East West Bancorp Inc

East West Bancorp reported second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $2.63, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.61 and rising 17.4% from the prior-year quarter. Net income was $363.7 million, up from $310.3 million a year earlier, driven by a 12.5% increase in net revenues to $791.1 million, which also topped the consensus of $785.9 million. Net interest income grew 11% to $684.7 million, while non-interest income jumped 23.6% to $106.5 million, though non-interest expenses rose 13.5% to $290.6 million. Loan and deposit balances reached record levels, with net loans held for investment at $58.1 billion and total deposits at $70.1 billion as of June 30, 2026. The provision for credit losses declined to $33 million from $45 million, but non-performing assets increased 43.9% to $247 million, and the company did not repurchase any shares during the quarter.

East West Bancorp has increased its annualized dividend to $3.20 per share, a 33.3% rise from last year. The Pasadena-based bank holding company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share, yielding 2.48%, which compares to the Banks - West industry average of 2.53% and the S&P 500's 1.41%. Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, averaging an 18.17% annual increase. Its payout ratio stands at 32% of trailing twelve-month earnings, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is $10.59 per share, implying 11.59% year-over-year growth. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Stock Yards Bank reported first-quarter revenues of $102.6 million, up 9.6% year on year and in line with analysts' expectations, in what was described as a mixed quarter. Among the 91 regional banks tracked, UMB Financial posted the strongest results with revenues of $744.8 million, beating estimates by 5.4%, while BankUnited was the weakest, missing revenue expectations by 5.1% with $273.8 million. East West Bank reported $773.7 million in revenue, exceeding estimates by 2.8%, and First Commonwealth Financial posted $133.7 million, slightly below expectations. Overall, the group's revenues were in line with consensus, and share prices have risen an average of 6.2% since the latest earnings results.

Regional bank stocks delivered a mixed first quarter, with Ameris Bancorp reporting revenues of $315.3 million, up 10% year on year and exceeding analyst expectations by 2.1%. Among the 91 regional banks tracked, UMB Financial stood out with revenues of $744.8 million, a 29.3% increase that beat estimates by 5.4%, while BankUnited fell short with revenues of $273.8 million, missing expectations by 5.1%. Western Alliance Bancorporation posted revenues of $977.3 million, up 25.8% and surpassing estimates by 2.7%, and East West Bank reported revenues of $773.7 million, an 11.8% rise that beat estimates by 2.8%. On average, share prices of the group have held steady, rising 1.6% since the latest earnings results.