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): November 16, 2007
 
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:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o 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 November 16, 2007, Cathay General Bancorp announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new program to repurchase up to an aggregate of one million additional shares of Cathay General Bancorp common stock. Information about this new repurchase program is set forth in a press release dated November 16, 2007. That press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits
  
 
99.1
Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated November 16, 2007.


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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: November 16, 2007
     
  CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
 
 		  
 		  
 
  By:   /s/ Heng W. Chen
 
Heng W. Chen
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Number
 Exhibit
   
99.1
Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated November 16, 2007.