East West Bank Becomes Community Banking Partner of Los Angeles Rams

Pasadena’s East West Bank and the Los Angeles Rams have entered a multiyear partnership that makes the financial institution an official community banking partner of the National Football League (NFL) team, the organizations announced.

The agreement will include joint marketing, advertising and community engagement efforts across Southern California. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

“East West Bank believes in building bridges that connect people, cultures and communities in ways that help everyone reach further and win,” said Deborah Leerhsen, executive vice president and head of global banking at East West Bank.

Leerhsen said the partnership will allow the bank to advance that mission through sports while building connections, expanding opportunities and supporting communities across Southern California.

As part of the agreement, East West Bank will become the presenting partner of two Rams community programs: “pLAymakers” and “Fighting Hunger.”

The “pLAymakers” initiative recognizes local leaders working to improve their neighborhoods, while “Fighting Hunger” focuses on addressing food insecurity. The organizations did not announce specific events or funding commitments connected to the programs.

“The Rams are committed to partnering with organizations that are leaders in their industries, and East West Bank has built a reputation for high performance that mirrors what we strive for on and off the field,” said Jennifer Prince, the Rams’ chief commercial officer.

Prince said the team believes in “partnering with purpose” and looks forward to the organizations’ combined community impact.

East West Bancorp Inc., the bank’s publicly traded parent company, reported total assets of $85 billion. East West Bank operates more than 110 locations in the United States and Asia and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California.

Its U.S. markets include California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington.

Founded in 1937, the Rams are among the NFL’s oldest franchises. The team has won four championships, including Super Bowl LVI, and has sent 30 members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Rams play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, part of the 298-acre Hollywood Park sports and entertainment development owned, developed and operated by Rams owner and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke.