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):  April 23, 2009
 
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 2.02        Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On April 23, 2009, Cathay General Bancorp announced, in a press release, its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of 8 cents per common share payable May 14, 2009, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2009.  That press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

      The foregoing information and the attached exhibit are intended to be furnished only and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 9.01         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits
 
99.1  Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated April 23, 2009.

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:  April 23, 2009
 
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 April 23, 2009.