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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Washington, D.C. 20549</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B></B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
August 31, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="text-transform: uppercase"><B>CATHAY
GENERAL BANCORP<BR>
</B></FONT>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center">Delaware</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center">0-18630</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center">95&#45;4274680</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">777 North Broadway, Los&nbsp;Angeles, California
90012<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)&#9;(Zip Code)</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9;(213)&nbsp;625-4700</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Not Applicable</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in">(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR></TABLE>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 9%; font-weight: bold">Item 8.01</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 91%; font-weight: bold">Other Events</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.75in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">On August 31, 2012, a jury in the case titled &quot;Garden Grove
Galleria LLC v. Cathay Bank,&quot; Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, Case No. 30-2010-00342212,
delivered a verdict awarding damages in the amount of $11.6 million in favor of Garden Grove Galleria LLC and against Cathay Bank,
which is a subsidiary of Cathay General Bancorp. <FONT STYLE="color: black">The jury verdict is not final and is subject to further
legal proceedings. Among other matters, the trial in the case is not yet concluded. The trial judge has yet to rule on those portions
of the case which, under applicable law, are triable by the court rather than a jury, including Cathay Bank's cross complaint against
Garden Grove Galleria LLC for the $19 million unpaid balance of a loan. </FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Garden Grove Galleria LLC is the borrower on a construction
loan made by Cathay Bank with two bank participants. The participants own a combined 50% participation interest in the loan and
Cathay Bank owns the remaining 50%. As such, Cathay Bank's potential liability is expected to be limited to 50% of any final award
that may be entered in favor of Garden Grove Galleria LLC.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Because the case has yet to been concluded, <FONT STYLE="color: black">Cathay
General Bancorp and Cathay Bank intend to </FONT>observe their policy of not commenting on pending litigation.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Forward-Looking Statements &nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Certain statements in this Form 8-K are forward-looking statements
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements may include such words as &quot;anticipates,&quot;
&quot;believes,&quot; &quot;can,&quot; &quot;could,&quot; &quot;estimates,&quot; &quot;expects,&quot; &quot;intends,&quot; &quot;may,&quot;
&quot;plans,&quot; &quot;seeks,&quot; &quot;shall,&quot; &quot;should,&quot; &quot;will,&quot; &quot;potential,&quot; &quot;possible,&quot;
and variations of these words and similar expressions. For such statements, we claim the protection of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, contingencies beyond the
control of Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay Bank including adverse legal developments in the proceedings. Additional factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by our forward-looking statements are disclosed
in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent our judgment as of
the time of the filing of this Form 8-K. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other
than as may be required under applicable law.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Date: September 4, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 3in; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify">CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid">/s/ Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP", "cik": "0000861842", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "954274680", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-18630", "film-number": "121069628"}, "business-address": {"street1": "777 N BROADWAY", "city": "LOS ANGELES", "state": "CA", "zip": "90012", "phone": "2136254700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "777 NORTH BROADWAY", "city": "LOS ANGELES", "state": "CA", "zip": "90012"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "CATHAY BANCORP INC", "date-changed": "19930328"}}
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
August 31, 2012
CATHAY
GENERAL BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
0-18630
95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California
90012
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code:          	(213) 625-4700
Not Applicable
(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01
Other Events
On August 31, 2012, a jury in the case titled "Garden Grove
Galleria LLC v. Cathay Bank," Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, Case No. 30-2010-00342212,
delivered a verdict awarding damages in the amount of $11.6 million in favor of Garden Grove Galleria LLC and against Cathay Bank,
which is a subsidiary of Cathay General Bancorp.
The jury verdict is not final and is subject to further
legal proceedings. Among other matters, the trial in the case is not yet concluded. The trial judge has yet to rule on those portions
of the case which, under applicable law, are triable by the court rather than a jury, including Cathay Bank's cross complaint against
Garden Grove Galleria LLC for the $19 million unpaid balance of a loan.
Garden Grove Galleria LLC is the borrower on a construction
loan made by Cathay Bank with two bank participants. The participants own a combined 50% participation interest in the loan and
Cathay Bank owns the remaining 50%. As such, Cathay Bank's potential liability is expected to be limited to 50% of any final award
that may be entered in favor of Garden Grove Galleria LLC.
Because the case has yet to been concluded,
Cathay
General Bancorp and Cathay Bank intend to
observe their policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 8-K are forward-looking statements
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements may include such words as "anticipates,"
"believes," "can," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may,"
"plans," "seeks," "shall," "should," "will," "potential," "possible,"
and variations of these words and similar expressions. For such statements, we claim the protection of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, contingencies beyond the
control of Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay Bank including adverse legal developments in the proceedings. Additional factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by our forward-looking statements are disclosed
in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent our judgment as of
the time of the filing of this Form 8-K. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other
than as may be required under applicable law.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: September 4, 2012
CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
By:
/s/ Heng W. Chen
Heng W. Chen
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer