East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC) shareholders approved all proposals presented at the company’s annual meeting, including the election of directors, advisory approval of executive compensation and the ratification of KPMG as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026.
Douglas Krause, vice chairman and chief corporate officer of East West Bancorp, chaired the formal portion of the virtual meeting and served as inspector of elections. Krause said a quorum was present and that the holders of more than a majority of the company’s shares voted in favor of all director nominees listed in the proxy materials.
Shareholders approve company proposals
- The election of directors;
- An advisory vote approving executive compensation for 2025;
- The amendment and restatement of the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan;
- The adoption of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and
- The ratification of KPMG as East West Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026.
Krause introduced the directors attending the virtual meeting: Manuel Alvarez, Peter Babej, Molly Campbell, Archana Deskus, Serge Dumont, Mark Hutchins, Paul H. Irving, Sabrina Kay, Jack Liu, Lester Sussman and Dominic Ng, the company’s chairman. Members of management and representatives of KPMG were also in attendance.
Ng highlights record 2025 results
Following the formal votes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dominic Ng provided a business update and said 2025 was “another record-breaking year” for East West Bancorp. Ng said the company reached new record levels for revenue, interest income, fees, non-interest income, earnings per share, loans and deposits.
Ng said East West achieved balanced loan growth in 2025 and continued to expand its base of non-interest-bearing deposits. He also pointed to what he described as consistent top-tier shareholder returns, citing a 17% return on average tangible common equity, a 1.7% return on average assets and an efficiency level that he characterized as “best in class.”
The company also increased its quarterly dividend in the first quarter of 2026 by $0.20, or 33%, to $0.80 per share, Ng said.
“Overall, East West 2025 results reflect how our business model is designed to deliver meaningful value to clients,” Ng said, adding that this is particularly important during periods of uncertainty when the company’s ability to navigate challenging conditions matters most.
Capital returns and first-quarter trends
Ng said East West has been and will continue to be “prudent stewards” of shareholder capital. He said the company has grown tangible book value per share by 13% and dividends per share by 16% annualized over the past four years.
He also referenced the company’s total shareholder return over the past one-, three- and five-year periods, saying each was well above the company’s peer median. Ng described total shareholder return as share price appreciation assuming reinvestment of dividends.
Discussing first-quarter financial results, Ng said East West recorded another record quarter for loans, deposits and fee income. He said depositors continued to place their trust in the company, while commercial and industrial loans grew as utilization increased. Ng also said the company’s wealth management business set a new record as it remained closely engaged with clients in a dynamic market environment.
Company says it is positioned for uncertainty
Ng said East West Bank now has more than $83 billion in assets and an increasingly diversified and granular balance sheet. He also noted that the company’s performance has earned top rankings from Bank Director and American Banker.
Although Ng said the economic environment remains “somewhat uncertain,” he said East West is positioned to sustain its performance. He cited the company’s diversified balance sheet, consumer banking network, profitability, operating efficiency and capital levels among its strengths.
“We have the capital and balance sheet flexibility to take care of our customers in the environment,” Ng said. “We are well-positioned to capitalize on any opportunities the year ahead.”
No shareholder questions were submitted through the virtual meeting website, according to Krause. The meeting was then concluded.
About East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
