10-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-18630

Cathay General Bancorp

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. 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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes þ    No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes ¨    No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes þ    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes þ    No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ    Accelerated filer ¨    Non-accelerated filer ¨    Smaller reporting company ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes ¨    No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2011) was $1,197,601,500. This value is estimated solely for the purposes of this cover page. The market value of shares held by Registrant’s directors, executive officers, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan have been excluded because they may be considered to be affiliates of the Registrant.

As of February 15, 2012, there were 78,658,254 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

• Portions of Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to Registrant’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which will be filed within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

2011 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I		3
Item 1.	Business.	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	21
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments.	35
Item 2.	Properties.	35
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings.	35
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	35
Executive Officers of the Registrant.		36
PART II		37
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.	37
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data.	39
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	40
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.	78
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.	81
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.	81
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures.	81
Item 9B.	Other Information.	84
PART III		84
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.	84
Item 11.	Executive Compensation.	84
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.	84
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.	85
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services.	85
PART IV		86
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.	86
SIGNATURES		91

Forward-Looking Statements

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the term “Bancorp” refers to Cathay General Bancorp and the term “Bank” refers to Cathay Bank. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Bancorp and the Bank collectively. The statements in this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements in these provisions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, growth opportunities and growth rates, growth plans, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business prospects, strategic alternatives, business strategies, financial expectations, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, financing needs and availability, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “possible,” “optimistic,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by us are based on estimates, beliefs, projections, and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from:

• U.S. and international business and economic conditions;

• credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality;

• current and potential future supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities;

• increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation and the current regulatory environment, including the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and the potential for substantial changes in the legal, regulatory, and enforcement framework and oversight applicable to financial institutions in reaction to recent adverse financial market events, including changes pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act;

• potential goodwill impairment;

• liquidity risk;

• fluctuations in interest rates;

• inflation and deflation;

• risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets;

• real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral;

• environmental liabilities;

• the effect of repeal of the federal prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposit accounts;

• our ability to compete with larger competitors;

• the possibility of higher capital requirements, including implementation of the Basel III capital standards of the Basel Committee;

• our ability to retain key personnel;

• successful management of reputational risk;

• natural disasters and geopolitical events;

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• general economic or business conditions in California, Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations;

• restrictions on compensation paid to our executives as a result of our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program;

• failures, interruptions or security breaches of systems or data breaches;

• our ability to adapt our systems to technological changes, including successfully implementing our core system conversion;

• changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations;

• market disruption and volatility;

• restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure;

• successfully raising additional capital, if needed, and the resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; and

• the soundness of other financial institutions.

These and other factors are further described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (at Item 1A in particular), the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak to the date of this report. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events, except as required by law.

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PART I

Item 1. Business.

Business of Bancorp

Overview

Cathay General Bancorp is a corporation that was organized in 1990 under the laws of the State of Delaware. We are the holding company of Cathay Bank, a California state-chartered commercial bank (“Cathay Bank” or the “Bank”), six limited partnerships investing in affordable housing investments in which the Bank is the sole limited partner, and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. We also own 100% of the common stock of five statutory business trusts created for the purpose of issuing capital securities. In the future, we may become an operating company or acquire savings institutions, other banks, or companies engaged in bank-related activities and may engage in or acquire such other businesses, or activities as may be permitted by applicable law. Our principal place of business is currently located at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012, and our telephone number at that location is (213) 625-4700. In addition, certain of our administrative offices are located in El Monte, California, and our address there is 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and our trading symbol is “CATY”.

We are regulated as a bank holding company by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or Federal Reserve Board. Cathay Bank is regulated as a California commercial bank by the California Department of Financial Institutions, or DFI, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC.

Subsidiaries of Bancorp

In addition to its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, the Bancorp has the following subsidiaries:

Cathay Capital Trust I, Cathay Statutory Trust I, Cathay Capital Trust II, Cathay Capital Trust III and Cathay Capital Trust IV. The Bancorp established Cathay Capital Trust I in June 2003, Cathay Statutory Trust I in September 2003, Cathay Capital Trust II in December 2003, Cathay Capital Trust III in March 2007, and Cathay Capital Trust IV in May 2007 (collectively, the “Trusts”) as wholly owned subsidiaries. The Trusts are statutory business trusts. The Trusts issued capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trusts. The Trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the capital securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common securities of the Trusts by the Bancorp, in Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Bancorp. The Bancorp guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the capital securities of the Trusts and payments on redemption of the capital securities of the Trusts. The Bancorp is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trusts. The purpose of issuing the capital securities was to provide the Company with a cost-effective means of obtaining Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes. Because the Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the Trusts, the financial statements of the Trusts are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

GBC Venture Capital, Inc. The business purpose of GBC Venture Capital, Inc. is to hold equity interests (such as options or warrants) received as part of business relationships and to make equity investments in companies and limited partnerships subject to applicable regulatory restrictions.

Competition

Our primary business is to act as the holding company for the Bank. Accordingly, we face the same competitive pressures as those expected by the Bank. For a discussion of those risks, see “Business of the Bank—Competition” below under this Item 1.

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Employees

Due to the limited nature of the Bancorp’s activities as a bank holding company, the Bancorp currently does not employ any persons other than Bancorp’s management, which includes the Chief Executive Officer and President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice Presidents, the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and the General Counsel. See also “Business of the Bank—Employees” below under this Item 1.

Business of the Bank

General

Cathay Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on August 22, 1961, was licensed by the California Department of Financial Institutions (previously known as the California State Banking Department) (“DFI”), and commenced operations as a California state-chartered bank on April 19, 1962. Cathay Bank is an insured bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act by the FDIC, but it is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

The Bank’s head office is located in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles, at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, the Bank had branch offices in Southern California (20 branches), Northern California (11 branches), New York (eight branches), Massachusetts (one branch), Texas (two branches), Washington (three branches), Illinois (three branch locations and one drive-through location), New Jersey (one branch), and Hong Kong (one branch) and a representative office in Shanghai and in Taipei. Deposit accounts at the Hong Kong branch are not insured by the FDIC. Each branch has loan approval rights subject to the branch manager’s authorized lending limits. Current activities of the Shanghai and Taipei representative offices are limited to coordinating the transportation of documents to the Bank’s head office and performing liaison services.

Our primary market area is defined by the Community Reinvestment Act delineation, which includes the contiguous areas surrounding each of the Bank’s branch offices. It is the Bank’s policy to reach out and actively offer services to low and moderate income groups in the delineated branch service areas. Many of the Bank’s employees speak both English and one or more Chinese dialects or Vietnamese, and are thus able to serve the Bank’s Chinese, Vietnamese, and English speaking customers.

As a commercial bank, the Bank accepts checking, savings, and time deposits, and makes commercial, real estate, personal, home improvement, automobile, and other installment and term loans. From time to time, the Bank invests available funds in other interest-earning assets, such as U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, and other security investments. The Bank also provides letters of credit, wire transfers, forward currency spot and forward contracts, traveler’s checks, safe deposit, night deposit, Social Security payment deposit, collection, bank-by-mail, drive-up and walk-up windows, automatic teller machines (“ATM”), Internet banking services, and other customary bank services.

The Bank primarily services individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located and provides commercial mortgage loans, commercial loans, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, residential mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, equity lines of credit, and installment loans to individuals for automobile, household, and other consumer expenditures.

Through Cathay Wealth Management, the Bank provides its customers the ability to trade stocks online and to purchase mutual funds, annuities, equities, bonds, and short-term money market instruments. All securities and insurance products provided by Cathay Wealth Management are offered by, and all Financial Consultants are registered with, PrimeVest Financial Services, a registered securities broker/dealer and licensed insurance agency and member of the FINRA and SIPC. PrimeVest Financial Services and Cathay Bank are independent entities. These products are not insured by the FDIC.

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Securities

The Bank’s securities portfolio is managed in accordance with a written Investment Policy which addresses strategies, types, and levels of allowable investments, and which is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Our investment portfolio is managed to meet our liquidity needs through proceeds from scheduled maturities and is also utilized for pledging requirements for deposits of state and local subdivisions, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The portfolio is comprised of U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate debt instruments, and equity securities.

Information concerning the carrying value, maturity distribution, and yield analysis of the Company’s securities portfolio as well as a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Bank’s securities by contractual maturity is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans

The Bank’s Board of Directors and senior management establish, review, and modify the Bank’s lending policies. These policies include (as applicable) an evaluation of a potential borrower’s financial condition, ability to repay the loan, character, existence of secondary repayment source (such as guaranties), quality and availability of collateral, capital, leverage capacity of the borrower, regulatory guidelines, market conditions for the borrower’s business or project, and prevailing economic trends and conditions. Loan originations are obtained through a variety of sources, including existing customers, walk-in customers, referrals from brokers or existing customers, and advertising. While loan applications are accepted at all branches, the Bank’s centralized document department supervises the application process including documentation of loans, review of appraisals, and credit reports.

Commercial Mortgage Loans. Commercial mortgage loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust on commercial properties. Our commercial mortgage portfolio includes primarily commercial retail properties, shopping centers, and owner-occupied industrial facilities, and, secondarily, office buildings, multiple-unit apartments, hotels, and multi-tenanted industrial properties.

The Bank also makes medium-term commercial mortgage loans which are generally secured by commercial or industrial buildings where the borrower uses the property for business purposes or derives income from tenants.

Commercial Loans. The Bank provides financial services to diverse commercial and professional businesses in its market areas. Commercial loans consist primarily of short-term loans (normally with a maturity of up to one year) to support general business purposes, or to provide working capital to businesses in the form of lines of credit to finance trade. The Bank continues to focus primarily on commercial lending to small-to-medium size businesses within the Bank’s geographic market areas. The Bank participates or syndicates loans, typically more than $20 million in principal amount, with other financial institutions to limit its credit exposure. Commercial loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or the Bank’s reference rate.

SBA Loans. The Bank originates U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans under the national “preferred lender” status. Preferred lender status is granted to a lender which has made a certain number of SBA loans and which, in the opinion of the SBA, has staff qualified and experienced in small business loans. As a preferred lender, the Bank’s SBA Lending Group has the authority to issue, on behalf of the SBA, the SBA guaranty on loans under the 7(a) program which may result in shortening the time it takes to process a loan. In addition, under this program, the SBA delegates loan underwriting, closing, and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to selected lenders.

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The Bank utilizes both the 504 program, which is focused toward long-term financing of buildings and other long-term fixed assets, and the 7(a) program, which is the SBA’s primary loan program and which can be used for financing of a variety of general business purposes such as acquisition of land and buildings, equipment, inventory and working capital needs of eligible businesses generally over a 5- to 25-year term. The collateral position in the SBA loans is enhanced by the SBA guaranty in the case of 7(a) loans, and by lower loan-to-value ratios under the 504 program. The Bank has sold and may, in the future, sell the guaranteed portion of certain of its SBA 7(a) loans in the secondary market. SBA loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal.

Residential Mortgage Loans. The Bank originates single-family-residential mortgage loans. The single-family-residential mortgage loans are comprised of conforming, nonconforming, and jumbo residential mortgage loans, and are secured by first or subordinate liens on single (one-to-four) family residential properties. The Bank’s products include a fixed-rate residential mortgage loan and an adjustable-rate residential mortgage loan. Mortgage loans are underwritten in accordance with the Bank’s and regulatory guidelines, on the basis of the borrower’s financial capabilities, independent appraisal of value of the property, historical loan quality, and other relevant factors. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of the Bank’s residential mortgages were for properties located in California. It is the current practice of the Bank to sell all conforming fixed rate residential first mortgages that meet Government Sponsored Agency guidelines to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation on a cash basis as they are originated. The Bank retains all other mortgage loans it originates in its portfolio. As such, the Bank doesn’t expect to be impacted by the expected regulations pertaining to risk retention, since the bank doesn’t securitize any of the loans it sells or retains.

Real Estate Construction Loans. The Bank’s real estate construction loan activity focuses on providing short-term loans to individuals and developers, primarily for the construction of multi-unit projects. Residential real estate construction loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and guarantees of the borrower. The economic viability of the projects, borrower’s credit worthiness, and borrower’s and contractor’s experience are primary considerations in the loan underwriting decision. The Bank utilizes approved independent licensed appraisers and monitors projects during the construction phase through construction inspections and a disbursement program tied to the percentage of completion of each project. The Bank also occasionally makes unimproved property loans to borrowers who intend to construct a single-family-residence on their lots generally within twelve months. In addition, the Bank also makes commercial real estate construction loans to high net worth clients with adequate liquidity for construction of office and warehouse properties. Such loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and are guaranteed by the borrower.

Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank offers variable-rate home equity lines of credit that are secured by the borrower’s home. The pricing on the variable-rate home equity line of credit is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or the Bank’s reference rate. Borrowers may use this line of credit for home improvement financing, debt consolidation and other personal uses.

Installment Loans. Installment loans tend to be fixed rate and longer-term (one-to-six year maturities). These loans are funded primarily for the purpose of financing the purchase of automobiles and other personal uses of the borrower.

Distribution and Maturity of Loans. Information concerning types, distribution, and maturity of loans is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asset Quality

The Bank’s lending and credit policies require management to review regularly the Bank’s loan portfolio so that the Bank can monitor the quality of its assets. If during the ordinary course of business, management

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becomes aware that a borrower may not be able to meet the contractual payment obligations under a loan, then that loan is supervised more closely with consideration given to placing the loan on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

Under the Bank’s current policy, a loan will generally be placed on a non-accrual status if interest or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied towards the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received or the loan is well-collateralized, and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months.

Information concerning non-performing loans, restructured loans, allowance for credit losses, loans charged-off, , loan recoveries, and other real estate owned is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 5 and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deposits

The Bank offers a variety of deposit products in order to meet its customers’ needs. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank offered passbook accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, college certificates of deposit, and public funds deposits. These products are priced in order to promote growth of deposits.

The Bank’s deposits are generally obtained from residents within its geographic market area. The Bank utilizes traditional marketing methods to attract new customers and deposits, by offering a wide variety of products and services and utilizing various forms of advertising media. From time to time, the Bank may offer special deposit promotions. Information concerning types of deposit accounts, average deposits and rates, and maturity of time deposits of $100,000 or more is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Borrowings

Borrowings from time to time include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the purchase of federal funds, funds obtained as advances from the FHLB, borrowing from other financial institutions, subordinated debt, and Junior Subordinated Notes. Information concerning the types, amounts, and maturity of borrowings is included in Note 10 and Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Return on Equity and Assets

Information concerning the return on average assets, return on average stockholders’ equity, the average equity to assets ratio and the dividend payout ratio is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Interest Rates and Differentials

Information concerning the interest-earning asset mix, average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the yields on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included in Part II— Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

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Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

An analysis of changes in net interest income due to changes in rate and volume is included in Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Commitments and Letters of Credit

Information concerning the Bank’s outstanding loan commitments and letters of credit is included in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Expansion

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider acquisitions in the future in order to compete for new deposits and loans, and to be able to serve our customers more effectively. We currently are subject to restrictions on any new branches and business lines without prior approval from the DFI and FDIC due to the memorandum we entered into with the DFI and FDIC on March 1, 2010.

Subsidiaries of Cathay Bank

Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust (“CB REIT”) is a real estate investment trust subsidiary of the Bank that was formed in January 2003 to provide the Bank with flexibility in raising capital. During 2003, the Bank contributed $1.13 billion in loans and securities to CB REIT in exchange for 100% of the common stock of CB REIT. CB REIT sold $4.4 million in 2003 and $4.2 million in 2004 of its 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative preferred stock to accredited investors. During 2005, CB REIT repurchased $131,000 of its preferred stock. At December 31, 2011, total assets of CB REIT were consolidated with the Company and totaled approximately $1.46 billion.

Cathay Community Development Corporation (“CCDC”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank and was incorporated in September 2006. The primary mission of CCDC is to help in the development of low-income neighborhoods in the Bank’s California and New York service areas by providing or facilitating the availability of capital to businesses and real estate developers working to renovate these neighborhoods. In October 2006, CCDC formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation (“CNACDC), for the purpose of assuming New Asia Bank’s pre-existing New Markets Tax Credit activities in the greater Chicago area by providing or facilitating the availability of capital to businesses and real estate developers working to renovate these neighborhoods. CNACDC has been certified as a community development entity and is seeking to participate in the U.S. Treasury Department’s New Markets Tax Credit program.

Cathay Holdings LLC (“CHLLC”) was incorporated in December 2007, Cathay Holdings 2 LLC (“CHLLC2”) was incorporated in January 2008, and Cathay Holdings 3 LLC (“CHLLC3”) was incorporated in December 2008. They are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank. The purpose of these subsidiaries is to hold other real estate owned in the state of Texas that was transferred from the Bank. CHLLC owned one property with a carrying value of $3.5 million at December 31, 2010. In February 2011, CHLLC sold this property and recorded a loss of $65,000. As of December 31, 2011, CHLLC, CHLLC2, and CHLLC3 do not own any real estate property.

Competition

We face substantial competition for deposits, loans and other banking services, as well as acquisitions, throughout our market area from the major banks and financial institutions that dominate the commercial banking industry. This may cause our cost of funds to exceed that of our competitors. These banks and financial institutions have greater resources than we do, including the ability to finance advertising campaigns and allocate their investment assets to regions of higher yield and demand and make acquisitions. By virtue of their larger capital bases, they have substantially greater lending limits than we do and perform certain functions, including

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trust services, which are not presently offered by us. We also compete for loans and deposits, as well as other banking services, with savings and loan associations, brokerage houses, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, credit card companies and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities. The recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions and the conversion of certain investment banks to bank holding companies have increased the level of competition among financial services companies and may adversely affect our ability to market our products and services. Significant increases in the costs of monitoring and ensuring compliance with new banking regulations and the necessary costs of upgrading information technology and data processing capabilities can have a disproportionate impact on our ability to compete with larger institutions.

To compete with other financial institutions in its primary service areas, the Bank relies principally upon local promotional activities, personal contacts by its officers, directors, employees, and stockholders, extended hours on weekdays, Saturday banking in certain locations, Internet banking, an Internet website (www.cathaybank.com), and certain other specialized services. The content of our website is not incorporated into and is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

If a proposed loan exceeds the Bank’s internal lending limits, the Bank has, in the past, and may in the future, arrange the loan on a participation or syndication basis with correspondent banks. The Bank also assists customers requiring other services not offered by the Bank to obtain these services from its correspondent banks.

In California, one larger Chinese-American bank competes for loans and deposits with the Bank and at least two super-regional banks compete with the Bank for deposits. In addition, there are many other Chinese-American banks in both Southern and Northern California. Banks from the Pacific Rim countries, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China also continue to open branches in the Los Angeles area, thus increasing competition in the Bank’s primary markets. See discussion below in Part I—Item 1A—“Risk Factors.”

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,018 persons, including 419 banking officers. None of the employees are represented by a union. We believe that our employer-employee relations are good.

Available Information

We invite you to visit our website at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com, to access free of charge the Bancorp’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, all of which are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, you can write to us to obtain a free copy of any of those reports at Cathay General Bancorp, 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731, Attn: Investor Relations. These reports are also available through the SEC’s Public Reference Room, located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 and online at the SEC’s website, located at www.sec.gov. Investors can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling 800-SEC-0300.

Regulation and Supervision

General

The Bancorp and the Bank are subject to significant regulation and restrictions by federal and state laws and regulatory agencies. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance fund, and secondarily for the stability of the U.S. banking system. It is not intended for the benefit of stockholders of financial institutions. The following discussion of statutes and regulations is a summary and does

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not purport to be complete nor does it address all applicable statutes and regulations. This discussion is also qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text and to the implementation and enforcement of the statutes and regulations referred to in this discussion.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act financial reform legislation (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) significantly revised and expanded the rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority of the federal bank regulatory agencies. The numerous rules and regulations that have been promulgated and are yet to be promulgated and finalized under the Dodd-Frank Act are likely to significantly impact our operations and compliance costs. The Dodd-Frank Act followed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) in response to the economic downturn and financial industry instability. Additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced before Congress, the California Legislature, and other government bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation, and competitive relationship among financial institutions and may subject us to increased supervision and disclosure and reporting requirements. In addition, the various bank regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations and policies to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulatory changes in policy may be enacted or the extent to which the business of the Bank would be affected thereby. In addition, the outcome of examinations, any litigation, or any investigations initiated by state or federal authorities may result in necessary changes in our operations and increased compliance costs.

The Dodd-Frank Act impacts many aspects of the financial industry and, in many cases, will impact larger and smaller financial institutions and community banks differently over time. Many of the following key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act affecting the financial industry are now either effective or are in the proposed rule or implementation stage:

• the creation of a Financial Services Oversight Counsel to identify emerging systemic risks and improve interagency cooperation;

• expanded FDIC authority to conduct the orderly liquidation of certain systemically significant non-bank financial companies in addition to depository institutions;

• the establishment of strengthened capital and liquidity requirements for banks and bank holding companies, including minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements no less than the strictest requirements in effect for depository institutions as of the date of enactment;

• the requirement by statute that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial strength for their depository institution subsidiaries;

• enhanced regulation of financial markets, including the derivative and securitization markets, and the elimination of certain proprietary trading activities by banks ( the “Volcker Rule”);

• the termination of investments by the U.S. Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”);

• the elimination and phase out of trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital with certain exceptions;

• a permanent increase of the previously implemented temporary increase of FDIC deposit insurance to $250,000 and an extension of federal deposit coverage until January 1, 2013, for the full net amount held by depositors in non-interesting bearing transaction accounts;

• authorization for financial institutions to pay interest on business checking accounts;

• changes in the calculation of FDIC deposit insurance assessments, such that the assessment base will no longer be the institution’s deposit base, but instead, will be its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity;

• the elimination of remaining barriers to de novo interstate branching by banks;

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• expanded restrictions on transactions with affiliates and insiders under Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and lending limits for derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, and securities lending and borrowing transactions;

• the elimination of the Office of Thrift Supervision and the transfer of oversight of thrift institutions and their holding companies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the FDIC and the Federal Reserve;

• provisions that affect corporate governance and executive compensation at most United States publicly traded companies, including (i) stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation, (ii) executive compensation “clawback” requirements for companies listed on national securities exchanges in the event of materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iii) enhanced independence requirements for compensation committee members, and (iv) giving the SEC authority to adopt proxy access rules which would permit stockholders of publicly traded companies to nominate candidates for election as director and have those nominees included in a company’s proxy statement; and

• the creation of a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which is authorized to promulgate and enforce consumer protection regulations relating to bank and non-bank financial products and which may examine and enforce its regulations on banks with more than $10 billion in assets.

In general, more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage requirements are expected to impact our business as the Dodd-Frank Act is fully implemented. The federal agencies have issued proposed rules which will apply directly to larger institutions with either more than $50 billion in assets or more than $10 billion in assets, such as proposed Federal Reserve regulations for financial institutions deemed systemically significant, Federal Reserve and FDIC proposed rules requiring stress tests and Federal Reserve proposed rules to implement the Volcker Rule. Further, the requirements and policies imposed on larger institutions may, in some cases, become “best practices” for smaller institutions. Therefore, as a result of the changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the profitability of our business activities may be impacted and we may be required to make changes to certain of our business practices. These changes may also require us to devote significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

We participated in TARP, which was designed to bolster eligible healthy institutions by injecting capital into these institutions, so that we could continue to lend and support our current and prospective clients. Under the terms of our participation, we received $258 million in exchange for the issuance of preferred stock and a warrant to purchase common stock and thereby became subject to various requirements, including certain restrictions on paying dividends on our common stock and repurchasing our equity securities, unless the U.S. Treasury has consented.

In order to participate in TARP, financial institutions were required to adopt certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. ARRA also included a wide variety of programs intended to stimulate the economy and provide for extensive infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs. ARRA imposes certain stringent executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all TARP recipients until the U.S. Treasury is repaid. We have complied with the compensation provisions of TARP and ARRA and have certified as to such compliance in the exhibits attached to this report pursuant to Section 111(b) of the EESA. We contemplate that we may be able to partially or fully redeem the TARP in 2012 or 2013 depending on our earnings and receipt of approval by our regulators for the Bank to pay dividends which would be used to repay TARP.

Bank Holding Company Regulation

The Bancorp is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act (“BHCA”) and is registered as such with the Federal Reserve Board (“Federal Reserve”). It is also subject to supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve and its authority to:

• Require periodic reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require;

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• Require bank holding companies to maintain increased levels of capital (See “Capital Adequacy Requirements” below);

• Require that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to subsidiary banks and commit resources as necessary to support each subsidiary bank;

• Restrict the ability of bank holding companies to obtain dividends or other distributions from their subsidiary banks;

• Terminate an activity or terminate control of or liquidate or divest certain subsidiaries, affiliates or investments if the Federal Reserve believes the activity or the control of the subsidiary or affiliate constitutes a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any bank subsidiary;

• Require the prior approval of senior executive officer or director changes;

• Regulate provisions of certain bank holding company debt, including the authority to impose interest ceilings and reserve requirements on such debt and require prior approval to purchase or redeem securities in certain situations; and

• Approve acquisitions and mergers with banks and consider certain competitive, management, financial, or other factors in granting these approvals in addition to similar California or other state banking agency approvals which may be required.

The Federal Reserve’s view is that in serving as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks, a bank holding company should stand ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and should maintain financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks. A bank holding company’s failure to meet its source-of-strength obligations may constitute an unsafe and unsound practice or a violation of the Federal Reserve regulations, or both. The source-of-strength doctrine, now required by statute pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, most directly affects bank holding companies where a bank holding company’s subsidiary bank fails to maintain adequate capital levels. In such a situation, the subsidiary bank will be required by the bank’s federal regulator to take “prompt corrective action.” See “Prompt Corrective Action Provisions” below.

Restrictions on Activities

Subject to prior notice or Federal Reserve approval, bank holding companies may generally engage in, or acquire shares of companies engaged in, activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Bank holding companies which elect and retain “financial holding company” status pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”) may engage in these nonbanking activities and broader securities, insurance, merchant banking and other activities that are determined to be “financial in nature” or are incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature without prior Federal Reserve approval. Pursuant to GLBA and the Dodd-Frank Act, in order to elect and retain financial holding company status, a bank holding company and all depository institution subsidiaries of a bank holding company must be well capitalized and well managed, and, except in limited circumstances, depository subsidiaries must be in satisfactory compliance with the Community Redevelopment Act (“CRA”), which requires banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate. Failure to sustain compliance with these requirements or correct any non-compliance within a fixed time period could lead to divestiture of subsidiary banks or require all activities to conform to those permissible for a bank holding company. The Bancorp has not elected financial holding company status and has not engaged in any activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature.

The Bancorp is also a bank holding company within the meaning of Section 3700 of the California Financial Code. Therefore, the Bancorp and any of its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the DFI.

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Securities Laws

The Bancorp’s common stock is publicly held and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and the Bancorp is subject to the periodic reporting, information, proxy solicitation, insider trading, corporate governance and other requirements and restrictions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder as well as listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). The Dodd-Frank Act includes the following provisions that affect corporate governance and executive compensation at most United States publicly traded companies, including the Bancorp: (1) stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation, (2) executive compensation “clawback” requirements for companies listed on national securities exchanges in the event of materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria similar to the requirements of the ARRA for TARP recipients, (3) enhanced independence requirements for compensation committee members, and (4) SEC authority to adopt proxy access rules which would permit stockholders of publicly traded companies to nominate candidates for election as director and have those nominees included in a company’s proxy statement.

The Bancorp is also subject to the accounting oversight and corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including:

• required executive certification of financial presentations;

• increased requirements for board audit committees and their members;

• enhanced disclosures of controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

• enhanced controls over, and reporting of, insider trading; and

• increased penalties for financial crimes and forfeiture of executive bonuses in certain circumstances.

Bank Regulation

As a California commercial bank whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and regular examination by the DFI and by the FDIC, as the Bank’s primary federal regulator, and must additionally comply with certain applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve. Specific federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to banks regulate the scope of their business, their investments, their reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds, their activities relating to dividends, investments, loans, the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans, borrowings, capital requirements, certain check-clearing activities, branching, and mergers and acquisitions. California banks are also subject to statutes and regulations including Federal Reserve Regulation O and Federal Reserve Act Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W, which restrict or limit loans or extensions of credit to “insiders,” including officers directors and principal shareholders, and loans or extension of credit by banks to affiliates or purchases of assets from affiliates, including parent bank holding companies, except pursuant to certain exceptions and terms and conditions at least as favorable to those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated parties.

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDI Act”) and the California Financial Code, California state chartered commercial banks may generally engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Therefore, the Bank may form subsidiaries to engage in the many so-called “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities commonly conducted by national banks in operating subsidiaries or subsidiaries of bank holding companies. Further, pursuant to GLBA, California banks may conduct certain “financial” activities in a subsidiary to the same extent as may a national bank, provided the bank is and remains “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” and in satisfactory compliance with the CRA. The Bank currently has no financial subsidiaries.

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Enforcement Authority

The Bank operates branches and/or loan production offices in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, and New Jersey. While the DFI remains the Bank’s primary state regulator, the Bank’s operations in these jurisdictions are subject to examination and supervision by local bank regulators, and transactions with customers in those jurisdictions are subject to local laws, including consumer protection laws. The Bank also operates a branch in Hong Kong and a representative office in Taipei and in Shanghai. The operations of these foreign offices and branches (and limits on the scope of their activities) are subject to local law and regulatory authorities in those jurisdictions in addition to regulation and supervision by the DFI and the Federal Reserve.

The federal and California regulatory structure gives the bank regulatory agencies extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. The regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines to assist in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before an institution’s capital becomes impaired. The guidelines establish operational and managerial standards generally relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems, and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest-rate exposure; (v) asset growth and asset quality; and (vi) compensation, fees, and benefits. Further, the regulatory agencies have adopted safety and soundness guidelines for asset quality and for evaluating and monitoring earnings to ensure that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves. If, as a result of an examination, the DFI or the FDIC should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, the DFI and the FDIC, and separately the FDIC as insurer of the Bank’s deposits, have residual authority to:

• Require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice;

• Direct an increase in capital and the maintenance of higher specific minimum capital ratios, which may preclude the Bank from being deemed well capitalized and restrict its ability to accept certain brokered deposits;

• Restrict the Bank’s growth geographically, by products and services, or by mergers and acquisitions;

• Enter into or issue informal or formal enforcement actions, including required Board resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written agreements and consent or cease and desist orders or prompt corrective action orders to take corrective action and cease unsafe and unsound practices;

• Require prior approval of senior executive officer or director changes; remove officers and directors and assess civil monetary penalties; and

• Take possession of and close and liquidate the Bank or appoint the FDIC as receiver.

On December 17, 2009, the Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “FRB SF”), and on March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC (together the “MOUs”). Under the MOUs, among other things, the Bancorp and the Bank agreed to: limitations on dividends and senior executive officer and director changes; maintain sufficient capital, submit a capital and a strategic plan addressing improved profitability and capital ratios, reduce commercial real estate concentrations; reduce the Bank’s overall risk profile and implement a plan to improve asset quality.

The Bank’s Board established a Compliance Committee to review the Company’s management and governance and make recommendations to the Board. Bancorp and the Bank believe that substantial progress has been made towards full compliance with the MOUs are hopeful they can be terminated within the next several quarters.

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Deposit Insurance

The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) up to prescribed limits for each depositor. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been permanently increased to $250,000 and all non-interest-bearing transaction accounts are insured through December 31, 2012. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Due to the greatly increased rate of bank failures experienced in the recent period of financial stress, as well as the extraordinary programs in which the FDIC has been involved to support the banking industry generally, the DIF was substantially depleted and the FDIC has incurred substantially increased operating costs. On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a requirement for institutions to prepay in 2009 their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012.

The Dodd-Frank Act also changes the base for FDIC insurance assessments to a bank’s average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, rather than upon its deposit base alone, and requires the FDIC to increase the DIF’s reserves against future losses. This will necessitate increased deposit insurance premiums that are to be borne primarily by institutions with assets of greater than $10 billion. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, on October 19, 2010, the FDIC further addressed plans to bolster the DIF by increasing the required reserve ratio for the industry to 1.35% (ratio of reserves to insured deposits) by September 30, 2020. Current assessment rates will remain in effect until such time as the industry’s reserve ratio reaches 1.15%, which the FDIC estimates will occur at the end of 2018. The FDIC also proposed to raise its industry target ratio of reserves to insured deposits to 2%, 65 basis points above the statutory minimum, but the FDIC does not project that goal to be met until 2027.

We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that we are required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures or if the FDIC otherwise determines, we may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. These announced increases and any future increases in FDIC insurance premiums may have a material and adverse affect on our earnings and could have a material adverse effect on the value of, or market for, our common stock.

All FDIC-insured institutions are also required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (““FICO””), an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.

The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of the bank’s depositors. The termination of deposit insurance for a bank would also result in the revocation of the bank’s charter by the DFI.

Capital Adequacy Requirements

Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Increased capital requirements are expected as a result of expanded authority set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act and international supervisory developments. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting, and other factors. At December 31, 2011, the Company’s and the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded the minimum capital adequacy guideline percentage requirements of the federal banking agencies for “well capitalized” institutions. See Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources—Capital Adequacy.”

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The federal banking agencies have adopted risk-based capital guidelines for bank holding companies and banks that are expected to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets, such as loans, and those recorded as off-balance sheet items, such as commitments, letters of credit, and recourse arrangements. The risk-based capital ratio is determined by classifying assets and certain off-balance sheet financial instruments into weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for those categories perceived as representing greater risks and dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items. Bank holding companies and banks engaged in significant trading activity may also be subject to the market risk capital guidelines and be required to incorporate additional market and interest rate risk components into their risk-based capital standards.

Qualifying capital is classified depending on the type of capital:

• “Tier I capital” currently includes common equity and trust preferred securities, subject to certain criteria and quantitative limits. The capital received from the Series B Preferred Stock offering also qualifies as Tier I capital. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, depository institution holding companies with more than $15 billion in total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009, will no longer be able to include trust preferred securities as Tier 1 regulatory capital as of the end of a phase-out period in 2016, and will be obligated to replace any outstanding trust preferred securities issued prior to May 19, 2010, with qualifying Tier 1 regulatory capital during the phase-out period.

• “Tier II capital” includes hybrid capital instruments, other qualifying debt instruments, a limited amount of the allowance for loan and lease losses, and a limited amount of unrealized holding gains on equity securities. Following the phase-out period under the Dodd-Frank Act, trust preferred securities will be treated as Tier II capital.

• “Tier III capital” consists of qualifying unsecured debt. The sum of Tier II and Tier III capital may not exceed the amount of Tier I capital.

Under the capital guidelines, there are three fundamental capital ratios: a total risk-based capital ratio, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio. To be deemed “well capitalized” a bank must have a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.00%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least at 6.00%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.00%. There is currently no Tier 1 leverage requirement for a holding company to be deemed well-capitalized. At December 31, 2011, the respective capital ratios of the Bancorp and the Bank exceeded the minimum percentage requirements to be deemed “well-capitalized”. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 17.51% and its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.64%. As of December 31, 2011, the Bancorp’s total risk-based capital ratio was 17.85% and its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.97%. The federal banking agencies may change existing capital guidelines or adopt new capital guidelines in the future and have required many banks and bank holding companies subject to enforcement actions to maintain capital ratios in excess of the minimum ratios otherwise required to be deemed well capitalized, in which case institutions may no longer be deemed well capitalized and may therefore be subject to restrictions on taking brokered deposits.

The Bancorp and the Bank are also required to maintain a leverage capital ratio designed to supplement the risk-based capital guidelines. Banks and bank holding companies that have received the highest rating of the five categories used by regulators to rate banks and that are not anticipating or experiencing any significant growth must maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital (net of all intangibles) to adjusted total assets of at least 3.00%. All other institutions are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 100 to 200 basis points above the 3.00% minimum, for a minimum of 4.00% to 5.00%. Pursuant to federal regulations, banks must maintain capital levels commensurate with the level of risk to which they are exposed, including the volume and severity of problem loans. Federal regulators may, however, set higher capital requirements when a bank’s particular circumstances warrant. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank’s leverage capital ratio was 12.66%, and the Bancorp’s leverage capital ratio was 12.93%, both ratios exceeding regulatory minimums.

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Basel Accords

The current risk-based capital guidelines that apply to the Company and the Bank are based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of The International Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”), a committee of central banks and bank supervisors and regulators from the major industrialized countries. The Basel Committee develops broad policy guidelines for use by each country’s supervisors in determining the supervisory policies they apply. A new framework and accord (“Basel II”), evolved from 2004 to 2006 out of the efforts to revise capital adequacy standards for internationally active banks. Basel II emphasizes internal assessment of credit, market and operational risk, and supervisory assessment and market discipline in determining minimum capital requirements and became mandatory for large or “core” international banks outside the United States in 2008 (total assets of $250 billion or more or consolidated foreign exposures of $10 billion or more). Basel II was optional for others, and if adopted, must first be complied with in a “parallel run” for two years along with the existing Basel I standards.

In December 2009, the Basel Committee released two consultative documents proposing significant changes to bank capital, leverage, and liquidity requirements in response to the economic downturn to enhance the Basel II framework which had not yet been fully implemented internationally and even less so in the United States. The Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (commonly referred to as the G-20), including the United States, endorsed the reform package, referred to as Basel III, and proposed phase in timelines in November 2010. Basel III provides for increases in the minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio and the minimum requirement for the Tier 1 capital ratio. Basel III additionally includes a “capital conservation buffer” on top of the minimum requirement designed to absorb losses in periods of financial and economic distress; and an additional required countercyclical buffer percentage to be implemented according to a particular nation’s circumstances. These capital requirements are further supplemented under Basel III by a non-risk-based leverage ratio. Basel III also reaffirms the Basel Committee’s intention to introduce higher capital requirements on securitization and trading activities.

The Basel III liquidity proposals have three main elements: (i) a “liquidity coverage ratio” designed to meet the bank’s liquidity needs over a 30-day time horizon under an acute liquidity stress scenario, (ii) a “net stable funding ratio” designed to promote more medium and long-term funding over a one-year time horizon, and (iii) a set of monitoring tools that the Basel Committee indicates should be considered as the minimum types of information that banks should report to supervisors.

Implementation of Basel III in the United States will require regulations and guidelines by United States banking regulators, which may differ in significant ways from the recommendations published by the Basel Committee. It is unclear how United States banking regulators will define “well-capitalized” in their implementation of Basel III and to what extent and when smaller banking organizations in the United States will be subject to these regulations and guidelines. Basel III standards, if adopted, would lead to significantly higher capital requirements, higher capital charges, and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios.

United States banking regulators must also implement Basel III in conjunction with the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act related to increased capital and liquidity requirements. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act requires minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements on a consolidated basis for all depository institution holding companies and insured depository institutions that cannot be less than the strictest requirements in effect for depository institutions as of the date of enactment, July 21, 2010.

Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

The FDI Act provides a framework for regulation of depository institutions and their affiliates, including parent holding companies, by their federal banking regulators. It requires the relevant federal banking regulator to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to a depository institution if that institution does not meet certain capital adequacy standards, including requiring the prompt submission of an acceptable capital restoration plan. Supervisory actions by the appropriate federal banking regulator under the prompt corrective action rules

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generally depend upon an institution’s classification within five capital categories as defined in the regulations. The relevant capital measures are the capital ratio, the Tier 1 capital ratio, and the leverage ratio. However, the federal banking agencies have also adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards to assist examiners in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired. These include operational and managerial standards relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems, and internal audit systems, (ii) loan documentation, (iii) credit underwriting, (iv) asset quality and growth, (v) earnings, (vi) risk management, and (vii) compensation and benefits.

A depository institution’s capital tier under the prompt corrective action regulations will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and the other factors established by the regulations. A bank will be: (i) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.00% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.00% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5.00% or greater and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.00% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.00% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4.00% or greater and is not “well capitalized”; (iii) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.00%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.00%, or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.00%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.00%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3.00%; and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.00% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters.

The FDI Act generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be “undercapitalized.” “Undercapitalized” institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The regulatory agencies may not accept such a plan without determining that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan. The bank holding company must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.” “Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.

The appropriate federal banking agency may, under certain circumstances, reclassify a well capitalized insured depository institution as adequately capitalized. The FDI Act provides that an institution may be reclassified if the appropriate federal banking agency determines (after notice and opportunity for a hearing) that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or deems the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution.

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Dividends

Holders of the Bancorp’s common stock and preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefore under the laws of the State of Delaware. Delaware corporations such as the Bancorp may make distributions to their stockholders out of their surplus, or in case there is no surplus, out of their net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. However, dividends may not be paid out of a corporation’s net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, the corporation’s capital would be less than the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

Our capital management and dividend policy as part of our Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan includes a policy to refrain from paying dividends in excess of $.01 per share per quarter, except when covered by operating earnings. The amount of future dividends will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by our board of directors in accordance with the capital management and dividend policy.

It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. Additionally, in consideration of the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

Further, it is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies participating in the TARP and other government capital programs must comply on an ongoing basis with the pertinent capital and other requirements established by the U.S. Treasury (including those explicitly set forth in EESA) and related Federal Reserve Board supervisory policy. Moreover, a recipient of taxpayer funds through such capital programs should consider and communicate reasonably in advance to Federal Reserve supervisory staff how the bank holding company’s proposed dividends, capital redemptions, and capital repurchases are consistent with the requirements applicable to its receipt of capital under the program and related Federal Reserve supervisory policy, as well as its ability to redeem securities issued to the government prior to any contractual increase in the dividend rate without affecting safety and soundness.

The terms of our Series B Preferred Stock and Junior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. If we are not current in our payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred Stock or in our payment of interest on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock.

The Bancorp is further currently restricted as to the payment of dividends by the memorandum of understanding with the FRB SF. As a result of losses incurred in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2009, we were expected to inform and consult with the Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to declaring or paying any dividends and we have agreed under the memorandum of understanding with the FRB SF that we will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions. In February, 2012, Bancorp received Federal Reserve approval to make payments on our Series B Preferred Stock and Junior Subordinated Notes. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments or dividends in the future.

The Bank is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its holding company. The Bancorp receives income through dividends paid by the Bank. Subject to the regulatory restrictions which currently further restrict the ability of the Bank to declare and pay dividends, future cash dividends by the Bank will depend upon management’s assessment of future capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors.

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The powers of the board of directors of the Bank to declare a cash dividend to the Bancorp is subject to California law, which restricts the amount available for cash dividends to the lesser of a bank’s retained earnings or net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to shareholders made during such period). Where the above test is not met, cash dividends may still be paid, with the prior approval of the DFI in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (1) retained earnings of the bank; (2) the net income of the bank for its last fiscal year; or (3) the net income of the bank for its current fiscal year.

The Bank is subject to a restriction on dividends it may pay to the Bancorp under its memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC. Under the memorandum of understanding the Bancorp entered into with the FRB SF, we agreed that we will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank. The Bank did not pay a dividend to the Bancorp in 2009, 2010, or 2011, but expects to request regulatory approval to pay a dividend to Bancorp during the second quarter of 2012 to increase Bancorp’s cash balance equal to at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses and then additional quarterly dividends beginning in the third quarter of 2012 in an amount which would maintain cash balances at Bancorp equal to at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses.

Operations and Consumer Compliance Laws

The Bank must comply with numerous federal anti-money laundering and consumer protection statutes and implementing regulations, including the USA Patriot Act of 2001, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (effective 2013), the CRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the National Flood Insurance Act and various federal and state privacy protection laws. The Bank and the Company are also subject to federal and state laws prohibiting unfair or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising and unfair competition.

These laws and regulations also mandate certain disclosure and reporting requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans, and providing other services. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations can subject the Bank to lawsuits and penalties, including but not limited to enforcement actions, injunctions, fines or criminal penalties, punitive damages to consumers, and the loss of certain contractual rights.

The Dodd-Frank Act provided for the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”) as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve. This Bureau is a new regulatory agency for United States banks. The Bureau has broad rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services, including deposit products, residential mortgages, home-equity loans and credit cards. The Bureau’s functions include investigating consumer complaints, conducting market research, rulemaking, supervising and examining banks consumer transactions, and enforcing rules related to consumer financial products and services. The Bureau has begun regulating activities of banks (such as the Bank) with over $10 billion in assets. Banks with less than $10 billion in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws and the regulations of the Bureau by their primary federal banking agency.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco. Among other benefits, each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. Each FHLB makes available loans or advances to its members in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the individual FHLB. Each member of the FHLB of San Francisco is required to own stock in an amount equal to the greater of (i) a membership stock requirement with an initial cap of $25 million (100% of “membership asset

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value” as defined), or (ii) an activity based stock requirement (based on percentage of outstanding advances). There can be no assurance that the FHLB will pay dividends at the same rate it has paid in the past, or that it will pay any dividends in the future.

Impact of Monetary Policies

The earnings and growth of the Bank are largely dependent on its ability to maintain a favorable differential or spread between the yield on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. As a result, the Bank’s performance is influenced by general economic conditions, both domestic and foreign, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, and the policies of the regulatory agencies. The Federal Reserve implements national monetary policies (such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession) by its open-market operations in U.S. Government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to its reserve requirements and by varying the discount rate applicable to borrowings by banks from the Federal Reserve Banks. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans and deposits. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.

Audit Requirements

The Bank is required to have an annual independent audit, alone or as a part of its bank holding company’s audit, and to prepare all financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Bank and the Bancorp are also each required to have an audit committee comprised entirely of independent directors. As required by NASDAQ, the Bancorp has certified that its audit committee has adopted formal written charters and meets the requisite number of directors, independence, and qualification standards. As such, among other requirements, the Bancorp must maintain an audit committee that includes members with banking or related financial management expertise, has access to its own outside counsel, and does not include members who are large customers of the Bank. In addition, because the Bank has more than $3 billion in total assets, it is subject to the FDIC requirements for audit committees of large institutions.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also addresses accounting oversight and corporate governance matters. Management and the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm are required to assess the effectiveness of the Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. These assessments are included in Part II—Item 9A—“Controls and Procedures.”

Regulation of Non-bank Subsidiaries

Non-bank subsidiaries are subject to additional or separate regulation and supervision by other state, federal and self-regulatory bodies. Additionally, any foreign-based subsidiaries would also be subject to foreign laws and regulations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Difficult business and economic conditions have adversely affected our industry and business.

Our financial performance generally, and the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay the principal of outstanding loans and the value of the collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon the business and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate and in the United States as a whole. Recovery in the United States from the recession which began in 2007 has been slow. Dramatic declines in the United States housing and commercial real estate markets, with decreasing prices and increasing delinquencies and foreclosures, continue to negatively impact performance of commercial and consumer credit, resulting in additional write-downs. Concerns over the stability of the financial markets and the economy have resulted in decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each other. In addition, concerns about the performance of international economies, including the potential impact of the European debt crises and economic

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conditions in Asia, particularly the economies of China and Taiwan, can impact the economy here in the United States. Although the U.S. economy has recently showed some signs of improvement, certain sectors, such as real estate, remain weak, and unemployment remains high in general and in the markets in which we operate. Local governments and many businesses are still experiencing serious difficulties due to the lack of consumer spending and liquidity in the credit markets. These economic pressures on consumers and businesses may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

• We face increased regulation of our industry, including changes by Congress or federal regulatory agencies to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regime and heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements or expectations imposed in connection with the Dodd-Frank Act, the EESA, or the ARRA, or other legislation that may be adopted in the future. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.

• The process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires difficult, subjective, and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process.

• Our banking operations are concentrated primarily in California, and secondarily in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, and Hong Kong. Adverse economic conditions in these regions in particular could impair borrowers’ ability to service their loans, decrease the level and duration of deposits by customers, and erode the value of loan collateral. These conditions include the effects of the current general decline in real estate sales and prices in many markets across the United States, the economic recession of recent years, and higher rates of unemployment. These conditions could increase the amount of our non-performing assets and have an adverse effect on our efforts to collect our non-performing loans or otherwise liquidate our non-performing assets (including other real estate owned) on terms favorable to us, if at all, and could also cause a decline in demand for our products and services, or a lack of growth or a decrease in deposits, any of which may cause us to incur losses, adversely affect our capital, and hurt our business.

We may be required to make additional provisions for loan losses and charge off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

At December 31, 2011, our allowance for loan losses totaled $206.2 million and we had total charge-offs of $77.6 million for 2011. Since 2008 there has been a significant slowdown in the real estate market in portions of Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties and the Central Valley of California where many of our commercial real estate and construction loan customers are based. This slowdown reflects declining prices and excess inventories of homes to be sold, which has contributed to financial strain on home builders and suppliers. As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $4.0 billion in commercial real estate and construction loans. Continuing deterioration in the real estate market generally and in the commercial real estate and residential building segments in particular could result in additional loan charge offs and provisions for loan losses in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, net income, and capital.

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of probable credit losses. Actual credit losses in excess of the estimate could adversely affect our results of operations and capital.

A significant source of risk arises from the possibility that we could sustain losses because borrowers, guarantors, and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans and leases. The underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures that we have adopted to address this risk may not prevent unexpected losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The allowance for credit losses is based on management’s estimate of the probable

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losses from our credit portfolio. If actual losses exceed the estimate, the excess losses could adversely affect our results of operations and capital. Such excess losses could also lead to larger allowances for credit losses in future periods, which could in turn adversely affect results of operations and capital in those periods. If economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in the estimate or adverse developments arise with respect to our credits, future losses may occur, and increases in the allowance may be necessary. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the adequacy of our allowance. These agencies may require us to establish additional allowances based on their judgment of the information available at the time of their examinations. No assurance can be given that we will not sustain credit losses in excess of present or future levels of the allowance for credit losses.

We are subject to a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the Bank is subject to a memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and we may be subject to further supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities that could have a material negative effect on our business, financial condition, and the value of our common stock.

Under federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the safety and soundness of financial institutions, the FRB SF has authority over Bancorp and separately the DFI and FDIC have authority over the Bank to compel or restrict certain actions if the Bancorp’s or the Bank’s capital should fall below adequate capital standards as a result of operating losses, or if these regulators otherwise determine that the Bancorp or the Bank have insufficient capital or has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices. Among other matters, the corrective actions may include, but are not limited to, requiring the Bancorp and/or the Bank to enter into informal or formal enforcement orders, including memoranda of understanding, written agreements, supervisory letters, commitment letters, and consent or cease and desist orders to take corrective action and refrain from unsafe and unsound practices; removing officers and directors; assessing civil monetary penalties; and taking possession of and closing and liquidating the Bank. As a result of prior losses during the economic recession, on December 17, 2009, the Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with the FRB SF, and on March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC (together the “MOUs”). Under the MOUs, among other things, the Bancorp and the Bank agreed to: limitations on payment of dividends and senior executive officer and director changes; maintain sufficient capital, submit a capital and a strategic plan addressing improved profitability and capital ratios, reduce commercial real estate concentrations, reduce the Bank’s overall risk profile, and implement a plan to improve asset quality.

If we are unable to meet the requirements of the MOUs, we could become subject to additional supervisory action, including a cease and desist order. If our banking supervisors were to take such additional supervisory action, we could, among other things, become subject to significant restrictions on our ability to develop any new business, as well as restrictions on our existing business, and we could be required to raise additional capital, dispose of certain assets and liabilities within a prescribed period of time, or both. The terms of any such supervisory action could have a material negative effect on our business, our financial condition, and the value of our common stock. Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further supervisory action or regulatory proceedings that could have a material negative impact on our business.

Additional requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect us.

Recent government efforts to strengthen the U.S. financial system have resulted in the imposition of additional regulatory requirements, including expansive financial services regulatory reform legislation. The Dodd-Frank Act, adopted in July 2010, provided for sweeping regulatory changes including the establishment of strengthened capital and liquidity requirements for banks and bank holding companies, including minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements no less than the strictest requirements in effect for depository institutions as of the date of enactment; the requirement by statute that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial strength for their depository institution subsidiaries; enhanced regulation of financial markets, including the derivative and securitization markets, and the elimination of certain proprietary trading activities by

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banks; the termination of investments by the U.S. Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) and the elimination and phase out of trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital with certain exceptions; additional corporate governance and executive compensation requirements; enhanced financial institution safety and soundness regulations, revisions in FDIC insurance assessment fees and a permanent increase in FDIC deposit insurance coverage to $250,000; authorization for financial institutions to pay interest on business checking accounts; and the establishment of new regulatory bodies, such as the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and the Financial Services Oversight Counsel, to identify emerging systemic risks and improve interagency cooperation. Many of the provisions remain subject to final rulemaking and/or study. Accordingly, we cannot fully assess its impact on our operations and costs until final regulations are adopted and implemented.

Current and future legal and regulatory requirements, restrictions, and regulations, including those imposed under the Dodd-Frank Act, may adversely impact our profitability and may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes required by the legislation and related regulations and may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified executive officers and employees.

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations and supervision, and may become subject to future laws and regulations and supervision, if any, that may be enacted, that could limit or restrict our activities, may hamper our ability to increase our assets and earnings, and could adversely affect our profitability.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are or may become subject to regulation by federal, state, and local governmental authorities and various laws, regulations, regulatory guidelines, and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements or restrictions on part or all of our operations, capitalization, payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits, and locations of offices. We also must comply with numerous federal anti-money laundering and consumer protection statutes and regulations. A considerable amount of management time and resources have been devoted to the oversight of, and the development and implementation of controls and procedures relating to, compliance with these laws and regulations, and we expect that significant time and resources will be devoted to compliance in the future. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure and reporting requirements and regulate the manner in which we must deal with our customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans, and providing other services. We also are, or may become subject to, examination, supervision, and additional comprehensive regulation by various federal, state, and local authorities with regard to compliance with these laws and regulations.

Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules, regulations, and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. Perennially, various laws, rules and regulations are proposed, which, if adopted, could impact our operations, increase our capital requirements or substantially restrict our growth and adversely affect our ability to operate profitably by making compliance much more difficult or expensive, restricting our ability to originate or sell loans or further restricting the amount of interest or other charges or fees earned on loans or other products. In addition, further regulation could increase the assessment rate we are required to pay to the FDIC, adversely affecting our earnings. It is impossible to predict the competitive impact that any such changes would have on the banking and financial services industry in general or on our business in particular. Such changes may, among other things, increase the cost of doing business, limit permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes in light of the recent performance of and government intervention in the financial services sector. Other changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer, and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties, and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. See Part I—Item 1— “Business—Regulation and Supervision”.

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We may experience goodwill impairment.

Goodwill is initially recorded at fair value and is not amortized, but is reviewed at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be fully recoverable. If our estimates of goodwill fair value change, we may determine that impairment charges are necessary. Estimates of fair value are determined based on a complex model using cash flows and company comparisons. If management’s estimates of future cash flows are inaccurate, the fair value determined could be inaccurate and impairment may not be recognized in a timely manner.

Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition.

Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans, and other sources could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to acquire deposits or borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.

Our business is subject to interest rate risk and fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our net interest income and adversely affect our business.

A substantial portion of our income is derived from the differential, or “spread,” between the interest earned on loans, investment securities and other interest-earning assets, and the interest paid on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. The interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, and deposit taking activities is a significant market risk to us and our business. Income associated with interest earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by fluctuations in interest rates. The magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates, events over which we have no control, may have an adverse effect on net interest income. Prepayment and early withdrawal levels, which are also impacted by changes in interest rates, can significantly affect our assets and liabilities. Increases in interest rates may adversely affect the ability of our floating rate borrowers to meet their higher payment obligations, which could in turn lead to an increase in non-performing assets and net charge-offs.

Generally, the interest rates on our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not change at the same rate, to the same extent, or on the same basis. Even assets and liabilities with similar maturities or periods of re-pricing may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in general market interest rates, while interest rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in general market rates. Certain assets, such as fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features that limit changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.

We seek to minimize the adverse effects of changes in interest rates by structuring our asset-liability composition to obtain the maximum spread. We use interest rate sensitivity analysis and a simulation model to assist us in estimating the optimal asset-liability composition. However, such management tools have inherent limitations that impair their effectiveness. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in minimizing the adverse effects of changes in interest rates.

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider additional acquisitions in the future, which could negatively affect our business and earnings.

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider acquisitions in the future. There are risks associated with any such expansion. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the asset

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quality of a bank acquired in a particular transaction, encountering greater than anticipated costs in integrating acquired businesses, facing resistance from customers or employees, and being unable to profitably deploy assets acquired in the transaction. Additional country- and region-specific risks are associated with transactions outside the United States, including in China. To the extent we issue capital stock in connection with additional transactions, if any, these transactions and related stock issuances may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership.

Our earnings, financial condition, and prospects after a merger or acquisition depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate the operations of the acquired company. We may be unable to integrate operations successfully or to achieve expected cost savings. Any cost savings which are realized may be offset by losses in revenues or other charges to earnings.

In addition, our ability to grow may be limited if we cannot make acquisitions. We compete with other financial institutions with respect to proposed acquisitions. We cannot predict if or when we will be able to identify and attract acquisition candidates or make acquisitions on favorable terms.

We may in the future engage in FDIC-assisted transactions, which could present additional risks to our business.

In the current economic environment, and subject to any requisite regulatory consent, we may potentially be presented with opportunities to acquire the assets and liabilities of failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. These acquisitions involve risks similar to acquiring existing banks even though the FDIC might provide assistance to mitigate certain risks such as sharing in exposure to loan losses and providing indemnification against certain liabilities of the failed institution. However, because these acquisitions are structured in a manner that would not allow us the time normally associated with preparing for and evaluating an acquisition, including preparing for integration of an acquired institution, we may face additional risks if we engage in FDIC-assisted transactions. These risks include the loss of customers, strain on management resources related to collection and management of problem loans and problems related to integration of personnel and operating systems. If we engage in FDIC-assisted transactions, we may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with these transactions. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business strategy and maintain our market value and profitability.

Moreover, even if we were inclined to participate in an FDIC-assisted transaction, there are no assurances that the FDIC would allow us to participate or what the terms of such transaction might be or whether we would be successful in acquiring the bank or assets that we are seeking. We may be required to raise additional capital as a condition to, or as a result of, participation in an FDIC-assisted transaction. Any such transactions and related issuances of stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership.

Furthermore, to the extent we are allowed to, and choose to, participate in FDIC-assisted transactions, we may face competition from other financial institutions with respect to the proposed FDIC-assisted transactions. To the extent that our competitors are selected to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions, our ability to identify and attract acquisition candidates and/or make acquisitions on favorable terms may be adversely affected.

Inflation and deflation may adversely affect our financial performance.

The Consolidated Financial Statements and related financial data presented in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These principles require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation or deflation. The primary impact of inflation on our operations is reflected in increased operating costs. Conversely, deflation will tend to erode collateral values and diminish loan quality. Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the general levels of inflation or deflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the price of goods and services.

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As we expand our business outside of California markets, we will encounter risks that could adversely affect us.

We primarily operate in California markets with a concentration of Chinese-American individuals and businesses; however, one of our strategies is to expand beyond California into other domestic markets that have concentrations of Chinese-American individuals and businesses. We currently have operations in six other states (New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey) and in Hong Kong. In the course of this expansion, we will encounter significant risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on our operations. These risks and uncertainties include increased expenses and operational difficulties arising from, among other things, our ability to attract sufficient business in new markets, to manage operations in noncontiguous market areas, to comply with all of the various local laws and regulations, and to anticipate events or differences in markets in which we have no current experience.

To the extent that we expand through acquisitions, such acquisitions may also adversely harm our business if we fail to adequately address the financial and operational risks associated with such acquisitions. For example, risks can include difficulties in assimilating the operations, technology, and personnel of the acquired company; diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures, and policies; potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities; the incurring of additional debt and contingent liabilities; use of cash resources; large write-offs; and amortization expenses related to other intangible assets with finite lives.

Our loan portfolio is largely secured by real estate, which has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect our results of operations.

A downturn in the real estate markets has hurt our business because many of our loans are secured by real estate. The real estate collateral securing our borrowers’ obligations is principally located in California, and to a lesser extent, in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey. The value of such collateral depends upon conditions in the relevant real estate markets. These include general or local economic conditions and neighborhood characteristics, unemployment rates, real estate tax rates, the cost of operating the properties, governmental regulations and fiscal policies, acts of nature including earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes (which may result in uninsured losses), and other factors beyond our control. The continuing low volume of real estate sales and unpredictability of prices in many markets across the United States could reduce the value of our collateral, in which case we may have to foreclose on the properties. If we are not able to realize a satisfactory amount upon foreclosure sales, we may have to own the properties, subjecting us to exposure to the risks and expenses associated with ownership. Continued declines in real estate sales and prices coupled with any weakness in the economy and continued high unemployment will result in higher than expected loan delinquencies or problem assets, a decline in demand for our products and services, or a lack of growth or a decrease in deposits, which may cause us to incur losses, adversely affect our capital, and hurt our business.

The risks inherent in construction lending may continue to affect adversely our results of operations. Such risks include, among other things, the possibility that contractors may fail to complete, or complete on a timely basis, construction of the relevant properties; substantial cost overruns in excess of original estimates and financing; market deterioration during construction; and lack of permanent take-out financing. Loans secured by such properties also involve additional risk because such properties have no operating history. In these loans, loan funds are advanced upon the security of the project under construction (which is of uncertain value prior to completion of construction) and the estimated operating cash flow to be generated by the completed project. There is no assurance that such properties will be sold or leased so as to generate the cash flow anticipated by the borrower. The current general decline in real estate sales and prices across the United States, the decline in demand for residential real estate, economic weakness, high rates of unemployment, and reduced availability of mortgage credit, are all factors that can adversely affect the borrowers’ ability to repay their obligations to us and the value of our security interest in collateral, and thereby adversely affect our results of operations and financial results.

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Our use of appraisals in deciding whether to make a loan on or secured by real property does not ensure the value of the real property collateral.

In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, we require an appraisal of the property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made. If the appraisal does not reflect the amount that may be obtained upon any sale or foreclosure of the property, we may not realize an amount equal to the indebtedness secured by the property.

Liabilities from environmental regulations could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

In the course of the Bank’s business, the Bank may foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. The Bank may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clear up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of any contaminated site, the Bank may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages, and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If the Bank ever becomes subject to significant environmental liabilities, its business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The repeal of the federal prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposit accounts will likely increase competition for deposits and could increase our interest expense.

On July 14, 2011, the Federal Reserve implemented a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act by issuing final rules to repeal Regulation Q, which had prohibited the payment of interest on demand deposits by banks. As a result, effective July 21, 2011, banks are now permitted to offer interest-bearing demand deposit accounts to commercial customers. It is unclear to what extent other institutions will offer interest on demand deposit accounts, and the Bank has not yet determined when, or if, it will do so. Our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decrease if the Bank begins offering interest on such accounts to attract additional customers or to maintain current customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We face substantial competition from larger competitors.

We face substantial competition for deposits, loans, and for other banking services, as well as acquisitions, throughout our market area from the major banks and financial institutions that dominate the commercial banking industry. This may cause our cost of funds to exceed that of our competitors. These banks and financial institutions have greater resources than we do, including the ability to finance advertising campaigns and allocate their investment assets to regions of higher yield and demand and make acquisitions. By virtue of their larger capital bases, they have substantially greater lending limits than we do and perform certain functions, including trust services, which are not presently offered by us. We also compete for loans and deposits, as well as other banking services, with savings and loan associations, brokerage houses, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, credit card companies and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities. The recent consolidation of certain competing financial institutions and the conversion of certain investment banks to bank holding companies has increased the level of competition among financial services companies and may adversely affect our ability to market our products and services.

We may become subject to more stringent capital requirements.

The Dodd-Frank Act phases out over a prescribed period of time certain trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital and requires the federal banking agencies to establish minimum leverage and risk-based capital

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requirements that will apply to both insured banks and their holding companies. In addition, the international “Basel III” standards announced by the Basel Committee, if applied to banks the size of the Bank, could lead to significantly higher capital requirements, higher capital charges and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios. The standards would, among other things: increase the minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio to 4.50%; and introduce a capital conservation buffer of an additional 2.50% of common equity to risk-weighted assets, raising the target minimum common equity ratio to 7.00%; increase the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio to 8.50% inclusive of the capital conservation buffer; increase the minimum total capital ratio to 10.50% inclusive of the capital conservation buffer; and introduce a countercyclical capital buffer of up to 2.50% of common equity or other fully absorbing capital for periods of excess credit growth. Basel III also introduces a non-risk adjusted Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3.00%, based on a measure of total exposure rather than total assets, new liquidity standards and reaffirms the Basel Committee’s intention to introduce higher capital requirements on securitization and trading activities. The new Basel III capital standards will be phased in from January 1, 2013, until January 1, 2019.

