<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019ca11a-4f38-705f-b7f4-802b32f88a37,g:21bf117b-bbb4-4f0b-ad89-23ec74a158c4-->
<xs:schema xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:ewbc="http://www.eastwestbank.com/20260331" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://www.eastwestbank.com/20260331">
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31/types.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025/ecd-2025.xsd"/>
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="ewbc-20260331_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="ewbc-20260331_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="ewbc-20260331_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="ewbc-20260331_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:roleType id="CoverPage" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CoverPage">
        <link:definition>0000001 - Document - Cover Page</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEET" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEET">
        <link:definition>9952151 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETParenthetical">
        <link:definition>9952152 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFINCOME" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFINCOME">
        <link:definition>9952153 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME">
        <link:definition>9952154 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY">
        <link:definition>9952155 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS&#8217; EQUITY</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical">
        <link:definition>9952156 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS&#8217; EQUITY (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCASHFLOWS" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTOFCASHFLOWS">
        <link:definition>9952157 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopments" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopments">
        <link:definition>9952158 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Current Accounting Developments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstruments" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstruments">
        <link:definition>9952159 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreements" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreements">
        <link:definition>9952160 - Disclosure - Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="Securities" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/Securities">
        <link:definition>9952161 - Disclosure - Securities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="Derivatives" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/Derivatives">
        <link:definition>9952162 - Disclosure - Derivatives</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLosses" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLosses">
        <link:definition>9952163 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNet" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNet">
        <link:definition>9952164 - Disclosure - Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebt" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebt">
        <link:definition>9952165 - Disclosure - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Long-Term Debt</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingencies" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies">
        <link:definition>9952166 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockCompensationPlans" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockCompensationPlans">
        <link:definition>9952167 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShare" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShare">
        <link:definition>9952168 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss">
        <link:definition>9952169 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BusinessSegments" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BusinessSegments">
        <link:definition>9952170 - Disclosure - Business Segments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopmentsPolicies" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopmentsPolicies">
        <link:definition>9955511 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Current Accounting Developments (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopmentsTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BasisofPresentationandCurrentAccountingDevelopmentsTables">
        <link:definition>9955512 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Current Accounting Developments (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables">
        <link:definition>9955513 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables">
        <link:definition>9955514 - Disclosure - Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesTables">
        <link:definition>9955515 - Disclosure - Securities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesTables">
        <link:definition>9955516 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesTables">
        <link:definition>9955517 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetTables">
        <link:definition>9955518 - Disclosure - Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtTables">
        <link:definition>9955519 - Disclosure - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Long-Term Debt (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingenciesTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables">
        <link:definition>9955520 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockCompensationPlansTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockCompensationPlansTables">
        <link:definition>9955521 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareTables">
        <link:definition>9955522 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables">
        <link:definition>9955523 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BusinessSegmentsTables" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables">
        <link:definition>9955524 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>9955525 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Financial Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofReconciliationoftheBeginningandEndingBalancesofEquityContractsMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisUsingSignificantUnobservableInputsLevel3Details" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofReconciliationoftheBeginningandEndingBalancesofEquityContractsMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisUsingSignificantUnobservableInputsLevel3Details">
        <link:definition>9955526 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of Equity Contracts Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofQuantitativeInformationaboutSignificantUnobservableInputsUsedintheValuationofLevel3FairValueMeasurementsonRecurringDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofQuantitativeInformationaboutSignificantUnobservableInputsUsedintheValuationofLevel3FairValueMeasurementsonRecurringDetails">
        <link:definition>9955527 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Quantitative Information about Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in the Valuation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements on Recurring (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofCarryingAmountsofAssetsthatwereStillHeldandhadFairValueAdjustmentsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofCarryingAmountsofAssetsthatwereStillHeldandhadFairValueAdjustmentsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>9955528 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Assets that were Still Held and had Fair Value Adjustments Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofDecreaseinFairValueofAssetsforwhichaFairValueAdjustmentwasRecognizedNonrecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofDecreaseinFairValueofAssetsforwhichaFairValueAdjustmentwasRecognizedNonrecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>9955529 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Decrease in Fair Value of Assets for which a Fair Value Adjustment was Recognized, Nonrecurring Basis (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofQuantitativeInformationaboutSignificantUnobservableInputsUsedintheValuationofLevel3FairValueMeasurementsonNonrecurringDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleofQuantitativeInformationaboutSignificantUnobservableInputsUsedintheValuationofLevel3FairValueMeasurementsonNonrecurringDetails">
        <link:definition>9955530 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Quantitative Information about Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in the Valuation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements on Nonrecurring (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleoftheCarryingandFairValueEstimatesPertheFairValueHierarchyofFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FairValueMeasurementandFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsScheduleoftheCarryingandFairValueEstimatesPertheFairValueHierarchyofFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>9955531 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of the Carrying and Fair Value Estimates Per the Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Instruments Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955532 - Disclosure - Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsScheduleofBalanceSheetOffsettingforResaleandRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesPurchasedunderResaleAgreementsandSoldUnderRepurchaseAgreementsScheduleofBalanceSheetOffsettingforResaleandRepurchaseAgreementsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955533 - Disclosure - Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements and Sold Under Repurchase Agreements - Schedule of Balance Sheet Offsetting for Resale and Repurchase Agreements (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduleofDebtSecuritiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduleofDebtSecuritiesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955534 - Disclosure - Securities - Schedule of Debt Securities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduleofDebtSecuritiesAvailableforSaleUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduleofDebtSecuritiesAvailableforSaleUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueDetails">
        <link:definition>9955535 - Disclosure - Securities - Schedule of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955536 - Disclosure - Securities - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduleofRealizedGainsandReversalofCreditLossesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduleofRealizedGainsandReversalofCreditLossesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955537 - Disclosure - Securities - Schedule of Realized Gains and Reversal of Credit Losses (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduleofCompositionofInterestIncomeonDebtSecuritiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduleofCompositionofInterestIncomeonDebtSecuritiesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955538 - Disclosure - Securities - Schedule of Composition of Interest Income on Debt Securities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduledContractualMaturitiesofAFSDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduledContractualMaturitiesofAFSDetails">
        <link:definition>9955539 - Disclosure - Securities - Scheduled Contractual Maturities of AFS (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduledContractualMaturitiesofHTMDebtSecuritiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduledContractualMaturitiesofHTMDebtSecuritiesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955540 - Disclosure - Securities - Scheduled Contractual Maturities of HTM Debt Securities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SecuritiesScheduleofRestrictedEquitySecuritiesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/SecuritiesScheduleofRestrictedEquitySecuritiesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955541 - Disclosure - Securities - Schedule of Restricted Equity Securities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955542 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleofNotionalandGrossFairValuesofDerivativesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofNotionalandGrossFairValuesofDerivativesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955543 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Notional and Gross Fair Values of Derivatives (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleofPreTaxChangesinAOCIfromCashFlowsHedgesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofPreTaxChangesinAOCIfromCashFlowsHedgesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955544 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Pre-Tax Changes in AOCI from Cash Flows Hedges (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955545 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleofNotionalAmountsandtheGrossFairValuesofRPAsSoldandPurchasedOutstandingDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofNotionalAmountsandtheGrossFairValuesofRPAsSoldandPurchasedOutstandingDetails">
        <link:definition>9955546 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Notional Amounts and the Gross Fair Values of RPAs Sold and Purchased Outstanding (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleoftheNetLossesGainsRecognizedontheCompanysConsolidatedStatementofIncomeRelatedtoDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleoftheNetLossesGainsRecognizedontheCompanysConsolidatedStatementofIncomeRelatedtoDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955547 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of the Net (Losses) Gains Recognized on the Company&#8217;s Consolidated Statement of Income Related to Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DerivativesScheduleofGrossDerivativeFairValuestheBalanceSheetNettingAdjustmentsandtheResultingNetFairValuesRecordedCashandNonCashCollateralAssociatedwithMasterNettingArrangementsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/DerivativesScheduleofGrossDerivativeFairValuestheBalanceSheetNettingAdjustmentsandtheResultingNetFairValuesRecordedCashandNonCashCollateralAssociatedwithMasterNettingArrangementsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955548 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Schedule of Gross Derivative Fair Values, the Balance Sheet Netting Adjustments and the Resulting Net Fair Values Recorded, Cash and Non-Cash Collateral Associated with Master Netting Arrangements (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofCompositionofLoansHeldforInvestmentDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofCompositionofLoansHeldforInvestmentDetails">
        <link:definition>9955549 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Composition of Loans Held-for-Investment (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesCompositionofLoansHeldforInvestmentNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesCompositionofLoansHeldforInvestmentNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955550 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Composition of Loans Held-for-Investment- Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofLoansHeldforInvestmentbyLoanPortfolioSegmentsInternalRiskRatingsGrossWriteOffsandVintageYearDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofLoansHeldforInvestmentbyLoanPortfolioSegmentsInternalRiskRatingsGrossWriteOffsandVintageYearDetails">
        <link:definition>9955551 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Loans Held-for-Investment by Loan Portfolio Segments, Internal Risk Ratings, Gross Write-Offs and Vintage Year (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofAgingAnalysisofLoansDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofAgingAnalysisofLoansDetails">
        <link:definition>9955552 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Aging Analysis of Loans (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofAmortizedCostofLoansonNonaccrualStatuswithNoRelatedAllowanceforLoanLossesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofAmortizedCostofLoansonNonaccrualStatuswithNoRelatedAllowanceforLoanLossesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955553 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Amortized Cost of Loans on Nonaccrual Status with No Related Allowance for Loan Losses (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesForeclosedAssetsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesForeclosedAssetsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955554 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Foreclosed Assets Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofModifiedLoansTDRsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofModifiedLoansTDRsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955555 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Modified Loans/TDRs (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofFinancialEffectsofLoanModificationsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofFinancialEffectsofLoanModificationsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955556 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Financial Effects of Loan Modifications (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofLoansModificationthatSubsequentlyDefaultedDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofLoansModificationthatSubsequentlyDefaultedDetails">
        <link:definition>9955557 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Loans Modification that Subsequently Defaulted (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofFinancingReceivableModifiedPaymentPerformanceDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofFinancingReceivableModifiedPaymentPerformanceDetails">
        <link:definition>9955558 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Financing Receivable, Modified, Payment Performance (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesAllowanceforCreditLossesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesAllowanceforCreditLossesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955559 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Allowance for Credit Losses Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofActivityintheAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofActivityintheAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955560 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Activity in the Allowance for Credit Losses (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofActivitiesinAllowanceforLoanLossesbyPortfolioSegmentsandUnfundedCreditCommitmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofActivitiesinAllowanceforLoanLossesbyPortfolioSegmentsandUnfundedCreditCommitmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955561 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Activities in Allowance for Loan Losses by Portfolio Segments and Unfunded Credit Commitments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofCarryingValueofLoansTransferredLoansSoldandPurchasedfortheHeldforInvestmentPortfolioDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/LoansReceivableandAllowanceforCreditLossesScheduleofCarryingValueofLoansTransferredLoansSoldandPurchasedfortheHeldforInvestmentPortfolioDetails">
        <link:definition>9955562 - Disclosure - Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses - Schedule of Carrying Value of Loans Transferred, Loans Sold and Purchased for the Held-for-Investment Portfolio (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955563 - Disclosure - Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetScheduleofAffordableHousingTaxCreditandCRAInvestmentsNetandRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetScheduleofAffordableHousingTaxCreditandCRAInvestmentsNetandRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955564 - Disclosure - Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net - Schedule of Affordable Housing, Tax Credit and CRA Investments, Net and Related Unfunded Commitments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetScheduleofAdditionalInformationrelatedtotheAffordableHousingTaxCreditandCRAInvestmentsNetDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditandCommunityReinvestmentActInvestmentsNetScheduleofAdditionalInformationrelatedtotheAffordableHousingTaxCreditandCRAInvestmentsNetDetails">
        <link:definition>9955565 - Disclosure - Affordable Housing Partnership, Tax Credit and Community Reinvestment Act Investments, Net - Schedule of Additional Information related to the Affordable Housing, Tax Credit and CRA Investments, Net (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails">
        <link:definition>9955566 - Disclosure - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/FederalHomeLoanBankAdvancesandLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955567 - Disclosure - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofCreditRelatedCommitmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofCreditRelatedCommitmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955568 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Credit-Related Commitments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955569 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofGuaranteesOutstandingDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofGuaranteesOutstandingDetails">
        <link:definition>9955570 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Guarantees Outstanding (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockCompensationPlansNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockCompensationPlansNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955571 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockCompensationPlansScheduleofStockCompensationExpenseandRelatedNetTaxDeficiencyBenefitDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockCompensationPlansScheduleofStockCompensationExpenseandRelatedNetTaxDeficiencyBenefitDetails">
        <link:definition>9955572 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans - Schedule of Stock Compensation Expense and Related Net Tax (Deficiency) Benefit (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockCompensationPlansScheduleofActivityforTimeBasedandPerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockCompensationPlansScheduleofActivityforTimeBasedandPerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955573 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans - Schedule of Activity for Time-Based and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareScheduleofEarningsPerShareCalculationsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareScheduleofEarningsPerShareCalculationsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955574 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Calculations (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955575 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleoftheChangesinComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBalancesDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleoftheChangesinComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBalancesDetails">
        <link:definition>9955576 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of the Changes in Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balances (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleofComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationstoNetIncomeandtheRelatedTaxEffectsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleofComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationstoNetIncomeandtheRelatedTaxEffectsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955577 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications to Net Income and the Related Tax Effects (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleofComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationstoNetIncomeandtheRelatedTaxEffectsDetails_1" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleofComponentsofOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationstoNetIncomeandtheRelatedTaxEffectsDetails_1">
        <link:definition>9955577 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassifications to Net Income and the Related Tax Effects (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BusinessSegmentsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BusinessSegmentsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>9955578 - Disclosure - Business Segments - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="BusinessSegmentsScheduleofOperatingResultsandOtherKeyFinancialMeasuresforTheIndividualOperatingSegmentsDetails" roleURI="http://www.eastwestbank.com/role/BusinessSegmentsScheduleofOperatingResultsandOtherKeyFinancialMeasuresforTheIndividualOperatingSegmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>9955579 - Disclosure - Business Segments - Schedule of Operating Results and Other Key Financial Measures for The Individual Operating Segments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xs:appinfo>
  </xs:annotation>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InterestBearingDepositsWithBanks" abstract="false" name="InterestBearingDepositsWithBanks" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsNet" abstract="false" name="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DividendIncomeInvestmentsinFederalHomeLoanBankandFederalReserveBankStock" abstract="false" name="DividendIncomeInvestmentsinFederalHomeLoanBankandFederalReserveBankStock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommercialAndConsumerDepositRelatedFees" abstract="false" name="CommercialAndConsumerDepositRelatedFees" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LendingAndLoanServicingFees" abstract="false" name="LendingAndLoanServicingFees" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ForeignExchangeIncome" abstract="false" name="ForeignExchangeIncome" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_WealthManagementFees" abstract="false" name="WealthManagementFees" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CustomerDerivativeIncomeLossNetOfMarkToMarketAdjustments" abstract="false" name="CustomerDerivativeIncomeLossNetOfMarkToMarketAdjustments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DepositAccountExpense" abstract="false" name="DepositAccountExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherRealEstateOwnedIncomeExpense" abstract="false" name="OtherRealEstateOwnedIncomeExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_NoninterestExpenseAmortizationOfTaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" abstract="false" name="NoninterestExpenseAmortizationOfTaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_StockCompensationPlansAndAgreementsVariousPlansAndAgreementsMember" abstract="true" name="StockCompensationPlansAndAgreementsVariousPlansAndAgreementsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_StockRepurchasePlanMember" abstract="true" name="StockRepurchasePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansHeldforSaleOperatingAbstract" abstract="true" name="LoansHeldforSaleOperatingAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_NetIncreaseDecreaseInAbstract" abstract="true" name="NetIncreaseDecreaseInAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_PaymentsForProceedsFromAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" abstract="false" name="PaymentsForProceedsFromAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AvailableforSaleInvestmentSecuritiesAbstract" abstract="true" name="AvailableforSaleInvestmentSecuritiesAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansHeldForInvestmentFinancingAbstract" abstract="true" name="LoansHeldForInvestmentFinancingAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermFederalHomeLoanBankAdvances" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermFederalHomeLoanBankAdvances" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ProceedsFromRepurchaseAgreements" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromRepurchaseAgreements" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommonStockAbstract" abstract="true" name="CommonStockAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CashPaidDuringPeriodForAbstract" abstract="true" name="CashPaidDuringPeriodForAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TransferOfFinancingReceivablesToOtherRealEstateOwned" abstract="false" name="TransferOfFinancingReceivablesToOtherRealEstateOwned" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ResaleAndRepurchaseAgreementsAbstract" abstract="true" name="ResaleAndRepurchaseAgreementsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAndVariableInterestEntitiesAbstract" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAndVariableInterestEntitiesAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AffordableHousingPartnershipsandTaxCreditandOtherInvestmentsNetandVariableInterestEntitiesTextBlock" abstract="false" name="AffordableHousingPartnershipsandTaxCreditandOtherInvestmentsNetandVariableInterestEntitiesTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareAbstract" abstract="true" name="StockholdersEquityandEarningsPerShareAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_BalanceSheetOffsettingPolicyPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="BalanceSheetOffsettingPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LitigationPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="LitigationPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FairValueAdjustmentOfCertainAssetsOnNonrecurringBasisTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="FairValueAdjustmentOfCertainAssetsOnNonrecurringBasisTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfRestrictedEquitySecuritiesTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfRestrictedEquitySecuritiesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GainsLossesOnDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsUnderGAAPTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="GainsLossesOnDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsUnderGAAPTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OffsettingDerivativeAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="OffsettingDerivativeAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesCarryingAmountTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesCarryingAmountTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsKeyCreditRiskCharacteristicsAndMacroeconomicVariablesTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsKeyCreditRiskCharacteristicsAndMacroeconomicVariablesTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfSalesPurchasesAndSecuritizationOfLoansAndReclassificationOfLoansHeldForInvestmentToFromLoansHeldForSaleTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfSalesPurchasesAndSecuritizationOfLoansAndReclassificationOfLoansHeldForInvestmentToFromLoansHeldForSaleTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfAffordableHousingAndTaxCreditsAndCRAInvestmentsAndUnfundedCommitmentsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfAffordableHousingAndTaxCreditsAndCRAInvestmentsAndUnfundedCommitmentsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfAmortizationOfAffordableHousingAndTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfAmortizationOfAffordableHousingAndTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ScheduleOfCreditRelatedCommitmentsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ScheduleOfCreditRelatedCommitmentsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" abstract="true" name="CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" abstract="true" name="ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ForeignGovernmentBondsMember" abstract="true" name="ForeignGovernmentBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_SecuritiesInsuredOrGuaranteedByGovernmentAuthoritiesAxis" abstract="true" name="SecuritiesInsuredOrGuaranteedByGovernmentAuthoritiesAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_SecuritiesInsuredOrGuaranteedByGovernmentAuthoritiesDomain" abstract="true" name="SecuritiesInsuredOrGuaranteedByGovernmentAuthoritiesDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_MeasurementInputPayoutPercentageBasedOnOperatingRevenueAndOperatingProfitOfInvesteeMember" abstract="true" name="MeasurementInputPayoutPercentageBasedOnOperatingRevenueAndOperatingProfitOfInvesteeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InternalModelMember" abstract="true" name="InternalModelMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommercialAndIndustrialLoanMember" abstract="true" name="CommercialAndIndustrialLoanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansHeldForSaleMember" abstract="true" name="LoansHeldForSaleMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherRealEstateOwnedMember" abstract="true" name="OtherRealEstateOwnedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ValuationTechniqueFairValueOfCollateralDiscountMember" abstract="true" name="ValuationTechniqueFairValueOfCollateralDiscountMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ValuationTechniqueFairValueOfValuationTechniqueFairValueOfPropertySellingCostMember" abstract="true" name="ValuationTechniqueFairValueOfValuationTechniqueFairValueOfPropertySellingCostMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ValuationTechniqueIndividualAnalysisMember" abstract="true" name="ValuationTechniqueIndividualAnalysisMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansReceivableMeasurementInput" abstract="false" name="LoansReceivableMeasurementInput" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_Demandcheckingsavingsandmoneymarket" abstract="false" name="Demandcheckingsavingsandmoneymarket" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AssetsPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellGrossAmountsNotOffsetAbstract" abstract="true" name="AssetsPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellGrossAmountsNotOffsetAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AssetsPurchasedUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseGrossAmountsNotOffsetAbstract" abstract="true" name="AssetsPurchasedUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseGrossAmountsNotOffsetAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" abstract="false" name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" abstract="true" name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentAgenciesAndGovernmentSponsoredEnterpriseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" abstract="true" name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_PrepositionedForFederalReserveBankStandingRepurchaseAgreementFacilityMember" abstract="true" name="PrepositionedForFederalReserveBankStandingRepurchaseAgreementFacilityMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxExpenseBenefitOnSaleOfAvailableForSaleDebtInvestmentSecurities" abstract="false" name="TaxExpenseBenefitOnSaleOfAvailableForSaleDebtInvestmentSecurities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LondonClearingHouseChicagoMercantileExchangeMember" abstract="true" name="LondonClearingHouseChicagoMercantileExchangeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CreditRiskRelatedContingentFeaturesMember" abstract="true" name="CreditRiskRelatedContingentFeaturesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommercialBankingMember" abstract="true" name="CommercialBankingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DerivativeOriginalMaturityPeriod" abstract="false" name="DerivativeOriginalMaturityPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_EquityPrivateCompaniesMember" abstract="true" name="EquityPrivateCompaniesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockSettledinStockMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockSettledinStockMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_NumberOfCompaniesThatIssuedTheEquityContractsIssuersPortionOnly" abstract="false" name="NumberOfCompaniesThatIssuedTheEquityContractsIssuersPortionOnly" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_WrittenOptionMember" abstract="true" name="WrittenOptionMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CollarsandCorridorsMember" abstract="true" name="CollarsandCorridorsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ForwardAndSpotMember" abstract="true" name="ForwardAndSpotMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_PurchasedOptionsMember" abstract="true" name="PurchasedOptionsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CollarsMember" abstract="true" name="CollarsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CustomerDerivativeIncomeAndDerivativeMarkToMarketAdjustmentsMember" abstract="true" name="CustomerDerivativeIncomeAndDerivativeMarkToMarketAdjustmentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LendingAndLoanServicingFeesMember" abstract="true" name="LendingAndLoanServicingFeesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherInvestmentIncomeMember" abstract="true" name="OtherInvestmentIncomeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DerivativeCashCollateralReceivedIncludingAmountOffsetbyFairValueAssetsandExcessCashAmount" abstract="false" name="DerivativeCashCollateralReceivedIncludingAmountOffsetbyFairValueAssetsandExcessCashAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DerivativeCashCollateralPostedAgainstDerivativeLiabilitiesIncludingAmountOffsettheDerivativeFairValueLiabilitiesandExcessCashAmount" abstract="false" name="DerivativeCashCollateralPostedAgainstDerivativeLiabilitiesIncludingAmountOffsettheDerivativeFairValueLiabilitiesandExcessCashAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ConstructionAndLandLoanMember" abstract="true" name="ConstructionAndLandLoanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TotalCommercialRealEstateMember" abstract="true" name="TotalCommercialRealEstateMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TotalResidentialMortgageMember" abstract="true" name="TotalResidentialMortgageMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherConsumerMember" abstract="true" name="OtherConsumerMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CriticizedAccrualMember" abstract="true" name="CriticizedAccrualMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CriticizedNonaccrualMember" abstract="true" name="CriticizedNonaccrualMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GrossWriteoffMember" abstract="true" name="GrossWriteoffMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ExtendedMaturityAndPaymentDeferralMember" abstract="true" name="ExtendedMaturityAndPaymentDeferralMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancialAsset30To89DaysPastDueMember" abstract="true" name="FinancialAsset30To89DaysPastDueMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestNonaccrualModifiedAfter12Months" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestNonaccrualModifiedAfter12Months" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ReasonableAndSupportableForecastPeriodLifeTimeLossRatePeriod" abstract="false" name="ReasonableAndSupportableForecastPeriodLifeTimeLossRatePeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableCollateralDependent" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableCollateralDependent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableAndOffBalanceSheetCreditLossAllowance" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableAndOffBalanceSheetCreditLossAllowance" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableAndOffBalanceSheetCreditLossAllowancePeriodIncreaseDecrease" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableAndOffBalanceSheetCreditLossAllowancePeriodIncreaseDecrease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansLeasesAndUnfundedCreditCommitmentsMember" abstract="true" name="LoansLeasesAndUnfundedCreditCommitmentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansSoldInSecondaryMarketMember" abstract="true" name="LoansSoldInSecondaryMarketMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansReceivableOriginatedMember" abstract="true" name="LoansReceivableOriginatedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansReceivablePurchasedMember" abstract="true" name="LoansReceivablePurchasedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoffReclassificationToHeldForSale" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoffReclassificationToHeldForSale" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsinTaxCreditandOtherInvestmentsNetTable" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsinTaxCreditandOtherInvestmentsNetTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetLineItems" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_MinimumCompliancePeriodToFullyUtilizeTaxCredits" abstract="false" name="MinimumCompliancePeriodToFullyUtilizeTaxCredits" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AffordableHousingPartnershipMember" abstract="true" name="AffordableHousingPartnershipMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsMember" abstract="true" name="TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsAssetsAbstract" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsAssetsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditAndCRAInvestments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAndRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsAbstract" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAndRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsCommitment" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsCommitment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsLiabilitiesUnfundedCommitmentsTotal" abstract="false" name="AffordableHousingPartnershipTaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsLiabilitiesUnfundedCommitmentsTotal" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsNetAndRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsAbstract" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInQualifiedAffordableHousingPartnershipsNetAndRelatedUnfundedCommitmentsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_PAMEquityMethodAccountingAndOtherAbstract" abstract="true" name="PAMEquityMethodAccountingAndOtherAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsTaxCreditsAndOtherTaxBenefitsAmount" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsTaxCreditsAndOtherTaxBenefitsAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndBenefit" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditAndBenefit" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAbstract" abstract="true" name="InvestmentsInTaxCreditAndOtherInvestmentsNetAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_AmortizationEquityMethodAccountingAndOtherAbstract" abstract="true" name="AmortizationEquityMethodAccountingAndOtherAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsAmortization" abstract="false" name="TaxCreditAndCRAInvestmentsAmortization" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_Amortization" abstract="false" name="Amortization" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvanceMethodAxis" abstract="true" name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvanceMethodAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FederalHomeLoanBankAdvanceMethodDomain" abstract="true" name="FederalHomeLoanBankAdvanceMethodDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FloatingMember" abstract="true" name="FloatingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FixedMember" abstract="true" name="FixedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OvernightMember" abstract="true" name="OvernightMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_MCBIStatutoryTrustIMember" abstract="false" name="MCBIStatutoryTrustIMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CommercialLettersOfCreditMember" abstract="true" name="CommercialLettersOfCreditMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_SingleFamilyResidentialMember" abstract="true" name="SingleFamilyResidentialMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_MultifamilyResidentialMember" abstract="true" name="MultifamilyResidentialMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TypeofGuaranteesAxis" abstract="true" name="TypeofGuaranteesAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TypeofGuaranteesDomain" abstract="true" name="TypeofGuaranteesDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_LoansSoldorSecuritizedWithRecourseMember" abstract="true" name="LoansSoldorSecuritizedWithRecourseMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GuarantorObligationsMaximumPotentialFuturePaymentsAbstract" abstract="true" name="GuarantorObligationsMaximumPotentialFuturePaymentsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireInYearTwoThroughThree" abstract="false" name="GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireInYearTwoThroughThree" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireInYearsFourThroughFive" abstract="false" name="GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireInYearsFourThroughFive" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireAfterYearFive" abstract="false" name="GuarantorObligationsMaximumExposureUndiscountedExpireAfterYearFive" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_A2021StockIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="A2021StockIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TimeBasedRestrictedStockSettledinStockMember" abstract="true" name="TimeBasedRestrictedStockSettledinStockMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_CliffVestingMember" abstract="true" name="CliffVestingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPercentageofTargetAwardAvailableforGrant" abstract="false" name="SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPercentageofTargetAwardAvailableforGrant" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FairValueChangesOfLiabilityClassifiedEquityContracts" abstract="false" name="FairValueChangesOfLiabilityClassifiedEquityContracts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_BlendedStatutoryTaxRateLiabilityClassifiedEquityContracts" abstract="false" name="BlendedStatutoryTaxRateLiabilityClassifiedEquityContracts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeBeforeTax" abstract="false" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeBeforeTax" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeTax" abstract="false" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeTax" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax" abstract="false" name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOrWriteDownOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_ConsumerandBusinessBankingMember" abstract="true" name="ConsumerandBusinessBankingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_TreasuryAndOtherMember" abstract="true" name="TreasuryAndOtherMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_RevenueBeforeProvisionForLoanLoss" abstract="false" name="RevenueBeforeProvisionForLoanLoss" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_NoninterestExpenseOtherThanLaborAndRelatedExpense" abstract="false" name="NoninterestExpenseOtherThanLaborAndRelatedExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_FinancingReceivablesAfterAllowanceForCreditLossAverageAmountOutstanding" abstract="false" name="FinancingReceivablesAfterAllowanceForCreditLossAverageAmountOutstanding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="ewbc_DepositsLiabilitiesAverageAmountOutstanding" abstract="false" name="DepositsLiabilitiesAverageAmountOutstanding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
