-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
EWBC posted strong Q1 2026 results with operating EPS of $2.57 vs. $2.08 a year ago, $0.10 above consensus. Q1 revenue of $774M beat consensus by 3% and rose 12% Y/Y and 2% Q/Q. It was another record quarter as the bank reported record levels of loans, deposits, and fee income, while maintaining healthy credit quality. Net interest income outperformed with 2% Q/Q growth while the net interest margin improved 8 bps to 3.49%, driven by a 21-bp decline in deposit costs to 2.84% that more than offset a 9-bp decrease in loan yields. Balance sheet growth remained robust with total loans reaching a record $58B (+2% Q/Q, +7% Y/Y) and deposits hitting $69B (+3% Q/Q, +9% Y/Y). Loan growth was well diversified across commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage portfolios. Fee income surged 13% Q/Q to record levels, with wealth management fees more than doubling. The bank's funding optimization efforts continued to bear fruit in the competitive environment.