Is East West Bancorp a Good Stock to Buy Now?

East West Bancorp, Inc. (EWBC) is a regional banking franchise with strong deposit growth, sustainable moat, and disciplined risk management. The bank primarily serves Asian American communities, facilitating cross-border commerce between the U.S. and Asia, and operates three core segments: Consumer & Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury & Other. EWBC's competitive advantage is rooted in deep client relationships, a trusted reputation among expatriates, and a unique cross-Pacific banking proposition that is difficult to replicate. The bank maintains strong credit quality, with minimal NPAs, high reserves, and prudent commercial real estate exposure. EWBC trades at 11.6x 2026 EPS and deserves a premium given its ~17% ROE and 1.84% ROA.