It is not yet known how these standards will be implemented by United States regulators generally or how they will be applied, if at all, to banks of our size. However, the final changes to the capital adequacy standards when implemented by the Federal Reserve for the Bank are expected to increase our capital requirements and related compliance costs. Implementation of these standards, or any other new regulations, may adversely affect our ability to pay dividends, or require us to reduce business levels or raise capital, including in ways that may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects.

Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the communities that we serve. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategies is often lengthy. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing, and technical personnel and upon the continued contributions of our management and personnel. In particular, our success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of key executives and certain other employees.

On March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC pursuant to which we are required to retain management and directors acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. No assurance can be given that our current management or directors are acceptable to the DFI or the FDIC or that we will be able to retain or engage management or directors who are acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. If we are unable to retain such management and directors, we may be subject to further supervisory action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and the value of our common stock.

Managing reputational risk is important to attracting and maintaining customers, investors, and employees.

Threats to our reputation can come from many sources, including adverse sentiment about financial institutions generally, unethical practices, employee misconduct, failure to deliver minimum standards of service or quality, compliance deficiencies, and questionable, illegal, or fraudulent activities of our customers. We have policies and procedures in place that seek to protect our reputation and promote ethical conduct, but these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees, or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors, and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental regulation.

Natural disasters and geopolitical events beyond our control could adversely affect us.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme weather conditions, hurricanes, floods, and other acts of nature and geopolitical events involving civil unrest, changes in government regimes, terrorism, or

29

military conflict could adversely affect our business operations and those of our customers and cause substantial damage and loss to real and personal property. These natural disasters and geopolitical events could impair our borrowers’ ability to service their loans, decrease the level and duration of deposits by customers, erode the value of loan collateral, and result in an increase in the amount of our non- performing loans and a higher level of non-performing assets (including real estate owned), net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses, which could adversely affect our earnings.

Adverse conditions in Asia could adversely affect our business.

A substantial number of our customers have economic and cultural ties to Asia and, as a result, we are likely to feel the effects of adverse economic and political conditions in Asia, including the effects of rising inflation or slowing growth in China and other regions. Additionally, we maintain a branch in Hong Kong. U.S. and global economic policies, military tensions, and unfavorable global economic conditions may adversely impact the Asian economies. This could include an actual or perceived default of certain European Union (“EU”) member states on their debt obligations, the continued uncertainty of the EU’s financial support programs, the possibility that other EU member states may experience similar financial troubles, and any resulting slowdown in the economies of the EU member states. In addition, pandemics and other public health crises or concerns over the possibility of such crises could create economic and financial disruptions in the region. A significant deterioration of economic conditions in Asia could expose us to, among other things, economic and transfer risk, and we could experience an outflow of deposits by those of our customers with connections to Asia. Transfer risk may result when an entity is unable to obtain the foreign exchange needed to meet its obligations or to provide liquidity. This may adversely impact the recoverability of investments with or loans made to such entities. Adverse economic conditions in Asia, and in China or Taiwan in particular, may also negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of our customers who operate in this region.

Because of our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, we are subject to several restrictions including restrictions on compensation paid to our executives.

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement between us and the U.S. Treasury (the “Purchase Agreement”), under which we sold $258 million of our Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), we adopted certain standards for executive compensation and corporate governance. These standards generally apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the three next most highly compensated executive officers. The standards include (i) ensuring that incentive compensation for senior executive officers does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution; (ii) requiring clawback of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive officer based on statements of earnings, gains, or other criteria that are later proven to be materially inaccurate; (iii) a prohibition on making golden parachute payments to senior executives; and (iv) agreement not to deduct for tax purposes executive compensation in excess of $500,000 for each senior executive. In particular, the change to the deductibility limit on executive compensation will likely increase the overall cost of our compensation programs in future periods.

The adoption of the ARRA on February 17, 2009, and interim final regulations thereunder effective June 15, 2009, have imposed certain executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients, including the Company, until the institution has repaid the U.S. Treasury, which is now permitted under the ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the U.S. Treasury’s consultation with the recipient’s appropriate regulatory agency. The ARRA executive compensation standards are in many respects more stringent than those that continue in effect under TARP and those previously proposed by the U.S. Treasury. The standards include (but are not limited to) (i) prohibitions on bonuses, retention awards and other incentive compensation, other than restricted stock or restricted stock unit grants for up to one-third of an employee’s total annual compensation, which grants cannot vest for a period of at least two years and can be liquidated during the TARP period only in proportion to the repayment of the TARP investment at 25% increments, (ii) prohibitions on golden parachute payments for departure from a company or change in

30

control of the company, (iii) an expanded clawback of bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation if payment is based on materially inaccurate statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria, (iv) prohibitions on compensation plans that encourage manipulation of reported earnings, (v) retroactive review of bonuses, retention awards, and other compensation previously provided by TARP recipients if found by the U.S. Treasury to be inconsistent with the purposes of TARP or otherwise contrary to the public interest, (vi) required establishment of a company-wide policy regarding “excessive or luxury expenditures,” and (vii) inclusion in a participant’s proxy statements for annual shareholder meetings of a nonbinding “Say on Pay” shareholder vote on the compensation of executives.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. In the course of providing financial services, we store personally identifiable data concerning customers or employees of customers. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems and a data breach, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions, or security or data breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. Privacy laws and regulations are matters of growing public concern and are continually changing in the states in which we operate. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, or security or data breaches could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our need to continue to adapt our information technology systems to allow us to provide new and expanded service and to successfully implement the core system conversion we are currently undergoing, could present operational issues, require significant capital spending, and disrupt our business.

As we continue to offer Internet banking and other on-line and mobile services to our customers, and continue to expand our existing conventional banking services, we will need to adapt our information technology systems to handle these changes in a way that meets constantly changing industry and regulatory standards. This can be very expensive and may require significant capital expenditures. In addition, our success will depend on, among other things, our ability to provide secure and reliable services, anticipate changes in technology, and efficiently develop and introduce services that are accepted by our customers and cost effective for us to provide. We are also in the process of undergoing a core system conversion to a new third party provider. If we are not able to successfully implement the core system conversion in the time frame we currently anticipate and with minimal interruption to our systems and customers, our business could be harmed.

Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws could make the acquisition of our company more difficult.

Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our restated bylaws, as amended, could make the acquisition of our company more difficult. These provisions include authorized but unissued shares of preferred and common stock that may be issued without stockholder approval; three classes of directors serving staggered terms; special requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for director; and super-majority voting requirements in certain situations including certain types of business combinations.

Our financial results could be adversely affected by changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations.

From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC will change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. In addition, from time to time, federal and state taxing authorities will change the tax laws and regulations, and their interpretations. These changes and their effects can be difficult to predict and can materially and adversely impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.

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The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to sell shares of common stock owned by you at times or at prices you find attractive.

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market is subject to fluctuations in the share prices and trading volumes that affect the market prices of the shares of many companies. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

• actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in our operating results and financial condition;

• changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts;

• failure to meet analysts’ revenue or earnings estimates;

• speculation in the press or investment community;

• strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

• acquisitions of other banks or financial institutions, through FDIC-assisted transactions or otherwise;

• actions by institutional stockholders;

• fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors;

• general market conditions and, in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry;

• fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors;

• proposed or adopted regulatory changes or developments;

• anticipated or pending investigations, proceedings, or litigation that involve or affect us;

• successful management of reputational risk; and

• domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance.

The stock market and, in particular, the market for financial institution stocks, has experienced significant volatility. As a result, the market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate more than usual and cause significant price variations to occur. The trading price of the shares of our common stock and the value of our other securities will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including, without limitation, our financial condition, performance, creditworthiness and prospects, future sales of our equity or equity related securities, and other factors identified above in “Forward-Looking Statements,” and in this Item 1A—“Risk Factors.” The capital and credit markets can experience volatility and disruption. Such volatility and disruption can reach unprecedented levels, resulting in downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. A significant decline in our stock price could result in substantial losses for individual stockholders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

Statutory restrictions and restrictions by our regulators on dividends and other distributions from the Bank may adversely impact us by limiting the amount of distributions the Bancorp may receive. Statutory and contractual restrictions and our regulators may also restrict the Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends.

The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us is limited by various regulations and statutes, including California law, and our ability to pay dividends on our outstanding stock is limited by various regulations and statutes, including Delaware law.

A substantial portion of Bancorp’s cash flow has in earlier years come from dividends that the Bank pays to us. Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval. Also, the Bank is subject to a restriction on dividends it may pay us under the MOUs.

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The Federal Reserve Board has previously issued Federal Reserve Supervision and Regulation Letter SR-09-4 that states that bank holding companies are expected to inform and consult with the Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to taking any actions that could result in a diminished capital base, including any payment or increase in the rate of dividends. In addition, we have agreed under the memorandum of understanding with the FRB SF that we will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, (i) receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank, or (ii) declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve the payment of such dividends. Further, if we are not current in our payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred Stock or interest on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock.

If the Bank were to liquidate, the Bank’s creditors would be entitled to receive distributions from the assets of the Bank to satisfy their claims against the Bank before Bancorp, as a holder of the equity interest in the Bank, would be entitled to receive any of the assets of the Bank as a distribution or dividend.

The restrictions described above, together with the potentially dilutive impact of the Warrant, described below, could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock. Moreover, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and our Board of Directors could reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in the future.

Our outstanding preferred stock impacts net income available to our common stockholders and earnings per common share, and the Warrant as well as other potential issuances of equity securities may be dilutive to holders of our common stock.

The dividends declared and the accretion on discount on our outstanding preferred stock will reduce the net income available to common stockholders and our earnings per common share. Our outstanding preferred stock is perpetual and currently bears a dividend rate of 5% per annum. If we do not redeem or otherwise retire our preferred stock, this dividend rate increases to 9% per annum commencing in December 2013. Our outstanding preferred stock will also receive preferential treatment in the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Additionally, the ownership interest of the existing holders of our common stock will be diluted to the extent the Warrant is exercised. The 1,846,374 shares of common stock underlying the Warrant represent approximately 2.3% of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2011 (including the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant in total shares outstanding). Although the U.S. Treasury has agreed not to vote any of the shares of common stock it receives upon exercise of the Warrant, a transferee of any portion of the Warrant or of any shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of the Warrant is not bound by this restriction. In addition, to the extent options to purchase common stock under our stock option plans are exercised, holders of our common stock will incur additional dilution.

We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock or preferred stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or preferred stock or any substantially similar securities. If we sell additional equity or convertible debt securities, these sales could result in increased dilution to our stockholders. See “We may need to raise additional capital which may dilute the interests of holders of our common stock or otherwise have an adverse effect on their investment” below.

The issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of common stock, which may negatively impact their investment.

Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue additional classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of the stockholders. The board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights and preferences over the common stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution, or

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winding up of our business and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the common stock, the rights of holders of the common stock or the market price of the common stock could be adversely affected.

Our outstanding debt securities restrict our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock.

In June 2003, Cathay Capital Trust I issued $20,619,000 of Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities. In September 2003, Cathay Statutory Trust I issued $20,619,000 of Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities. In December 2003, Cathay Capital Trust II issued $12,887,000 of Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities. In March 2007, Cathay Capital Trust III issued $46,392,000 of Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities. In May 2007, Cathay Capital Trust IV issued $20,619,000 of Floating Rate Trust Preferred Securities (the “Trust Preferred Securities.)” Payments to investors in respect of the Trust Preferred Securities are funded by distributions on certain series of securities issued by us, with similar terms to the relevant series of Trust Preferred Securities, which we refer to as the “Junior Subordinated Notes.” In addition, in September 2006, the Bank issued $50,000,000 in subordinated debt in a private placement (the “Bank Subordinated Debt”). If we are unable to pay interest in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes (which will be used to make distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities), or if any other event of default occurs, then we will generally be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends or other distributions, or redeeming, purchasing or acquiring, any of our capital securities, including the common stock, during the next succeeding interest payment period applicable to any of the Junior Subordinated Notes.

If the Bank is unable to pay interest in respect of the Bank Subordinated Debt, or if any other event of default has occurred and is continuing on the Bank Subordinated Debt, then the Bank will be prohibited from declaring or paying dividends or other distributions, or redeeming, purchasing or acquiring, any of its capital stock, during the next succeeding interest payment applicable to the Bank Subordinated Debt. As a result, the Bank will be prohibited from making dividend payments to us, which, in turn could affect our ability to pay dividends on our capital securities, including the common stock.

Moreover, any other financing agreements that we enter into in the future may limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock, including the common stock. In the event that any other financing agreements in the future restrict our ability to pay dividends in cash on the common stock, we may be unable to pay dividends in cash on the common stock unless we can refinance amounts outstanding under those agreements.

We may need to raise additional capital which may dilute the interests of holders of our common stock or otherwise have an adverse effect on their investment.

Should economic conditions deteriorate further, particularly in the California commercial real estate and residential real estate markets where our business is concentrated, we may need to raise more capital to support any additional provisions for loan losses and loan charge-offs. In addition, we may need to raise more capital to meet other regulatory requirements, if our losses are higher than expected and we believe that we may breach the target capital ratios in our Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan, or to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions. There can be no assurances that we would succeed in raising any such additional capital, and any capital we obtain may dilute the interests of holders of our common stock, or otherwise have an adverse effect on their investment.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of

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default of our counterparty. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due us. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

The Company has not received written comments regarding its periodic or current reports from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that were issued not less than 180 days before the end of its 2011 fiscal year and that remain unresolved.

Item 2. Properties.

Cathay General Bancorp

The Bancorp currently neither owns nor leases any real or personal property. The Bancorp uses the premises, equipment, and furniture of the Bank at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012 and at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731 in exchange for payment of a management fee to the Bank.

Cathay Bank

The Bank’s head office is located in a 36,727 square foot building in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles. The Bank owns both the building and the land upon which the building is situated. The Bank maintains certain of its administrative offices at a seven-story 102,548 square foot office building located at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731. The Bank also owns this building and land in El Monte.

The Bank owns its branch offices in Monterey Park, Alhambra, Westminster, San Gabriel, City of Industry, Cupertino, Artesia, New York City, Flushing (2 locations), and Chicago. In addition, the Bank has certain operating and administrative departments located at 4128 Temple City Boulevard, Rosemead, California, where it owns the building and land with approximately 27,600 square feet of space.

The Bank leases certain other premises. Expiration dates of the Bank’s leases range from May 2012 to October 2017. Our Hong Kong branch is located at 28 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong. The lease for the 3,436 square foot office commenced on December 16, 2006, and will expire in December 2012. Our representative office in Shanghai is located at Room 2610-A, 1515 Nanjing Road West, Kerry Centre, Shanghai, China, and consists of 869 square feet. The lease was renewed for three years from May 2009 to May 2012. The representative office in Taipei is located at Sixth Floor, Suite 3, 146 Sung Chiang Road, Taipei, Taiwan, and consists of 1,806 square feet. The lease was renewed for one year from July 2011 to June 2012.

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank’s investment in premises and equipment totaled $106.0 million. See Note 8 and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

The Company and its subsidiaries and their property are not currently a party or subject to any material pending legal proceeding.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The table below sets forth the names, ages, and positions at the Bancorp and the Bank of all executive officers of the Company as of February 15, 2012.

Name	Age		Present Position and Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
Dunson K. Cheng		67	Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bancorp and the Bank since 1994; Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp since 1990; President of the Bank since 1985; Director of the Bank since 1982.
Peter Wu		63	Director, Executive Vice Chairman, and Chief Operating Officer of Bancorp and the Bank since October 2003.
Anthony M. Tang		58	Director of Bancorp since 1990; Executive Vice President of Bancorp since 1994; Chief Lending Officer of the Bank since 1985; Director of the Bank since 1986; Senior Executive Vice President of the Bank since December 1998.
Heng W. Chen		59	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Bancorp since June 2003; Executive Vice President of the Bank since June 2003; Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since January 2004.
Irwin Wong		63	Executive Vice President-Branch Administration of the Bank from 1999 to February 2011; Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Bank since February 2011.
Kim R. Bingham		55	Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank since August 2004.
Perry P. Oei		49	Senior Vice President of Bancorp and the Bank since January 2004; General Counsel of Bancorp and the Bank since July 2001; Secretary of Bancorp and the Bank since August 2010.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CATY.” Prior to July 3, 2006, our common stock traded on the NASDAQ National Market. The closing price of our common stock on February 15, 2012, was $16.82 per share, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011				2010
	High		Low		High		Low
First quarter	$	18.87	$	15.63	$	11.85	$	8.20
Second quarter		17.90		14.81		14.70		10.16
Third quarter		17.06		10.21		12.46		9.39
Fourth quarter .		15.19		10.69		16.96		11.84

Holders

As of February 15, 2012, there were approximately 1,684 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

The cash dividends per share declared by quarter were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010
First quarter	$	0.010	$	0.010
Second quarter		0.010		0.010
Third quarter		0.010		0.010
Fourth quarter		0.010		0.010
Total	$	0.040	$	0.040

For information concerning restrictions on the payment of dividends, see Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources—Dividend Policy,” and Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Performance Graph

The graph and accompanying information furnished below compares the percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock from December 31, 2006, through December 31, 2011, with the percentage change in the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) and the SNL Western Bank Index for the same period. The SNL Western Bank Index is a market-weighted index comprised of publicly traded banks and bank holding companies (including the Company) most of which are based in California and the remainder of which are based in eight other western states, including Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. We will furnish, without charge, on the written request of any person who is a stockholder of record as of the record date for the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, a list of the companies included in the SNL Western Bank Index. Requests for this information should be addressed to Perry Oei, Secretary, Cathay General Bancorp, 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012. This graph assumes the investment of $100 in our common stock on December 31, 2006, and an investment of $100 in each of the S&P 500 Index and the SNL Western Bank Index on that date.

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NOTE: The comparisons in the graph below are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, the future performance or returns of our common stock. Such information furnished herewith shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

Index	Period Ending
	12/31/06		12/31/07		12/31/08		12/31/09		12/31/10		12/31/11
Cathay General Bancorp		100.00		77.70		71.51		23.08		51.23		45.93
SNL Western Bank		100.00		83.53		81.33		74.68		84.62		76.45
S&P 500		100.00		105.49		66.46		84.05		96.71		98.76

Source: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA ^© 2012

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

There were no sales of any equity securities by the Company during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that were not registered under the Securities Act.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

As of December 31, 2011, Bancorp may repurchase up to 622,500 shares of common stock under the November 2007 stock repurchase program, subject to regulatory limitations. No shares were repurchased during the period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data, and is derived in part from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with Part II—Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
	(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Income Statement (1)
Interest and dividend income	$	453,571		$	489,594		$	528,731		$	589,951		$	615,271
Interest expense		139,881			191,688			246,039			294,804			305,750
Net interest income before provision for credit losses		313,690			297,906			282,692			295,147			309,521
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000			106,700			11,000
Net interest income/(loss) after provision for credit losses		286,690			141,006			(24,308	)		188,447			298,521
Securities gains/(losses)		21,131			18,695			55,644			(5,971	)		810
Other non-interest income		29,761			13,556			23,010			24,878			26,677
Non-interest expense		185,566			175,711			183,037			136,676			128,745
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		152,016			(2,454	)		(128,691	)		70,678			197,263
Income tax expense/(benefit)		51,261			(14,629	)		(61,912	)		19,554			71,191
Net income/(loss)		100,755			12,175			(66,779	)		51,124			126,072
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		605			610			611			603			603
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp		100,150			11,565			(67,390	)		50,521			125,469
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)		(16,388	)		(16,338	)		(1,140	)		—
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	83,713		$	(4,823	)	$	(83,728	)	$	49,381		$	125,469
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share
Basic	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)	$	1.00		$	2.49
Diluted	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)	$	1.00		$	2.46
Cash dividends paid per common share .	$	0.040		$	0.040		$	0.205		$	0.420		$	0.405
Weighted-average common shares
Basic		78,633,317			77,073,954			52,629,159			49,414,824			50,418,303
Diluted		78,640,652			77,073,954			52,629,159			49,529,793			50,975,449
Statement of Condition
Investment securities	$	2,447,982		$	2,843,669		$	3,550,114		$	3,083,817		$	2,347,665
Net loans (2)		6,844,483			6,615,769			6,678,914			7,340,181			6,608,079
Loans held for sale		760			2,873			54,826			—			—
Total assets		10,644,864			10,801,986			11,588,232			11,582,639			10,402,532
Deposits		7,229,131			6,991,846			7,505,040			6,836,736			6,278,367
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,400,000			1,561,000			1,557,000			1,662,000			1,432,025
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		225,000			550,000			929,362			1,449,362			1,375,180
Borrowings from other financial institutions		19,800			27,576			26,532			19,500			8,301
Long-term debt		171,136			171,136			171,136			171,136			171,136
Total equity		1,515,633			1,436,105			1,312,744			1,301,387			980,419
Common Stock Data
Shares of common stock outstanding		78,652,557			78,531,783			63,459,590			49,508,250			49,336,187
Book value per common share	$	15.75		$	14.80		$	16.49		$	20.90		$	19.70
Profitability Ratios
Return on average assets		0.94	%		0.10	%		(0.58	%)		0.47	%		1.38	%
Return on average stockholders’ equity		6.78			0.81			(5.20	)		4.91			13.28
Dividend payout ratio		3.14			27.16			n/m			42.02			16.36
Average equity to average assets ratio		13.98			12.45			11.29			9.58			10.37
Efficiency ratio		50.90			53.22			50.65			43.52			38.20

* n/m, not meaningful

(1) Includes the operating results and the acquired assets and assumed deposits and liabilities of United Heritage Bank after March 30, 2007.

(2) Net loans represent gross loans net of loan participations sold, allowance for loan losses, and unamortized deferred loan fees.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

General

The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate the understanding and assessment of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries. It should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Bank offers a wide range of financial services. It currently operates 20 branches in Southern California, 11 branches in Northern California, eight branches in New York State, one branch in Massachusetts, two branches in Texas, three branches in Washington State, three branches in Illinois, one branch in New Jersey, one branch in Hong Kong and two representative offices (one in Shanghai, China, and one in Taipei, Taiwan). The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located.

The financial information presented herein includes the accounts of the Bancorp, its subsidiaries, including the Bank, and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. All material transactions between these entities are eliminated.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Management believes the following are critical accounting policies that require the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements:

Allowance for Credit Losses

The determination of the amount of the provision for credit losses charged to operations reflects management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual, and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which we determine the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

The total allowance for credit losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, we employ two

40

primary methodologies, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

The Bank’s management allocates a specific allowance for “Impaired Credits,” in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management’s estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance. The allowance for credit losses is discussed in more detail in “Risk Elements of the Loan Portfolio—Allowance for Credit Losses” below.

Investment Securities

The classification and accounting for investment securities are discussed in detail in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere herein. Under ASC Topic 320, formerly SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, investment securities must be classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The appropriate classification is based partially on our ability to hold the securities to maturity and largely on management’s intentions with respect to either holding or selling the securities. The classification of investment securities is significant since it directly impacts the accounting for unrealized gains and losses on securities. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities flow directly through earnings during the periods in which they arise, whereas available-for-sale securities are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss) and do not affect earnings until realized. The fair values of our investment securities are generally determined by reference to quoted market prices and reliable independent sources. We are obligated to assess, at each reporting date, whether there is an “other-than-temporary” impairment to our investment securities. ASC Topic 320 requires us to assess whether we have the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. Other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses will be recognized in earnings. Other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. Taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements presented elsewhere herein. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due or to be received from taxing authorities. In estimating accrued taxes, we assess the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax position.

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC Topic 805, formerly SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations (Revised 2007), requires an entity to recognize the assets,

41

liabilities and any non-controlling interest at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. ASC Topic 805 also requires an entity to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Contingent considerations are to be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date in a business combination and would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, “Accounting for Contingencies.” Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350, formerly SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 142 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, formerly SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

Our policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Accounting standards require management to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit in making the assessment of impairment at least annually.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process conducted by us, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our three reporting units- Commercial Lending, Retail Banking, and East Coast Operations. We then complete “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment. Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill. This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)

Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer’s initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

Results of Operations

Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $83.7 million, or $1.06 per share, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.8 million, or $0.06 per share, in 2010, and net loss attributable to common stockholders of $83.7 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, in 2009. The $88.5 million increase in net income from 2010 to 2011 was primarily the results of a decrease of $129.9 million in the provision for credit losses, a $15.8 million increase in net interest income, a decrease of $9.6 million net loss in interest rate swap agreements, a decrease of $7.1 million in FDIC assessments, a decrease of $5.4 million in other real estate owned (“OREO”) expenses, an increase of $2.4

42

million in gains on sale of securities and an increase of $2.3 million in gain on sale of loans offset by an increase of $65.9 million in income tax expense, an increase of $13.0 million in salaries and incentive compensation, and an increase of $6.0 million in costs associated with debt redemptions. The return on average assets in 2011 was 0.94%, improving from 0.10% in 2010, and improving from negative 0.58% in 2009. The return on average stockholders’ equity was 6.78% in 2011, improving from a 0.81% in 2010, and improving from negative 5.20% in 2009.

Highlights

• Net income attributable to Bancorp increased $88.6 million, or 766%, to $100.2 million for the year ended 2011 compared to net income of $11.6 million for the year ended 2010.

• Strong growth in commercial loans – Commercial loans increased $427.1 million, or 29.6%, during 2011, to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2010.

• Net charge-offs decreased $60.2 million, or 47.6%, to $66.2 million for the year ended 2011 from $126.4 million for the year ended 2010.

Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders and key financial performance ratios are presented below for the three years indicated:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)		(16,388	)		(16,338	)
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders	$	83,713		$	(4,823	)	$	(83,728	)
Basic earnings/(loss) per common share	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)
Diluted earnings/(loss) per common share	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)
Return on average assets		0.94	%		0.10	%		-0.58	%
Return on average stockholders’ equity		6.78	%		0.81	%		-5.20	%
Total average assets	$	10,629,217		$	11,489,165		$	11,544,807
Total average equity	$	1,485,545		$	1,430,433		$	1,303,575
Efficiency ratio		50.90	%		53.22	%		50.65	%
Effective income tax rate		33.86	%		477.45	%		48.11	%

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased $15.8 million, or 5.3%, from $297.9 million in 2010 to $313.7 million in 2011. Taxable-equivalent net interest income, using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%, totaled $316.0 million in 2011, compared with $298.4 million in 2010, an increase of $17.6 million, or 5.9%. Interest income on tax-exempt securities was $4.2 million, or $6.5 million on a tax-equivalent basis in 2011 compared to $854,000, or $1.3 million on a tax-equivalent basis in 2010. The increase in net interest income was due primarily to the decreases in interest expense paid for time deposits and the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Average loans for 2011 were $6.96 billion, a $61.7 million, or a 0.9% increase from $6.90 billion in 2010. Compared with 2010, average commercial loans increased $306.6 million, or 22.6%, and average residential mortgage loans increased $181.8 million, or 19.0%. Offsetting the above increases was a decrease of $202.1 million, or 5.0% in average commercial mortgage loans and a decreased of $223.8 million, or 41.4%, in average real estate construction loans. Average investment securities were $2.62 billion in 2011, a decrease of $884.6 million, or 25.3%, from 2010, due primarily to decreases of U.S. agency securities of $812.6 million.

Average interest bearing deposits were $6.14 billion in 2011, a decrease of $357.9 million, or 5.5%, from $6.50 billion in 2010 primarily due to decreases of $442.9 million in brokered time deposits offset primarily by

43

increases of $42.8 million in saving deposits. Average FHLB advances and other borrowings decreased $524.7 million, or 62.2%, to $318.6 million in 2011 from $843.3 million in 2010 primarily due to prepayments of FHLB advances in 2011. Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $111.9 million, or 7.2%, to $1.45 billion in 2011 from $1.56 billion in 2010 primarily due to prepayments of securities sold under agreements to repurchase in 2011.

Taxable-equivalent interest income decreased $34.2 million, or 7.0%, to $455.8 million in 2011 primarily due to decline in volume on investment securities and decreases in loan yields and by a change in the mix of interest-earning assets as discussed below:

• Decrease in volume: Average interest-earning assets decreased $942.1 million, or 8.7%, to $9.84 billion in 2011, compared with the average interest-earning assets of $10.78 billion in 2010. The decrease in average investment securities balance of $884.6 million in 2011 caused primarily the $26.3 million decline in interest income.

• Decrease in yield on loans: Yield on loans decreased 28 basis points from 5.52% in 2010 to 5.24% in 2011. The decrease in loan yield caused a $19.5 million decline in interest income.

• Change in the mix of interest-earnings assets: Average gross loans, which generally have a higher yield than other types of investments, comprised 70.8% of total average interest-earning assets in 2011, an increase from 64.0% in 2010. Average securities comprised 26.6% of total average interest-bearing assets in 2011, a decrease from 32.5% in 2010.

Interest expense decreased by $51.8 million to $139.9 million in 2011 compared with $191.7 million in 2010 primarily due to decreased cost from time deposits and FHLB advances. The overall decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a net decrease in rate and a net decrease in volume as discussed below:

• Decrease in volume: Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $994.4 million in 2011, due primarily to the decrease in brokered time deposits, the decrease in FHLB advances, and the decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The decrease in volume caused interest expense to decline by $31.4 million.

• Decline in rate: The average cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased 38 basis points to 1.73% in 2011 from 2.11% in 2010 due primarily to a decrease of 28 basis points in the average cost of interest bearing deposits to 1.01% in 2011 from 1.29% in 2010 and a decrease of 67 basis points in average cost of FHLB advances and other borrowings to 3.78% in 2011 from 4.45%. The decline in rate caused interest expense to decline by $20.4 million.

• Change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities: Average interest bearing deposits of $6.14 billion increased to 76.0% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2011 compared to 71.6% in 2010. Offsetting the increases, average FHLB advances and other borrowing decreased to 3.9% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2011 compared to 9.3% in 2010.

Our taxable-equivalent net interest margin, defined as taxable-equivalent net interest income to average interest-earning assets, increased 44 basis points to 3.21% in 2011 from 2.77% in 2010. The increase in net interest margin from the prior year primarily resulted from decreases in the rate on interest bearing deposits, and the prepayment of FHLB advances and securities sold under agreement to repurchase contributed to the increase in the net interest margin.

Net interest income increased $15.2 million, or 5.4%, from $282.7 million in 2009 to $297.9 million in 2010. Taxable-equivalent net interest income, using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%, totaled $298.4 million in 2010, compared with $283.1 million in 2009, an increase of $15.3 million, or 5.4%. Interest income on tax-exempt securities was $854,000, or $1.3 million on a tax-equivalent basis in 2010, compared to $788,000, or $1.2 million on a tax-equivalent basis in 2009. The increase in net interest income was due primarily to the decreases in interest expense paid for money market accounts, time deposits, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

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Average loans for 2010 were $6.90 billion, a $367.4 million, or a 5.1% decline from $7.27 billion in 2009. Compared with 2009, average commercial mortgage loans decreased $108.2 million, or 2.6%, to $4.02 billion, average commercial loans decreased $108.3 million, or 7.4%, and average real estate construction loans decreased $279.6 million, or 34.1%. Offsetting the above decreases was an increase of $129.7 million, or 15.6%, in average residential mortgage loans and equity lines. Average investment securities were $3.50 billion in 2010, an increase of $268.0 million, or 8.3%, from 2009, due primarily to increases of U.S. agency securities of $553.6 million offset by decreases of mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association of $296.4 million.

Average interest bearing deposits were $6.50 billion in 2010, a decrease of $110.1 million, or 1.7%, from $6.61 billion in 2009 primarily due to decreases of $458.0 million in public time deposits and decreases of $129.1 million in brokered time deposits offset by increases of $101.7 million in interest bearing demand deposits, $106.9 million in money market and saving deposits, and $252.0 million in time deposits greater than $100,000. Average FHLB advances and other borrowings decreased $154.0 million, or 15.4%, to $843.3 million in 2010 from $997.3 million in 2009 primarily due to $379.4 million in prepayments of FHLB advances in 2010.

Taxable-equivalent interest income decreased $39.1 million, or 7.4%, to $490.1 million in 2010 primarily due to decline in rates on investment securities and decreases in loan volume and by a change in the mix of interest-earning assets as discussed below:

• Decrease in volume: Average interest-earning assets decreased $28.4 million, or 0.3%, to $10.78 billion in 2010, compared with the average interest-earning assets of $10.81 billion in 2009. The decrease in average loan balance of $367.4 million in 2010 was the primary cause of the $21.6 million decline in interest income.

• Decline in rate: The taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets decreased 35 basis points to 4.55% in 2010 from 4.90% in 2009 and was primarily caused by the yield earned on average taxable securities decreasing 78 basis points to 3.07% in 2010 from 3.85% in 2009. The decline in rates among interest earning assets caused interest income to decrease by $17.5 million.

• Change in the mix of interest-earning assets: Average gross loans, which generally have a higher yield than other types of investments, comprised 64.0% of total average interest-earning assets in 2010, a decrease from 67.2% in 2009. Average securities comprised 32.5% of total average interest-bearing assets in 2010 and increased from 29.9% in 2009.

Interest expense decreased by $54.3 million to $191.7 million in 2010, compared with $246.0 million in 2009, primarily due to decreased cost from time deposits, money market deposits, and FHLB advances. The overall decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a net decrease in rate and a net decrease in volume as discussed below:

• Decrease in volume: Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $274.7 million in 2010, due primarily to the decrease in public and brokered time deposits and the decrease in FHLB advances offset by increases in interest bearing demand deposits, money market deposits, savings and time deposits greater than $100,000. The decrease in volume caused interest expense to decline by $11.9 million.

• Decline in rate: The average cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased 52 basis points to 2.11% in 2010 from 2.63% in 2009 due primarily to a decrease of 73 basis points in the average cost of interest bearing deposits to 1.29% in 2010 from 2.02% in 2009. The decline in rate caused interest expense to decline by $42.5 million.

• Change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities: Average interest bearing deposits of $6.50 billion increased to 71.6% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2010 compared to 70.7% in 2009. Offsetting the increases, average FHLB advances and other borrowing of $843.3 million decreased to 9.3% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2010, compared to 10.7% in 2009.

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Our taxable-equivalent net interest margin, defined as taxable-equivalent net interest income to average interest-earning assets, increased 15 basis points to 2.77% in 2010 from 2.62% in 2009. The increase in net interest margin from the prior year primarily resulted from decreases in the rate on interest bearing deposits, and the prepayment of FHLB advances contributed to the increase in the net interest margin.

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the yields and rates paid on those assets and liabilities. Average outstanding amounts included in the table are daily averages.

Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities

	2011 Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense(4)		Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)			2010 Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense(4)		Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)			2009 Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense(4)		Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-Earning Assets:
Commercial loans	$	1,662,937		$	72,188		4.34	%	$	1,356,368		$	63,124		4.65	%	$	1,464,696		$	69,648		4.76	%
Residential mortgages		1,140,936			57,541		5.04			959,112			49,823		5.19			829,418			43,742		5.27
Commercial mortgages		3,822,757			220,070		5.76			4,024,863			240,747		5.98			4,133,061			251,343		6.08
Real estate construction loans		316,323			14,352		4.54			540,151			26,334		4.88			819,746			36,339		4.43
Other loans		17,583			429		2.44			18,382			634		3.45			19,333			759		3.93
Loans (1)		6,960,536			364,580		5.24			6,898,876			380,662		5.52			7,266,254			401,831		5.53
Taxable securities		2,484,629			83,083		3.34			3,476,259			106,568		3.07			3,216,516			123,939		3.85
Tax-exempt securities (3)		134,245			6,489		4.83			27,258			1,314		4.82			18,996			1,212		6.38
FHLB stock		58,999			177		0.30			68,780			237		0.34			71,798			149		0.21
Federal funds sold & securities purchased under agreement to resell		84,493			83		0.10			6,932			14		0.20			58,482			1,351		2.31
Interest-bearing deposits		113,566			1,430		1.26			300,471			1,259		0.42			174,939			673		0.38
Total interest-earning assets	$	9,836,468		$	455,842		4.63		$	10,778,576		$	490,054		4.55		$	10,806,985		$	529,155		4.90
Non-interest Earning Assets
Cash and due from banks		161,711								95,996								111,736
Other non-earning assets		872,638								876,771								803,789
Total non-interest earning assets		1,034,349								972,767								915,525
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(233,744	)							(254,420	)							(168,530	)
Deferred loan fees		(7,856	)							(7,758	)							(9,173	)
Total Assets	$	10,629,217							$	11,489,165							$	11,544,807
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		426,252			756		0.18			397,434			927		0.23			295,770			1,059		0.36
Money market deposits		979,253			7,351		0.75			966,888			8,733		0.90			890,427			13,233		1.49
Savings deposits		411,953			482		0.12			369,190			694		0.19			338,781			799		0.24
Time deposits		4,323,833			53,625		1.24			4,765,632			73,808		1.55			5,084,309			118,465		2.33
Total interest-bearing deposits		6,141,291			62,214		1.01			6,499,144			84,162		1.29			6,609,287			133,556		2.02
Federal funds purchased		27			0		1.29			—			—		—			8,392			23		0.27
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		1,448,363			60,733		4.19			1,560,215			66,141		4.24			1,562,447			65,182		4.17
FHLB advances and other borrowings		318,606			12,044		3.78			843,321			37,533		4.45			997,277			42,443		4.26
Long-term debt		171,136			4,890		2.86			171,136			3,852		2.25			171,136			4,835		2.83
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,079,423			139,881		1.73			9,073,816			191,688		2.11			9,348,539			246,039		2.63
Non-interest Bearing Liabilities:
Demand deposits		996,215								911,351								781,391
Other liabilities		68,034								73,565								111,302
Stockholders’ equity		1,485,545								1,430,433								1,303,575
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	10,629,217							$	11,489,165							$	11,544,807
Net interest spread (4)							2.90	%							2.44	%							2.27	%
Net interest income (4)				$	315,961							$	298,366							$	283,116
Net interest margin (4)							3.21	%							2.77	%							2.62	%

46

(1) Yields and amounts of interest earned include loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance.

(2) Calculated by dividing net interest income by average outstanding interest-earning assets.

(3) The average yield has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions and other securities held using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

(4) Net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin on interest-earning assets have been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Income—Changes Due to Rate and Volume(1)

	2011 - 2010 Increase/(Decrease) in Net Interest Income Due to:									2010 - 2009 Increase/(Decrease) in Net Interest Income Due to:
	Change in Volume			Change in Rate			Total Change			Change in Volume			Change in Rate			Total Change
	(In thousands)
Interest-Earning Assets
Deposits with other banks	$	(1,155	)	$	1,326		$	171		$	521		$	65		$	586
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		(1,179	)		1,248			69			(657	)		(680	)		(1,337	)
Taxable securities		(32,493	)		9,008			(23,485	)		(1,332	)		(16,039	)		(17,371	)
Tax-exempt securities (2)		5,171			4			5,175			160			(58	)		102
FHLB Stock		(31	)		(29	)		(60	)		2			86			88
Loans		3,376			(19,458	)		(16,082	)		(20,273	)		(896	)		(21,169	)
Total decrease in interest income		(26,311	)		(7,901	)		(34,212	)		(21,579	)		(17,522	)		(39,101	)
Interest-Earning Liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits		63			(234	)		(171	)		26			(158	)		(132	)
Money market deposits		110			(1,492	)		(1,382	)		(342	)		(4,158	)		(4,500	)
Savings deposits		73			(285	)		(212	)		(7	)		(98	)		(105	)
Time deposits		(6,410	)		(13,773	)		(20,183	)		(7,033	)		(37,624	)		(44,657	)
Federal funds purchased		—			—			—			(23	)		—			(23	)
Securities sold under agreemenst to repurchase		(4,697	)		(711	)		(5,408	)		35			924			959
FHLB advances and other borrowings		(20,521	)		(4,968	)		(25,489	)		(4,536	)		(374	)		(4,910	)
Long-term debt		—			1,038			1,038			—			(983	)		(983	)
Total decrease in interest expense		(31,382	)		(20,425	)		(51,807	)		(11,880	)		(42,471	)		(54,351	)
Change in net interest income	$	5,071		$	12,524		$	17,595		$	(9,699	)	$	24,949		$	15,250

(1) Changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to changes due to volume and changes due to rate.

(2) The amount of interest earned has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions and other securities held using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents the charge against current earnings that is determined by management, through a credit review process, as the amount needed to maintain an allowance for loan losses and an allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments that management believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio and credit commitments. The Bank recorded a $27.0 million provision for credit losses in 2011 compared with $156.9 million in 2010, and $307.0 million in 2009. Net charge-offs for 2011 were $66.2 million, or 1.0% of average loans, compared to net charge-offs for 2010 of $126.4 million, or 1.8% of average loans, and compared to net charge-offs for 2009 of $219.3 million, or 3.0% of average loans. The decreases in provision for credit losses and net charge-offs in 2011 were primarily due to decreases in non-performing loans.

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Non-interest Income

Non-interest income increased $18.6 million, or 57.8%, to $50.9 million for 2011, from $32.3 million for 2010, and compared to $78.7 million for 2009. Non-interest income includes depository service fees, letters of credit commissions, securities gains (losses), gains (losses) from loan sales, gains from sale of premises and equipment, and other sources of fee income. These other fee-based services include wire transfer fees, safe deposit fees, fees on loan-related activities, fee income from our Wealth Management division, and foreign exchange fees.

The increase in non-interest income of $18.6 million, or 57.8%, from 2010 to 2011 was primarily due to a combination of the following:

• A $9.6 million decrease in loss on the value of interest rate swap agreements due to higher unrealized losses recognized during 2010.

• A $2.4 million increase in securities gains. We sold securities of $1.3 billion and recorded net gains on sale of securities of $21.1 million in 2011 compared to security sales of $1.1 billion with $19.3 million net gains on sale of securities in 2010.

• A $2.3 million increase in gains on sale of loans.

• A $1.2 million increase in wealth management commissions.

• A $1.2 million increase in letters of credit commissions.

• A $1.1 million increase in venture capital income mainly due to venture capital investment distributions.

• A $1.1 million increase in commissions from foreign currency and exchange transactions.

The decrease in non-interest income of $46.4 million, or 59.0%, from 2009 to 2010 was primarily due to a combination of the following:

• A $36.9 million decrease in securities gains. We sold securities of $1.1 billion and recorded net gains on sale of securities of $19.3 million in 2010 compared to security sales of $2.4 billion with $56.5 million net gains on sale of securities in 2009.

• An $8.3 million increase in loss on the value of interest rate swap agreements of which $5.8 million was from an increase in the unrealized loss during 2010.

• A $3.8 million decrease in gains on sale of loans. In 2009, there was a gain of $3.3 million from the sale of an aircraft leveraged lease.

• A $1.2 million increase in wealth management commissions and a $1.3 million increase in venture capital income mainly due to lower write-downs on venture capital investments.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense includes expenses related to salaries and benefits of employees, occupancy expenses, marketing expenses, computer and equipment expenses, amortization of core deposit intangibles, and other operating expenses. Non-interest expense totaled $185.6 million in 2011 compared with $175.7 million in 2010. The increase of $9.9 million, or 5.6%, in non-interest expense in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily due to a combination of the following:

• Salaries and employee benefits increased $13.0 million, or 22.1%, primarily due to increases in incentive compensation and the hiring of new employees.

• Costs associated with debt redemption increased $6.0 million, 41.9%, primarily due to prepayment penalties on prepaying FHLB advances.

48

• Professional service expense increased $2.6 million, or 14.6%, due primarily to increases in legal expenses, collection expenses, and consulting expenses.

• Occupancy expense increased $2.0 million, or 16.7%, primarily due to a correction in the depreciation life for certain components of our administrative office building made in 2010.

• Offsetting the above increases were a $7.1 million decrease in FDIC and state assessments, a $5.4 million decrease in OREO expenses, and a $3.2 million decrease in write-down on loans held for sale.

The efficiency ratio, defined as non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses plus non-interest income, decreased to 50.90% in 2011 compared to 53.22% in 2010 due primarily to higher non-interest expenses as explained above.

Non-interest expense totaled $175.7 million in 2010, compared with $183.0 million in 2009. The decrease of $7.3 million, or 4.0%, in non-interest expense in 2010 compared to 2009 was primarily due to decreases in other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense offset by increases in prepayment penalty from prepaying FHLB advances and by increases in write-downs on loans held for sale. In 2010, OREO expense decreased $20.1 million primarily due to a $12.0 million increase in gains on OREO sales and transfers and an $8.1 million decrease in provision for OREO write-downs. In addition, occupancy expenses decreased $3.9 million in 2010 primarily due to a correction in the depreciation life for certain components of our administrative office building at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California, which opened in January 2009. Salaries and employee benefits also decreased $2.0 million primarily due to decreases in option compensation expenses. Offsetting the above decreases were increases of $14.3 million in prepayment penalties arising from prepaying $379.4 million of FHLB advances in 2010 and increases of $3.2 million in write-downs on loans held for sale.

The efficiency ratio increased to 53.22% in 2010, compared with 50.65% in 2009, due primarily to lower non-interest income as explained above.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $51.3 million in 2011, compared to an income tax benefit of $14.6 million in 2010, and income tax benefit of $61.9 million in 2009. The effective tax rate was 33.9% for 2011, 477% for 2010, and 48.1% for 2009. The effective tax rate differed from the composite statutory composite rate of 42% primarily as a result of low income housing and other tax credits totaling $10.1 million recognized in 2011, $11.2 million recognized in 2010, and $10.6 million recognized in 2009. The income tax benefit in 2010 and 2009 was primarily due to the net loss in both years.

Our tax returns are open for audits by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2010 and by the FTB of the State of California back to 2003. We are currently under audit by the California FTB for the years 2003 to 2007. From time to time, there may be differences in opinion with respect to the tax treatment accorded transactions. When, and if, such differences occur and the related tax effects become probable and estimable, such amounts will be recognized.

Financial Condition

Total assets were $10.6 billion at December 31, 2011, a decrease of $157.1 million, or 1.5%, from $10.8 billion at December 31, 2010, primarily due to decreases of $395.7 million in investment securities and decreases of $110.0 million from securities purchased under agreements to resell, offset by increases of $190.6 million in gross loans, and increases of $88.6 million in short-term investments.

49

Investment Securities

Investment securities were $2.4 billion and represented 23.00% of total assets at December 31, 2011, compared with $2.8 billion, or 26.33%, of total assets at December 31, 2010. The following table summarizes the carrying value of our portfolio of securities for each of the past two years:

	As of December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,966	$	99,921
State and municipal securities		129,577		130,107
Mortgage-backed securities		913,990		600,107
Corporate debt securities		9,971		9,967
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	1,153,504	$	840,102
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. treasury securities	$	—	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		501,226		825,082
State and municipal securities		1,928		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		337,631		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		16,486		25,194
Asset-backed securities		166		240
Corporate debt securities		380,429		369,425
Mutual funds		6,035		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		1,654		719
Trust preferred securities		45,963		14,437
Other equity securities		2,960		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,294,478	$	2,003,567
Total investment securities	$	2,447,982	$	2,843,669

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether it has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) to its investment securities. If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall be considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is thereafter recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.

At December 31, 2011, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were rated as investment grade except for three non-agency issues. Two issues not rated investment grade had a par amount of $430,000 and an unrealized loss of $182,000. The other issue, which was rated below investment grade by one rating agency and investment grade by another rating agency had a par amount of $7.0 million and an unrealized loss of $428,000. The unrealized losses resulted from increases in credit spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were

50

purchased. Based on the Company’s analysis at December 31, 2011, there was no OTTI in these securities due to the low loan to value ratio for the loans underlying these securities and the credit support provided by junior tranches of these securitizations. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost for those three non-agency mortgage-backed securities issues.

The Company’s unrealized loss on investments in corporate bonds relates to a number of investments in bonds of financial institutions, all of which were investment grade at the date of acquisition and as of December 31, 2011, except for one issue, of which the Company owns $5 million of par value, by a regional bank which was downgraded to below investment grade during the fourth quarter of 2010. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by the widening of credit spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. The Company currently does not believe it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the investments. Therefore, it is expected that these bonds would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investments. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, it does not consider its investments in these corporate bonds to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

The temporarily impaired securities represent 18.7% of the fair value of investment securities as of December 31, 2011. Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months represent 5.4%, and securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more represent 9.2%, of the historical cost of these securities. Unrealized losses on these securities generally resulted from increases in interest rate spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. All of these securities were investment grade as of December 31, 2011, except the four issues mentioned above. At December 31, 2011, 28 issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer and 30 issues of securities had unrealized losses of less than 12 months.

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At December 31, 2011, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss has been recognized in our consolidated statements of operations. We expect to recover the amortized cost basis of our debt securities, and have no intent to sell and will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery. The table below shows the fair value, unrealized losses, and number of issuances of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
Corporate debt securities	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	49,993	$	7		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	49,993	$	7		1
Mortgage-backed securities		564		4		8		35		1		2		599		5		10
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		6,719		431		2		6,719		431		2
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		570		238		4		570		238		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		166		6		1		166		6		1
Corporate debt securities		185,577		14,201		17		172,857		17,528		19		358,434		31,729		36
Mutual funds		1,987		13		1		—		—		—		1,987		13		1
Trust preferred securities		5,674		24		2		—		—		—		5,674		24		2
Total securities available-for- sale	$	243,795	$	14,249		29	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	424,142	$	32,453		57
Total investment securities	$	253,430	$	14,586		30	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	433,777	$	32,790		58

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Temporarily Impaired Securities

	As of December 31, 2010
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
State and municipal securities	$	121,161	$	8,946		122		—		—		—	$	121,161	$	8,946		122
Mortgage-backed securities		89,439		1,653		2		—		—		—		89,439		1,653		2
Corporate debt securities		9,954		13		1		—		—		—		9,954		13		1
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	220,554	$	10,612		125	$	—	$	—		—	$	220,554	$	10,612		125
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	6,745		5	$	—	$	—		—	$	118,828	$	6,745		5
U.S. government sponsored entities		578,118		6,840		12		—		—		—		578,118		6,840		12
State and municipal securities		1,718		157		2		—		—		—		1,718		157		2
Mortgage-backed securities		354		4		7		32		1		1		386		5		8
Mortgage-backed securities-Non-agency		—		—		—		10,127		118		3		10,127		118		3
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		887		115		4		887		115		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		240		5		1		240		5		1
Corporate debt securities		310,630		6,438		30		—		—		—		310,630		6,438		30
Mutual funds		3,927		73		1		—		—		—		3,927		73		1
Trust preferred securities		10,384		170		2		—		—		—		10,384		170		2
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,023,959	$	20,427		59	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,035,245	$	20,666		68
Total investment securities	$	1,244,513	$	31,039		184	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,255,799	$	31,278		193

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The scheduled maturities and taxable-equivalent yields by security type are presented in the following tables:

Securites Portfolio Maturity Distribution and Yield Analysis:

	As of December 31, 2011
	One Year or Less			After One Year to Five Years			After Five Years to Ten Years			Over Ten Years			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity Distribution:
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,966		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	99,966
State and municipal securities		—			—			19,738			109,839			129,577
Mortgage-backed securities		—			—			—			913,990			913,990
Corporate debt securities		—			—			9,971			—			9,971
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	99,966		$	—		$	29,709		$	1,023,829		$	1,153,504
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	—		$	100,067		$	401,159		$	—		$	501,226
State and municipal securities		—			—			—			1,928			1,928
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		—			464			79,985			257,182			337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)		—			—			14,641			1,845			16,486
Asset-backed securities (1)		—			—			—			166			166
Corporate debt securities		17,915			23,120			339,394			—			380,429
Mutual funds		—			—			—			6,035			6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities (2)		—			—			—			1,654			1,654
Trust preferred securities		—			—			—			45,963			45,963
Other equity securities		—			—			—			2,960			2,960
Total securities available-for-sale	$	17,915		$	123,651		$	835,179		$	317,733		$	1,294,478
Total investment securities	$	117,881		$	123,651		$	864,888		$	1,341,562		$	2,447,982
Weighted-Average Yield:
Securities Held-to-Maturity:
U.S. government sponsored entities		2.17	%		—			—			—			2.17	%
State and municipal securities		—			—			4.61			4.80			4.77
Mortgage-backed securities		—			—			—			3.75			3.75
Corporate debt securities		—			—			2.45			—			2.45
Total securities held-to-maturity		2.17	%		0.00	%		1.94	%		3.86	%		3.72	%
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. government sponsored entities		—			0.72	%		2.09	%		—			1.82	%
State and municipal securities (3)		—			—			—			4.82			4.82	%
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		—			6.38			4.52			3.53			3.76	%
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)		—			—			4.96			7.26			5.22	%
Asset-backed securities (1)		—			—			—			2.25			2.25	%
Corporate debt securities		2.16			2.60			3.49			—			3.37	%
Mutual funds		—			—			—			2.97			2.97	%
Trust preferred securities		—			—			—			6.32			6.32	%
Total securities available-for-sale		2.16	%		1.09	%		2.94	%		3.90	%		3.00	%
Total investment securities		2.17	%		1.09	%		2.90	%		3.87	%		3.34	%

(1) Securities reflect stated maturities and do not reflect the impact of anticipated prepayments.

(2) There is no stated maturity for equity securities.

(3) Weighted average yield has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.

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Loans

Loans represented 70.8% of average interest-earning assets during 2011, compared with 64.0% during 2010. Gross loans, including loans held for sale, increased by $188.5 million, or 2.7%, to $7.06 billion at December 31, 2011, compared with $6.87 billion at December 31, 2010. The increase in gross loans was primarily attributable to the following:

• Commercial loans increased $427.1 million, or 29.6%, to $1.87 billion at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.44 billion at December 31, 2010. Commercial loans consist primarily of short-term loans (typically with a maturity of one year or less) to support general business purposes, or to provide working capital to businesses in the form of lines of credit, trade-finance loans, loans for commercial purposes secured by cash, and SBA loans.

• Total residential mortgage loans increased by $119.8 million, or 14.1%, to $972.3 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $852.5 million at December 31, 2010, primarily due to the low level of interest rates.

• Real estate construction loans decreased $172.6 million, or 42.1%, to $237.4 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $410.0 million at December 31, 2010.

• Commercial mortgage loans decreased $191.2 million, or 4.9%, to $3.75 billion at December 31, 2011, compared to $3.94 billion at December 31, 2010. Total commercial mortgage loans accounted for 53.1% of gross loans at December 31, 2011, compared to 57.4% at December 31, 2010. Commercial mortgage loans include primarily commercial retail properties, shopping centers, and owner-occupied industrial facilities, and, secondarily, office buildings, multiple-unit apartments, hotels, and multi-tenanted industrial properties, and are typically secured by first deeds of trust on such commercial properties. In addition, the Bank provides medium-term commercial real estate loans secured by commercial or industrial buildings where the borrower either uses the property for business purposes or derives income from tenants.

Our lending relates predominantly to activities in the states of California, New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey, although we have some loans to domestic clients who are engaged in international trade. Loans outstanding in our branch in Hong Kong were $160.5 million as of December 31, 2011, compared to $78.3 million as of December 31, 2010.

The classification of loans by type and amount outstanding as of December 31 for each of the past five years is presented below:

Loan Type and Mix

	As of December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,868,275		$	1,441,167		$	1,307,880		$	1,620,438		$	1,435,861
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,186,969			1,061,330			878,266			791,497			663,707
Commercial mortgage loans		3,748,897			3,940,061			4,065,155			4,132,850			3,762,689
Real estate construction loans		237,372			409,986			626,087			913,168			799,230
Installment and other loans		17,699			16,077			21,754			14,415			22,158
Gross loans and leases		7,059,212			6,868,621			6,899,142			7,472,368			6,683,645
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(206,280	)		(245,231	)		(211,889	)		(122,093	)		(64,983	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(8,449	)		(7,621	)		(8,339	)		(10,094	)		(10,583	)
Total loans and leases, net	$	6,844,483		$	6,615,769		$	6,678,914		$	7,340,181		$	6,608,079
Loans held for sale	$	760		$	2,873		$	54,826		$	—		$	—

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The loan maturities in the table below are based on contractual maturities. As is customary in the banking industry, loans that meet underwriting criteria can be renewed by mutual agreement between us and the borrower. Because we are unable to estimate the extent to which our borrowers will renew their loans, the table is based on contractual maturities. As a result, the data shown below should not be viewed as an indication of future cash flows.

Contractual Maturity of Loan Portfolio

	Within One Year		One to Five Years		Over Five Years		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans
Floating rate	$	1,089,838	$	284,047	$	37,124	$	1,411,009
Fixed rate		374,578		79,499		3,189		457,266
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines
Floating rate		—		801		228,023		228,824
Fixed rate		10,053		20,335		927,757		958,145
Commercial mortgage loans
Floating rate		500,081		1,438,862		758,914		2,697,857
Fixed rate		288,515		586,372		176,153		1,051,040
Real estate construction loans
Floating rate		183,420		26,141		—		209,561
Fixed rate		15,435		12,376		—		27,811
Installment and other loans
Floating rate		2,890		—		—		2,890
Fixed rate		14,725		84		—		14,809
Total Loans	$	2,479,535	$	2,448,517	$	2,131,160	$	7,059,212
Floating rate	$	1,776,229	$	1,749,851	$	1,024,061	$	4,550,141
Fixed rate		703,306		698,666		1,107,099		2,509,071
Total Loans		2,479,535		2,448,517		2,131,160		7,059,212
Allowance for loan losses								(206,280	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees								(8,449	)
Net loans							$	6,844,483
Loans held for sale							$	760

Deposits

The Bank primarily uses customer deposits to fund its operations, and to a lesser extent borrowings in the form of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and other borrowings. The Bank’s deposits are generally obtained from the Bank’s geographic market area. The Bank utilizes traditional marketing methods to attract new customers and deposits, by offering a wide variety of products and services and utilizing various forms of advertising media. Although the vast majority of the Bank’s deposits are retail in nature, the Bank does engage in certain wholesale activities, primarily accepting time deposits from political subdivisions and public agencies. The Bank considers wholesale deposits to be an alternative borrowing source rather than a customer relationship and, as such, their levels are determined by management’s decisions as to the most economic funding sources. Brokered-deposits totaled $138.9 million, or 1.9% of total deposits, at December 31, 2011, compared to $417.8 million, or 6.0%, at December 31, 2010.

The Company’s total deposits increased $237.3 million, or 3.4%, to $7.23 billion at December 31, 2011, from $6.99 billion at December 31, 2010, primarily due to a $304.6 million, or 9.5%, increase in time deposits of

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$100,000 or more, a $144.4 million, or 15.5%, increase in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, and a $34.8 million, or 9.0%, increase in saving deposits offset by a $248.3 million, or 23.0%, decrease in time deposits under $100,000. A decrease of $278.9 million in brokered-deposits caused primarily the decreases in time deposits under $100,000.

The following table displays the deposit mix for the past three years:

Deposit Mix

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011					2010					2009
	Amount		Percentage			Amount		Percentage			Amount		Percentage
	(Dollars in thousands)
Demand deposits	$	1,074,718		14.9	%	$	930,300		13.3	%	$	864,551		11.5	%
NOW deposits		451,541		6.2			418,703		6.0			337,304		4.5
Money market deposits		951,516		13.2			982,617		14.0			943,164		12.6
Saving deposits		420,030		5.8			385,245		5.5			347,724		4.6
Time deposits under $100,000		832,997		11.5			1,081,266		15.5			1,529,954		20.4
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		3,498,329		48.4			3,193,715		45.7			3,482,343		46.4
Total	$	7,229,131		100.0	%	$	6,991,846		100.0	%	$	7,505,040		100.0	%

Average total deposits decreased $273.0 million, or 3.7%, to $7.14 billion in 2011 compared with average total deposits of $7.41 billion in 2010.

The following table displays average deposits and rates for the past five years:

Average Deposits and Average Rates

	2011					2010					2009					2008					2007
	Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%
	(Dollars in thousands)
Demand deposits	$	996,215		—	%	$	911,351		—	%	$	781,391		—	%	$	772,982		—	%	$	782,347		—	%
NOW deposits		426,252		0.18			397,434		0.23			295,770		0.36			255,185		0.61			232,114		1.22
Money market deposits		979,253		0.75			966,888		0.90			890,427		1.49			736,739		1.84			699,606		3.08
Saving deposits		411,953		0.12			369,190		0.19			338,781		0.24			334,222		0.36			344,066		0.95
Time deposits		4,323,833		1.24			4,765,632		1.55			5,084,309		2.33			4,530,923		3.56			3,852,468		4.72
Total	$	7,137,506		0.87	%	$	7,410,495		1.14	%	$	7,390,678		1.81	%	$	6,630,051		2.68	%	$	5,910,601		3.54	%

Management considers the Bank’s time deposits of $100,000 or more (Jumbo CDs) to be generally less volatile than other wholesale funding sources primarily because:

• approximately 57.1% of the Bank’s Jumbo CDs have been on deposit with the Bank for two years or more;

• the Jumbo CD portfolio is widely-held with 16,180 individual accounts averaging approximately $216,000 per account owned by 10,531 individual depositors as of December 31, 2011; and

• the ratio of relatively higher percentage of Jumbo CDs to total deposits exists in most of the Asian-American banks in our California market because of a higher savings rate within the communities we serve.

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Management monitors the Jumbo CD portfolio to identify any changes in the deposit behavior in the market and of the customers the Bank is serving.

Of our Jumbo CDs, approximately 88.8% matured within one year as of December 31, 2011. The following tables display time deposits of $100,000 or more by maturity:

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More by Maturity

	At December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Less than three months	$	1,068,655
Three to six months		698,514
Six to twelve months		1,339,440
Over one year		391,720
Total	$	3,498,329

The following table displays time deposits with a remaining term of more than one year at December 31, 2011:

Maturities of Time Deposits with a Remaining Term

of More Than One Year for Each

of the Five Years Following December 31, 2011

	(In thousands)
2013	$	261,987
2014		176,277
2015		191
2016		1,228
2017		—

Borrowings

Borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Federal funds purchased, funds obtained as advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco, and borrowings from other financial institutions.

At December 31, 2011, other borrowings from a financial institution were $880,000 with a weighted average rate of 0.55% compared to $8.5 million with a weighted average rate of 0.48% at December 31, 2010.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $1.4 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.14% at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.6 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.18% at December 31, 2010. Two long-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 4.77% matured in March 2011. In May 2011, the Company prepaid a security sold under agreement to repurchase of $50 million with a rate of 4.83% and incurred a prepayment penalty of $1.7 million. Fourteen floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $750.0 million have initial floating rates for a period of time ranging from six months to one year, with floating rates ranging from the three-month LIBOR minus 100 basis points to three-month LIBOR minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.29% to 5.07%. After the initial floating rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the fixed rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Thirteen fixed-to-floating

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rate agreements totaling $650.0 million have initial fixed rates ranging from 1.00% to 3.50% with initial fixed rate terms ranging from six months to 18 months. For the remainder of the seven year term, the rates float at 8% minus the three-month LIBOR rate with a maximum rate ranging from 3.25% to 3.75% and minimum rate of 0.0%. After the initial fixed rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the floating rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Quarterly average balance for securities sold under agreements to repurchase was $1.4 billion for the last three quarters in 2011, $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2011, and $1.6 billion for all quarters in 2010 and all quarters in 2009. The table below provides summary data for callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of December 31, 2011:

(Dollars in millions)	Fixed-to-floating																		Floating-to-fixed						Total
Callable		All callable at December 31, 2011																		All callable at December 31, 2011
Rate type		Float Rate																		Fixed Rate
Rate index		8% minus 3 month LIBOR
Maximum rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%
Minimum rate		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
No. of agreements		3			1			4			3			1			1			10			4			27
Amount	$	150.0		$	50.0		$	200.0		$	150.0		$	50.0		$	50.0		$	550.0		$	200.0		$	1,400.0
Weighted average rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%		4.54	%		5.00	%		4.14	%
Final maturity		2014			2014			2014			2015			2015			2015			2014			2017

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amount at which the securities were sold. We may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency security debt, and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2011, and $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2010.

