Eric Watson

Eric Watson is a seasoned finance professional currently serving as Senior Vice President & Team Portfolio Manager at East West Bank since May 2022. Prior to this role, Eric held the position of Principal at Ares Management, L.P., where responsibilities included senior underwriting for commercial finance solutions, primarily for middle market companies. Eric's extensive background in commercial finance includes positions as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Wells Fargo Capital Finance, as well as Vice President, Senior Underwriter, and Portfolio Manager at GE Capital, where leadership was demonstrated in underwriting senior secured asset-based lending and cash flow credit facilities. Earlier career experience includes underwriting roles at Heller Financial, Coast Business Credit, and auditing positions at Zenith Insurance Company and Cohn Handler & Co. Eric holds a BA in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from UC Santa Barbara, obtained between 1990 and 1994.