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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">UNITED STATES</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Current Report</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13
  or 15(d)&nbsp;of</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April 29, 2008</font></b></strong><b><br>
  </b>Date of Report (date of
  earliest event reported)</p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.<br>
  </font></b>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Commission file number 000-24939</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">95-4703316</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)</font></p>
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    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer Identification Number)</font></p>
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">135 N Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor,&nbsp;Pasadena,
  California 91101</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(626) 768-6000 </font></b></strong><b><br>
  </b>(Registrant&#146;s telephone
  number, including area code)</p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check
  the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
  following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font> Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425
  under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12
  under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#168;</font> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
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    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;8.01.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Other Events.</font></b></p>
    </td>
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Opinion and consent of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP as to the
  validity of the shares of the 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible
  Preferred Stock, Series&nbsp;A, par value $0.001 per share, of East West
  Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. offered pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement dated April&nbsp;23,
  2008 (the &#147;Preferred Stock&#148;) and the issuance of shares of common stock of the
  Company, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
  Stock (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) and the Opinion and consent of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp;
  Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters are filed herewith and are each
  incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3
  (File No.&nbsp;333-150353) (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) as exhibits thereto.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
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    <td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;9.01.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1
    &#150;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP as to the validity of the
    Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, to become Exhibit&nbsp;5.2 to the
    Registration Statement, including the consent of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp;
    Phillips, LLP.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="11%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:11.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.2
    &#150;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="86%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:86.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters, to
    become Exhibit&nbsp;8.1 to the Registration Statement, including the consent
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURES</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:
  April 29, 2008</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
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    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EAST
    WEST BANCORP, INC.</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
    Douglas P. Krause</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Douglas
    P. Krause</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Executive
    Vice President, General Counsel</font></p>
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    <td width="51%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">and
    Corporate Secretary</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit<br>
    No.</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.42%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.58%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP as to the validity of the
    Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, to become Exhibit&nbsp;5.2 to the
    Registration Statement, including the consent of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp;
    Phillips, LLP.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.2</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.42%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters, to
    become Exhibit&nbsp;8.1 to the Registration Statement, including the consent
    of Manatt, Phelps&nbsp;&amp; Phillips, LLP</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "EAST WEST BANCORP INC", "cik": "0001069157", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "954703316", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-24939", "film-number": "08783850"}, "business-address": {"street1": "135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. 7TH FLOOR", "city": "PASADENA", "state": "CA", "zip": "91101", "phone": "6267686000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "EAST WEST BANCORP INC", "street2": "135 N. LOS ROBLES AVE. 7TH FLOOR", "city": "PASADENA", "state": "CA", "zip": "91101"}}
text: UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  Current Report
  Pursuant to Section 13
  or 15(d) of
  the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934
  April 29, 2008
  Date of Report (date of
  earliest event reported)
  EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Commission file number 000-24939
  Delaware
  95-4703316
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
  (IRS Employer Identification Number)
  135 N Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena,
  California 91101
  (Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
  (626) 768-6000
  (Registrant's telephone
  number, including area code)
  Check
  the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
  simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
  following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
  ¨
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
  under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  ¨
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
  under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  ¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  ¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 8.01.
  Other Events.
  The
  Opinion and consent of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP as to the
  validity of the shares of the 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible
  Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.001 per share, of East West
  Bancorp, Inc. offered pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement dated April 23,
  2008 (the "Preferred Stock") and the issuance of shares of common stock of the
  Company, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
  Stock (the "Common Stock") and the Opinion and consent of Manatt, Phelps &
  Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters are filed herewith and are each
  incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement on Form S-3
  (File No. 333-150353) (the "Registration Statement") as exhibits thereto.
  Item 9.01.
  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (d) Exhibits.
  Exhibit 99.1
    –
  Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP as to the validity of the
    Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, to become Exhibit 5.2 to the
    Registration Statement, including the consent of Manatt, Phelps &
    Phillips, LLP.
  Exhibit 99.2
    –
  Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters, to
    become Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement, including the consent
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.
  2
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.
  Date:
  April 29, 2008
  EAST
    WEST BANCORP, INC.
  By:
  /s/
    Douglas P. Krause
  Douglas
    P. Krause
  Executive
    Vice President, General Counsel
  and
    Corporate Secretary
  3
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit
  No.
  Exhibit
  99.1
  Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP as to the validity of the
    Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, to become Exhibit 5.2 to the
    Registration Statement, including the consent of Manatt, Phelps &
    Phillips, LLP.
  99.2
  Opinion
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP as to certain tax matters, to
    become Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement, including the consent
    of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
  4