Why East West Bancorp (EWBC) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now

East West Bancorp (EWBC) is highlighted as a strong dividend play for income investors, with a current yield of 2.52% and an annualized dividend of $3.20, up 33.3% year-over-year. The company has increased dividends 5 times over the last 5 years with an average annual increase of 18.17%. With a low payout ratio of 31% and expected earnings growth of 11.80% for 2026, EWBC presents a compelling opportunity, though it carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).