,997 | | | | | | | $ | 663,388 | |
Purchases (4) | | $ | 612,364 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 387,629 | | | | | | | $ | 999,993 | |
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | | | | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | | | | | Total |
Loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale (1) | | $ | 647,943 | | | $ | 83,282 | | | | | $ | 8,154 | | | $ | — | | | | | | | $ | 739,379 | |
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Sales (2)(3) | | $ | 674,919 | | | $ | 86,749 | | | | | $ | 8,154 | | | $ | — | | | | | | | $ | 769,822 | |
Purchases (4) | | $ | 106,493 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 493,282 | | | | | | | $ | 599,775 | |
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| | Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
| | Commercial | | Consumer | | |
| | | | CRE | | Residential Mortgage | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | C&I | | CRE | | | | Construction and Land | | Single-Family Residential | | | | | | Total |
Loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale (1) | | $ | 530,524 | | | $ | 88,075 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,178 | | | | | | | $ | 623,777 | |
| Loans transferred from held-for-sale to held-for-investment | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 631 | | | | | | | $ | 631 | |
Sales (2)(3) | | $ | 501,289 | | | $ | 88,075 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,403 | | | | | | | $ | 595,767 | |
Purchases (4) | | $ | 363,549 | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 293,721 | | | | | | | $ | 657,270 | |
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(1)Includes write-downs of $2 million, $5 million and $3 million to the allowance for loan losses related to loans transferred from held-for-investment to held-for-sale for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(2)Includes originated loans sold of $508 million, $513 million and $388 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Originated loans sold consisted primarily of C&I loans for the year ended December 31, 2024 and C&I and CRE loans for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
(3)Includes $156 million, $256 million and $208 million of purchased loans sold in the secondary market for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(4)C&I loan purchases were comprised of syndicated C&I term loans.
Note 7 — Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net
The CRA encourages banks to meet the credit needs of their communities, particularly low- and moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods. The Company invests in certain affordable housing projects in the form of ownership interests in limited partnerships or limited liability companies that qualify for CRA consideration and tax credits. These entities are formed to develop and operate apartment complexes designed as high-quality affordable housing for lower income tenants throughout the U.S. To fully utilize the available tax credits, each of these entities must meet the affordable housing regulatory requirements for a 15-year minimum compliance period. The Company also invests in small business investment companies and new markets tax credit projects that qualify for CRA consideration, as well as eligible projects that qualify for production, historic and renewable energy tax credits. Investments in new markets tax credits promote development in low-income communities, investments in production and renewable energy tax credits help promote the development of renewable energy sources, and investments in historic tax credits promote the rehabilitation of historic buildings and economic revitalization of the surrounding areas.
The majority of affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments discussed above are variable interest entities where the Company is a limited partner in these investments, and an unrelated third party is typically the general partner or managing member who has control over the significant activities of these investments. While the Company’s interest in some of the investments may exceed 50% of the outstanding equity interests, the Company does not consolidate these investments due to the general partner’s or managing member’s ability to manage the entity, which is indicative of the general partner’s or managing member’s power over the entity. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss in connection with these partnerships consists of the unamortized investment balance and any tax credits claimed that may become subject to recapture.
The Company records its investments in qualifying affordable housing partnerships, net, using PAM. Following the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, the Company elects to account for its tax credit investments using PAM on a program-by-program basis if certain conditions are met.
For the Company’s accounting policies on tax credit investments, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Securities and Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and CRA Investments, Net in this Form 10-K. For discussion on the Company’s impairment evaluation and monitoring process of tax credit investments, refer to Note 2 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments — Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and CRA Investments, Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents the investments and unfunded commitments of the Company’s affordable housing partnership, tax credit, and CRA investments, net as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Assets | | Liabilities - Unfunded Commitments (1) | | Assets | | Liabilities - Unfunded Commitments (1) |
| PAM: | | | | | | | | |
| Affordable housing partnership investments | | $ | 500,217 | | | $ | 280,919 | | | $ | 419,785 | | | $ | 251,746 | |
| Tax credit and CRA investments | | 160,429 | | | 21,202 | | | — | | | — | |
| Equity method of accounting and other: | | | | | | | | |
| Tax credits and CRA investments | | 265,994 | | | 105,743 | | | 485,251 | | | 298,990 | |
| Total | | $ | 926,640 | | | $ | 407,864 | | | $ | 905,036 | | | $ | 550,736 | |
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(1)Included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table presents additional information related to the investments in affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | | |
Tax credits and benefits (1): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| PAM: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Affordable housing partnership investments | | $ | 70,335 | | | $ | 60,939 | | | $ | 52,132 | | | | | | |
| Tax credit and CRA investments | | 110,260 | | | — | | | — | | | | | | |
| Equity method of accounting and other: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tax credit and CRA investments | | 64,720 | | | 124,433 | | | 116,132 | | | | | | |
| Total tax credits and benefits | | $ | 245,315 | | | $ | 185,372 | | | $ | 168,264 | | | | | | |
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| Amortization: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| PAM: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Affordable housing partnership investments (2) | | $ | 46,113 | | | $ | 43,041 | | | $ | 38,759 | | | | | | |
Tax credit and CRA investments (3) | | 90,113 | | | — | | | — | | | | | | |
| Equity method of accounting and other: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tax credit and CRA investments (4) (5) | | 54,242 | | | 120,299 | | | 113,358 | | | | | | |
| Total amortization | | $ | 190,468 | | | $ | 163,340 | | | $ | 152,117 | | | | | | |
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(1)Included in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
(2)Amortization related to investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships under PAM was recorded in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
(3)Due to the adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, amortization related to qualifying tax credit investments under PAM was recorded in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2024.
(4)Amortization related to tax credit and CRA investments was recognized in Amortization of tax credit and CRA investments as part of noninterest expense on the Consolidated Statement Income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
(5)Includes impairment of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and net impairment recoveries of $1 million and $469 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The activity was primarily related to historic and/or energy tax credits.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s unfunded commitments related to investments in affordable housing partnership, tax credit and CRA investments, net are estimated to be funded as follows:
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| ($ in thousands) | | Amount |
| 2025 | | $ | 304,008 | |
| 2026 | | 85,995 | |
| 2027 | | 9,434 | |
| 2028 | | 1,643 | |
| 2029 | | 1,306 | |
| Thereafter | | 5,478 | |
| Total | | $ | 407,864 | |
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The Company also held equity securities without readily determinable fair values totaling $147 million and $146 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These equity securities without readily determinable fair values are included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Note 8 — Goodwill
Total goodwill was $466 million as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s goodwill impairment test is performed annually, as of December 31, or more frequently as events occur or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2024 by using a qualitative assessment, and concluded goodwill was not impaired. Additional information pertaining to the Company’s accounting policy for goodwill is summarized in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Goodwill to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The Company has an equity method investment in Rayliant and its carrying value was $108 million as of December 31, 2024, of which $101 million was comprised of equity method goodwill.
Note 9 — Deposits
The following table presents the composition of the Company’s deposits as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| | December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| Deposits: | | | | |
| Noninterest-bearing demand | | $ | 15,450,428 | | | $ | 15,539,872 | |
| Interest-bearing checking | | 7,940,692 | | | 7,558,908 | |
| Money market | | 14,816,511 | | | 13,108,727 | |
| Savings: | | | | |
| Domestic office | | 1,583,657 | | | 1,638,916 | |
| Foreign office | | 167,963 | | | 202,551 | |
Time deposits (1): | | | | |
| Domestic office | | 21,128,657 | | | 16,037,287 | |
| Foreign office | | 2,087,115 | | | 2,006,177 | |
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| Total deposits | | $ | 63,175,023 | | | $ | 56,092,438 | |
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(1)The aggregate amount of time deposits that met or exceeded the deposit insurance limit was $16.5 billion and $13.6 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of time deposits for the five years succeeding December 31, 2024:
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| ($ in thousands) | | Amount |
| 2025 | | $ | 22,590,146 | |
| 2026 | | 270,237 | |
| 2027 | | 299,214 | |
| 2028 | | 53,109 | |
| 2029 | | 3,066 | |
| | |
| Total | | $ | 23,215,772 | |
|
Note 10 — Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
The following table presents details of the Company’s BTFP borrowings, FHLB advances, and long-term debt as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | December 31, |
| | | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Dates | | Amount | | Amount |
| Parent company | | | | | | | | | | |
Junior subordinated debt (1) — floating | | | | 6.17% | | 12/15/2035 | | $ | 32,001 | | | $ | 148,249 | |
| Bank | | | | | | | | | | |
| BTFP borrowings | | | | 4.37% | | 3/19/2024 | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,500,000 | |
FHLB advances (2): | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating (3) | | | | 4.56% — 4.61% | | 2025 | | $ | 3,000,000 | | | $ | — | |
| Fixed | | | | 3.87% — 3.95% | | 2026 | | 500,000 | | | — | |
| Total FHLB advances | | | | | | | | $ | 3,500,000 | | | $ | — | |
|
(1)As of December 31, 2024, the remaining junior subordinated debt outstanding was issued by MCBI Statutory Trust I that had a stated interest rate of 3-month CME Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") + 1.81%. The weighted-average contractual interest rates for junior subordinated debt were 6.17% and 6.87% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)The weighted-average interest rate for FHLB advances was 4.48% as of December 31, 2024.
(3)Floating interest rates are based on the SOFR plus the established spread.
Bank Term Funding Program
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s short-term borrowings consisted of funds from the BTFP, which were repaid upon maturity in March 2024.
FHLB Advances
The Bank’s available borrowing capacity from FHLB advances totaled $9.9 billion as of December 31, 2024. The Bank’s available borrowing capacity from the FHLB is derived from its portfolio of loans that are pledged to the FHLB, reduced by any outstanding FHLB advances. As of December 31, 2024, all advances were secured by real estate loans. In comparison, there were no FHLB advances borrowings as of December 31, 2023.
Long-Term Debt — Junior Subordinated Debt
As of December 31, 2024, East West had one statutory business trust for the purpose of holding junior subordinated debt issued to third party investors. The proceeds from these issuances represent liabilities of East West to the Trust and are reported as a component of Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Interest payments on these securities are disbursed quarterly and are deductible for tax purposes. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company redeemed approximately $117 million of junior subordinated debt. The remaining outstanding principal amounts included $35 million of junior subordinated debt and $1 million of trust preferred securities as of December 31, 2024.
Note 11 — Income Taxes
The following table presents the components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Current income tax expense: | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $ | 166,268 | | | $ | 172,428 | | | $ | 163,797 | |
| State | | 153,891 | | | 173,080 | | | 160,629 | |
| Foreign | | 10,399 | | | 2,240 | | | 3,133 | |
| Total current income tax expense | | 330,558 | | | 347,748 | | | 327,559 | |
| Deferred income tax (benefit) expense: | | | | | | |
| Federal | | (6,467) | | | (24,319) | | | (23,484) | |
| State | | (5,582) | | | (23,415) | | | (21,835) | |
| Foreign | | (2,234) | | | (1,405) | | | 1,331 | |
| Total deferred income tax benefit | | (14,283) | | | (49,139) | | | (43,988) | |
| Income tax expense | | $ | 316,275 | | | $ | 298,609 | | | $ | 283,571 | |
| | | | | | |
The following table presents the reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Statutory U.S. federal tax rate | | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % |
| U.S. state income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax effect | | 7.7 | | | 8.1 | | | 7.8 | |
| | | | | | |
| Tax credits and benefits, net of amortization | | (7.4) | | | (9.9) | | | (8.9) | |
| Other, net | | — | | | 1.3 | | | 0.2 | |
| Effective tax rate | | 21.3 | % | | 20.5 | % | | 20.1 | % |
| | | | | | |
The following table summarizes the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to a significant portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | | | | | | | 2024 | | | | | | | | 2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for credit losses and nonperforming assets valuation allowance | | | | | | | | $ | 233,879 | | | | | | | | | $ | 217,731 | |
| Net unrealized losses on AFS debt and transferred securities | | | | | | | | 223,814 | | | | | | | | | 246,835 | |
| Stock compensation and other accrued compensation | | | | | | | | 41,118 | | | | | | | | | 33,169 | |
| Lease liabilities | | | | | | | | 27,644 | | | | | | | | | 32,636 | |
| FDIC special assessment charge | | | | | | | | 16,843 | | | | | | | | | 22,212 | |
| Basis difference in investments | | | | | | | | 17,708 | | | | | | | | | 28,216 | |
| State capital loss and tax credit carryforwards | | | | | | | | 11,122 | | | | | | | | | 266 | |
| Nonaccrual loans’ interest income | | | | | | | | 8,809 | | | | | | | | | 7,034 | |
| State taxes | | | | | | | | 5,808 | | | | | | | | | 9,885 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other | | | | | | | | 14,665 | | | | | | | | | 10,535 | |
| Total deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | $ | 601,410 | | | | | | | | | $ | 608,519 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | | | | | | $ | 25,647 | | | | | | | | | $ | 30,272 | |
| Basis difference in investments | | | | | | | | 25,587 | | | | | | | | | 23,103 | |
| Equipment lease financing | | | | | | | | 10,395 | | | | | | | | | 15,564 | |
| Prepaid expenses | | | | | | | | 2,319 | | | | | | | | | 2,981 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| FHLB stock dividends | | | | | | | | 1,961 | | | | | | | | | 1,947 | |
| Mortgage servicing assets | | | | | | | | 1,678 | | | | | | | | | 2,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other | | | | | | | | 20,479 | | | | | | | | | 13,801 | |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | $ | 88,066 | | | | | | | | | $ | 89,770 | |
| Net deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | $ | 513,344 | | | | | | | | | $ | 518,749 | |
|
The Company has not repatriated and does not intend to repatriate earnings from its foreign subsidiary. The Company determined such earnings are to be indefinitely reinvested in the local jurisdiction. The related unrecognized deferred tax liability on these earnings is immaterial.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had deferred tax assets of $8 million and $3 million related to state capital loss carryforwards and state tax credit carryforwards, respectively. These carryforwards are expected to be fully utilized before they start to expire in 2027. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company concluded that no valuation allowance was necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets since estimated future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize these assets. For further information on the Company’s valuation policy on deferred taxes, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | |
| Beginning balance | | $ | 1,193 | | | $ | 477 | | | $ | 5,045 | | |
| Additions for tax positions related to prior years | | 2,698 | | (1) | 459 | | | — | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Additions for tax positions related to current year | | 779 | | | 257 | | | — | | |
| Settlements with taxing authorities | | — | | | — | | | (4,568) | | (2) |
| Ending balance | | $ | 4,670 | | | $ | 1,193 | | | $ | 477 | | |
| |
(1)In 2024, the increase in positions related to prior years primarily related to proposed adjustments resulting from examination of the Company’s state tax returns.
(2)In 2022, the Company settled an issue regarding previously claimed tax credits related to DC Solar and affiliates.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties, as applicable, related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company recorded net interest expense of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. In comparison, the net interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Total accrued interest included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $1 million as of December 31, 2024 and immaterial as of December 31, 2023.
The Company files federal income tax returns, as well as returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are routinely examined by tax authorities in these various jurisdictions. The Company is subject to federal income tax examination for the tax years 2021 and forward. With few exceptions, the Company is also subject to tax examination in various state and local jurisdictions for the tax years 2020 and forward. The Company does not believe that the outcome of unresolved issues or claims in any of the tax jurisdictions is likely to be material on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been recorded for all income tax uncertainties consistent with ASC 740, Income Taxes as of December 31, 2024.
Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments to Extend Credit — In the normal course of business, the Company provides loan commitments and letters of credit to customers on predetermined terms. These outstanding commitments to extend credit are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. While the Company does not anticipate losses from these transactions, commitments to extend credit are included in determining the appropriate level of allowance for unfunded credit commitments.
The following table presents the Company’s credit-related commitments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Expire in One Year or Less | | Expire After One Year Through Three Years | | Expire After Three Years Through Five Years | | Expire After Five Years | | Total | | Total |
| Loan commitments | | $ | 4,741,319 | | | $ | 3,640,167 | | | $ | 661,403 | | | $ | 85,151 | | | $ | 9,128,040 | | | $ | 9,141,447 | |
| Commercial letters of credit and SBLCs | | 1,152,114 | | | 465,073 | | | 194,483 | | | 1,105,359 | | | 2,917,029 | | | 2,610,761 | |
| Total | | $ | 5,893,433 | | | $ | 4,105,240 | | | $ | 855,886 | | | $ | 1,190,510 | | | $ | 12,045,069 | | | $ | 11,752,208 | |
|
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loan commitments are agreements to lend to customers provided there are no violations of any conditions established in the agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require commitment fees. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements.
Commercial letters of credit are issued to facilitate domestic and foreign trade transactions, while SBLCs are generally contingent upon the failure of the customers to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party. As a result, the total contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements. The Company’s historical experience is that SBLCs typically expire without being funded. Additionally, in many cases, the Company holds collateral in various forms against these SBLCs. As part of its risk management activities, the Company monitors the creditworthiness of customers in conjunction with its SBLC exposure. Customers are obligated to reimburse the Company for any payment made on the customers’ behalf. If the customers fail to pay, the Company would, as applicable, liquidate the collateral and/or offset existing accounts. As of December 31, 2024, total letters of credit of $2.9 billion consisted of SBLCs of $2.9 billion and commercial letters of credit of $29 million. In comparison, as of December 31, 2023, total letters of credit of $2.6 billion consisted of SBLCs of $2.6 billion and commercial letters of credit of $24 million. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, substantially all letters of credit were graded “Pass” using the Bank’s internal credit risk rating system.
The Company applies the same credit underwriting criteria to extend loans, commitments and conditional obligations to customers. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Collateral and financial guarantees may be obtained based on management’s assessment of a customer’s credit risk. Collateral may include cash, accounts receivable, inventory, personal property, plant and equipment, and real estate property.
Estimated exposure to loss from these commitments is included in the allowance for unfunded credit commitments, and amounted to $39 million and $38 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Guarantees — From time to time, the Company sells or securitizes single-family and multifamily residential loans with recourse in the ordinary course of business. The Company is obligated to repurchase up to the recourse component of the loans if the loans default. The following table presents the maximum potential future payments and carrying value of loans sold or securitized with recourse as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Maximum Potential Future Payments | | Carrying Value (1) |
| | December 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Expire in One Year or Less | | Expire After One Year Through Three Years | | Expire After Three Years Through Five Years | | Expire After Five Years | | Total | | Total | | Total | | Total |
| Single-family residential loans sold or securitized with recourse | | $ | 10 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 40 | | | $ | 4,325 | | | $ | 4,375 | | | $ | 5,888 | | | $ | 4,375 | | | $ | 5,888 | |
| Multifamily residential loans sold or securitized with recourse | | — | | | — | | | 145 | | | 14,851 | | | 14,996 | | | 14,996 | | | 17,770 | | | 19,020 | |
| Total | | $ | 10 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 185 | | | $ | 19,176 | | | $ | 19,371 | | | $ | 20,884 | | | $ | 22,145 | | | $ | 24,908 | |
|
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Represents the unpaid principal balance.
The Company’s recourse reserve related to these guarantees is included in the allowance for unfunded credit commitments and totaled $34 thousand and $40 thousand as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The allowance for unfunded credit commitments is included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company continues to experience minimal losses from the single-family and multifamily residential loan portfolios sold or securitized with recourse.
Litigation — The Company is a party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, the Company accrues reserves for outstanding lawsuits, claims and proceedings when a loss contingency is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company estimates the amount of loss contingencies using current available information from legal proceedings, advice from legal counsel and available insurance coverage. Due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and unpredictability of the outcomes of the legal proceedings, any amounts accrued or included in this aggregate amount may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from the legal proceedings in question. Thus, the Company’s exposure and ultimate losses may be higher, and possibly significantly more than the amounts accrued.
While it is impossible to ascertain the ultimate resolution or range of financial liability, based on information known to the Company as of December 31, 2024, the Company does not believe there are any pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. In light of the inherent uncertainty in legal proceedings, however, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution will not exceed established reserves and it is possible that the outcome of a particular matter, or a combination of matters, may be material to the Company’s financial condition for a particular period, depending upon the size of the loss and the Company’s income for that particular period.
Note 13 — Stock Compensation Plans
Pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, the Company may issue stock, stock options, restricted stock, RSUs including performance-based RSUs, stock purchase warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock and dividend equivalents to eligible employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and other service providers of East West and its subsidiaries. The Company has granted RSUs as its primary incentive awards. There were no outstanding awards other than RSUs as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. An aggregate of 17 million shares of common stock were authorized under the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, and the total number of shares available for grant was approximately 4 million as of December 31, 2024.
The following table presents a summary of the total share-based compensation expense and the related net tax benefits associated with the Company’s various employee share-based compensation plans for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Stock compensation costs | | $ | 45,535 | | | $ | 39,867 | | | $ | 37,601 | |
| Related net tax benefits for stock compensation plans | | $ | 997 | | | $ | 8,959 | | | $ | 5,293 | |
|
Restricted Stock Units — RSUs are granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan at no cost to the recipient. RSUs generally cliff vest after three years of continued employment from the date of the grant, and are authorized to settle in shares of the Company’s common stock. Dividends are accrued during the vesting period and paid at the time of vesting. While a portion of RSUs are time-based vesting awards, others vest subject to attainment of additional specified performance goals, referred to as “performance-based RSUs.” Performance-based RSUs are granted annually upon approval by the Company’s Compensation and Management Development Committee based on the performance in the year prior to the grant date of the award. The number of awards that vest can range from zero percent to a maximum of 200% of the granted number of awards based on the Company’s achievement of specified performance criteria over a performance period of three years. For information on accounting on stock-based compensation plans, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-Based Compensation to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
The following table presents a summary of the activities for the Company’s time-based and performance-based RSUs that were settled in shares for the year ended December 31, 2024. The number of performance-based RSUs stated below reflects the number of awards granted on the grant date:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Time-Based RSUs | | Performance-Based RSUs |
| | Shares | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Shares | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| Outstanding, January 1, 2024 | | 1,206,518 | | | $ | 74.29 | | | 276,223 | | | $ | 78.59 | |
| Granted | | 553,398 | | | $ | 76.44 | | | 97,798 | | | $ | 80.28 | |
| Vested | | (329,468) | | | $ | 72.05 | | | (91,960) | | | $ | 77.67 | |
| Forfeited | | (81,836) | | | $ | 74.53 | | | — | | | $ | — | |
| Outstanding, December 31, 2024 | | 1,348,612 | | | $ | 75.70 | | | 282,061 | | | $ | 79.48 | |
|
The weighted-average grant date fair value of the time-based RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $76.44, $73.13, and $78.15, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance-based RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $80.28, $79.93 and $77.91, respectively. The total fair value of time-based RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $25 million, $39 million and $30 million, respectively. The total fair value of performance-based RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $12 million, $21 million and $18 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, there were $34 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested time-based RSUs expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.79 years, and $16 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested performance-based RSUs expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.13 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan — The 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”) provides eligible employees of the Company the right to purchase shares of its common stock at a discount. Employees can purchase shares at 90% of the fair market price subject to an annual purchase limitation of $22,500 per employee. As of December 31, 2024, the Purchase Plan qualifies as a non-compensatory plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized. 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for sale under the Purchase Plan. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, 41,563 shares totaling $3 million and 65,971 shares totaling $3 million, respectively, were sold to employees under the Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 2024, there were 110,251 shares available under the Purchase Plan.
Note 14 — Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings Per Share
The following table presents the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. For more information on the calculation of EPS, see Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Significant Accounting Policies — Earnings Per Share to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Basic: | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding | | 138,898 | | | 141,164 | | | 141,326 | |
| Basic EPS | | $ | 8.39 | | | $ | 8.23 | | | $ | 7.98 | |
| Diluted: | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares outstanding | | 138,898 | | | 141,164 | | | 141,326 | |
| Add: Diluted impact of unvested RSUs | | 1,060 | | | 738 | | | 1,166 | |
| Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding | | 139,958 | | | 141,902 | | | 142,492 | |
| Diluted EPS | | $ | 8.33 | | | $ | 8.18 | | | $ | 7.92 | |
|
Approximately six thousand, 283 thousand and three thousand weighted-average shares of anti-dilutive RSUs were excluded from the diluted EPS computation for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022,respectively.
Stock Repurchase Program — In 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to $500 million of the Company’s common stock. The following table presents the activity under the Company’s common share repurchase program for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands, except shares and per share data) | | Shares Repurchased | | Average Price per Share | | Total Cost |
| 2024 | | 1,943,346 | | $ | 74.33 | | | $ | 144,446 | |
| 2023 | | 1,506,091 | | $ | 54.56 | | | $ | 82,174 | |
| 2022 | | 1,385,517 | | $ | 72.17 | | | $ | 99,990 | |
| | | | | | |
Note 15 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following table presents the changes in the components of AOCI balances for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| ($ in thousands) | | Debt Securities (1) | | Cash Flow Hedges | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments (2) | | Total |
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | | $ | (85,703) | | | $ | 257 | | | $ | (4,935) | | | $ | (90,381) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Net unrealized losses arising during the period | | (620,870) | | | (52,623) | | | (16,348) | | | (689,841) | |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI | | 11,758 | | | 2,835 | | | — | | | 14,593 | |
| Changes, net of tax | | (609,112) | | | (49,788) | | | (16,348) | | | (675,248) | |
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | | $ | (694,815) | | | $ | (49,531) | | | $ | (21,283) | | | $ | (765,629) | |
| Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period | | 76,930 | | | (4,277) | | | (56) | | | 72,597 | |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI | | 16,004 | | | 56,432 | | | — | | | 72,436 | |
| Changes, net of tax | | 92,934 | | | 52,155 | | | (56) | | | 145,033 | |
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | | $ | (601,881) | | | $ | 2,624 | | | $ | (21,339) | | | $ | (620,596) | |
| Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period | | 50,302 | | | (87,447) | | | (982) | | | (38,127) | |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI | | 9,427 | | | 64,036 | | | — | | | 73,463 | |
| Changes, net of tax | | 59,729 | | | (23,411) | | | (982) | | | 35,336 | |
| Balance, December 31, 2024 | | $ | (542,152) | | | $ | (20,787) | | | $ | (22,321) | | | $ | (585,260) | |
|
(1)Includes after-tax unamortized losses related to AFS debt securities that were transferred to HTM in 2022.
(2)Represents foreign currency translation adjustments related to the Company’s net investment in non-U.S. operations, including related hedges. The functional currency and reporting currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiary was RMB and USD, respectively.
The following table presents the components of other comprehensive (loss) income, reclassifications to net income and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| ($ in thousands) | | Before-Tax | | Tax Effect | | Net-of-Tax | | Before-Tax | | Tax Effect | | Net-of-Tax | | Before-Tax | | Tax Effect | | Net-of-Tax |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net unrealized gains (losses) on AFS debt securities arising during the period | | $ | 71,259 | | | $ | (20,957) | | | $ | 50,302 | | | $ | 109,216 | | | $ | (32,286) | | | $ | 76,930 | | | $ | (721,100) | | | $ | 213,221 | | | $ | (507,879) | |
| Unrealized losses on debt securities transferred from AFS to HTM | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (160,416) | | | 47,425 | | | (112,991) | |
| Reclassification adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized (gains) losses on AFS debt securities reclassified into net income (1) | | (2,069) | | | 612 | | | (1,457) | | | 6,862 | | (2) | (2,029) | | | 4,833 | | | (1,306) | | | 386 | | | (920) | |
Amortization of unrealized losses on transferred securities (3) | | 15,452 | | | (4,568) | | | 10,884 | | | 15,860 | | | (4,689) | | | 11,171 | | | 18,000 | | | (5,322) | | | 12,678 | |
| Net change | | 84,642 | | | (24,913) | | | 59,729 | | | 131,938 | | | (39,004) | | | 92,934 | | | (864,822) | | | 255,710 | | | (609,112) | |
| Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net unrealized losses arising during the period | | (124,382) | | | 36,935 | | | (87,447) | | | (5,767) | | | 1,490 | | | (4,277) | | | (74,069) | | | 21,446 | | | (52,623) | |
Net realized losses reclassified into net income (4) | | 91,083 | | | (27,047) | | | 64,036 | | | 79,843 | | | (23,411) | | | 56,432 | | | 4,004 | | | (1,169) | | | 2,835 | |
| Net change | | (33,299) | | | 9,888 | | | (23,411) | | | 74,076 | | | (21,921) | | | 52,155 | | | (70,065) | | | 20,277 | | | (49,788) | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of hedges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period | | (809) | | | (173) | | | (982) | | | 698 | | | (754) | | | (56) | | | (15,059) | | | (1,289) | | | (16,348) | |
| Net change | | (809) | | | (173) | | | (982) | | | 698 | | | (754) | | | (56) | | | (15,059) | | | (1,289) | | | (16,348) | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | 50,534 | | | $ | (15,198) | | | $ | 35,336 | | | $ | 206,712 | | | $ | (61,679) | | | $ | 145,033 | | | $ | (949,946) | | | $ | 274,698 | | | $ | (675,248) | |
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(1)Pre-tax amounts were reported in Net gains (losses) on AFS debt securities on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
(2)Represents the net loss related to an AFS debt security that was written-off in the first quarter of 2023 and subsequently sold during the fourth quarter of 2023.
(3)Represents unrealized losses amortized over the remaining lives of securities that were transferred from the AFS to HTM portfolio in 2022.
(4)Pre-tax amounts related to cash flow hedges on variable rate loans and long-term borrowings, where applicable, were reported in Interest and dividend income and in Interest expense, respectively, on the Consolidated Statement of Income. In 2023, pre-tax amount also includes the terminated cash flow hedge where the forecasted cash flows were no longer probable to occur and was reported in Noninterest income on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Note 16 — Regulatory Requirements and Matters
The Company and the Bank are subject to regulatory capital adequacy requirements administered by the respective federal banking agencies that are based largely under the Basel III Capital Rules. As standardized approaches institutions, the Basel III Capital Rules require that banking organizations, such as the Company and the Bank, to maintain a minimum Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital ratio of at least 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6.0%, a total capital ratio of at least 8.0%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of a least 4.0% to be considered adequately capitalized. Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory actions and possibly additional discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company and the Bank are also subject to maintaining a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above the minimum risk-based capital ratios under the Basel III Capital Rules. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but which does not exceed the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, share repurchases and executive compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 requires that the federal regulatory agencies adopt regulations defining capital categories for banks: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Under the agencies’ Prompt Corrective Action regulations, failure of a bank to be well capitalized results in an escalating series of adverse regulatory consequences.
As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company and the Bank were both categorized as well capitalized based on applicable U.S. regulatory capital ratio requirements in accordance with Basel III standardized approaches, as set forth in the table below. The Company believes that no changes in conditions or events have occurred since December 31, 2024, which would result in changes that would cause the Company or the Bank to fall below the well capitalized level. The following table presents the regulatory capital information of the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
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| | Basel III |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2024 (1) | | December 31, 2023 (1) | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | | Amount | | Ratio | | | | | | Amount | | Ratio | | Minimum Regulatory Requirements | | Minimum Regulatory Requirements including Capital Conservation Buffer (3) | | Well-Capitalized Requirement |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Company | | $ | 8,561,797 | | | 15.6 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,919,407 | | | 14.8 | % | | 8.0 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 10.0 | % |
| East West Bank | | $ | 8,053,389 | | | 14.7 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,363,575 | | | 13.8 | % | | 8.0 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 10.0 | % |
| Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Company | | $ | 7,839,816 | | | 14.3 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,140,778 | | | 13.3 | % | | 6.0 | % | | 8.5 | % | | 6.0 | % |
| East West Bank | | $ | 7,367,996 | | | 13.4 | % | | | | | | $ | 6,732,946 | | | 12.6 | % | | 6.0 | % | | 8.5 | % | | 8.0 | % |
CET1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company (2) | | $ | 7,839,816 | | | 14.3 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,140,778 | | | 13.3 | % | | 4.5 | % | | 7.0 | % | | N/A |
| East West Bank | | $ | 7,367,996 | | | 13.4 | % | | | | | | $ | 6,732,946 | | | 12.6 | % | | 4.5 | % | | 7.0 | % | | 6.5 | % |
| Tier 1 leverage capital (to adjusted quarterly average assets) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Company (2) | | $ | 7,839,816 | | | 10.4 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,140,778 | | | 10.2 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 4.0 | % | | N/A |
| East West Bank | | $ | 7,367,996 | | | 9.8 | % | | | | | | $ | 6,732,946 | | | 9.6 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 5.0 | % |
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N/A — Not applicable.
(1)Reflected a delay of the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital in accordance with regulatory capital rules.
(2)The well-capitalized requirements for CET1 capital and Tier 1 leverage capital apply only to the Bank since there is no CET1 capital ratio or Tier 1 leverage capital ratio component in the definition of a well-capitalized bank holding company.
(3)Includes a 2.5% capital conservation buffer requirement above the minimum risk-based capital ratios.
Note 17 — Business Segments
The Company organizes its operations into three reportable operating segments: (1) Consumer and Business Banking; (2) Commercial Banking; and (3) Treasury and Other. These segments are defined by the type of customers served, and the related products and services provided. The CODM is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company. The CODM regularly reviews the Company’s operating results to allocate resources and assess performance. Operating segment results are also based on the Company’s internal management reporting process, which reflects the allocations of certain balance sheet and income statement line items. The CODM uses certain performance measures such as segment net income and considers variances of actual results from forecast results on a quarterly basis when making decisions on resource allocations between segments. The segment information presented is not indicative of how the segments would perform if they operated as independent entities.
