A Bridge Between East and West

East West Bancorp was formed 1973, in Los Angeles, to serve a growing Chinese community. Mainstream banks were reluctant to do business with Chinese immigrants in those days, and East West filled a very important niche.

Beginning with in a single branch in Chinatown, East West has grown to become the 40th largest bank holding company in the country – and also one of the most profitable. Yet despite its success over the years, East West Bank has stayed true to its mission of serving the Asian-American community, and that has never been truer than over that last few years.

East West’s chairman and CEO, Dominic Ng, has often described his bank as a financial and cultural bridge between east and west – between its Asian-American customer base and mainstream American life, and between companies in the United States and China.

Questions about the virus’ origin in China and the Chinese government’s openness with the international community have led to a sickening backlash against Asian-Americans — including terrible acts of violence. Ing has spoken out publically against these violent incidents and anti-Asian bias generally.

In this edition of the Slant Podcast, Ng talks about the history of East West Bancorp, its role as a bridge between east and west, and why he decided to take a public stance against Asian-American prejudice.

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