The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) Responds to False Statements about Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank

San Francisco, CA (March 11, 2023)- Following false allegations and racist remarks by U.S. elected officials towards Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank, TAAF Chief Executive Officer Norman Chen issued the following statement in response:

‍"In recent days, Dominic Ng, CEO of East West Bank, has been subject to false allegations and racist rhetoric by U.S. elected officials. We condemn these comments that question the loyalty of a CEO of an American corporation and presidentially-appointed chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council. To question the loyalty of a Chinese American – and frankly any American – based on their ethnicity or background sets a dangerous precedent and puts people and communities at risk. Mr. Ng is an American citizen and esteemed business leader with over 30 years of leadership at East West Bank. A respected civic and philanthropic leader, he has also fought for belonging and inclusion for Asian Americans throughout his career. To cast doubt upon Mr. Ng’s loyalty furthers harmful stereotypes that Asian Americans are 'perpetual foreigners.'

The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism tracked that hate crimes against Asian Americans grew 339% between 2020 and 2021. In the 2022 STAATUS Index, nearly one third of Americans believe that Asian Americans are more loyal to a country in Asia than to the United States. We are trending in the wrong direction and this type of racist rhetoric incites violence and poses a direct danger to Asian American communities. Anti-Asian sentiment continues to reveal itself through racist accusations, such as those targeted towards Asian American leaders like Dominic Ng and other leaders in our community, such as Representative Judy Chu, and must stop."

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