The Consumer and Business Banking segment primarily provides financial products and services to consumer and commercial customers through the Company’s domestic branch network and digital banking platforms. This segment offers consumer and commercial deposits, mortgage and home equity loans, and other products and services. It also originates commercial loans for small- and medium-sized enterprises through the Company’s branch network. Other products and services provided by this segment include wealth management, private banking, treasury management, interest rate risk hedging and foreign exchange services.
The Commercial Banking segment primarily generates domestic commercial loan and deposit products. Commercial loan products include CRE lending, construction finance, commercial business lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, letters of credit, affordable housing lending, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, project finance and equipment financing. Commercial deposit products and other financial services include treasury management, foreign exchange services and interest rate and commodity risk hedging.
The remaining centralized functions, including the corporate treasury activities of the Company, eliminations of inter-segment amounts, and centrally managed departments, have been aggregated and included in the Treasury and Other segment.
The Company utilizes an internal reporting process to measure the performance of the three operating segments within the Company. The Company’s internal reporting process consists of certain allocation methodologies for revenues and expenses, and the internal funds transfer pricing (“FTP”) process. The FTP process is formulated with the goal of encouraging loan and deposit growth that is consistent with the Company’s overall profitability objectives, as well as providing a reasonable and consistent basis for the measurement of its business segments’ net interest margins and profitability. The FTP process charges a cost to fund loans (“FTP charges for loans”) and allocates credits for funds provided from deposits (“FTP credits for deposits”) using internal FTP rates. FTP charges for loans are determined based on a matched cost of funds, which is tied to the pricing and term characteristics of the loans. FTP credits for deposits are based on matched funding credit rates, which are tied to the implied or stated maturity of the deposits. FTP credits for deposits reflect the long-term value generated by the deposits. The net spread between the total internal FTP charges and credits is recorded as part of net interest income in the Treasury and Other segment. The corporate treasury function within the Treasury and Other segment is responsible for the Company’s liquidity and interest rate management and manages the corporate interest rate risk exposure. The Company’s internal FTP assumptions and methodologies are reviewed at least annually to ensure that the process is reflective of current market conditions.
Each segment’s net interest income represents the difference between actual interest earned on assets and interest incurred on liabilities of the segment, adjusted for funding charges or credits through the Company’s FTP process. Noninterest income and noninterest expense directly attributable to a business segment are assigned to that segment. Loan charge-offs and provision for credit losses are recorded to the segments, where the loans are recorded. Significant corporate overhead expenses incurred by centralized support areas in the Treasury and Other segment are allocated to the Consumer and Business Banking and Commercial Banking segments based on the segment’s estimated usage factors including, but not limited to, full-time equivalent employees, net interest income, and loan and deposit volume. Amortization of tax credit and CRA investments and certain types of administrative expenses are generally not allocated to segments.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company refined its segment allocation methodology and reclassified certain deposits and their related income or expenses from the “Consumer and Business Banking” segment to the “Commercial Banking” or “Treasury and Other” segments, and certain loan balances and their related income or expenses from the “Commercial Banking” segment to the “Treasury and Other” segment. Balances for the prior years have been reclassified for comparability.
The following tables present the operating results and other key financial measures for the individual operating segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
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| ($ in thousands) | | Consumer and Business Banking | | Commercial Banking | | Treasury and Other | | Total |
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | |
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| Net interest income before provision for credit losses | | $ | 1,152,033 | | | $ | 1,125,931 | | | $ | 752 | | | $ | 2,278,716 | |
| Noninterest income | | 108,773 | | | 197,780 | | | 28,665 | | | 335,218 | |
| Total revenue before provision for credit losses | | 1,260,806 | | | 1,323,711 | | | 29,417 | | | 2,613,934 | |
| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses | | 8,691 | | | 166,953 | | | (1,644) | | | 174,000 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 217,612 | | | 234,240 | | | 98,882 | | | 550,734 | |
Other noninterest expense (1) | | 234,494 | | | 161,969 | | | 10,876 | | | 407,339 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 452,106 | | | 396,209 | | | 109,758 | | | 958,073 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Segment income (loss) before income taxes | | 800,009 | | | 760,549 | | | (78,697) | | | 1,481,861 | |
| Segment net income | | $ | 563,218 | | | $ | 535,652 | | | $ | 66,716 | | | $ | 1,165,586 | |
| Average balances: | | | | | | | | |
| Loans | | $ | 18,966,662 | | | $ | 32,996,221 | | | $ | 405,897 | | | $ | 52,368,780 | |
| Deposits | | $ | 30,815,912 | | | $ | 25,820,956 | | | $ | 3,036,171 | | | $ | 59,673,039 | |
| As of December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Segment assets | | $ | 20,084,814 | | | $ | 35,646,939 | | | $ | 20,244,722 | | | $ | 75,976,475 | |
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| ($ in thousands) | | Consumer and Business Banking | | Commercial Banking | | Treasury and Other | | Total |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | |
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| Net interest income (loss) before provision for credit losses | | $ | 1,225,954 | | | $ | 1,116,013 | | | $ | (29,713) | | | $ | 2,312,254 | |
| Noninterest income | | 103,890 | | | 168,502 | | | 22,872 | | | 295,264 | |
| Total revenue (loss) before provision for credit losses | | 1,329,844 | | | 1,284,515 | | | (6,841) | | | 2,607,518 | |
| Provision for credit losses | | 21,454 | | | 100,391 | | | 3,155 | | | 125,000 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 203,387 | | | 217,663 | | | 87,488 | | | 508,538 | |
Other noninterest expense (1) | | 262,086 | | | 158,949 | | | 93,175 | | | 514,210 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 465,473 | | | 376,612 | | | 180,663 | | | 1,022,748 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Segment income (loss) before income taxes | | 842,917 | | | 807,512 | | | (190,659) | | | 1,459,770 | |
| Segment net income (loss) | | $ | 594,965 | | | $ | 570,153 | | | $ | (3,957) | | | $ | 1,161,161 | |
| Average balances: | | | | | | | | |
| Loans | | $ | 17,739,984 | | | $ | 31,365,547 | | | $ | 439,605 | | | $ | 49,545,136 | |
| Deposits | | $ | 28,174,781 | | | $ | 23,304,066 | | | $ | 3,483,884 | | | $ | 54,962,731 | |
| As of December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Segment assets | | $ | 19,165,172 | | | $ | 35,020,106 | | | $ | 15,427,606 | | | $ | 69,612,884 | |
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| ($ in thousands) | | Consumer and Business Banking | | Commercial Banking | | Treasury and Other | | Total |
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | |
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| Net interest income (loss) before provision for credit losses | | $ | 1,061,238 | | | $ | 988,158 | | | $ | (3,515) | | | $ | 2,045,881 | |
| Noninterest income | | 113,722 | | | 174,365 | | | 10,579 | | | 298,666 | |
| Total revenue before provision for credit losses | | 1,174,960 | | | 1,162,523 | | | 7,064 | | | 2,344,547 | |
| Provision for (reversal of) credit losses | | 25,983 | | | 48,248 | | | (731) | | | 73,500 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 195,394 | | | 211,355 | | | 70,886 | | | 477,635 | |
Other noninterest expense (1) | | 196,581 | | | 102,018 | | | 83,159 | | | 381,758 | |
| Total noninterest expense | | 391,975 | | | 313,373 | | | 154,045 | | | 859,393 | |
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| Segment income (loss) before income taxes | | 757,002 | | | 800,902 | | | (146,250) | | | 1,411,654 | |
| Segment net income | | $ | 537,754 | | | $ | 569,982 | | | $ | 20,347 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| Average balances: | | | | | | | | |
| Loans | | $ | 15,534,259 | | | $ | 29,321,701 | | | $ | 463,498 | | | $ | 45,319,458 | |
| Deposits | | $ | 27,276,151 | | | $ | 23,252,073 | | | $ | 3,771,355 | | | $ | 54,299,579 | |
| As of December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | |
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| Segment assets | | $ | 17,183,425 | | | $ | 32,770,772 | | | $ | 14,157,953 | | | $ | 64,112,150 | |
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(1)The Treasury and Other segment's other noninterest expense is primarily comprised of amortization of tax credit and CRA investments, and other operating expenses. The Consumer and Business Banking segment's other noninterest expense is primarily comprised of corporate overhead allocated expenses, occupancy and equipment expense, other operating expenses, and deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments. The Commercial Banking segment’s other noninterest expense is primarily comprised of corporate overhead allocated expenses, deposit account expense, occupancy and equipment expense, and deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments.
Note 18 — Parent Company Condensed Financial Statements
The following tables present the Parent Company-only condensed financial statements:
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| ASSETS | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents due from banks | | $ | 394,919 | | | $ | 445,770 | |
| Investments in subsidiaries: | | | | |
| Bank | | 7,251,084 | | | 6,542,852 | |
| Nonbank | | 10,423 | | | 13,502 | |
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| Other assets | | 125,552 | | | 120,742 | |
| TOTAL | | $ | 7,781,978 | | | $ | 7,122,866 | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | $ | 32,001 | | | $ | 148,249 | |
| Other liabilities | | 26,923 | | | 23,783 | |
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| Stockholders’ equity | | 7,723,054 | | | 6,950,834 | |
| TOTAL | | $ | 7,781,978 | | | $ | 7,122,866 | |
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CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Dividends from subsidiaries: | | | | | | |
| Bank | | $ | 540,000 | | | $ | 704,000 | | | $ | 240,000 | |
| Nonbank | | 127 | | | 322 | | | 157 | |
| Other investment losses | | (954) | | | (2,738) | | | — | |
| Other income | | 31 | | | — | | | — | |
| Total income | | 539,204 | | | 701,584 | | | 240,157 | |
| Interest expense on long-term debt | | 4,507 | | | 10,889 | | | 5,450 | |
| Compensation and employee benefits | | 7,283 | | | 7,204 | | | 6,708 | |
| | | | | | |
Other expense (income) (1) | | 1,839 | | | (1,086) | | | 1,254 | |
| Total expense | | 13,629 | | | 17,007 | | | 13,412 | |
| Income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries | | 525,575 | | | 684,577 | | | 226,745 | |
| Income tax benefit | | 4,143 | | | 5,844 | | | 4,269 | |
| Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, primarily bank | | 635,868 | | | 470,740 | | | 897,069 | |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
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(1)Includes $3 million and $2 million in DC Solar recoveries for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 1,165,586 | | | $ | 1,161,161 | | | $ | 1,128,083 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, principally bank | | (635,868) | | | (470,740) | | | (897,069) | |
| | | | | | |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | | 2,788 | | | 948 | | | (2,193) | |
| Net change in other assets | | (6,912) | | | (4,160) | | | 4,250 | |
| Net change in other liabilities | | (802) | | | (47) | | | 779 | |
| Other operating activities, net | | 1,265 | | | 2,443 | | | 1,333 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 526,057 | | | 689,605 | | | 235,183 | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Redemption of trust preferred securities | | 3,558 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
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| Other investing activities, net | | (494) | | | (95,095) | | | (7,390) | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | 3,064 | | | (95,095) | | | (7,390) | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | |
| Repayment of junior subordinated debt | | (116,558) | | | — | | | — | |
| Common stock: | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from issuance pursuant to various stock compensation plans and agreements | | 3,023 | | | 3,208 | | | 3,178 | |
| Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes | | (14,877) | | | (23,751) | | | (19,087) | |
| Repurchase of common stock pursuant to the stock repurchase program | | (143,082) | | | (82,174) | | | (99,990) | |
| Cash dividends paid | | (308,478) | | | (274,554) | | | (228,381) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | (579,972) | | | (377,271) | | | (344,280) | |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | (50,851) | | | 217,239 | | | (116,487) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | | 445,770 | | | 228,531 | | | 345,018 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | | $ | 394,919 | | | $ | 445,770 | | | $ | 228,531 | |
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Note 19 — Subsequent Events
Declaration of Dividend and Repurchase Authorization — On January 23, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared first quarter 2025 cash dividends for the Company’s common stock. The common stock cash dividend of $0.60 per share was paid on February 17, 2025 to stockholders of record as of February 3, 2025. In addition, on January 22, 2025, East West’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $300 million of East West stock.
Southern California Wildfires — In January 2025, several wildfires affected Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Based on the Company’s assessment of available information regarding its loan portfolio and related collateral within the affected areas, the Company has determined that the impact to its consolidated financial statements is immaterial through the date of filing of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2024, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024.
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, issued an audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. The audit report is presented on the following page.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
East West Bancorp, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited East West Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 28, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 28, 2025
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or Section 16 reporting officers adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of the SEC’s Regulation S-K), except as set forth below.
On November 20, 2024, Dominic Ng, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, entered into a pre-arranged trading plan for the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock (a “Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the “Exchange Act”. Mr. Ng’s Rule 10b5-1 Plan provides for the sale of up to 120,000 shares of common stock, which may commence effective March 6, 2025 and will terminate no later than December 19, 2025.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The names of the Company’s executive officers, and biographical information for each, is set forth in Item 1. Business — Information about our Executive Officers in this Form 10-K.
The other information required by this item will be set forth in the following sections of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and this information is incorporated herein by reference:
•Summary Information about Director Nominees
•Board of Directors and Nominees
•Director Nominee Qualifications and Experience
•Director Independence, Financial Experts and Risk Management Experience
•Board Leadership Structure
•Board Meetings
•Board Committees
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer, controller, and persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct is posted on the Company’s website at www.eastwestbank.com/govdocs. Any amendments to, or waivers from, the Company’s Code of Conduct will be disclosed on the Company’s website at http://investor.eastwestbank.com.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding the Company’s executive compensation will be set forth in the following sections of the 2025 Proxy Statement and this information is incorporated herein by reference:
•Director Compensation
•Compensation Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management not otherwise included herein will be set forth in the 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “Stock Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors and Management” and this information is incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth the total number of shares available for issuance under the Company’s employee equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans | |
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | — | | | $ | — | | | 3,627,809 | | (1) |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | — | | | — | | | — | | |
| Total | | — | | | $ | — | | | 3,627,809 | | |
| |
(1)Represents future shares available under the stockholder-approved 2021 Stock Incentive Plan effective March 4, 2021.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions will be set forth in the following sections of the 2025 Proxy Statement and this information is incorporated herein by reference:
•Director Independence, Financial Experts and Risk Management Experience
•Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our independent registered public accounting firm is KPMG LLP, Los Angeles, CA, PCAOB ID: 185.
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services will be set forth in the 2025 Proxy Statement under the heading “Ratification of Auditors” and this information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(1)Financial Statements
The following financial statements of East West Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the auditor’s report thereon, are filed as part of this report under Item 8. Financial Statements:
(2)Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules for East West Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been included in this Form 10-K in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the related notes thereto, or they are either inapplicable or not required.
(3)Exhibits
A list of exhibits to this Form 10-K is set forth below.
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| Exhibit No. | | Exhibit Description |
| 3.1 | | |
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| 3.1.1 | | |
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| 3.1.2 | | |
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| 3.1.3 | | |
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| 3.2 | | |
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| 4.3 | | |
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| 10.1.1 | | |
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| 10.2.1 | | |
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| 10.2.3 | | |
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| 10.2.4 | | |
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| 10.3.1 | | |
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| 10.3.6 | | |
| 10.3.7 | | |
| 10.4.1 | | |
| 10.4.2 | | |
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| 10.5.1 | | |
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| 10.6 | | |
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| 19 | | |
| 21.1 | | |
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| 23.1 | | |
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| 24 | | |
| 31.1 | | |
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| 31.2 | | |
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| 32.1 | | |
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| 32.2 | | |
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| 97 | | |
| 101.INS | | The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. |
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| 101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. Filed herewith. |
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| 101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith. |
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| 101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. Filed herewith. |
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| 101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. Filed herewith. |
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| 101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith. |
| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101 filed herewith). Filed herewith. |
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| * Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| AFS | Available-for-sale | GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| ALCO | Asset/Liability Committee | GHG | Greenhouse gas |
| AML | Anti-money laundering | GLBA | Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 |
| AOCI | Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association |
| ASC | Accounting Standards Codification | HELOC | Home equity line of credit |
| ASU | Accounting Standards Update | HTM | Held-to-maturity |
| BHC Act | Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended | IAR | Independent Asset Review |
| BKX | KBW Nasdaq Bank Index | IDI | Insured depository institution |
| BSA | Bank Secrecy Act | LCH | London Clearing House |
| BTFP | Bank Term Funding Program | LGD | Loss given default |
| C&I | Commercial and industrial | LTV | Loan-to-value |
| CARB | California Air Resources Board | MD&A | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
| CCDAA | Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act | MMBTU | Million British thermal unit |
| CCPA | California Consumer Privacy Act | NAV | Net asset value |
| CECL | Current expected credit losses | NRSRO | Nationally recognized statistical rating organizations |
| CET1 | Common Equity Tier 1 | OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control |
| CFPB | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | OREO | Other real estate owned |
| CLO | Collateralized loan obligation | OTTI | Other-than-temporary impairment |
| CME | Chicago Mercantile Exchange | PAM | Proportionate amortization method |
| CNY | Chinese Yuan | PATRIOT Act | Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001 |
| CODM | Chief operating decision maker | PCA | Prompt Corrective Action |
| CRA | Community Reinvestment Act | PCD | Purchased credit deteriorated |
| CRE | Commercial real estate | PD | Probability of default |
| CRFRA | Climate-Related Financial Risk Act | PIPL | Personal Information Protection Law |
| DFPI | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation | RMB | Chinese Renminbi |
| DIF | Deposit Insurance Fund | ROC | Risk Oversight Committee |
| DOJ | The U.S. Department of Justice | ROE | Return on average common equity |
| EPS | Earnings per share | RPA | Credit risk participation agreement |
| ERM | Enterprise risk management | RSU | Restricted stock unit |
| EVE | Economic value of equity | S&P | Standard & Poor's |
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | SBLC | Standby letter of credit |
| FDIA | Federal Deposit Insurance Act | SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
| FDIC | Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| FFIEC | Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council | TCE | Return on average tangible common equity |
| FHLB | Federal Home Loan Bank | TDR | Troubled debt restructuring |
| FINRA | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. | U.S. | United States |
| FRB | Federal Reserve Bank | USD | U.S. dollar |
| FTP | Funds transfer pricing | VIE | Variable interest entity |
| GAAP | Generally accepted accounting principles | | |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
(Registrant) |
| | |
| | By | /s/ DOMINIC NG | |
| | | Dominic Ng |
| | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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|
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
| /s/ DOMINIC NG | | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) | | February 28, 2025 |
| Dominic Ng | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. DEL MORAL-NILES | | Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | February 28, 2025 |
| Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles | | | |
| | | | | |
| MANUEL P. ALVAREZ* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Manuel P. Alvarez | | | | |
| | | | |
| MOLLY CAMPBELL* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Molly Campbell | | | | |
| | | | |
| ARCHANA DESKUS* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Archana Deskus | | | | |
| | | | |
| SERGE DUMONT* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Serge Dumont | | | | |
| | | | |
| RUDOLPH I. ESTRADA* | | Lead Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Rudolph I. Estrada | | | | |
| | | | |
| MARK HUTCHINS | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Mark Hutchins | | | | |
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| PAUL H. IRVING* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Paul H. Irving | | | | |
| | | | |
| SABRINA KAY* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Sabrina Kay | | | | |
| | | | |
| JACK C. LIU* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Jack C. Liu | | | | |
| | | | |
| LESTER M. SUSSMAN* | | Director | | February 28, 2025 |
| Lester M. Sussman | | | | |
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* Dominic Ng, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of each of the above named directors of the registrant pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons.
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| Dated: February 28, 2025 | |
| | By | /s/ DOMINIC NG | |
| | | Dominic Ng |
| | | Attorney-In-Fact | |
| | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
