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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>

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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):
June 6, 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</B></FONT></P>

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

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Delaware</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">0-18630</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">95&#45;4274680</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">(IRS Employer<BR> Identification No.)</TD></TR>
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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</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Zip
Code)</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(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">(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>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<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>

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

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

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.75in; text-align: left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02</B></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</B></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<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: 24.5pt"><I><U>Compensation Determinations for Named
Executive Officers</U>. </I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">On June 6, 2012, the Compensation Committee
(the &ldquo;Committee&rdquo;) of the Board of Directors of Cathay General Bancorp (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) increased the base
salaries for its named executive officers for the period commencing on June 1, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2012 (or such earlier
date as the Committee may determine in its discretion). The additional base salary amount for this period for each of our named
executive officers is set forth in the table below. Each executive&rsquo;s additional base salary amount will be paid in equal
installments over the applicable period set forth above in accordance with the Company&rsquo;s normal payroll procedures. The Committee
determined that the applicable portion per pay period of the additional base salary amount (less applicable tax withholdings and
deductions) will be paid in fully vested and non-forfeitable shares of Company common stock to be granted pursuant to the terms
of the Company&rsquo;s 2005 Incentive Plan, as amended, on each payroll date ending during the applicable period, starting with
the pay period that commenced on June 1, 2012 and is scheduled to end on June 15, 2012. The number of shares to be granted each
pay period shall equal the additional base salary amount payable for each pay period (less applicable tax withholdings and deductions),
divided by the closing price of a share of Company common stock as reported <FONT STYLE="color: black">on Nasdaq </FONT>on the
grant date (or, if the Nasdaq is closed on the grant date, by the Nasdaq closing price on the immediately preceding date on which
the Nasdaq is open). Each of the named executive officers may not sell or otherwise transfer the stock they receive in payment
of the additional base salary amount for the period during which the Company has an obligation arising from financial assistance
outstanding under the U.S. Treasury&rsquo;s Troubled Asset Relief Program (disregarding any warrants to purchase common stock of
the Company that the U.S. Treasury may hold), except upon his death or permanent disability. The Committee may, in its sole discretion
and without the executive&rsquo;s consent, at any time, terminate, suspend, or modify the obligation to pay the additional base
salary amounts and grant stock awards in respect thereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">Officer</TD><TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">Current Annual Base<BR> Salary in effect as of<BR> April 1, 2012</TD><TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD><TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">Additional Base Salary<BR> Amount for the Period of<BR> June 1, 2012 through<BR> December 31, 2012</TD><TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="width: 60%; text-align: left">Dunson K. Cheng, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Cathay Bank</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="width: 17%; text-align: right">1,000,000</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="width: 17%; text-align: right">565,000</TD><TD STYLE="width: 1%; text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Peter Wu, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Cathay Bank</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">463,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">245,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Anthony M. Tang, Executive Vice President of the Company and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Cathay Bank</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">334,200</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">135,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Heng W. Chen, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cathay Bank</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">335,400</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">135,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">Irwin Wong, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Cathay Bank</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">264,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD><TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left">$</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: right">95,000</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">For more information about the grant terms,
refer to the Stock Award Agreements for each of Messrs. Cheng, Wu, Tang, Chen, and Wong filed as Exhibits 10(a), 10(b), 10(c),
10(d), and 10(e), respectively, to this report and incorporated herein by reference. A substantially similar form of Stock Award
Agreement will be used for any other executive officers who may be granted Company common stock in payment of additional amounts
of base salary.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.75in; text-align: left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 24.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: normal italic 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-variant: normal; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 5%"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal">(d)</Font></TD><TD STYLE="width: 10%"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal"><U>Exhibits</U></FONT></TD><TD STYLE="width: 85%"></TD></TR></TABLE>

<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-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(a)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 85%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Stock Award Agreement for Dunson K. Cheng</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(b)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Stock Award Agreement for Peter Wu</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(c)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Stock Award Agreement for Anthony M. Tang</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(d)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Stock Award Agreement for Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(e)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Stock Award Agreement for Irwin Wong</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">10(f)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Form of Stock Award Agreement</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</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; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Date: June 8, 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-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 6%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 44%; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; padding-bottom: 1pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; padding-bottom: 1pt">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">&nbsp;/s/ Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<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">&nbsp;</P>

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none"><U>Number&nbsp;</u></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none"><U>Exhibit</U></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(a)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 93%; padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Stock Award Agreement for Dunson K. Cheng</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(b)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Stock Award Agreement for Peter Wu</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(c)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Stock Award Agreement for Anthony M. Tang</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(d)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Stock Award Agreement for Heng W. Chen</TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(e)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Stock Award Agreement for Irwin Wong</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">10(f)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding: 3pt -25.5pt 3pt 2pt; text-autospace: none">Form of Stock Award Agreement</TD></TR>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v315651_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 26730}]
{"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": "12898225"}, "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):
June 6, 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 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Compensation Determinations for Named
Executive Officers
.
On June 6, 2012, the Compensation Committee
(the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of Cathay General Bancorp (the "Company") increased the base
salaries for its named executive officers for the period commencing on June 1, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2012 (or such earlier
date as the Committee may determine in its discretion). The additional base salary amount for this period for each of our named
executive officers is set forth in the table below. Each executive's additional base salary amount will be paid in equal
installments over the applicable period set forth above in accordance with the Company's normal payroll procedures. The Committee
determined that the applicable portion per pay period of the additional base salary amount (less applicable tax withholdings and
deductions) will be paid in fully vested and non-forfeitable shares of Company common stock to be granted pursuant to the terms
of the Company's 2005 Incentive Plan, as amended, on each payroll date ending during the applicable period, starting with
the pay period that commenced on June 1, 2012 and is scheduled to end on June 15, 2012. The number of shares to be granted each
pay period shall equal the additional base salary amount payable for each pay period (less applicable tax withholdings and deductions),
divided by the closing price of a share of Company common stock as reported
on Nasdaq
on the
grant date (or, if the Nasdaq is closed on the grant date, by the Nasdaq closing price on the immediately preceding date on which
the Nasdaq is open). Each of the named executive officers may not sell or otherwise transfer the stock they receive in payment
of the additional base salary amount for the period during which the Company has an obligation arising from financial assistance
outstanding under the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (disregarding any warrants to purchase common stock of
the Company that the U.S. Treasury may hold), except upon his death or permanent disability. The Committee may, in its sole discretion
and without the executive's consent, at any time, terminate, suspend, or modify the obligation to pay the additional base
salary amounts and grant stock awards in respect thereof.
Officer
Current Annual Base
Salary in effect as of
April 1, 2012
Additional Base Salary
Amount for the Period of
June 1, 2012 through
December 31, 2012
Dunson K. Cheng, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Cathay Bank
$
1,000,000
$
565,000
Peter Wu, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Cathay Bank
$
463,000
$
245,000
Anthony M. Tang, Executive Vice President of the Company and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Cathay Bank
$
334,200
$
135,000
Heng W. Chen, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cathay Bank
$
335,400
$
135,000
Irwin Wong, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Cathay Bank
$
264,000
$
95,000
For more information about the grant terms,
refer to the Stock Award Agreements for each of Messrs. Cheng, Wu, Tang, Chen, and Wong filed as Exhibits 10(a), 10(b), 10(c),
10(d), and 10(e), respectively, to this report and incorporated herein by reference. A substantially similar form of Stock Award
Agreement will be used for any other executive officers who may be granted Company common stock in payment of additional amounts
of base salary.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
10(a)
Stock Award Agreement for Dunson K. Cheng
10(b)
Stock Award Agreement for Peter Wu
10(c)
Stock Award Agreement for Anthony M. Tang
10(d)
Stock Award Agreement for Heng W. Chen
10(e)
Stock Award Agreement for Irwin Wong
10(f)
Form of Stock Award Agreement
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: June 8, 2012
CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
By:
/s/ Heng W. Chen
Heng W. Chen
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Exhibit
10(a)
Stock Award Agreement for Dunson K. Cheng
10(b)
Stock Award Agreement for Peter Wu
10(c)
Stock Award Agreement for Anthony M. Tang
10(d)
Stock Award Agreement for Heng W. Chen
10(e)
Stock Award Agreement for Irwin Wong
10(f)
Form of Stock Award Agreement