East West Bank, the largest publicly traded bank based in Southern California, marked its 25th anniversary on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange today. Chairman and CEO Dominic Ng celebrated the occasion by ringing Nasdaq’s opening bell. “This is a significant day for East West Bank,” Ng remarked. “Reaching 25 years on Nasdaq reflects the trust our customers have placed in us and our steadfast dedication to helping them achieve their goals.”
Under Ng’s leadership, East West Bank has transformed from a $600 million savings and loan association into a global commercial bank with assets exceeding $72 billion. The bank has been recognized as the top-performing bank in its asset size by Bank Director for the past two years and has emerged from the 2023 regional banking disruption stronger than ever.
Ng emphasized in his remarks that East West’s Nasdaq listing was crucial for both the public and the bank’s employees. “Being listed on Nasdaq allowed the public to join us on our journey, and we wanted our associates to be part of that journey too,” Ng said. To support this, he introduced the “Spirit of Ownership” program before the bank went public. This annual initiative provides stock distributions to all employees, both full-time and part-time, during Lunar New Year, aligning with the bank’s Asian American roots. “By fostering public and employee ownership, we’ve made sure that everyone involved shares in our success,” Ng added.
Founded in 1973 to serve underserved communities often overlooked by mainstream financial institutions, East West Bank has grown from a single branch into a global entity bridging financial and cultural gaps between the U.S. and Asia. Known for its capital strength, diverse business model, and broad customer base, East West Bank offers expertise to various sectors, including media, entertainment, private equity, infrastructure, healthcare, clean energy, technology, manufacturing, and commercial real estate.
