ThZeal - The Zeal

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

March 3, 2020

EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-24939

(Commission File Number)

95-4703316

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

135 N Los Robles Ave., 7th Floor, Pasadena, California 91101

(Address of principal executive offices) (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:



☐	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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value	EWBC	The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events

On March 3, 2020, East West Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Repurchase Program”). This $500 million repurchase authorization is inclusive of the Company’s $100 million stock repurchase authorization currently outstanding.

The Repurchase Program is intended to comply with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Rule 10b-18”). Purchases under the Repurchase Program will be made in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other means in compliance with Rule 10b-18. However, the Company has no obligation to repurchase shares and the timing, actual number, and value of shares to be repurchased is subject to management’s discretion and will depend on the Company’s stock price and other market conditions. The Company may, in the sole discretion of the Board, terminate the Repurchase Program at any time while it is in effect.

On March 3, 2020, the Company issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the Board’s authorization of the Repurchase Program. A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits



99.1	Press Release, dated March 3, 2020.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data (formatted as Inline XBRL). Filed herewith.

SIGNATURE

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.



	EAST WEST BANCORP, INC.

Date: March 4, 2020	By:	/s/ Irene H. Oh
		Irene H. Oh
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer