East West Bank Foundation To Launch Asian Pop Star Jimmy Lin's New Anti-Drug PSA; ''Live'' Video Press Conference from Taipei to Los Angeles

Business Wire, June 20, 2001

Business Editors

SAN MARINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2001

Today, East West Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: EWBC), parent company of East West Bank, one of the nation's premier community banks and a leading financial institution focused on Chinese-American and other niche markets, will host an exclusive press conference to premiere its new Public Service Announcement (PSA) delivering an anti-drug message to the communities.

Joining the event will be Asian singing sensation Jimmy Lin and the mayor of Taipei via "live" video-conference from Taiwan. Also on hand for the kick-off will be The White House Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The PSA will start its run on all major Asian television networks throughout North America starting June 25, 2001.

Dominic Ng, chairman, president and CEO of East West Bank commented, "We are quite pleased with the great response we are receiving from the communities to support us in this meaningful initiative. We have been serving the Asian communities for over 28 years, we understand their needs and how to communicate with them effectively. It is great to see and feel the enthusiasm, devotion and participation from the kids and their parents."

Jennifer Bishop, a policy analyst from ONDCP, commended East West Bank and Jimmy Lin on their efforts. "East West Bank has set a standard for private organizations through active community involvement aimed at keeping kids drug-free. The PSAs featuring Jimmy Lin effectively complement our National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. They empower the youth to make healthy decisions and take full advantage of life's opportunities. Jimmy Lin is a positive role model. Youth can look up to him as someone who puts his talents before the destructive behavior of drug use. ONDCP looks forward to continuing to assist East West Bank with this wonderful campaign."

In producing the PSA, Jimmy Lin traveled in March from his native country, Taiwan, to Los Angeles to complete a two-day shoot. The production of this PSA was the teamwork of Jimmy Lin and the efforts of local teens here in Los Angeles. More than 80 teens turned out for the initial audition and 20 of them were ultimately selected to star in the various scenes.

Aside from playing a part in the commercial, many of the teens had a chance to work with ONDCP to voice their concerns about the drug problems in the communities and define how "Sports -- My Anti-Drug" can enable them to stay away from illegal substances. "My experience working with the teens here in L.A. has been both rewarding and educational. I hope the message I am helping to send will have an impact on the kids here in the U.S.," said Jimmy Lin.

During the summer, East West Bank Foundation is also holding an anti-drug Bowling Contest to help teens develop "their Anti-Drug." To compete, they must go to www.eastwestbank.com, take a "Drug-Free For Life" pledge and complete a sign-up form online. The first 300 qualified sign-ups will be selected to compete. All players will receive discounts for bowling at a local bowling facility and a chance to compete with Jimmy Lin in the finals.

In the next few days, Jimmy Lin will make special appearances to promote the "Anti-Drug" message where his fans will have a chance to share "their Anti-Drug" with him and watch him perform. Two of the visits will take place in June at the East West Bank branch locations in Milpitas and Cupertino, Calif. He will also be appearing at the 2001 Chinese Business Expo in San Mateo, Calif., where they will expect a turnout of approximately 50,000 spectators. All the details and schedules to Jimmy Lin's upcoming appearances can be found at East West Bank's web site.

The press conference will be held simultaneously tonight in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. at the Taipei location.

About East West Bank

East West Bancorp is a publicly owned company with $2.6 billion in assets, whose stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "EWBC." The company's wholly owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is the third largest independent commercial bank headquartered in Southern California. East West Bank serves the community with 30 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. It is also one of the largest financial institutions in the nation focusing on the Chinese-American community.

For more information on East West Bancorp (via fax and at no cost), call 800/PRO-INFO and dial client code "EWBC." If calling from outside the United States, dial 732/544-2850. The company's Web site can be reached at www.eastwestbank.com.

About ONDCP and the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is a cabinet level agency in the Executive Office of the President. ONDCP was formed in 1981 to establish policies, priorities and objectives for the nation's drug control program. In 1998, with the bipartisan support of Congress and the President, ONDCP created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, an effort designed to educate and empower all youth to reject illicit drugs. The Campaign relies on ads developed by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and community outreach programs and partnerships. The Campaign's messages have become ubiquitous in the lives of America's youth and their parents. Counting on an unprecedented blend of public and private partnerships, non-profit community service organizations, volunteerism and youth-to-youth communications, the Campaign is designed to reach Americans of diverse backgrounds wherever they work, learn, live or play.