The table below provides comparative data for securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the years indicated:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	1,448,363		$	1,560,215		$	1,562,447
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		1,559,000			1,566,000			1,587,000
Balance, December 31		1,400,000			1,561,000			1,557,000
Rate, December 31		4.14	%		4.18	%		4.19	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year		4.19	%		4.24	%		4.17	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were January 2011, September 2010, and February 2009.

Total advances from the FHLB decreased by $325.0 million to $225.0 million at December 31, 2011, from $550.0 million at December 31, 2010. The Company prepaid advances from the FHLB totaling $450.0 million with a weighted rate of 4.39% and incurred prepayment penalties of $18.5 million in 2011, compared to prepaying $379.4 million with a rate of 4.62% and incurring prepayment penalties totaling $14.3 million in 2010. As of December 31, 2011, $225.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 2.08% were outstanding compared to $550.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 4.43% at December 31, 2010.

Long-term Debt

On September 29, 2006, the Bank issued $50.0 million in subordinated debt in a private placement transaction (the “Bank Subordinated Debt”). The debt had an original maturity term of 10 years, was unsecured and bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 110 basis points, payable on a quarterly basis. In March 2011, the Company extended the debt for an additional year. As part of the extension agreement, the rate was

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increased from LIBOR plus 110 basis points to LIBOR plus 330 basis points for 2011 and 2012, after which time it reverts back to LIBOR plus 110 basis points. At December 31, 2011, the per annum interest rate on the subordinated debt was 3.88% compared to 1.40% at December 31, 2010. The subordinated debt was issued through the Bank and qualifies as Tier 2 capital for regulatory reporting purposes and is included in long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We established three special purpose trusts in 2003 and two in 2007 for the purpose of issuing Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in their Subordinated Debentures to outside investors (“Capital Securities”). The proceeds from the issuance of the Capital Securities as well as our purchase of the common stock of the special purpose trusts were invested in Junior Subordinated Notes of the Company (“Junior Subordinated Notes”). The trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and investing in Junior Subordinated Notes. Subject to some limitations, payment of distributions out of the monies held by the trusts and payments on liquidation of the trusts, or the redemption of the Capital Securities, are guaranteed by the Company to the extent the trusts have funds on hand at such time. The obligations of the Company under the guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Company and will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes at any time or from time to time for a period of up to twenty consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, the Company may not, with certain exceptions, declare or pay any dividends or distributions on its capital stock or purchase or acquire any of its capital stock if it has deferred payment of interest on any Junior Subordinated Notes.

At December 31, 2011, Junior Subordinated Notes totaled $121.1 million with a weighted average interest rate of 2.72% compared to $121.1 million with a weighted average rate of 2.46% at December 31, 2010. The Junior Subordinated Notes have a stated maturity term of 30 years. The Junior Subordinated Notes issued qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory reporting purposes. The trusts are not consolidated with the Company in accordance with an accounting pronouncement that took effect in December 2003.

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Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments, Guarantees, and Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2011. Payments for deposits and borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts. Loan commitments and standby letters of credit are presented at contractual amounts; however, since many of these commitments are expected to expire unused or only partially used, the total amounts of these commitments do not necessarily reflect future cash requirements.

	Payment Due by Period
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (1)	$	—	$	950,000	$	250,000	$	200,000	$	1,400,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (2)		225,000		—		—		—		225,000
Other borrowings		880		—		—		18,920		19,800
Long-term debt		—		—		—		171,136		171,136
Operating leases		5,896		8,771		3,578		179		18,424
Deposits with stated maturity dates		3,891,643		438,264		1,419		—		4,331,326
	$	4,123,419	$	1,397,035	$	254,997	$	390,235	$	6,165,686
Other commitments:
Commitments to extend credit		905,649		482,980		56,682		181,212		1,626,523
Standby letters of credit		61,301		775		—		—		62,076
Commercial letters of credit		64,233		—		—		—		64,233
Bill of lading guarantees		187		—		—		—		187
Total contractual obligations and other commitments	$	5,154,789	$	1,880,790	$	311,679	$	571,447	$	7,918,705

(1) These repurchase agreements have a final maturity of 5 years, 7 years and 10 years from origination date but are callable on a quarterly basis after the six months or one year anniversary according to agreements.

(2) FHLB advances of $100.0 million that mature in 2012 are puttable on a quarterly basis as of December 31, 2011.

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Loan Commitments. We enter into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of our commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. We minimize our exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for credit losses.

Standby Letters of Credit. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to secure the obligations of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of an agreement with the third party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The

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maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek reimbursement from the customer. Our policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ Equity

In 2010, the Company sold $132.3 million of new common stock consisting of 15,028,409 shares at an average price of $8.80 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $124.9 million to common stockholders’ equity. In 2009, the Company sold $126.0 million of new common stock consisting of 13,869,856 shares at an average price of $8.61 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $119.4 million to common stockholders’ equity. The Company did not sell any common stock in 2011.

Total equity of $1.52 billion at December 31, 2011, was up $79.5 million, or 5.5%, compared to $1.44 billion at December 31, 2010. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to a $100.2 million increase in net income, amortization of unearned compensation of $1.8 million, option exercise of $1.3 million, and reinvestment of dividends of $287,000, offset by payments of dividends on preferred stock of $13.5 million, payments of dividends on common stock of $3.1 million, an increase of $7.7 million in unrealized losses on securities, and a tax short-fall of $218,000 mainly from the expiration of stock options. The Company paid common stock cash dividends of $0.04 per common share in 2011 and in 2010.

We have participated in the U.S. Treasury TARP Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Pursuant to this program, on December 5, 2008, the U.S. Treasury purchased 258,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock in the amount of $258.0 million. The Series B Preferred Stock pays cumulative compounding dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years, and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. The shares are non-voting, other than class voting rights on matters that could adversely affect the shares. They are callable at par after three years. In conjunction with the purchase of senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received warrants to purchase 1,846,374 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $20.96 with an aggregate market price equal to $38.7 million, 15% of the senior preferred stock amount that U.S. Treasury invested. The exercise price of $20.96 was calculated based on the average of closing prices of our common stock on the 20 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to November 17, 2008, the date that we received the preliminary approval for the capital purchase from the U.S. Treasury. The Company also adopted the U.S. Treasury’s standards for executive compensation and corporate governance for the period during which the U.S. Treasury holds securities issued under this program. See Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the factors that may affect us.

As of December 31, 2011, we remained authorized to purchase up to 622,500 shares of our common stock under our November 2007 stock repurchase program. No shares were repurchased during the four years from 2008 to 2011. As long as the U. S. Treasury owns any of our Series B Preferred Stock, we are precluded from any repurchase of our common stock unless we are current in our dividend payments on our Series B Preferred Stock. As discussed below under “Capital Resources- Regulatory Matters,” we are also subject to other restrictions on the repurchase of our common stock.

Capital Adequacy

Management seeks to retain our capital at a level sufficient to support future growth, protect depositors and stockholders, and comply with various regulatory requirements. The primary measure of capital adequacy is based on the ratio of risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets. At December 31, 2011, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 15.97%, total risk-based capital ratio of 17.85%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 12.93%, continued to place the Bancorp in the “well capitalized” category, which is defined as institutions with Tier 1 risk-based

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capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.00%, total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10.00%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5.00%. The comparable ratios for the Bancorp at December 31, 2010, were Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 15.37%, total risk-based capital ratio of 17.27%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 11.44%.

Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust, of which 100% of the common stock is owned by the Bank, sold $4.4 million during 2003 and $4.2 million during 2004 of its 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative preferred stock to accredited investors. During 2005, the Trust repurchased $131,000 of its preferred stock. This preferred stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital under current regulatory guidelines.

A table displaying the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s capital and leverage ratios at December 31, 2011, and 2010, is included in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividend Policy

Holders of common stock are entitled to dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so. Commencing with the second quarter of 2009, our board of directors reduced our common stock dividend to $.08 per share and to $.01 per share thereafter. In January 2010, we adopted a capital management and dividend policy as part of our Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan which included a policy to refrain from paying dividends in excess of $.01 per share per quarter, except when covered by operating earnings. On November 17, 2010, the Federal Reserve issued guidance that bank holding companies with U.S. Government investments still outstanding should not increase dividend payouts. The amount of future dividends will depend on earnings, financial condition, approval by our regulators, the repayment of our Series B Preferred Stock, capital requirements, and other factors, and will be determined by our Board of Directors in accordance with the capital management and dividend policy.

Substantially all of the revenues of the Company available for payment of dividends derive from amounts paid to it by the Bank. The terms of the Bank Subordinated Debt limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us if the Bank is not current in paying interest on the Bank Subordinated Debt or another event of default has occurred. As further discussed under “Regulatory Matters,” the Bank is subject to a restriction on dividends it may pay to the Bancorp under a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC. Under the memorandum of understanding we entered into with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRB SF), we agreed that we will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank. The Bank did not pay dividends to Bancorp in both 2010 and 2011 but expects to request regulatory approval to pay a dividend to Bancorp during the second quarter of 2012 to increase Bancorp’s cash balance to equal at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses and then additional quarterly dividends beginning in the third quarter of 2012 in an amount which would maintain cash balances at Bancorp equal to at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses.

The terms of our Series B Preferred Stock and Junior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. If we are not current in our payment of dividends on our Series B Preferred Stock or in our payment of interest on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock. The Federal Reserve Board has previously issued Federal Reserve Supervision and Regulation Letter SR-09-4 that states that bank holding companies are expected to inform and consult with Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to declaring and paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period for which the dividend is being paid. As a result of losses incurred in 2009, we were expected to so inform and consult with the Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to declaring or paying any dividends in the future, Bancorp received Federal Reserve approval to make payments on our Series B Preferred Stock and Junior Subordinated Notes. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve the payment of such dividends.

Under California State banking law, the Bank may not without regulatory approval pay a cash dividend which exceeds the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or its net income for the last three fiscal years, less any

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cash distributions made during that period. Under this regulation, the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends to the Company immediately after December 31, 2011, was restricted to approximately $55.3 million.

Regulatory Matters

On December 17, 2009, the Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRB SF) under which we agreed that we will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, (i) receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank, or (ii) declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions. We do not believe that this agreement regarding dividends from the Bank will have a material adverse effect on our operations. We had retained a portion of the proceeds from our common stock offerings to be used, for among other things, payments of future dividends on our common and preferred stock and payments on trust preferred securities. At December 31, 2011, our cash on hand totaled $19.8 million which is sufficient to cover future dividends on our common stock at the current quarterly rate of $.01 per share, on our preferred stock, and interest on our Trust Preferred Securities, subject to FRB SF approval, for the next twelve months.

Under the memorandum, we also agreed to submit to the FRB SF for review and approval a plan to maintain sufficient capital at the Company on a consolidated basis and at the Bank, a dividend policy for the Bancorp, a plan to improve management of our liquidity position and funds management practices, and a liquidity policy and contingency funding plan for the Bancorp. As part of our compliance with the memorandum, on January 22, 2010, we submitted to the FRB SF a Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan that updates a previously submitted plan and establishes, among other things, targets for our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 leverage capital ratio and tangible common risk-based ratio, each of which, where applicable, are above the minimum requirements for a well-capitalized institution. In addition, we agreed to notify the FRB SF prior to effecting certain changes to our senior executive officers and board of directors and we are limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in our ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments. We also agreed in the memorandum that we will not, without the prior written approval of the FRB SF, directly or indirectly, (i) incur, renew, increase or guaranty any debt, (ii) issue any trust preferred securities, or (iii) purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of our stock. The target, actual, and any excess or deficiency capital levels of the Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan submitted to the FRB SF are as follows as of December 31, 2011:

	Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio			Total risk-based capital ratio			Tier 1 leverage capital ratio			Tangible common risk-based ratio *
Actual		15.97	%		17.85	%		12.93	%		11.36	%
Target Levels		11.50	%		13.50	%		9.50	%		5.00	%
Excess		4.47	%		4.35	%		3.43	%		6.36	%

* Tier 1 risk-based capital excluding preferred stock, trust preferred stock and REIT preferred stock divided by total risk-weighted assets.

On March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the FDIC pursuant to which we are required to develop and implement, within specified time periods, plans satisfactory to the DFI and the FDIC to reduce commercial real estate concentrations, to enhance and to improve the quality of our stress testing of the Bank’s loan portfolio, and to revise our loan policy in connection therewith; to develop and adopt a strategic plan addressing improved profitability and capital ratios and to reduce the Bank’s overall risk profile; to develop and adopt a capital plan; to develop and implement a plan to improve asset quality, including the methodology for calculating the loss reserve allocation and evaluating its adequacy; and to develop and implement a plan to reduce dependence on wholesale funding. In addition, we are required to report our progress to the DFI and FDIC on a quarterly basis. As part of our compliance with the Bank memorandum, on April 30, 2010, we submitted to the DFI and the FDIC a Three-Year

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Capital Plan that updated the Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan previously submitted to the FRB SF on January 22, 2010, and established, among other things, targets for our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and total risk-based capital ratio, each of which are above the minimum requirements for a well-capitalized institution and effective June 30, 2010, a target Tier 1 to total tangible assets ratio. At December 31, 2011, we are in compliance with the applicable target ratios. The target, actual, and any excess or deficiency capital levels of the Three-Year Capital Plan submitted to the DFI and FDIC are as follows as of December 31, 2011:

	Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio			Total risk-based capital ratio			Tier 1 capital to total tangible assets ratio
Actual		15.64	%		17.51	%		12.52	%
Target Levels		11.50	%		13.50	%		9.50	%
Excess		4.14	%		4.01	%		3.02	%

Under the memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC, we are also subject to a restriction on dividends from the Bank to the Bancorp, a requirement to maintain adequate allowance for loan and lease losses, and restrictions on any new branches and business lines without prior approval. We are currently required to notify the FDIC prior to effecting certain changes to our senior executive officers and board of directors and are limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in our ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments; and we are required to retain management and directors acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC.

The Bancorp and the Bank have taken appropriate steps to comply with the terms of their respective memoranda of understanding and we believe we are in compliance with the memoranda. In particular, on January 21, 2010 the Board of Directors of the Bank appointed the Compliance Committee to review the Company’s management and governance and to make recommendations based on such review and, on February 18, 2010, appointed the Company’s Audit Committee to oversee the implementation of the two memoranda. We do not believe that the memoranda or our compliance activities will have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition, including liquidity. If we fail to comply with the terms of the memoranda, that failure could lead to additional enforcement action by regulators that could have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.

Risk Elements of the Loan Portfolio

Non-performing Assets

Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, non-accrual loans, and OREO. Our policy is to place loans on non-accrual status if interest and principal or either interest or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. After a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied towards the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received and/or the loan is well collateralized and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled.

Management reviews the loan portfolio regularly for problem loans. During the ordinary course of business, management becomes aware of borrowers that may not be able to meet the contractual requirements of the loan agreements. Such loans are placed under closer supervision with consideration given to placing the loan on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

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Total non-performing portfolio assets, excluding non-accrual loans held for sale, decreased $24.5 million, or 7.5%, to $300.6 million at December 31, 2011, compared with $325.1 million at December 31, 2010, primarily due to a $41.1 million decrease in non-accrual loans offset by a $1.7 million increase in accruing loans past due 90 days or more and a $15.0 million increase in OREO.

As a percentage of gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, plus OREO, our non-performing assets decreased to 4.20% at December 31, 2011, from 4.68% at December 31, 2010. The non-performing portfolio loan coverage ratio, defined as the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans, increased to 100.2% at December 31, 2011, from 100.1% at December 31, 2010.

The following table presents the breakdown of total non-accrual, past due, and restructured loans for the past five years:

Non-accrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

	December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
	(Dollars in thousands)
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	$	6,726		$	5,006		$	—		$	6,733		$	9,265
Non-accrual loans		201,197			242,319			280,643			181,202			58,275
Total non-performing loans		207,923			247,325			280,643			187,935			67,540
Real estate acquired in foreclosure and other assets		92,713			77,740			71,014			63,892			16,147
Total non-performing assets	$	300,636		$	325,065		$	351,657		$	251,827		$	83,687
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)	$	120,016		$	136,800		$	54,992		$	924		$	12,601
Non-accrual TDRs (included in non-accrual loans)	$	50,870		$	28,146		$	41,609		$	11,614		$	1,665
Non-accrual loans held for sale	$	760		$	2,873		$	54,826		$	—		$	—
Non-performing assets as a percentage of gross loans and other real estate owned at year-end		4.20	%		4.68	%		5.05	%		3.34	%		1.25	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans		2.95	%		3.60	%		3.15	%		1.73	%		1.04	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of non-performing loans		100.20	%		100.10	%		77.36	%		68.87	%		102.99	%

The effect of non-accrual loans on interest income for the past five years is presented below:

	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual Loans
Contractual interest due	$	13,049	$	17,304	$	23,746	$	14,043	$	5,324
Interest recognized		71		4,853		9,830		8,782		2,756
Net interest foregone	$	12,978	$	12,451	$	13,916	$	5,261	$	2,568

As of December 31, 2011, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans had been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

Non-accrual Loans

At December 31, 2011, total non-accrual portfolio loans of $201.2 million decreased $41.1 million, or 17.0%, from $242.3 million at December 31, 2010. The allowance for the collateral-dependent impaired loans is calculated by the difference between the outstanding loan balance and the value of the collateral as determined

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by recent appraisals, sales contract, or other available market price information. The allowance for collateral-dependent impaired loans varies from loan to loan based on the collateral coverage of the loan at the time of designation as non-performing. We continue to monitor the collateral coverage, based on recent appraisals, on these loans on a quarterly basis and adjust the allowance accordingly.

Non-accrual portfolio loans at December 31, 2011, consisted of five residential construction loans totaling $25.3 million, three non-farm non-residential construction loans totaling $20.7 million, 46 commercial real estate loans totaling $96.8 million, 11 land loans totaling $11.0 million, 46 commercial loans totaling $30.7 million, and 56 residential mortgage loans totaling $16.7 million. Non-accrual loans also include those troubled debt restructurings that do not qualify for accrual status. The comparable numbers for 2010 were four residential construction loans totaling $25.2 million, 10 non-farm non-residential construction loans totaling $28.7 million, 51 commercial real estate loans totaling $122.7 million, 13 land loans totaling $21.9 million, 36 commercial loans totaling $31.5 million, and 47 residential mortgage loans totaling $12.3 million.

At December 31, 2011, non-accrual loans held for sale of $760,000 decreased $2.1 million from $2.9 million at December 31, 2010. In 2011, we added six new loans of $4.4 million, transferred one loan of $2.9 million to OREO, and sold four loans of $3.6 million for a net gain on sale of $88,000. At December 31, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of a commercial construction loan of $500,000 and a residential mortgage loan of $260,000. At December 31, 2010, non-accrual loans held for sale of $2.9 million decreased $51.9 million from $54.8 million at December 31, 2009. In 2010, we sold six held for sale loans of $31.7 million, transferred seven loans of $21.5 million to OREO, wrote down $2.9 million loans held for sale based on their appraisal value, and added four new loans of $4.3 million which were sold.

The following tables present the type of properties securing the non-accrual portfolio loans and the type of businesses the borrowers engaged in as of the dates indicated:

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Real Estate (1)		Commercial		Real Estate (1)		Commercial
	(In thousands)
Type of Collateral
Single/Multi-family residence	$	52,896	$	3,078	$	50,341	$	7,665
Commercial real estate		106,665		1,929		138,557		—
Land		10,975		—		21,923		—
Personal Property (UCC)		—		25,654		—		23,833
Total	$	170,536	$	30,661	$	210,821	$	31,498

(1) Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

	Real Estate (1)		Commercial		Real Estate (1)		Commercial
	(In thousands)
Type of Business
Real estate development	$	120,623	$	1,518	$	183,637	$	2,234
Wholesale/Retail		33,675		5,833		16,599		14,870
Food/Restaurant		—		817		277		400
Import/Export		—		22,493		—		13,994
Other		16,238		—		10,308		—
Total	$	170,536	$	30,661	$	210,821	$	31,498

(1) Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

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Other Real Estate Owned

At December 31, 2011, the net carrying value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) increased $15.0 million, or 19.3%, to $92.7 million from $77.7 million at December 31, 2010. OREO located in California was $32.3 million and was comprised primarily of five parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $9.9 million, four parcels of land zoned for commercial purposes of $4.8 million, two commercial building construction projects of $3.5 million, one residential construction project of $588,000, twelve office and commercial use buildings of $13.2 million, and two single family residential properties of $395,000. OREO located in Texas was $48.6 million and was comprised of eight commercial use buildings of $33.5 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purposes of $11.7 million, three commercial building construction projects of $2.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $959,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $3.9 million and was comprised of two retail stores $1.6 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $1.2 million, one commercial construction project of $658,000, and three single family residential properties of $531,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was $4.8 million and was comprised of a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.5 million and one commercial use building of $1.3 million. OREO in all other states was $3.0 million and was comprised of three commercial use properties of $2.1 million and four single family residential properties of $878,000.

For 2010, OREO located in California was $55.9 million and was comprised primarily of seven parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $14.3 million, six parcels of land zoned for commercial purposes of $8.1 million, two commercial building construction projects of $4.8 million, three residential construction projects of $9.7 million, eleven office and commercial use buildings of $18.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $605,000. OREO located in Texas was $12.9 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $3.7 million, two commercial use buildings construction projects of $1.9 million, two parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.6 million, two multi-family residences of $1.7 million, one parcel of land zoned for commercial purposes of $906,000, three single family residential properties of $786,000, and an industrial building of $291,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $4.3 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $1.8 million, one parcel of land zoned for residential purposes of $1.3 million, a commercial building construction project of $949,000, and a single family residence of $241,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.3 million. OREO in all other states was $1.3 million and was comprised primarily of three commercial use properties.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the amount of principal amortization, forgiveness of a portion of a loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered under ASC Subtopic 310-40, formerly SFAS 15, to be troubled debt restructurings, the loans must have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves.

Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $120.0 million at December 31, 2011, and were comprised of 32 loans, a decrease of $16.8 million, compared to 28 loans totaling $136.8 million at December 31, 2010. TDRs at December 31, 2011, were comprised of eleven retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $74.4 million, seven office and commercial use building loans of $23.8 million, one hotel loan of $7.9 million, ten single family residential loans of $13.3 million, one land loan of $635,000 and two commercial loans of $39,000. We expect that the troubled debt restructuring loans on accruing status as of December 31, 2011, which are all performing in accordance with their restructured terms, will continue to

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comply with the restructured terms because of the reduced principal or interest payments on these loans. The comparable TDRs at December 31, 2010, were comprised of eight retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $64.4 million, six office and commercial use building loans of $20.8 million, three multi-family residential loans of $21.4 million, two hotel loans of $15.4 million, four single family residential loan of $10.5 million, three land loans of $2.5 million, and two commercial loans of $1.8 million.

A summary of TDRs by type of loans and by accrual/non-accrual status is shown below:

	December 31, 2011
	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
					(In thousands)
Accruing TDRs
Commercial loans	$	12,933	$	1,756	$	—	$	431	$	15,120
Real estate construction loans		16,820		9,659		—		5,776		32,255
Commercial mortgage loans		471		37,796		2,071		28,935		69,273
Residential mortgage loans		1,294		587		—		1,487		3,368
Total accruing TDRs	$	31,518	$	49,798	$	2,071	$	36,629	$	120,016

	December 31, 2011
	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual TDRs
Commercial loans	$	—	$	616	$	1,859	$	1,506	$	—	$	3,981
Real estate construction loans		—		13,579		12,376		—		—		25,955
Commercial mortgage loans		2,633		9,727		—		—		5,076		17,436
Residential mortgage loans		311		2,427		449		—		311		3,498
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	2,944	$	26,349	$	14,684	$	1,506	$	5,387	$	50,870

	December 31, 2010
	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Accruing TDRs
Commercial loans	$	1,131	$	1,780	$	—	$	1,114	$	4,025
Commercial mortgage loans		17,338		87,411		3,459		20,831		129,039
Residential mortgage loans		2,658		599		—		479		3,736
Total accruing TDRs	$	21,127	$	89,790	$	3,459	$	22,424	$	136,800

	December 31, 2010
	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual TDRs
Commercial mortgage loans	$	1,239	$	21,156	$	2,310	$	1,113	$	25,818
Residential mortgage loans		340		1,037		—		951		2,328
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	1,579	$	22,193	$	2,310	$	2,064	$	28,146

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The activity within our TDR loans for 2011 and 2010 are shown below:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Accruing TDRs
Beginning balance	$	136,800		$	54,992
New restructurings		60,863			55,815
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		709			53,432
Charge-offs		(2,341	)		—
Payments		(46,313	)		(8,205	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		(28,969	)		(18,371	)
Expiration of loan concession		(733	)		(863	)
Ending balance	$	120,016		$	136,800

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual TDRs
Beginning balance	$	28,146		$	41,609
New restructurings		13,269			74,543
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		28,969			18,371
Charge-offs		(7,303	)		(21,293	)
Payments		(3,355	)		(8,035	)
Foreclosures		(8,147	)		(23,617	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(709	)		(53,432	)
Ending balance	$	50,870		$	28,146

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement based on current circumstances and events. The assessment for impairment occurs when and while such loans are on non-accrual as a result of delinquency status of over 90 days or receipt of information indicating that full collection of principal is doubtful, or when the loan has been restructured in a troubled debt restructuring. Those loans with a balance less than our defined selection criteria, generally a loan amount is $500,000 or less, are treated as a homogeneous portfolio. If loans meeting the defined criteria are not collateral dependent, we measure the impairment based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. If loans meeting the defined criteria are collateral dependent, we measure the impairment by using the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. We obtain an appraisal to determine the amount of impairment at the date that the loan becomes impaired. The appraisals are based on “as is” or bulk sale valuations. To ensure that appraised values remain current, we generally obtain an updated appraisal every six months from qualified independent appraisers. Furthermore, if the most current appraisal is dated more than three months prior to the effective date of the impairment test, we validate the most current value with third party market data appropriate to the location and property type of the collateral. If the third party market data indicates that the value of our collateral property values has declined since the most recent valuation date, we adjust downward the value of the property to reflect current market conditions. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded amount of the loan, we then recognize impairment by creating or adjusting an existing valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. If an impaired loan is expected to be collected through liquidation of the collateral, the amount of impairment, excluding disposal costs, which range between 3% to 6% of the fair value, depending on the size of impaired loan, is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Non-accrual impaired loans are not returned to accruing status unless the unpaid interest has been brought current and full repayment of the recorded balance is expected or if the borrower has made six consecutive monthly payments of the scheduled amounts due, and are continued to be reviewed for continued impairment until they are no longer reported as troubled debt restructurings.

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We identified impaired loans with a recorded investment of $322.0 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $382.0 million at December 31, 2010. The average balance of impaired loans was $361.4 million in 2011 and $370.6 million in 2010. We considered all non-accrual loans to be impaired. Interest recognized on impaired loans totaled $5.3 million in 2011 and $10.0 million in 2010. As of December 31, 2011, $170.5 million, or 84.8%, of the $201.2 million of non-accrual portfolio loans was secured by real estate. As of December 31, 2010, $210.8 million, or 87.0%, of the $242.3 million of non-accrual loans was secured by real estate. In light of declining property values in the current economic downturn affecting the real estate markets, the Bank has obtained current appraisals, sales contract, or other available market price information which provides updated factors in evaluating potential loss.

At December 31, 2011, $7.6 million of the $206.3 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $198.7 million was allocated to the general allowance. At December 31, 2010, $15.2 million of the $245.2 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $230.0 million was allocated to the general allowance. The amount of the allowance for loan losses allocated to impaired loans decreased from 2010 to 2011 as a result of the charge-off of specific allowances. In 2011, net loan charge-offs were $66.2 million, or 0.95%, of average loans compared to $126.4 million, or 1.83%, of average loans in 2010.

The allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans increased to 103.6% at December 31, 2011, from 102.2% at December 31, 2010. Non-accrual loans also include those troubled debt restructurings that do not qualify for accrual status.

The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance and charge-off as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	At December 31, 2011						At December 31, 2010
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(Dollars in thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	46,671	$	38,194	$	—	$	41,233	$	27,775	$	—
Real estate construction loans		134,836		78,767		—		102,186		64,274		—
Commercial mortgage loans		187,580		149,034		—		211,717		156,305		—
Residential mortgage and equity lines		8,555		7,987		—		7,823		7,436		—
Subtotal	$	377,642	$	273,982	$	—	$	362,959	$	255,790	$	—
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	11,795	$	7,587	$	3,336	$	13,930	$	7,748	$	2,925
Real estate construction loans		—		—		—		15,429		13,416		7,470
Commercial mortgage loans		29,722		28,023		2,969		98,593		96,449		3,812
Residential mortgage and equity lines		13,813		12,381		1,247		9,811		8,589		978
Subtotal	$	55,330	$	47,991	$	7,552	$	137,763	$	126,202	$	15,185
Total impaired loans	$	432,972	$	321,973	$	7,552	$	500,722	$	381,992	$	15,185

Loan Interest Reserves

In accordance with customary banking practice, construction loans and land development loans are originated where interest on the loan is disbursed from pre-established interest reserves included in the total original loan commitment. Our construction and land development loans generally include optional renewal terms after the maturity of the initial loan term. New appraisals are obtained prior to extension or renewal of

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these loans in part to determine the appropriate interest reserve to be established for the new loan term. Loans with interest reserves are underwritten to the same criteria, including loan to value and if applicable, pro forma debt service coverage ratios, as loans without interest reserves. Construction loans with interest reserves are monitored on a periodic basis to gauge progress towards completion. Interest reserves are frozen if it is determined that additional draws would result in a loan to value ratio that exceeds policy maximums based on collateral property type. Our policy limits in this regard are consistent with supervisory limits and range from 65% in the case of land to 85% in the case of 1- to 4-family residential construction projects.

As of December 31, 2011, construction loans of $16.8 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $3.2 million compared to construction loans of $101.9 million with pre-established interest reserves of $4.5 million at December 31, 2010. The balance for construction loans with interest reserves which have been extended was zero at December 31, 2011, compared to $63.6 million at December 31, 2010. Land loans of $10.8 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $223,000 at December 31, 2011, compared to none at December 31, 2010.

At December 31, 2011, the Bank had no loans on non-accrual status with available interest reserves. At December 31, 2011, $13.4 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, $20.7 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, and $7.9 million of non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves. At December 31, 2010, $25.3 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, $28.9 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, and $11.3 million of non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves. While loans with interest reserves are typically expected to be repaid in full according to the original contractual terms, some loans require one or more extensions beyond the original maturity. Typically, these extensions are required due to construction delays, delays in sales or lease of property, or some combination of these two factors.

Loan Concentration

Most of our business activity is with customers located in the predominantly Asian areas of California; New York City; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; and New Jersey. We have no specific industry concentration, and generally our loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral. We experienced no loan concentrations to multiple borrowers in similar activities that exceeded 10% of total loans as of December 31, 2011.

The Federal banking regulatory agencies issued final guidance on December 6, 2006, regarding risk management practices for financial institutions with high or increasing concentrations of commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans on their balance sheets. The regulatory guidance reiterates the need for sound internal risk management practices for those institutions that have experienced rapid growth in CRE lending, have notable exposure to specific types of CRE, or are approaching or exceeding the supervisory criteria used to evaluate the CRE concentration risk, but the guidance is not to be construed as a limit for CRE exposure. The supervisory criteria are: (1) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% of the institution’s total risk-based capital, and (2) both total CRE loans represent 300% or more of the institution’s total risk-based capital and the institution’s CRE loan portfolio has increased 50% or more within the last thirty-six months. In January 2010, the Bank reduced its internal limit for CRE loans from 400% of total capital to 300% of total capital to be achieved no later than December 2011. Total loans for construction, land development, and other land represented 23% as of December 31, 2011, and 40% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2010. Total CRE loans represented 236% as of December 31, 2011, and 285% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2010. See Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the factors that may affect us.

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Allowance for Credit Losses

The Bank maintains the allowance for credit losses at a level that is considered adequate to cover the estimated and known inherent risks in the loan portfolio and off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. Allowance for credit losses is comprised of allowances for loan losses and for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. With this risk management objective, the Bank’s management has an established monitoring system that is designed to identify impaired and potential problem loans, and to permit periodic evaluation of impairment and the adequacy level of the allowance for credit losses in a timely manner.

In addition, the Board of Directors of the Bank has established a written credit policy that includes a credit review and control system which it believes should be effective in ensuring that the Bank maintains an adequate allowance for credit losses. The Board of Directors provides oversight for the allowance evaluation process, including quarterly evaluations, and determines whether the allowance is adequate to absorb losses in the credit portfolio. The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses and the provision for credit losses is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectibility when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are made by charges to the provision for credit losses. Identified credit exposures that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for credit losses. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts, if any, are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality has resulted in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, and defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in the current period. See Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance.

The allowance for loan losses was $206.3 million and the allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments was $2.1 million at December 31, 2011, and represented the amount that the Company believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio including unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses, the sum of allowance for loan losses and for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments, was $208.3 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $247.6 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $39.2 million, or 15.8%. The allowance for credit losses represented 2.95% of period-end gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, and 100.2% of non-performing portfolio loans at December 31, 2011. The comparable ratios were 3.60% of period-end gross loans and 100.1% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2010.

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The following table sets forth the information relating to the allowance for loan losses, charge-offs, recoveries, and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments for the past five years:

Allowance for Credit Losses

	Amount Outstanding as of December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$	245,231		$	211,889		$	122,093		$	64,983		$	60,220
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000			106,700			11,000
Reversal of/(transfer to) reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments		268			2,870			2,125			(2,756	)		(107	)
Charge-offs :
Commercial loans		(11,745	)		(21,609	)		(59,370	)		(12,932	)		(7,503	)
Construction loans-residential		(20,801	)		(14,889	)		(71,147	)		(20,653	)		(978	)
Construction loans-other		(16,699	)		(30,432	)		(22,128	)		—			—
Real estate loans		(27,327	)		(47,765	)		(52,931	)		(5,291	)		(903	)
Real estate land loans		(1,054	)		(24,060	)		(16,967	)		(9,553	)		(667	)
Installment loans and other loans		—			—			(4	)		(254	)		(23	)
Total charge-offs		(77,626	)		(138,755	)		(222,547	)		(48,683	)		(10,074	)
Recoveries:
Commercial loans		1,774			4,712			904			1,750			3,025
Construction loans-residential		3,808			5,448			1,140			83			190
Construction loans-other		665			553			—			—			—
Real estate loans		4,539			933			461			—			265
Real estate land loans		621			668			692			—			—
Installment loans and other loans		—			13			21			16			32
Total recoveries		11,407			12,327			3,218			1,849			3,512
Allowance from acquisitions		—			—			—			—			432
Balance at end of year	$	206,280		$	245,231		$	211,889		$	122,093		$	64,983
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,337		$	5,207		$	7,332		$	4,576		$	4,469
Provision (reversal)/transfer for credit losses		(268	)		(2,870	)		(2,125	)		2,756			107
Balance at end of year	$	2,069		$	2,337		$	5,207		$	7,332		$	4,576
Average loans outstanding during the year (1)	$	6,959,331		$	6,879,457		$	7,262,831		$	7,214,689		$	6,170,505
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the year (1)		0.95	%		1.84	%		3.02	%		0.65	%		0.11	%
Provision for credit losses to average loans outstanding during the year (1)		0.39	%		2.28	%		4.23	%		1.48	%		0.18	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing portfolio loans at year-end (2)		100.20	%		100.10	%		77.36	%		68.87	%		102.99	%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans at year-end (1)		2.95	%		3.60	%		3.15	%		1.73	%		1.04	%

(1) Excluding loans held for sale

(2) Excluding non-accrual loans held for sale

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Our allowance for loan losses consists of the following:

• Specific allowance: For impaired loans, we provide specific allowances for loans that are not collateral dependent based on an evaluation of the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and for loans that are collateral dependent based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, which is determined based on the most recent valuation information received, which may be adjusted based on factors such as changes in market conditions from the time of valuation. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the deficiency will be charged off against the allowance for loan losses or, alternatively, a specific allocation will be established.

• General allowance: The unclassified portfolio is segmented on a group basis. Segmentation is determined by loan type and common risk characteristics. The non-impaired loans are grouped into 23 segments: two commercial segments, ten commercial real estate segments, three residential construction segments, three non-residential construction segments, one SBA segment, one installment loans segment, one residential mortgage segment, one equity lines of credit segment, and one overdrafts segment. The allowance is provided for each segmented group based on the group’s historical loan loss experience aggregated based on loan risk classifications which takes into account the current financial condition of the borrowers and guarantors, the prevailing value of the underlying collateral if collateral dependent, charge-off history, management’s knowledge of the portfolio, general economic conditions, and environmental factors which include the trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and concentration of credit. In addition, management reviews reports on past-due loans to ensure appropriate classifications. Beginning in the third quarter of 2007, minimum loss rates have been assigned for loans graded Minimally Acceptable instead of grouping these loans with the unclassified portfolio. During the second quarter of 2009, in light of the continued deterioration in the economy and the increases in non-accrual loans and charge-offs, and based in part on regulatory considerations, we shortened the period used in the migration analysis from five years to four years to better reflect the impact of the most recent charge-offs, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $3.9 million; we increased the general allowance to reflect the higher loan delinquency trends, the weaker national and local economy and the increased difficulty in assigning loan grades, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $13.2 million, and we also applied the environmental factors described above to loans rated Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention and Substandard, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $11.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2009, we changed our migration loss analysis to reduce the weighting of the first two years of the four-year migration analysis by half to better reflect the impact of more recent losses, and further segmented the construction loan portfolios into three geographic segments. The changes made during the fourth quarter of 2009 did not have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses. During the first quarter of 2010, we increased the number of segments for commercial real estate loans from one to ten. In addition, we changed our migration loss analysis to use as the reserve factor for loans rated Pass the total weighted average losses during the last four years for each loan segment as well as the weighting for the four-year migration so that the first two years are weighted one-third and the most recent two years are weighted two-thirds. The changes made during the first quarter of 2010 increased the allowance for loan losses by $10.4 million. During the second quarter of 2010, we further refined our methodology to give greater weighting to the most recent twelve months of charge-offs in the calculation of the loan loss reserve percentage for Pass rated loans, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $10.4 million; we discontinued the weighting in the four-year migration analysis for loans rated lower than Pass, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $7.1 million, and we increased the environmental factors for purchased syndicated loans, which increased the allowance for loan losses by $2.0 million.

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The table set forth below reflects management’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and the ratio of each loan category to the total loans as of the dates indicated:

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

	As of December 31,
	2011					2010					2009					2008					2007
	Amount		Percentage of Loans in Each Category to to Average Gross Loans			Amount		Percentage of Loans in Each Category to to Average Gross Loans			Amount		Percentage of Loans in Each Category to to Average Gross Loans			Amount		Percentage of Loans in Each Category to to Average Gross Loans			Amount		Percentage of Loans in Each Category to to Average Gross Loans
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	65,658		23.9	%	$	63,919		19.7	%	$	57,815		20.2	%	$	44,508		21.7	%	$	24,081		21.1	%
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		10,795		16.4			9,668		13.9			8,480		11.4			2,678		10.2			1,314		9.9
Commercial mortgage loans		108,021		54.9			128,347		58.3			100,494		56.8			35,060		55.7			26,646		56.4
Real estate construction loans		21,749		4.5			43,261		7.8			45,086		11.3			39,820		12.1			12,906		12.1
Installment and other loans		57		0.3			36		0.3			14		0.3			27		0.3			36		0.5
Total	$	206,280		100.0	%	$	245,231		100.0	%	$	211,889		100.0	%	$	122,093		100.0	%	$	64,983		100.0	%

The increase of $1.7 million in the allowance allocated to commercial loans to $65.7 million at December 31, 2011, from $63.9 million at December 31, 2010, is due primarily to the growth of commercial loans. Commercial loans increased $427.1 million, or 29.6%, from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2010 to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, forty-six commercial loans totaling $30.7 million were on non-accrual status and no commercial loans were past due 90 days and still accruing interest. At December 31, 2010, thirty-six commercial loans totaling $31.5 million were on non-accrual status and no commercial loans were past due 90 days and still accruing interest. Commercial loans comprised 14.2% of impaired loans and 15.2% of non-accrual portfolio loans at December 31, 2011, compared to 9.3% of impaired loans and 13.0% of non-accrual portfolio loans at December 31, 2010.

The allowance allocated to residential mortgage loans and equity lines increased $1.1 million, to $10.8 million at December 31, 2011, from $9.7 million at December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in residential mortgage loans of $119.8 million, or 14.1%, to $972.3 million at December 31, 2011, from $852.5 million at December 31, 2010.

The allowance allocated to commercial mortgage loans decreased from $128.3 million at December 31, 2010, to $108.0 million at December 31, 2011, due to increases in loans risk rated Minimally Acceptable and increases in the four-year weighted average loss rate. The overall allowance for total commercial mortgage loans was 2.9% at December 31, 2011, compared to 3.3% at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, 57 commercial mortgage loans, excluding non-accrual loans held for sale, totaling $107.8 million were on non-accrual status. At December 31, 2010, 64 commercial mortgage loans, excluding non-accrual loans held for sale, totaling $144.6 million were on non-accrual status. Commercial mortgage loans comprised 55.0% of impaired loans, 53.6% of non-accrual portfolio loans, and 100% of loans over 90 days past due still on accrual status at December 31, 2011, compared to 66.2% of impaired loans, 59.7% of non-accrual portfolio loans, and 16.6% of loans over 90 days past due still on accrual status at December 31, 2010.

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The allowance allocated for construction loans decreased $21.6 million to $21.7 million, or 9.2%, of construction loans at December 31, 2011, compared to $43.3 million, or 10.6%, of construction loans at December 31, 2010, primarily due to decreases in construction loans of $172.6 million, or 42.1%, from $410.0 million at December 31, 2010, to $237.4 million at December 31, 2011. Eight construction loans totaling $46.0 million were on non-accrual status at December 31, 2011, compared to fourteen loans totaling $53.9 million at December 31, 2010. Construction loans comprised 24.5% of impaired loans, 22.9% of non-accrual portfolio loans, and no loans over 90 days past due still on accrual status at December 31, 2011, compared to 20.3% of impaired loans and 22.3% of non-accrual portfolio loans, and 83.4% of loans over 90 days past due still on accrual status at December 31, 2010.

Also, see Part I—Item 1A— “Risk Factors” for additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance.

Liquidity

Liquidity is our ability to maintain sufficient cash flow to meet maturing financial obligations and customer credit needs, and to take advantage of investment opportunities as they are presented in the marketplace. Our principal sources of liquidity are growth in deposits, proceeds from the maturity or sale of securities and other financial instruments, repayments from securities and loans, Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and advances from the FHLB. At December 31, 2011, our liquidity ratio (defined as net cash and short-term and marketable securities to net deposits and short-term liabilities) decreased to 15.8% primarily due to lower securities balances, compared to 20.3% at December 31, 2010.

The Bank is a shareholder of the FHLB, which enables the Bank to have access to lower-cost FHLB financing when necessary. At December 31, 2011, the Bank had an approved credit line with the FHLB of San Francisco totaling $1.56 billion. Total advances from the FHLB of San Francisco were $225.0 million at December 31, 2011. These borrowings bear fixed rates and are secured by loans. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. At December 31, 2011, the Bank pledged $250.9 million of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program. The Bank had borrowing capacity of $224.7 million from the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window at December 31, 2011.

Liquidity can also be provided through the sale of liquid assets, which consist of Federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and securities available-for-sale. At December 31, 2011, investment securities totaled $2.45 billion, with $1.68 billion pledged as collateral for borrowings and other commitments. The remaining $770.8 million was available as additional liquidity or to be pledged as collateral for additional borrowings.

Approximately 90.0% of our time deposits mature within one year or less as of December 31, 2011. Management anticipates that there may be some outflow of these deposits upon maturity due to the keen competition in the Bank’s marketplace. However, based on our historical runoff experience, we expect the outflow will not be significant and can be replenished through our normal growth in deposits. Management believes all the above-mentioned sources will provide adequate liquidity for the next twelve months to the Bank to meet its operating needs.

The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operation of the Bank and limited activities in other investments. Dividends paid to the Bancorp by the Bank are subject to regulatory limitations and approval. In light of the uncertain economic times and the regulatory considerations described above under “Dividend Policy” and “Regulatory Matters”, the Bank did not pay a dividend to the Bancorp in 2009, 2010, or 2011, but expects to request regulatory approval to pay a dividend to Bancorp during the second quarter of 2012 to increase Bancorp’s cash balance equal to at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses and then additional quarterly dividends beginning in the third quarter of 2012 in an amount which would maintain cash balances at Bancorp equal to at least two years of Bancorp’s operating expenses. Management believes the Bancorp’s cash on hand of $19.8 million on December 31, 2011, is sufficient to meet its operational needs for the next twelve months.

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Also, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding commitments and contingencies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of recent accounting pronouncements and their expected impact, if any, on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The principal market risk to the Company is the interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, deposit taking and borrowing activities, due to the fact that interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not re-price at the same rate, to the same extent, or on the same basis.

We monitor and manage our interest rate risk through analyzing the re-pricing characteristics of our loans, securities, deposits, and borrowings on an on-going basis. The primary objective is to minimize the adverse effects of changes in interest rates on our earnings, and ultimately the underlying market value of equity, while structuring our asset-liability composition to obtain the maximum spread. Management uses certain basic measurement tools in conjunction with established risk limits to regulate its interest rate exposure. Due to the limitation inherent in any individual risk management tool, we use a simulation model to measure and quantify the impact to our profitability as well as to estimate changes to the market value of our assets and liabilities.

We use a net interest income simulation model to measure the extent of the differences in the behavior of the lending, investing, and funding rates to changing interest rates, so as to project future earnings or market values under alternative interest rate scenarios. Interest rate risk arises primarily through the traditional business activities of extending loans, investing securities, accepting deposits, and borrowings. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates, and consumer preferences affect the spread between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. The net interest income simulation model is designed to measure the volatility of net interest income and net portfolio value, defined as net present value of assets and liabilities, under immediate rising or falling interest rate scenarios in 25 basis points increments.

Although the modeling is helpful in managing interest rate risk, it does require significant assumptions for the projection of loan prepayment rates on mortgage related assets, loan volumes and pricing, and deposit and borrowing volume and pricing, that might prove inaccurate. Because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income, or precisely predict the effect of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, the differences between actual experience and the assumed volume, changes in market conditions, and management strategies, among other factors. The Company monitors its interest rate sensitivity and attempts to reduce the risk of a significant decrease in net interest income caused by a change in interest rates.

We establish a tolerance level in our policy to define and limit interest income volatility to a change of plus or minus 15% when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points. When the net interest rate simulation projects that our tolerance level will be met or exceeded, we seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. At December 31, 2011, if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 100 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would increase by 1.7%, and if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would increase by 5.3%. Conversely, if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 100 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would increase by 0.6%, and if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would decrease by 0.9%.

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Our simulation model also projects the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities. We have established a tolerance level to value the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities in our policy to a change of plus or minus 15% when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points. At December 31, 2011, if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities would increase by 10.1%, and conversely, if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that the net market value of our assets and liabilities would decrease by 3.9%.

Quantitative Information About Interest Rate Risk

The following table shows the carrying value of our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, categorized by expected maturity, as well as the instruments’ total fair values at December 31, 2011, and 2010. For assets, expected maturities are based on contractual maturity. For liabilities, we use our historical experience and decay factors to estimate the deposit runoffs of interest-bearing transactional deposits. We use certain assumptions to estimate fair values and expected maturities which are described in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, and bill of lading guarantees represent the contractual unfunded amounts. Off-balance sheet financial instruments represent fair values. The results presented may vary if different assumptions are used or if actual experience differs from the assumptions used.

																December 31,
																2011					2010
	Average Interest Rate			Expected Maturity Date at December 31,												Total		Fair Value			Total		Fair Value
				2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-Sensitive Assets:
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		3.77	%	$	266,092	$	198,379	$	146,899	$	112,395	$	87,613	$	456,729	$	1,268,107	$	1,310,456		$	1,267,606	$	1,271,183
Other investment securities		2.87			117,881		—		—		23,120		100,067		938,809		1,179,877		1,187,999			1,576,063		1,569,743
Loans held-for-sale		4.28			760		—		—		—		—		—		760		760			2,873		2,873
Gross loans receivable:
Commercial		4.17			1,464,416		220,432		75,190		38,593		29,331		40,313		1,868,275		1,863,018			1,441,167		1,372,508
Residential mortgage		4.99			10,053		7,128		2,443		9,165		2,400		1,155,780		1,186,969		1,208,911			1,061,330		1,072,510
Commercial mortgage		5.67			788,596		493,590		452,466		501,121		578,057		935,067		3,748,897		3,715,144			3,940,061		3,773,673
Real estate construction		5.48			198,855		24,336		1,806		12,375		—		—		237,372		237,210			409,986		366,473
Installment & other		2.57			17,615		70		—		14		—		—		17,699		17,682			16,077		11,337
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		—			—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—			110,000		110,000
Trading securities		1.35			—		—		4,542		—		—		—		4,542		4,542			3,818		3,818
Interest Sensitive Liabilities:
Other interest-bearing deposits		0.67			241,775		235,057		155,235		124,527		108,680		957,814		1,823,088		1,823,088			1,786,565		1,786,565
Time deposits		1.11			3,891,643		261,987		176,277		191		1,228		—		4,331,326		4,343,232			4,274,981		4,290,048
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		4.14			—		—		950,000		250,000		—		200,000		1,400,000		1,547,900			1,561,000		1,704,585
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		2.08			225,000		—		—		—		—		—		225,000		227,825			550,000		580,054
Other borrowings from financial institutions		0.55			880		—		—		—		—		—		880		881			8,465		8,474
Other borrowings		—			—		—		—		—		—		18,920		18,920		18,920			19,111		19,111
Long-term debt		2.72			—		—		—		—		—		171,136		171,136		98,676			171,136		114,557
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments:
Commitments to extend credit					905,649		434,685		48,295		4,252		52,430		181,212		1,626,523		(1,253	)		1,360,266		(603	)
Standby letters of credit					61,301		475		300		—		—		—		62,076		(367	)		59,876		(282	)
Other letters of credit					64,233		—		—		—		—		—		64,233		(38	)		62,722		(38	)
Bill of lading guarantees					187		—		—		—		—		—		187		—			245		(1	)

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Country Risk Exposures

The Company’s total assets were $10.6 billion and total foreign country risk net exposures were $751.3 million at December 31, 2011. Total foreign country risk net exposures at December 31, 2011, were comprised primarily of $149.6 million from England, $164.5 million from Hong Kong, $209.4 million from China, $62.0 million from Australia, $57.4 million from France, $30.1 million from Taiwan, $28.1 million from Canada, $45.4 million from Switzerland, and $3.8 million from Singapore.

All foreign country risk net exposures were to non-sovereign counterparties except $24.8 million due from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority at December 31, 2011.

Unfunded exposures were $30.2 million at December 31, 2011, and were comprised of $19.3 million of unfunded loans to two financial institutions in China, a $10.0 million unfunded loan to a corporation in Canada, and $919,000 of unfunded loans to two borrowers in Taiwan.

Financial Derivatives

It is our policy not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, we enter into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We believe that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in our assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, we may protect our position through the purchase or sale of interest rate futures contracts for a specific cash or interest rate risk position. Other hedge transactions may be implemented using interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors, financial futures, forward rate agreements, and options on futures or bonds. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges will require an assessment of basis risk and must be approved by the Bank’s Investment Committee.

We follow ASC Topic 815, which established accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and if so, the type of hedge.

As of December 31, 2011, we had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding with two major financial institutions in the notional amount of $300.0 million for a period of three years. These interest rate swaps were not structured to hedge against inherent interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. At December 31, 2011, we paid a fixed rate at a weighted average rate of 1.95% and received a floating 3-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 0.52%. The net amount accrued on these interest rate swaps of $4.9 million for 2011 was recorded to reduce other non-interest income compared to $4.8 million for 2010. At December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $2.6 million within other liabilities to recognize the negative fair value of these interest rate swaps compared to the $6.5 million negative fair value at December 31, 2010.

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, for foreign exchange certificates of deposit, foreign currency contracts, or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts, or foreign currency option contracts are recognized immediately in operations as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $4.3 million with a net positive fair value of $29,000. Spot and

80

forward contracts in the total notional amount of $238.6 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $2.2 million, at December 31, 2011. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $128.2 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $486,000, at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $29.3 million with a net positive fair value of $35,000. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $112.7 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $4.6 million, at December 31, 2010. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $68.4 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $1.9 million, at December 31, 2010.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

For financial statements, see “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Not Applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect these controls and procedures.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As of December 31, 2011, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of

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Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on those criteria.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has also issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, is included in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” below.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cathay General Bancorp:

We have audited Cathay General Bancorp’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Cathay General Bancorp’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Cathay General Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated February 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 27, 2012

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Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this item concerning our executive officers, directors, compliance with Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and matters relating to corporate governance is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” and “Code of Ethics” in our Definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”).

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “The Board of Directors—Compensation of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2011, with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance.

Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights 1/ (a)		Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights (b)		Number of Securities Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans [Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)] (c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders		4,356,985	$	28.86		2,202,587
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders		—		—		—
Total		4,356,985	$	28.86		2,202,587

^1/  Includes options granted under the GBC Bancorp 1999 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “GBC Bancorp Plan”). On October 20, 2003, pursuant to the terms of its merger with GBC Bancorp, the Company assumed an obligation to issue up to 1,416,520 shares of the Company’s common stock on exercise of outstanding options under the GBC Bancorp Plan. As of December 31, 2011, options on 20,480 shares remain outstanding under the GBC Bancorp Plan. No further grants will be made under the GBC Bancorp Plan.

84

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Election of Directors—Security Ownership of Nominees, Continuing Directors, and Named Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” and “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Director Independence” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

Documents Filed as Part of this Report

(a)(1) Financial Statements

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedules have been omitted since they are not applicable, they are not required, or the information required to be set forth in the schedules is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

(b) Exhibits

3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.1.1	Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2	Restated Bylaws. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2.1	Amendment to Restated Bylaws, effective October 20, 2003. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2.2	Amendment to Restated Bylaws, effective October 18, 2007. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by this reference.
3.3	Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. +
3.4	Certificate of Designation of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1	Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2007, between Cathay General Bancorp and LaSalle Bank National Association (including form of debenture). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.
4.1.1	Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Cathay Capital Trust III, dated as of March 30, 2007. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.
4.1.2	Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2007, between Cathay General Bancorp and LaSalle Bank National Association. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.

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4.1.3	Form of Capital Securities of Cathay Capital Trust III (included within Exhibit 4.1.1). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.
4.2	Warrant to purchase up to 1,846,374 shares of Common Stock, issued on December 5, 2008. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.3	Form of Preferred Share Certificate for Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.4	Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2009, between Cathay General Bancorp and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.5	Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2009, between Cathay General Bancorp and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.6	Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2009, between Cathay General Bancorp and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.7	ATM Equity Offering SM Sales Agreement, dated November 23, 2009, between Cathay General Bancorp and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.1	Form of Indemnity Agreements between Bancorp and its directors and certain officers. +
10.2	Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2010. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2011, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.2.1	Amendment No. 7 effective July 1, 2007, January 1, 2007, January 1, 2008, December 31, 2009, January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010 to the Amended and Restated Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan effective January 1, 1997. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.3	Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Bancorp. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 1997, as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-33767, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4	Equity Incentive Plan of Bancorp effective February 19, 1998.**+
10.4.1	First Amendment to Cathay Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5	GBC Bancorp 1999 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.**+

87

10.6	Cathay Bank Bonus Deferral Agreement (Amended and Restated). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.**
10.7	Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2007, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and incorporated herein by this reference.**
10.7.1	Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2011, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.7.2	Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2011, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.7.3	Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory) (Nonemployee Director). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.7.4	Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.7.5	Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2011, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.8	Letter Agreement, dated December 5, 2008, including the Securities Purchase Agreement—Standard Terms incorporated by reference therein, between the Company and the U.S. Treasury. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9	Form of Waiver, executed by each of Messrs. Dunson K. Cheng, Peter Wu, Anthony M. Tang, Heng W. Chen, Irwin Wong, Kim R. Bingham, and Perry P. Oei. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.9.1	Form of Consent, executed by each of Messrs. Dunson K. Cheng, Peter Wu, Anthony M. Tang, Heng W. Chen, Irwin Wong, Kim R. Bingham, and Perry P. Oei as to adoption of amendments to Benefit Plans as required by Section 111(b) of EESA. Previously filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2008, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.**

88

10.9.2	Form of Consent, executed by each of Messrs. Dunson K. Cheng, Peter Wu, Anthony M. Tang, Heng W. Chen, Irwin Wong, Kim R. Bingham, and Perry P. Oei as to adoption of amendments to Benefit Plans as required by Section 111(b) of EESA, as amended by the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Dunson K. Cheng dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.1	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Peter Wu dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.2	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Anthony M. Tang dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.3	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Heng W. Chen dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.4	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Irwin Wong dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.5	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Kim Bingham dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.10.6	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Perry P. Oei dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.**
12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. +
21.1	Subsidiaries of Bancorp.+
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.+
24.1	Power of Attorney.+
31.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+
31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+

89

32.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.++
32.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.++
99.1	Certification for Years Following First Fiscal Year of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.+
99.2	Certification for Years Following First Fiscal Year of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.+
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document ***
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document ***
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document***
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document***
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document***
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document***

** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

*** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information shall not be deemed to be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise shall not be subject to liability under these sections, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

+ Filed herewith.

++ Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

Cathay General Bancorp
By:	/s/    DUNSON K. CHENG
	Dunson K. Cheng Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/    DUNSON K. CHENG         Dunson K. Cheng	President, Chairman of the Board, Director, and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)	February 27, 2012
/s/    HENG W. CHEN         Heng W. Chen	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer (principal financial officer) (principal accounting officer)	February 27, 2012
/s/    PETER WU         Peter Wu	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    ANTHONY M. TANG         Anthony M. Tang	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    KELLY L. CHAN         Kelly L. Chan	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    MICHAEL M.Y. CHANG         Michael M.Y. Chang	Director	February 27, 2012
* Thomas C.T. Chiu	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    NELSON CHUNG         Nelson Chung	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    JANE JELENKO         Jane Jelenko	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    PATRICK S.D. LEE         Patrick S.D. Lee	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    TING LIU         Ting Liu	Director	February 27, 2012
/s/    JOSEPH C.H. POON         Joseph C.H. Poon	Director	February 27, 2012

*By	/s/    HENG W. CHEN
	Heng W. Chen       Attorney-in-Fact**

**By authority of the power of attorney filed herewith.

91

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010		F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years ended December  31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-9
Parent-only condensed financial information of Cathay General Bancorp is included in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K		F-56

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cathay General Bancorp:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Cathay General Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 27, 2012

F-2

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	As of December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	117,888		$	87,347
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits		294,956			206,321
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		—			110,000
Securities held-to-maturity (market value of $1,203,977 in 2011 and $837,359 in 2010)		1,153,504			840,102
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,309,521 in 2011 and $2,005,330 in 2010)		1,294,478			2,003,567
Trading securities		4,542			3,818
Loans held for sale		760			2,873
Loans		7,059,212			6,868,621
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(206,280	)		(245,231	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net		(8,449	)		(7,621	)
Loans, net		6,844,483			6,615,769
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		52,989			63,873
Other real estate owned, net		92,713			77,740
Affordable housing investments, net		78,358			88,472
Premises and equipment, net		105,961			109,456
Customers’ liability on acceptances		37,300			14,014
Accrued interest receivable		32,226			35,382
Goodwill		316,340			316,340
Other intangible assets, net		11,598			17,044
Other assets		206,768			209,868
Total assets	$	10,644,864		$	10,801,986
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,074,718		$	930,300
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits		451,541			418,703
Money market deposits		951,516			982,617
Savings deposits		420,030			385,245
Time deposits under $100,000		832,997			1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		3,498,329			3,193,715
Total deposits		7,229,131			6,991,846
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		1,400,000			1,561,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		225,000			550,000
Other borrowings from financial institutions		880			8,465
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments		18,920			19,111
Long-term debt		171,136			171,136
Acceptances outstanding		37,300			14,014
Other liabilities		46,864			50,309
Total liabilities		9,129,231			9,365,881
Commitments and contingencies		—			—
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010		250,992			247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010		829			827
Additional paid-in-capital		765,641			762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net		(8,732	)		(1,022	)
Retained earnings		624,192			543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)		(125,736	)		(125,736	)
Total Cathay General Bancorp stockholders’ equity		1,507,186			1,427,658
Noncontrolling interest		8,447			8,447
Total equity		1,515,633			1,436,105
Total liabilities and equity	$	10,644,864		$	10,801,986

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-3

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loan receivable	$	364,580		$	380,662		$	401,831
Investment securities-taxable		83,083			106,568			123,939
Investment securities-nontaxable		4,218			854			788
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		177			237			149
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell		83			14			1,351
Deposits with banks		1,430			1,259			673
Total interest and dividend income		453,571			489,594			528,731
INTEREST EXPENSE
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		42,204			54,219			83,349
Other deposits		20,010			29,943			50,207
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase		60,733			66,141			65,182
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		12,033			37,527			42,442
Long-term debt		4,890			3,852			4,835
Short-term borrowings		11			6			24
Total interest expense		139,881			191,688			246,039
Net interest income before provision for credit losses		313,690			297,906			282,692
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000
Net interest income/(loss) after provision for credit losses		286,690			141,006			(24,308	)
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Securities gains, net		21,131			18,695			55,644
Letters of credit commissions		5,644			4,466			4,216
Depository service fees		5,420			5,220			5,206
Other operating income		18,697			3,870			13,588
Total non-interest income .		50,892			32,251			78,654
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		71,849			58,835			60,795
Occupancy expense		14,225			12,188			16,109
Computer and equipment expense		8,508			8,230			7,856
Professional services expense		20,209			17,630			16,428
FDIC and State assessments		12,494			19,549			19,386
Marketing expense		3,175			3,160			2,593
Other real estate owned		10,583			16,011			36,075
Operations of investments in affordable housing		8,153			7,611			7,338
Amortization of core deposit premium		5,859			5,958			6,636
Cost associated with debt redemption		20,231			14,261			—
Other operating expense		10,280			12,278			9,821
Total non-interest expense		185,566			175,711			183,037
Income/(loss) before income tax (benefit)/expense		152,016			(2,454	)		(128,691	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		51,261			(14,629	)		(61,912	)
Net income/(loss)		100,755			12,175			(66,779	)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		605			610			611
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp		100,150			11,565			(67,390	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)		(16,388	)		(16,338	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	83,713		$	(4,823	)	$	(83,728	)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during the year		4,538			7,714			(806	)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		12,248			7,860			23,396
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(7,710	)		(146	)		(24,202	)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	$	92,440		$	11,419		$	(91,592	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share
Basic	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)
Diluted	$	1.06		$	(0.06	)	$	(1.59	)
Basic average common shares outstanding		78,633,317			77,073,954			52,629,159
Diluted average common shares outstanding		78,640,652			77,073,954			52,629,159

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares)

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock					Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Number of Shares		Amount		Number of Shares			Amount
Balance at December 31, 2008		258,000	$	240,554		49,508,250		$	537	$	508,613		$	23,327		$	645,592		$	(125,736	)	$	0		$	1,292,887
Adjustment to initially apply FASB No. 160		—		—		—			—		—			—			—			—			8,500			8,500
Balance at January 1, 2009		258,000		240,554		49,508,250			537		508,613			23,327			645,592			(125,736	)		8,500			1,301,387
Forfeiture of restricted stock		—		—		(20,000	)		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Issuances of common stock — Common stock issuance		—		—		13,869,856			139		119,309			—			—			—			—			119,448
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		—		—		87,241			1		1,159			—			—			—			—			1,160
Restricted stock units vested		—		—		12,963			—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock options exercised		—		—		1,280			—		13			—			—			—			—			13
Tax short-fall from stock options		—		—		—			—		(196	)		—			—			—			—			(196	)
Stock -based compensation		—		—		—			—		5,725			—			—			—			—			5,725
Cash dividends of $0.205 per share		—		—		—			—		—			—			(10,276	)		—			—			(10,276	)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock		—		3,413		—			—		—			—			(3,438	)		—			—			(25	)
Dividends on preferred stock		—		—		—			—		—			—			(12,900	)		—			(611	)		(13,511	)
Change in other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—		—			(24,202	)		—			—			—			(24,202	)
Net loss		—		—		—			—		—			—			(67,390	)		—			611			(66,779	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		258,000		243,967		63,459,590			677		634,623			(875	)		551,588			(125,736	)		8,500			1,312,744
Issuances of common stock — Common stock issuance		—		—		15,028,409			150		124,778			—			—			—			—			124,928
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		—		—		28,778			—		310			—			—			—			—			310
Restricted stock units vested		—		—		15,006			—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Tax short-fall from stock options .		—		—		—			—		(539	)		—			—			—			—   —			(539	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—			—		3,337			—			—			—			—			3,337
Cash dividends of $0.04 per share		—		—		—			—		—			—			(3,140	)		—			—			(3,140	)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock		—		3,488		—			—		—			—			(3,488	)		—			—			—
Dividends on preferred stock		—		—		—			—		—			—			(12,900	)		—			(610	)		(13,510	)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest		—		—		—			—		—			—			—			—			(53	)		(53	)
Change in other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—		—			(147	)		—			—			—			(147	)
Net income		—		—		—			—		—			—			11,565			—			610			12,175
Balance at December 31, 2010		258,000		247,455		78,531,783			827		762,509			(1,022	)		543,625			(125,736	)		8,447			1,436,105

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares)

	Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Number of Shares		Amount		Number of Shares		Amount
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		—		—		21,281		1		286			—			—			—			—			287
Restricted stock units vested		—		—		12,633		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock options exercised		—		—		86,860		1		1,306			—			—			—			—			1,307
Tax short-fall from stock options		—		—		—		—		(218	)		—			—			—			—			(218	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—		—		1,758			—			—			—			—			1,758
Cash dividends of $0.04 per share		—		—		—		—		—			—			(3,146	)		—			—			(3,146	)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock		—		3,537		—		—		—			—			(3,537	)		—			—			—
Dividends on preferred stock		—		—		—		—		—			—			(12,900	)		—			(605	)		(13,505	)
Change in other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—		—			(7,710	)		—			—			—			(7,710	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			100,150			—			605			100,755
Balance at December 31, 2011		258,000	$	250,992		78,652,557	$	829	$	765,641		$	(8,732	)	$	624,192		$	(125,736	)	$	8,447		$	1,515,633

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	100,755		$	12,175		$	(66,779	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000
Provision for losses on other real estate owned		10,385			20,139			28,216
Deferred tax liability/(benefit)		13,808			(38,504	)		(37,115	)
Depreciation		6,079			4,619			7,695
Net (gains)/losses on sale and transfers of other real estate owned		(5,243	)		(9,977	)		2,065
Net gains on sale of loans		(3,354	)		(149	)		(4,761	)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale		(88	)		(779	)		—
Proceeds from sale of loans		46,377			7,481			44,597
Originations of loans held for sale		(14,027	)		(7,332	)		(9,418	)
Write-downs on loans held for sale		—			3,160			—
(Decrease)/increase in unrealized loss from interest rate swaps		(3,874	)		5,814			—
Purchase of trading securities		(745	)		(3,795	)		—
Write-down on venture capital and other investments		379			515			1,982
Write-down on impaired securities		200			492			817
Gain on sales and calls of securities		(21,131	)		(19,253	)		(56,461	)
Other non-cash interest		(480	)		(794	)		7
Amortization of security premiums, net		4,233			6,667			2,816
Amortization of other intangible assets		5,965			6,034			6,703
Excess tax short-fall from stock options		290			539			196
Stock based compensation expense		1,758			3,337			5,725
Decrease in accrued interest receivable		3,156			600			7,621
Noncontrolling interest.		(605	)		(610	)		(611	)
Increase/(decrease) in other assets, net		(534	)		34,594			(63,426	)
Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities		3,746			(13,368	)		(30,461	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		174,050			168,505			146,408
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
(Increase)/decrease in short-term investments		(88,634	)		48,404			(229,726	)
Decrease/(increase) in securities purchased under agreements to resell		110,000			(110,000	)		201,000
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale		(571,093	)		(3,366,780	)		(1,573,823	)
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities available-for-sale		435,000			2,876,414			1,428,468
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale		524,958			65,139			51,679
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale		(541,356	)		—			(2,487,276	)
Proceeds from repayment and sale of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale		868,023			1,351,018			2,760,904
Purchase of investment securities held-to-maturity		—			(150,164	)		(99,858	)
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity		(480,083	)		(165,527	)		(536,262	)
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities held-to-maturity		163,855			108,067			1,057
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		10,884			7,918			—
Net (increase)/decrease in loans		(362,054	)		(151,054	)		177,690
Purchase of premises and equipment		(2,888	)		(4,979	)		(12,222	)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned		61,406			91,154			52,902
Net increase in investment in affordable housing		(968	)		(3,015	)		(14,116	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		127,050			596,595			(279,583	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market and saving deposits		180,940			224,122			529,359
Net increase/(decrease) in time deposits		56,828			(736,549	)		138,945
Net (decrease)/increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		(161,000	)		4,000			(105,000	)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank ..		4,734,000			528,000			816,000
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		(5,059,000	)		(907,362	)		(1,336,000	)
Cash dividends		(16,046	)		(16,040	)		(22,460	)
Issuance of common stock		—			124,928			119,448
Proceeds from other borrowings		—			1,253			7,212
Repayment of other borrowings		(7,584	)		—			—
Proceeds from shares issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan		287			310			1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,306			—			13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		(290	)		(539	)		(196	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities		(270,559	)		(777,877	)		148,481
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		30,541			(12,777	)		15,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year		87,347			100,124			84,818
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	$	117,888		$	87,347		$	100,124

F-7

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	142,644		$	197,762		$	255,243
Income taxes	$	53,148		$	13,369		$	25,247
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Net change in unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax	$	(7,710	)	$	(147	)	$	(24,202	)
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 160	$	—		$	—		$	8,500
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for investment	$	83,941		$	98,653		$	114,354
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for sale	$	2,874		$	21,473		$	—
Loans transferred to loans held for sale	$	4,399		$	4,332		$	81,678
Loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned	$	7,472		$	12,204		$	21,272
Loans to facilitate the sale of loans	$	6,094		$	23,500		$	—

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-8

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Bancorp”), a Delaware corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cathay Bank (the “Bank”), a California state-chartered bank, six limited partnerships investing in affordable housing projects, and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. (together, the “Company”). All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry.

Organization and Background. The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operations of the Bank, which owns 100% of the common securities of the following subsidiaries: Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust, GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc., Cathay Holdings LLC, Cathay Holdings 2, LLC, Cathay Holdings 3, LLC, Cathay Community Development Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation.

There are limited operating business activities currently at the Bancorp. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. Its operations include the acceptance of checking, savings, and time deposits, and the making of commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The Bank also offers trade financing, letters of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contracts, Internet banking, investment services, and other customary banking services to its customers.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates subject to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, other-than-temporary impairment analysis on investments, fair value disclosures, and the fair value of options granted. The more significant of these policies are described below.

Concentrations. The Bank was incorporated in California and started its business from California. Therefore, loans originated and deposits solicited were mainly from California. As of December 31, 2011, gross loans were primarily comprised of 53.1% of commercial mortgage loans and 26.5% of commercial loans. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of the Bank’s residential mortgages were for properties located in California. Total deposits were comprised of 48.4% of time deposit of $100,000 or more (Jumbo CDs) at December 31, 2011, and approximately 57.1% of the Company’s Jumbo CDs have been on deposit with the Company for two years or more.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The determination of the amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operations reflects management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which loan losses is

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

determined the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

The total allowance for loan losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, two primary methodologies are employed, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

The Bank’s management allocates a specific allowance for “Impaired Credits,” in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management’s estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. The Company purchases securities under agreements to resell with various terms. These agreements are collateralized by agency securities and mortgage backed securities that are generally held by a third party custodian. The purchases are over-collateralized to ensure against unfavorable market price movements. In the event that the fair market value of the securities decreases below the collateral requirements under the related repurchase agreements, the counterparty is required to deliver additional securities. The counterparties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit eligibility criteria and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed.

Securities. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available-for-sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time, or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes, and may be sold from time to time to manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Securities are classified as trading securities when management intends to sell the securities in the near term. Securities purchased are designated as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities at the time of acquisition.

Securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts on a level-yield basis. The carrying value of these assets is not adjusted for temporary declines in fair value since the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, and any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted as adjustment of yield on a level-yield basis.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall have considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is then recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.

Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in income.

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Stock. As a member of the FHLB system the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. The amount of investment is also affected by the outstanding advances under the line of credit the Bank maintains with the FHLB. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is pledged as collateral to the FHLB. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The carrying amount of the FHLB stock was $53.0 million at December 31, 2011, and $63.9 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, 250,000 shares of FHLB stock was the minimum stock requirement based on outstanding FHLB borrowings of $225.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 529,888 shares of FHLB stock.

Loans. Loans are carried at amounts advanced, less principal payments collected and net deferred loan fees. Interest is accrued and earned daily on an actual or 360-day basis. Interest accruals on business loans and non-residential real estate loans are generally discontinued whenever the payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, based on contractual terms. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status, unless the loan is well secured, and there is a high probability of recovery in full, as determined by management. When loans are placed on a non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months. Loan origination fees and commitment fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment. The amortization utilizes the interest method. If a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the amortization of the loan fees and the accretion of discounts are discontinued until the loan is returned to accruing status.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses are recorded in non-interest income based on the difference between sales proceeds, net of sales commissions, and carrying value.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Loans Acquired Through Transfer. Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payment receivables are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “nonaccretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowance on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (i.e. both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (1) the present value of the expected future cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of the impaired loan is recognized by recording a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The Company stratifies its loan portfolio by size and treats smaller non-performing loans with an outstanding balance based on the Company’s defined criteria, generally where the loan amount is $500,000 or less, as a homogenous portfolio. Once a loan has been identified as a possible problem loan, the Company conducts a periodic review of such loan in order to test for impairment. When loans are placed on an impaired status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructured Loan (“TDR”.) A TDR is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered TDRs, accruing TDR loans have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

Unfunded Loan Commitments. Unfunded loan commitments are generally related to providing credit facilities to clients of the Bank, and are not actively traded financial instruments. These unfunded commitments are disclosed as off-balance sheet financial instruments in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Letter of Credit Fees. Issuance and commitment fees received for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit are recognized over the term of the instruments.

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Type	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings	15 to 45 years
Building improvements	5 to 20 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

Improvements are capitalized and amortized to occupancy expense based on the above table. Construction in process is carried at cost and includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest and other costs related directly to the construction of a property.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer’s initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

Investments in Affordable Housing. The Company is a limited partner in limited partnerships that invest in low-income housing projects that qualify for Federal and/or State income tax credits. As further discussed in Note 7, the partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company therefore consolidated the financial statements of these six limited partnerships into its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company invests in limited partnerships that invest in nonpublic companies. These partnerships are commonly referred to as venture capital investments. These limited partnership interests represent ownership of less than 5% and are carried under the cost method with other-than-temporary impairment charged against net income.

Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment. Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350. ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, formerly, SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

The Company’s policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Accounting standards require management to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit in making the assessment of impairment at least annually.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process conducted by us, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our three reporting units- Commercial Lending, Retail Banking, and East Coast Operations. The Company then completes “step one” of

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment. Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill. This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

The Commercial Lending unit did not have any goodwill allocated to the unit and accordingly no goodwill impairment testing was performed for that unit. The reporting unit fair values for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations were determined based on an equal weighting of (1) the fair value determined using a market approach using a combination of price to earnings multiples determined based on a representative peer group applied to 2011 and forecasted 2012 and 2013 earnings, and a price to book multiple and (2) the fair value determined using a dividend discount model with the discount rate determined using the same representative peer group. A control premium was then applied to the unit fair values so determined as of December 31, 2011.

In determining the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations, the financial forecasts assume muted growth during the forecast period. The principal driver of the Company’s negative operating results has been the Commercial Lending reporting unit where the vast majority of the Company’s loan losses have been incurred. A summary of the respective unit fair value, carrying amounts and unit goodwill as well as the percentage by which fair value exceed carrying value of each reporting unit as of December 31, 2011, is shown below:

Reporting Units	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount			Allocated Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Lending Unit	$	647,628	$	124,000		—			—
Retail Banking Unit		390,003		708,000		81.5	%		235,195
East Coast Operations		211,567		394,000		86.2	%		81,145
Total	$	1,249,198	$	1,226,000				$	316,340

If economic conditions were to worsen instead of improve as assumed in the key assumptions, then the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations could be significantly lower than projected. In addition, a worsening of economic conditions could potentially reduce the price to earnings multiples and price to book multiples of peer groups for Retail Banking and East Coast Operations and result in a reduction in the fair value of these units even if the forecasted earnings were achieved.

Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium, which represents the purchase price over the fair value of the deposits acquired from other financial institutions, is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. If a pattern of consumption cannot be reliably determined, straight-line amortization is used. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the premium balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the remaining deposit portfolio and amortizes core deposit premium over its estimated useful life.

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

At December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $10.6 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $49.8 million. Aggregate amortization expense for core deposit premium was $5.9 million for 2011, $6.0 million for 2010, and $6.6 million for 2009. At December 31, 2011, the estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums is $5.7 million for 2012, $4.5 million for 2013, and $0.4 million for 2014 and thereafter. At December 31, 2010, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $16.4 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $44.1 million.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the applicable asset accounts.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date for those options expected to vest, and is recognized as an expense over the vesting period of the grant using the straight-line method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of granted options. This model takes into account the option exercise price, the expected life, the current price of the underlying stock, the expected volatility of the Company’s stock, expected dividends on the stock and a risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility based on the Company’s historical stock prices for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock options. Option compensation expense totaled $1.0 million in 2011, $3.0 million in 2010, and $5.4 million in 2009. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $904,000 at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.2 years.

Foreign Exchange Forwards and Foreign Currency Option Contracts. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with correspondent banks to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts, are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Comprehensive Income/(loss). Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income/(loss) generally includes net income/(loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities available-for-sale, and cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are reported and displayed in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss).

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Net Income per Common Share. Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed on a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shares in the earnings of the Company. Potential dilution is excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts when a net loss from operations exists.

Foreign Currency Translation. The Company considers the functional currency of its foreign operations to be the United States dollar. Accordingly, the Company remeasures monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, while nonmonetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for depreciation, which is remeasured at historical rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in income in the period of occurrence.

Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term highly-liquid investments that generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

Segment Information and Disclosures. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has concluded it has one operating segment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02 “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 clarifies the guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. A restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring if it meets both of the following criteria: (a) the restructuring constitutes a concession; and (b) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. ASU 2011-02 was effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. Adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03 “Transfers and Servicing: Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” ASU 2011-03 improves the accounting for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions by removing the following: the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms even in the event of default by the transferee, and the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. ASU 2011-03 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. Adoption of ASU 2011-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011, and will be applied retrospectively. Adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 “Intangible- Goodwill and other.” ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 will be effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed after December 15, 2011. Adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company manages its cash and cash equivalents, which consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold, and short-term investments with original maturity of three months or less, based upon the Company’s operating, investment, and financing activities. For the purpose of reporting cash flows, these same accounts are included in cash and cash equivalents.

The Company is required to maintain reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank. Reserve requirements are based on a percentage of deposit liabilities. The average reserve balances required were $12.2 million for 2011 and $16.1 million for 2010. There were no federal funds sold in 2011 or in 2010.

3. Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are usually collateralized by U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities. The counter-parties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit requirements of the Company and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed. There were no resale agreements as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has one resale agreement of $110.0 million at the rate of 0.2% which matured on March 9, 2011.

The following table sets forth information with respect to securities purchased under agreements to resell.

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31	$	—		$	110,000
Annualized weighted-average interest rate, December 31		0.00	%		0.20	%
Daily average amount outstanding during the year	$	84,493		$	6,932
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		0.10	%		0.20	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end	$	255,000		$	110,000

For those securities obtained under the resale agreements, the collateral is either held by a third party custodian or by the counter party and is segregated under written agreements that recognize the Company’s interest in the securities. Interest income associated with securities purchased under agreements to resell was $83,000 for 2011, $14,000 for 2010, and $1.3 million for 2009.

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

4. Investment Securities

Investment Securities. The following table reflects the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair values of investment securities as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	At December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,966	$	1,406	$	—	$	101,372
State and municipal securities		129,577		7,053		—		136,630
Mortgage-backed securities		913,990		42,351		—		956,341
Corporate debt securities		9,971		—		337		9,634
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	1,153,504	$	50,810	$	337	$	1,203,977
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	500,007	$	1,226	$	7	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		1,869		59		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		325,706		12,361		436		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		16,184		540		238		16,486
Asset-backed securities		172		—		6		166
Corporate debt securities		412,045		113		31,729		380,429
Mutual funds		6,000		48		13		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		1,085		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,501		486		24		45,963
Other equity securities		1,468		1,492		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,309,521	$	17,410	$	32,453	$	1,294,478
Total investment securities..	$	2,463,025	$	68,220	$	32,790	$	2,498,455

F-18

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

	At December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,921	$	2,639	$	—	$	102,560
State and municipal securities		130,107		—		8,946		121,161
Mortgage-backed securities		600,107		5,230		1,653		603,684
Corporate debt securities		9,967		—		13		9,954
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	840,102	$	7,869	$	10,612	$	837,359
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	125,573	$	—	$	6,745	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		830,269		1,653		6,840		825,082
State and municipal securities		1,875		—		157		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		627,574		14,854		123		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		24,719		590		115		25,194
Asset-backed securities		245		—		5		240
Corporate debt securities		374,489		1,374		6,438		369,425
Mutual funds		4,000		—		73		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		150		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,549		58		170		14,437
Other equity securities		1,468		224		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale	$	2,005,330	$	18,903	$	20,666	$	2,003,567
Total investment securities	$	2,845,432	$	26,772	$	31,278	$	2,840,926

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2011, by contractual maturities are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or repayment penalties.

	Securities Available-for-Sale				Securities Held-to-Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	17,983	$	17,915	$	99,966	$	101,372
Due after one year through five years		125,416		123,651		—		—
Due after five years through ten years		858,217		835,179		29,709		30,943
Due after ten years (1)		307,905		317,733		1,023,829		1,071,662
Total	$	1,309,521	$	1,294,478	$	1,153,504	$	1,203,977

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities were $759.7 million and repayments of mortgage-backed securities were $108.4 million during 2011 compared to proceeds from sales of $1.04 billion and repayment of $308.2 million during 2010, and proceeds from sales of $2.44 billion and repayment of $313.2 million during 2009. Proceeds from sales and repayments of other investment securities were $525.0 million during 2011 compared to $65.1 million during 2010 and $51.7 million during 2009. Proceeds from maturity and calls of investment securities were $435.0 million during 2011 compared to $2.88 billion during 2010 and $1.43 billion in 2009. In 2011, gains of $21.1 million and no losses were realized on sales and calls of investment securities compared with $19.3 million in gains and $67,000 in losses realized in 2010, and $56.5 million in gains and $9,000 in losses realized in 2009.

F-19

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

At December 31, 2011, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were rated as investment grade except for three non-agency issues. Two issues not rated investment grade had a par amount of $430,000 and an unrealized loss of $182,000. The other issue was rated below investment grade by one rating agency and investment grade by another rating agency had a par amount of $7.0 million and an unrealized loss of $428,000. The unrealized losses resulted from increases in credit spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. Based on the Company’s analysis at December 31, 2011, there was no “other-than-temporary” impairment in these securities due to the low loan to value ratio for the loans underlying these securities and the credit support provided by junior tranches of these securitizations. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost for those three non-agency mortgage-backed securities issues.

The Company’s unrealized loss on investments in corporate bonds relates to a number of investments in bonds of financial institutions, all of which were investment grade at the date of acquisition and as of December 31, 2011, except for one issue, of which the Company owns $5 million of par value, by a regional bank which was downgraded to below investment grade during the fourth quarter of 2010. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by the widening of credit spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. The Company currently does not believe it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the investments. Therefore, it is expected that these bonds would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold this investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, it does not consider its investments in these corporate bonds to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

The temporarily impaired securities represent 18.7% of the fair value of investment securities as of December 31, 2011. Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months represent 5.4%, and securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more represent 9.2%, of the historical cost of these securities. Unrealized losses on these securities generally resulted from increases in interest rate spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. All of these securities were investment grade as of December 31, 2011, except the four issues mentioned above. At December 31, 2011, 28 issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer and 30 issues of securities had unrealized losses of less than 12 months.

F-20

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

At December 31, 2011, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss has been recognized in our consolidated statements of operations. We expect to recover the amortized cost basis of our debt securities, and have no intent to sell and will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery. The table below shows the fair value, unrealized losses, and number of issuances of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
Corporate debt securities	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	49,993	$	7		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	49,993	$	7		1
Mortgage-backed securities		564		4		8		35		1		2		599		5		10
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		6,719		431		2		6,719		431		2
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		570		238		4		570		238		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		166		6		1		166		6		1
Corporate debt securities		185,577		14,201		17		172,857		17,528		19		358,434		31,729		36
Mutual funds		1,987		13		1		—		—		—		1,987		13		1
Trust preferred securities		5,674		24		2		—		—		—		5,674		24		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	243,795	$	14,249		29	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	424,142	$	32,453		57
Total investment securities	$	253,430	$	14,586		30	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	433,777	$	32,790		58

F-21

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

	As of December 31, 2010
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
State and municipal securities	$	121,161	$	8,946		122		—		—		—	$	121,161	$	8,946		122
Mortgage-backed securities		89,439		1,653		2		—		—		—		89,439		1,653		2
Corporate debt securities		9,954		13		1		—		—		—		9,954		13		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	220,554	$	10,612		125	$	—	$	—		—	$	220,554	$	10,612		125
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	6,745		5	$	—	$	—		—	$	118,828	$	6,745		5
U.S. government sponsored entities		578,118		6,840		12		—		—		—		578,118		6,840		12
State and municipal securities		1,718		157		2		—		—		—		1,718		157		2
Mortgage-backed securities		354		4		7		32		1		1		386		5		8
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		10,127		118		3		10,127		118		3
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		887		115		4		887		115		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		240		5		1		240		5		1
Corporate debt securities		310,630		6,438		30		—		—		—		310,630		6,438		30
Mutual funds		3,927		73		1		—		—		—		3,927		73		1
Trust preferred securities		10,384		170		2		—		—		—		10,384		170		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	1,023,959	$	20,427		59	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,035,245	$	20,666		68
Total investment securities	$	1,244,513	$	31,039		184	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,255,799	$	31,278		193

Investment securities having a carrying value of $1.68 billion at December 31, 2011, and $1.80 billion at December 31, 2010, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and foreign exchange transactions.

5. Loans

Most of the Company’s business activity is predominately with Asian customers located in Southern and Northern California; New York City; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral.

F-22

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The components of loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, were as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	1,868,275		$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		237,372			409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,748,897			3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		972,262			852,454
Equity lines		214,707			208,876
Installment and other loans		17,699			16,077
Gross loans		7,059,212			6,868,621
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(206,280	)		(245,231	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(8,449	)		(7,621	)
Total loans and leases, net	$	6,844,483		$	6,615,769
Loans held for sale	$	760		$	2,873

Loans held for sale of $760,000 at December 31, 2011, decreased $2.1 million from $2.9 million at December 31, 2010. In 2011, we added six new loans of $4.4 million, transferred one loan of $2.9 million to OREO, and sold four loans of $3.6 million for a net gain on sale of $88,000. At December 31, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of a commercial construction loan of $500,000 and a residential mortgage loan of $260,000. In 2010, the Company sold six held for sale loans of $31.7 million with net gains of $779,000, transferred seven loans of $21.5 million to OREO, wrote down $2.9 million loans held for sale based on their market value, and added four new loans of $4.3 million which were sold subsequently. Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale during 2010 were $10.9 million in cash and a new loan of $20.8 million to one of the note purchasers.

The Company pledged real estate loans of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2011, and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2010, to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco under its specific pledge program. In addition, the Bank pledged $250.9 million at December 31, 2011, and $286.6 million at December 31, 2010, of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program.

Loans serviced for others as of December 31, 2011, totaled $222.2 million and were comprised of $49.0 million of commercial loans, $111.8 million of commercial real estate loans, $0.6 million in construction loans, and $60.8 million of residential mortgages.

F-23

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company has entered into transactions with its directors, executive officers, or principal holders of its equity securities, or the associates of such persons (“Related Parties”). Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with customers who are not related parties. In management’s opinion, these transactions did not involve more than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features. All loans to Related Parties were current as of December 31, 2011. An analysis of the activity with respect to loans to Related Parties for the years indicated is as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	134,161		$	139,194
Additional loans made		89,985			52,809
Payment received		(64,077	)		(57,842	)
Balance at end of year	$	160,069		$	134,161

At December 31, 2011, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $322.0 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans of $201.2 million, nonaccrual loans held for sale of $760,000, and accruing TDR’s of $120.0 million. At December 31, 2010, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $382.0 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans of $242.3 million, nonaccrual loans held for sale of $2.9 million, and accruing TDR’s of $136.8 million. The average balance of impaired loans was $361.4 million in 2011 and $370.6 million in 2010. We considered all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) to be impaired. Interest recognized on impaired loans totaled $5.3 million in 2011 and $10.0 million in 2010. The Bank recognizes interest income on impaired loans based on its existing method of recognizing interest income on non-accrual loans except accruing TDRs. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 25.6% at December 31, 2011, and 23.3% at December 31, 2010, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance and charge-off as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	At December 31, 2011						At December 31, 2010
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(Dollars in thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	46,671	$	38,194	$	—	$	41,233	$	27,775	$	—
Real estate construction loans		134,837		78,767		—		102,186		64,274		—
Commercial mortgage loans		187,580		149,034		—		211,717		156,305		—
Residential mortgage and equity lines		8,555		7,987		—		7,823		7,436		—
Subtotal	$	377,643	$	273,982	$	—	$	362,959	$	255,790	$	—
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	11,795	$	7,587	$	3,336	$	13,930	$	7,748	$	2,925
Real estate construction loans		—		—		—		15,429		13,416		7,470
Commercial mortgage loans		29,722		28,023		2,969		98,593		96,449		3,812
Residential mortgage and equity lines.		13,813		12,381		1,249		9,811		8,589		978
Subtotal	$	55,330	$	47,991	$	7,554	$	137,763	$	126,202	$	15,185
Total impaired loans	$	432,973	$	321,973	$	7,554	$	500,722	$	381,992	$	15,185

F-24

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table presents the average balance and interest income recognized related to impaired loans for the period indicated:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	Average Recorded Investment				Interest Income Recognized
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	48,349	$	34,857	$	1,053	$	1,059
Real estate construction loans		82,529		92,859		940		1,665
Commercial mortgage loans		212,555		230,952		3,101		6,925
Residential mortgage and equity lines		17,920		11,970		236		340
Subtotal	$	361,353	$	370,638	$	5,330	$	9,989

The following is a summary of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and the related net interest foregone for the years then ended:

	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual portfolio loans	$	201,197	$	242,319	$	280,643
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale		760		2,873		54,826
Total non-accrual loans	$	201,957	$	245,192	$	335,469
Contractual interest due	$	13,049	$	17,304	$	23,746
Interest recognized		71		4,853		9,830
Net interest foregone	$	12,978	$	12,451	$	13,916

The following table presents the aging of the loan portfolio by type as of December 31, 2011 and as of December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,683	$	—	$	—	$	30,661	$	32,344	$	1,835,931	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		20,326		—		—		46,012		66,338		171,034		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		13,627		20,277		6,726		107,784		148,414		3,600,483		3,748,897
Residential mortgage loans		5,871		—		—		16,740		22,611		1,164,358		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		17,699		17,699
Total loans	$	41,507	$	20,277	$	6,726	$	201,197	$	269,707	$	6,789,505	$	7,059,212

F-25

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

	As of December 31, 2010
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	7,037	$	2,990	$	—	$	31,498	$	41,525	$	1,399,642	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		14,634		15,425		4,175		53,937		88,171		321,815		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		12,569		9,430		831		144,596		167,426		3,772,635		3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		9,934		2,581		—		12,288		24,803		1,036,527		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		16,077		16,077
Total loans	$	44,174	$	30,426	$	5,006	$	242,319	$	321,925	$	6,546,696	$	6,868,621

The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses for impaired loans is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectibility when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. This allowance evaluation process is also applied to TDRs since TDRs are considered to be impaired loans. As a result of adopting the amendments in ASU 2011-02, the Company reassessed all restructurings that occurred on or after January 1, 2011, for identification as TDRs.

At December 31, 2011, accruing TDRs were $120.0 million and non-accrual TDRs were $50.9 million compared to accruing TDRs of $136.8 million and non-accrual TDRs of $28.1 million at December 31, 2010. The Company has allocated specific reserves of $1.4 million to accruing TDRs and $1.6 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2011, and $3.6 million to accruing TDRs and $1.3 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2010. The following table presents TDRs that were modified during 2011, their specific reserve at December 31, 2011, and charge-off during 2011:

	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Specific Reserve		Charge-off
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		7	$	15,025	$	15,025	$	104	$	—
Real estate construction loans		3		33,669		21,522		—		12,147
Commercial mortgage loans		6		17,343		14,294		1		3,049
Residential mortgage and equity lines		3		1,574		1,574		114		—
Total		19	$	67,611	$	52,415	$	219	$	15,196

A summary of TDRs by type of concession and by type of loans is shown below:

	As of December 31, 2011
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	12,933	$	1,756	$	—	$	431	$	15,120
Real estate construction loans		16,820		9,659		—		5,776		32,255
Commercial mortgage loans		471		37,796		2,071		28,935		69,273
Residential mortgage loans		1,294		587		—		1,487		3,368
Total accruing TDRs	$	31,518	$	49,798	$	2,071	$	36,629	$	120,016

F-26

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

	As of December 31, 2011
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	—	$	616	$	1,859	$	1,506	$	—	$	3,981
Real estate construction loans		—		13,579		12,376		—		—		25,955
Commercial mortgage loans		2,633		9,727				—		5,076		17,436
Residential mortgage loans		311		2,427		449		—		311		3,498
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	2,944	$	26,349	$	14,684	$	1,506	$	5,387	$	50,870

	As of December 31, 2010
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,131	$	1,780	$	—	$	1,114	$	4,025
Commercial mortgage loans		17,338		87,411		3,459		20,831		129,039
Residential mortgage loans		2,658		599		—		479		3,736
Total accruing TDRs	$	21,127	$	89,790	$	3,459	$	22,424	$	136,800

	As of December 31, 2010
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial mortgage loans	$	1,239	$	21,156	$	2,310	$	1,113	$	25,818
Residential mortgage loans		340		1,037		—		951		2,328
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	1,579	$	22,193	$	2,310	$	2,064	$	28,146

Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $120.0 million at December 31, 2011, and were comprised of 32 loans, a decrease of $16.8 million, compared to 28 loans totaling $136.8 million at December 31, 2010. TDRs at December 31, 2011, were comprised of eleven retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $74.4 million, seven office and commercial use buildings loans of $23.8 million, one hotel loan of $7.9 million, ten single family residential loans of $13.3 million, one land loan of $635,000 and two commercial loans of $39,000. Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $136.8 million at December 31, 2010, and were comprised of 28 loans, an increase of $81.8 million, compared to 14 loans totaling $55.0 million at December 31, 2009. TDRs at December 31, 2010, were comprised of eight retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $64.4 million, six office and commercial use building loans of $20.8 million, three multi-family residential loans of $21.4 million, two hotel loans of $15.4 million, four single family residential loan of $10.5 million, three land loans of $2.5 million, and two commercial loans of $1.8 million.

F-27

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The activity within our TDR loans for 2011 and 2010 are shown below:

Accruing TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	136,800		$	54,992
New restructurings		60,863			55,815
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		709			53,432
Charge-offs		(2,341	)		—
Payments		(46,313	)		(8,205	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		(28,969	)		(18,371	)
Expiration of loan concession		(733	)		(863	)
Ending balance	$	120,016		$	136,800

Non-accrual TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	28,146		$	41,609
New restructurings		13,269			74,543
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		28,969			18,371
Charge-offs		(7,303	)		(21,293	)
Payments		(3,355	)		(8,035	)
Foreclosures		(8,147	)		(23,617	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(709	)		(53,432	)
Ending balance	$	50,870		$	28,146

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 to 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms. Two commercial TDRs of $930,000 and one commercial real estate TDR of $26,000 had payments defaults within the previous twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The TDRs that subsequently defaulted incurred no charge-off during 2011.

Under the Company’s internal underwriting policy, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification in order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. As of December 31, 2011, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans have been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, the Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each loan. Loans are risk rated based on analysis of the current state of the borrower’s credit quality. The analysis of credit quality includes a review of all sources of repayment, the borrower’s current financial and liquidity status and all other relevant information. The risk rating categories can be generally described by the following grouping for non-homogeneous loans:

• Pass/Watch – These loans range from minimal credit risk to lower than average, but still acceptable, credit risk.

• Special Mention – Borrower is fundamentally sound and the loan is currently protected but adverse trends are apparent, that if not corrected, may affect ability to repay. Primary source of loan repayment remains viable but there is increasing reliance on collateral or guarantor support.

• Substandard – These loans are inadequately protected by current sound worth, paying capacity or pledged collateral. Well-defined weaknesses exist that could jeopardize repayment of debt. Loss may not be imminent, but if weaknesses are not corrected, there is a good possibility of some loss.

F-28

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

• Doubtful – The possibility of loss is extremely high, but due to identifiable and important pending events (which may strengthen the loan) a loss classification is deferred until the situation is better defined.

• Loss – These loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that to continue to carry the loan as an active asset is no longer warranted.

The following table presents loan portfolio by risk rating as of December 31, 2011, and as of December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,689,842	$	64,290	$	108,858	$	5,285	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		115,538		23,555		90,132		8,147		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		3,275,431		69,925		403,541		—		3,748,897
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,149,225		4,439		33,160		145		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		17,636		63		—		—		17,699
Total gross loans	$	6,247,672	$	162,272	$	635,691	$	13,577		7,059,212
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	260	$	500	$	760

	As of December 31, 2010
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,258,537	$	58,189	$	118,670	$	5,771	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		191,455		53,172		153,857		11,502		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,365,040		143,974		431,047		—		3,940,061
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,026,216		6,109		28,846		159		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		15,535		542		—		—		16,077
Total gross loans		5,856,783	$	261,986	$	732,420	$	17,432		6,868,621
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	2,873	$	—	$	2,873

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments are significant estimates that can and do change based on management’s process in analyzing the loan portfolio and on management’s assumptions about specific borrowers, underlying collateral, and applicable economic and environmental conditions, among other factors.

F-29

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of December 31, 2011, and as of December 31, 2010.

	Commercial Loans		Real Estate Construction Loans		Commercial Mortgage Loans		Residential mortgage and equity line		Consumer and Other		Total
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2011
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	3,336	$	—	$	2,969	$	1,247	$	—	$	7,552
Balance	$	45,781	$	78,766	$	177,058	$	20,368	$	—	$	321,973
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	62,322	$	21,749	$	105,052	$	9,548	$	57	$	198,728
Balance	$	1,822,494	$	158,606	$	3,571,839	$	1,166,601	$	17,699	$	6,737,239
Total allowance	$	65,658	$	21,749	$	108,021	$	10,795	$	57	$	206,280
Total balance	$	1,868,275	$	237,372	$	3,748,897	$	1,186,969	$	17,699	$	7,059,212
December 31, 2010
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	2,540	$	7,470	$	3,106	$	—	$	—	$	13,116
Balance	$	33,555	$	77,691	$	248,059	$	7,435	$	—	$	366,740
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	61,379	$	35,791	$	125,241	$	9,668	$	36	$	232,115
Balance	$	1,407,612	$	332,295	$	3,692,002	$	1,053,895	$	16,077	$	6,501,881
Total allowance	$	63,919	$	43,261	$	128,347	$	9,668	$	36	$	245,231
Total balance	$	1,441,167	$	409,986	$	3,940,061	$	1,061,330	$	16,077	$	6,868,621

F-30

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

	Commercial Loans			Real Estate Construction Loans			Commercial Mortgage Loans			Residential mortgage and equity line			Installment and Other Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2010 Beginning Balance	$	57,814		$	45,087		$	100,495		$	8,480		$	13		$	211,889
Provision for possible loan losses		23,001			37,495			96,217			3,048			9			159,770
Charge-offs		(21,609	)		(45,321	)		(69,891	)		(1,934	)		—			(138,755	)
Recoveries		4,712			6,001			1,527			74			13			12,327
Net Charge-offs		(16,897	)		(39,320	)		(68,364	)		(1,860	)		13			(126,428	)
2010 Ending Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Reserve to impaired loans	$	2,925		$	7,470		$	3,812		$	979		$	—		$	15,186
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	60,994		$	35,791		$	124,535		$	8,690		$	35		$	230,045
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	691		$	1,505		$	103		$	36		$	2		$	2,337
2011 Beginning Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Provision for possible loan losses		11,711			11,514			1,454			2,392			197			27,268
Charge-offs		(11,745	)		(37,500	)		(26,750	)		(1,456	)		(175	)		(77,626	)
Recoveries		1,774			4,473			4,969			191			—			11,407
Net Charge-offs		(9,971	)		(33,027	)		(21,781	)		(1,265	)		(175	)		(66,219	)
2011 Ending Balance	$	65,658		$	21,749		$	108,021		$	10,795		$	57		$	206,280
Reserve to impaired loans	$	3,336		$	—		$	2,969		$	1,247		$	—		$	7,552
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	62,322		$	21,749		$	105,052		$	9,548		$	57		$	198,728
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	816		$	1,103		$	113		$	34		$	3		$	2,069

An analysis of the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the year ended 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$	245,231		$	211,889		$	122,093
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000
Transfers from reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments.		268			2,870			2,125
Loans charged off		(77,626	)		(138,755	)		(222,547	)
Recoveries of charged off loans		11,407			12,327			3,218
Balance at end of year	$	206,280		$	245,231		$	211,889
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Credit Commitments
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,337		$	5,207		$	7,332
Provision for credit losses/transfers		(268	)		(2,870	)		(2,125	)
Balance at end of year	$	2,069		$	2,337		$	5,207

F-31

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

6. Other Real Estate Owned

At December 31, 2011, the net carrying value of other real estate owned increased $15.0 million, or 19.3%, to $92.7 million from $77.7 million at December 31, 2010. OREO located in California was $32.3 million and was comprised primarily of five parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $9.9 million, four parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose properties of $4.8 million, two commercial building construction projects of $3.5 million, one residential construction project of $588,000, twelve office and commercial use buildings of $13.2 million, two single family residential properties of $395,000. OREO located in Texas was $48.6 million and was comprised of eight commercial use buildings of $33.5 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $11.7 million, three commercial building construction projects of $2.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $959,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $3.9 million and was comprised of two retail stores $1.6 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $1.2 million, one commercial construction project of $658,000, and three single family residential properties of $531,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was $4.8 million and was comprised of a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.5 million and one commercial use building of $1.3 million. OREO in all other states was $3.0 million and was comprised of three commercial use properties of $2.1 million and four single family residential properties of $878,000.

For 2010, OREO located in California was $55.9 million and was comprised primarily of seven parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $14.3 million, six parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose properties of $8.1 million, two commercial building construction projects of $4.8 million, three residential construction projects of $9.7 million, eleven office and commercial use buildings of $18.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $605,000. OREO located in Texas was $12.9 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $3.7 million, two commercial use buildings construction projects of $1.9 million, two parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.6 million, two multi-family residences of $1.7 million, one parcel of land zoned for commercial purpose of $906,000, three single family residential properties of $786,000, and an industrial building of $291,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $4.3 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $1.8 million, one parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $1.3 million, a commercial building construction project of $949,000, and a single family residence of $241,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.3 million. OREO in all other states was $1.3 million and was comprised primarily of three commercial use properties.

An analysis of the activity in the valuation allowance for other real estate losses for the years ended on December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	25,310		$	22,743		$	3,814
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
OREO disposal		(9,273	)		(17,572	)		(9,287	)
Balance, end of year	$	26,422		$	25,310		$	22,743

The following table presents the components of other real estate owned expense for the year ended:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Operating expense	$	5,441		$	5,849		$	5,794
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
Net (gain)/loss on transfer and disposal		(5,243	)		(9,977	)		2,065
Total other real estate owned expense	$	10,583		$	16,011		$	36,075

F-32

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

7. Investments in Affordable Housing

The Company has invested in certain limited partnerships that were formed to develop and operate housing for lower-income tenants throughout the United States. The Company’s investments in these partnerships were $78.4 million at December 31, 2011, and $88.5 million at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The consolidation of these limited partnerships in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements increased total assets and liabilities by $22.8 million at December 31, 2011, and also by $22.8 million at December 31, 2010. Other borrowings for affordable housing limited partnerships were $18.9 million at December 31, 2011, and $19.1 million at December 31, 2010; recourse is limited to the assets of the limited partnerships. Unfunded commitments for affordable housing limited partnerships of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2011, and $4.3 million as of December 31, 2010, were recorded under other liabilities.

Each of the partnerships must meet regulatory requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilize the tax credits. If the partnerships cease to qualify during the compliance period, the credits may be denied for any period in which the projects are not in compliance and a portion of the credits previously taken is subject to recapture with interest. The remaining tax credits to be utilized over a multiple-year period are $43.1 million for Federal and $1.2 million for state at December 31, 2011. The Company’s usage of tax credits approximated $9.5 million in 2011, $10.5 million in 2010, and $11.1 million in 2009. For the year ended December 31, operations of investments in affordable housing resulted in pretax losses of $8.2 million for 2011, $7.6 million for 2010, and $7.3 million for 2009. Losses in excess of the Bank’s investment in two limited partnerships have not been recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements because the Company had fully satisfied all capital commitments required under the respective limited partnership agreements.

8. Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	33,429	$	33,429
Building and building improvements		72,608		73,541
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		37,445		36,621
Leasehold improvement		12,494		12,216
Construction in process		1,314		902
		157,290		156,709
Less: Accumulated depreciation/amortization		51,329		47,253
Premises and equipment, net	$	105,961	$	109,456

The amount of depreciation/amortization included in operating expense was $6.1 million in 2011, $4.6 million in 2010, and $7.7 million in 2009.

F-33

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

9. Deposits

The following table displays deposit balances as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Demand	$	1,074,718	$	930,300
NOW accounts		451,541		418,703
Money market accounts .		951,516		982,617
Saving accounts		420,030		385,245
Time deposits under $100,000		832,997		1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		3,498,329		3,193,715
Total	$	7,229,131	$	6,991,846

Time deposits outstanding as of December 31, 2011, mature as follows.

	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
	(In thousands)
Time deposits, $100,000 and over	$	3,106,609	$	228,188	$	162,437	$	—	$	1,095	$	—	$	3,498,329
Other time deposits		785,034		33,799		13,840		191		133		—		832,997
	$	3,891,643	$	261,987	$	176,277	$	191	$	1,228	$	—	$	4,331,326

Accrued interest payable on customer deposits was $4.2 million at December 31, 2011, $5.2 million at December 31, 2010, and $9.7 million at December 31, 2009. The following table summarizes the interest expense on deposits by account type for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Interest bearing demand	$	756	$	927	$	1,059
Money market accounts		7,351		8,733		13,233
Saving accounts		482		694		799
Time deposits		53,625		73,808		118,465
Total	$	62,214	$	84,162	$	133,556

10. Borrowed Funds

Federal Funds Purchased. The table below provides comparative data for federal funds purchased:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	27		$	—		$	8,392
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		—			—			85,000
Balance, December 31		—			—			—
Rate at year-end		N/A			N/A			N/A
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		1.29	%		0.00	%		0.27	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were April 2009.

F-34

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $1.4 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.14% at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.6 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.18% at December 31, 2010. Two long-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 4.77% matured in March 2011. In May 2011, the Company prepaid a security sold under agreement to repurchase of $50 million with a rate of 4.83% and incurred a prepayment penalty of $1.7 million. Fourteen floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $750.0 million have initial floating rates for a period of time ranging from six months to one year, with floating rates ranging from the three-month LIBOR minus 100 basis points to three-month LIBOR minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.29% to 5.07%. After the initial floating rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the fixed rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Thirteen fixed-to-floating rate agreements totaling $650.0 million have initial fixed rates ranging from 1.00% to 3.50% with initial fixed rate terms ranging from six months to 18 months. For the remainder of the seven year term, the rates float at 8% minus the three-month LIBOR rate with a maximum rate ranging from 3.25% to 3.75% and minimum rate of 0.0%. After the initial fixed rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the floating rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Quarterly average balance for securities sold under agreements to repurchase was $1.4 billion for the last three quarters in 2011, $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2011, and $1.6 billion for all quarters in 2010 and in 2009. The table below provides summary data for callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of December 31, 2011:

(Dollars in millions)	Fixed-to-floating																		Floating-to-fixed						Total
Callable		All callable at December 31, 2011																		All callable at December 31, 2011
Rate type		Float Rate																		Fixed Rate
Rate index		8% minus 3 month LIBOR
Maximum rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%
Minimum rate		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
No. of agreements		3			1			4			3			1			1			10			4			27
Amount	$	150.0		$	50.0		$	200.0		$	150.0		$	50.0		$	50.0		$	550.0		$	200.0		$	1,400.0
Weighted average rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%		4.54	%		5.00	%		4.14	%
Final maturity		2014			2014			2014			2015			2015			2015			2014			2017

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amount at which the securities were sold. We may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency security debt, and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2011, and $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2010.

The table below provides comparative data for securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the years indicated:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	1,448,363		$	1,560,215		$	1,562,447
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		1,559,000			1,566,000			1,587,000
Balance, December 31		1,400,000			1,561,000			1,557,000
Rate, December 31		4.14	%		4.18	%		4.19	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year		4.19	%		4.24	%		4.17	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were January 2011, September 2010, and February 2009.

F-35

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Total advances from the FHLB decreased by $325.0 million to $225.0 million at December 31, 2011, from $550.0 million at December 31, 2010. The Company prepaid advances from the FHLB totaling $450.0 million with a weighted rate of 4.39% and incurred prepayment penalties of $18.5 million in 2011 compared to prepaying $379.4 million with a rate of 4.62% and incurring prepayment penalties totaling $14.3 million in 2010. As of December 31, 2011, $225.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 2.08% were outstanding compared to $550.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 4.43% at December 31, 2010.

The following relates to the outstanding advances at December 31, 2011, and 2010:

	2011					2010
Maturity	Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
91 days through 365 days	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	—		—
1 – 2 years		—		—			550,000		4.43	%
	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	550,000		4.43	%

Other borrowings from financial institutions. At December 31, 2011, other borrowings from a financial institution were $880,000 with a weighted average rate of 0.55% compared to $8.5 million with a weighted average rate of 0.48% at December 31, 2010. Other borrowings of $880,000 will mature in the first quarter of 2012.

Other Liabilities. On November 23, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) pursuant to which the CEO agreed to defer any bonus amounts in excess of $225,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005, until January 1 of the first year following such time as the CEO separates from the Company. Accordingly, an amount equal to $610,000 was deferred in 2004 and was accrued in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company agreed to accrue interest on the deferred portion of the bonus at 7.0% per annum compounded quarterly. The deferred amount will be increased each quarter by the amount of interest computed for that quarter. Beginning on the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the interest rate will equal 275 basis points above the prevailing interest rate on the ten-year Treasury Note. Interest of $67,000 during 2011, $62,000 during 2010, and $58,000 during 2009 was accrued on this deferred bonus. The balance was $995,000 at December 31, 2011, and $928,000 at December 31, 2010.

11. Capital Resources

In 2010, the Company sold $132.3 million of new common stock consisting of 15,028,409 shares at an average price of $8.80 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $124.9 million to common stockholders’ equity. In 2009, the Company sold $126.0 million of new common stock consisting of 13,869,856 shares at an average price of $8.61 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $119.4 million to common stockholders’ equity. The Company did not sell any common stock in 2011.

The Company has participated in the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Upon the approval of participation, the U.S. Treasury purchased the Company’s senior preferred stock on December 5, 2008, in the amount of $258.0 million. The senior preferred stock pays cumulative compounding dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years, and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. The shares are non-voting, other than class voting rights on matters that could adversely affect the shares. They are callable at par after three years. Prior to the end of three years, the shares may only be redeemed with the proceeds from one or more qualified equity offerings. In conjunction with the purchase of senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received warrants to purchase 1,846,374 shares of

F-36

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

common stock at the exercise price of $20.96 with an aggregate market price equal to $38.7 million, 15% of the senior preferred stock amount that U.S. Treasury invested.

On September 29, 2006, the Bank issued $50.0 million in subordinated debt in a private placement transaction. The debt had an original maturity term of 10 years, was unsecured and bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 110 basis points, payable on a quarterly basis. In March 2011, the Company extended the debt for an additional year. As part of the extension agreement, the rate was increased from LIBOR plus 110 basis points to LIBOR plus 330 basis points for 2011 and 2012, after which time it reverts back to LIBOR plus 110 basis points. At December 31, 2011, the per annum interest rate on the subordinated debt was 3.88% compared to 1.40% at December 31, 2010. The subordinated debt was issued through the Bank and qualifies as Tier 2 capital for regulatory reporting purposes and is included in long-term debt in the accompanying condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Bancorp established three special purpose trusts in 2003 and two in 2007 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities to outside investors (“Capital Securities”). The trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common securities of the trusts by the Bancorp, in Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Bancorp. Subject to some limitations, payment of distributions out of the monies held by the trusts and payments on liquidation of the trusts or the redemption of the Capital Securities are guaranteed by the Bancorp to the extent the trusts have funds on hand at such time. The obligations of the Bancorp under the guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Bancorp and will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Bancorp’s subsidiaries. The Bancorp has the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes at any time or from time to time for a period of up to twenty consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, the Bancorp may not, with certain exceptions, declare or pay any dividends or distributions on its capital stock or purchase or acquire any of its capital stock if the Bancorp has deferred payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes.

The five special purpose trusts are considered variable interest entities under FIN 46R. Because the Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the trusts, the financial statements of the trusts are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

The Junior Subordinated Notes are currently included in the Tier 1 capital of the Bancorp for regulatory capital purposes. On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve adopted a final rule that retains trust preferred securities in the Tier I capital of bank holding companies, which after a five-year transition period, limited the aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements to 25% of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill, less any associated deferred tax liability. The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions. This rule did not have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s capital positions.

Interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Notes was $3.0 million for 2011, $3.1 million for 2010, and $3.8 million for 2009.

F-37

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The table below summarizes the outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Company to each trust as of December 31, 2011:

Trust Name

Issuance Date

Principal Balance of Notes

Not Redeemable Until

Stated Maturity

Annualized Coupon Rate

Current Interest Rate

Date of Rate Change

Payable/ Distribution Date

(Dollars in thousands)

Cathay Capital Trust I

June 26,

$20,619

June 30,

June 30,

3-month

3.73

%

December 30,

March 30

2003

2008

2033

LIBOR

2011

June 30

+3.15

%

September 30

December 30

Cathay Statutory Trust I

September 17,

20,619

September 17,

September 17,

3-month

3.56%

December 17,

March 17

2003

2008

2033

LIBOR

2011

June 17

+3.00

%

September 17

December 17

Cathay Capital Trust II

December 30,

12,887

March 30,

March 30,

3-month

3.48%

December 30,

March 30

2003

2009

2034

LIBOR

2011

June 30

+ 2.90

%

September 30

December 30

Cathay Capital Trust III

March 28,

46,392

June 15,

June 15,

3-month

2.03%

December 15,

March 15

2007

2012

2037

LIBOR

2011

June 15

+1.48

%

September 15

December 15

Cathay Capital Trust IV

May 31,

20,619

September 6,

September 6,

3-month

1.93%

December 6,

March 6

2007

2012

2037

LIBOR

2011

June 6

1.40

%

September 6

December 6

Total Junior Subordinated Notes

$121,136

F-38

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

12. Income Taxes

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the current and deferred amounts of the income tax expense are summarized as follows:

	2011		2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	26,548	$	16,496		$	(25,226	)
State		10,905		7,379			429
	$	37,453	$	23,875		$	(24,797	)
Deferred:
Federal		10,133		(28,600	)		(26,367	)
State		3,675		(9,904	)		(10,748	)
	$	13,808	$	(38,504	)	$	(37,115	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261	$	(14,629	)	$	(61,912	)

Temporary differences between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities give rise to deferred taxes. Net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010, are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
Loan loss allowance, due to differences in computation of bad debts	$	109,686		$	122,691
Write-down on equity securities		3,609			3,714
Stock option compensation expense		16,048			15,748
State tax		3,744			1,903
Non-accrual interest		2,048			4,004
Write-down on other real estate owned		14,148			16,374
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		1,097			2,709
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net		6,311			741
Other, net		3,536			3,079
Gross deferred tax assets		160,227			170,963
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Core deposit intangibles		(3,919	)		(6,282	)
Investment in aircraft financing trust and venture capital partnerships		(21,628	)		(21,329	)
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank common stock		(2,788	)		(4,035	)
Other, net		(5,646	)		(4,876	)
Gross deferred tax liabilities		(33,981	)		(36,522	)
Valuation allowance		(2,533	)		(2,533	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	123,713		$	131,908

Amounts for the current year are based upon estimates and assumptions and could vary from amounts shown on the tax returns as filed.

F-39

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize all benefits related to these deductible temporary differences except for $2.5 million of state deferred taxes for a portion of the capital losses related to the Company’s former investments in the preferred stock of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had income tax receivables of approximately $39.3 million, of which $11.2 million relates to the carryback of the Company’s net operating loss for 2009 to the 2007 tax year and $9.1 million relates to the carryback of the Company’s low income housing tax credits for 2009 to the 2008 tax year. The refunds receivable from the carryback of the Company’s net operating loss for 2009 were issued in January 2012. These income tax receivables are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other assets included current income taxes receivable of $23.5 million as of December 31, 2010.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had Federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $2.0 million which expire through 2022. The Federal net operating loss carry-forwards were acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of United Heritage Bank. Federal and state tax laws related to a change in ownership place limitations on the annual amount of operating loss carryovers that can be utilized to offset post-acquisition operating income based on the value of the acquired bank at the ownership change date.

During 2010, the Company paid $1.5 million of California income taxes and $0.9 million of interest upon the completion of the audit of its 2000 to 2002 California income tax returns, recognized $0.5 million in tax benefits upon the expiration of statutes of limitation and a $0.8 million Federal impact of state tax payments. During 2011, the Company paid $0.1 million of state taxes previously recorded in unrecognized tax benefits. The Company had accrued interest and penalties of less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2011, and $0.1 million at December 31, 2010. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	519		$	2,593
Expiration of statute of limitations		—			(508	)
Federal impact of state payments		—			843
Payments		(86	)		(2,409	)
Increases for tax positions of prior years.		75			—
Balance, end of year	$	508		$	519

The Company’s tax returns are open for audits by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2010 and by the FTB of the State of California back to 2003. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2003 to 2007. As the Company is presently under audit by a number of tax authorities, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company does not expect that any such changes would have a material impact on its annual effective tax rate.

F-40

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Income tax expense results in effective tax rates that differ from the statutory Federal income tax rate for the years indicated as follows:

	2011					2010					2009
	(In thousands)
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate	$	52,994		35.0	%	$	(1,072	)	35.0	%	$	(45,042	)	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit		9,477		6.3			(1,641	)	53.5			(6,175	)	4.8
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation		(1,476	)	(1.0	)		(299	)	9.8			(267	)	0.2
Low income housing and other tax credits		(10,087	)	(6.6	)		(11,220	)	366.2			(10,575	)	8.2
Other, net		353		0.2			(397	)	13.0			147		(0.1	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261		33.9	%	$	(14,629	)	477.5	%	$	(61,912	)	48.1	%

13. Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings per Share

As a bank holding company, the Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends will depend upon the dividends it receives from the Bank and on the income it may generate from any other activities in which it may engage, either directly or through other subsidiaries.

Under California banking law, the Bank may not, without regulatory approval, pay a cash dividend that exceeds the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or its net income for the last three fiscal years, less any cash distributions made during that period. Under this regulation, the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends to the Company immediately after December 31, 2011, is restricted to approximately $55.3 million.

During 2003, the Bank formed Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust (“Trust”) to provide the Bank flexibility in raising capital. In 2003 and 2004, the Trust sold to accredited investors $8.6 million of its 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative preferred stock which pays dividends, if declared, at the end of each quarter. This preferred stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital under current regulatory guidelines. The Company paid dividends of $605,000 in 2011, $611,000 in 2010, and $611,000 in 2009. For the years ended and as of December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009, the net income and assets of the Trust were eliminated in consolidation.

The Board of Directors of the Bancorp is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences or other rights of the shares of each such class or series and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereon. Any preferred stock issued by the Bancorp may rank prior to the Bancorp common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preferences, or both, may have full or limited voting rights, and may be convertible into shares of the Bancorp common stock.

On November 16, 2000, the Bancorp’s Board of Directors adopted a Rights Agreement between the Bancorp and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent, and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of the Bancorp common stock. The dividend was payable on January 19, 2001, to stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, December 20, 2000. Each preferred share purchase right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Bancorp one one-thousandth of a share of the Bancorp’s Series A junior participating preferred stock at a price of $200, subject to adjustment. In general, the rights become exercisable if, after December 20, 2000, a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Bancorp’s common stock or announces a tender offer for 15% or more of the common stock. The Board of Directors is entitled to redeem the rights at one cent per right at any time before any such person acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock. The Rights Agreement expired at the close of business on November 16, 2010, and was not renewed.

F-41

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Pursuant to the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, on December 5, 2008, the U.S. Treasury purchased 258,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock in the amount of $258.0 million. The Series B Preferred Stock pays cumulative compounding dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years, and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. In conjunction with the purchase of senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received warrants to purchase 1,846,374 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $20.96 per share with an aggregate market price equal to $38.7 million, or 15%, of the senior preferred stock amount that the U.S. Treasury invested. The exercise price of $20.96 on warrants was calculated based on the average of closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the 20 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to November 17, 2008, the date that the Company received the preliminary approval of the purchase from the U.S. Treasury.

The following is the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years as indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011							2010								2009
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount			Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150						$	11,565							$	(67,390	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)						(16,388	)							(16,338	)
Basic EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,633,317	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)
Effect of dilutive stock options					7,335							—								—
Diluted EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,640,652	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)

Options to purchase an additional 4.4 million shares, restricted stock units for an additional 103,000 shares, and warrants to purchase an additional 1.8 million shares at December 31, 2011, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect. All options to purchase an additional 5.0 million shares, restricted stock units for an additional 39,000 shares, and warrants on an additional 1.8 million shares at December 31, 2010, were excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts due to the net loss from operations for 2010.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation. The Company is involved in various litigation concerning transactions entered into during the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the resolution of such litigation will have a material effect upon its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity taken as a whole.

Lending. In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through commercial or standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. Those instruments represent varying degrees of exposure to risk in excess of the amounts included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual or notional amount of these instruments indicates a level of activity associated with a particular class of financial instrument and is not a reflection of the level of expected losses, if any.

F-42

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, the Company does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent the amount of credit risk include the following:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	1,360,266
Standby letters of credit		62,076		59,876
Commercial letters of credit		64,233		62,722
Bill of lading guarantees		187		245
Total	$	1,753,019	$	1,483,109

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrowers.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company does not have fixed-rate or variable-rate commitments with characteristics similar to options, which provide the holder, for a premium paid at inception to the Company, the benefits of favorable movements in the price of an underlying asset or index with limited or no exposure to losses from unfavorable price movements.

As of December 31, 2011, commitments to extend credit of $1.6 billion include commitments to fund fixed rate loans of $86.7 million and adjustable rate loans of $1.5 billion.

Commercial letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees are issued to facilitate domestic and foreign trade transactions while standby letters of credit are issued to make payments on behalf of customers if certain specified future events occur. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees is essentially the same as that involved in making loans to customers.

F-43

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Leases. The Company is obligated under a number of operating leases for premises and equipment with terms ranging from one to 50 years, many of which provide for periodic adjustment of rentals based on changes in various economic indicators. Rental expense was $6.7 million for 2011, $6.6 million for 2010, and $6.9 million for 2009. The following table shows future minimum payments under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2011.

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	5,896
2013		4,968
2014		3,803
2015		2,068
2016		1,510
Thereafter		179
Total minimum lease payments	$	18,424

Rental income was $0.2 million for 2011, $0.3 million for 2010, and $0.3 million for 2009. The following table shows future rental payments to be received under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2011:

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	90
2013		93
2014		45
Thereafter		—
Total minimum lease payments to be received	$	228

15. Financial Derivatives

It is the policy of the Company not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Management believes that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, the Company may protect its position through the purchase or sale of interest rate futures contracts for a specific cash or interest rate risk position. Other hedge transactions may be implemented using interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors, financial futures, forward rate agreements, and options on futures or bonds. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges will require an assessment of basis risk and must be approved by the Bank’s Investment Committee.

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 which established accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and if so, the type of hedge.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding with two major financial institutions in the notional amount of $300.0 million for a period of three years. These interest rate swaps

F-44

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

were not structured to hedge against inherent interest rate risks related to the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the Company paid a fixed rate at a weighted average rate of 1.95% and received a floating 3-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 0.52%. The net amount accrued on these interest rate swaps of $4.9 million for 2011 was recorded to reduce other non-interest income compared to $4.8 million for 2010. At December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $2.6 million within other liabilities to recognize the negative fair value of these interest rate swaps compared to the $6.5 million negative fair value at December 31, 2010.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, for foreign exchange certificates of deposit, foreign currency contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts, or foreign currency option contracts are recognized immediately in operations as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $4.3 million with a net positive fair value of $29,000. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $238.6 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $2.2 million, at December 31, 2011. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $128.2 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $486,000, at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $29.3 million with a net positive fair value of $35,000. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $112.7 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $4.6 million, at December 31, 2010. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $68.4 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $1.9 million, at December 31, 2010.

16. Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 on January 1, 2008, and determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the following:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 — Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset and liability; market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that a market participant would use.

The Company uses the following methodologies to measure the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis:

Securities Available for Sale. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds.

Trading Equity Securities and Mutual Funds. The Company measures the fair value of trading equity securities and mutual funds based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

F-45

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Warrants. The Company measures the fair value of warrants based on unobservable inputs based on assumption and management judgment, a Level 3 measurement.

Currency Option Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes on a recurring basis, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps was derived from observable market prices for similar assets on a recurring basis, a Level 2 measurement.

The valuation techniques for the assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis are as follows:

Impaired Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on either the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Loans Held for sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted prices from third party sale analysis, existing sale agreements, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption, a Level 3 measurement.

Goodwill. The Company completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment. Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill. This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two. An impairment charge is then recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. In connection with the determination of fair value, certain data and information was utilized, including earnings forecast at the reporting unit level for the next four years. Other key assumptions include terminal values based on future growth rates and discount rates for valuing the cash flows, which have inputs for the risk-free rate, market risk premium and adjustments to reflect inherent risk and required market returns. Because of the significance of unobservable inputs in the valuation of goodwill impairment, goodwill subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments is classified as Level 3 measurement.

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles is initially recorded at fair value based on a valuation of the core deposits acquired and is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset on a nonrecurring basis using the core deposits remaining at the assessment date and the fair value of cash flows expected to be generated from the core deposits, a Level 3 measurement.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value based on the appraised value of the property on the date of transfer, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 2 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to other real estate owned based on the current updated appraised value of the property, also a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

F-46

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company periodically reviews for OTTI on a nonrecurring basis. Investments in venture capital were written down to their fair value based on available financial reports from venture capital partnerships and management’s judgment and estimation, a Level 3 measurement.

Equity Investments. The Company records equity investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on quoted market prices in active exchange market at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

The following table presents the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010:

As of December 31, 2011	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	—	$	501,226	$	—	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		—		1,928		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		—		337,631		—		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		16,486		—		16,486
Asset-backed securities		—		166		—		166
Corporate debt securities		—		380,429		—		380,429
Mutual funds		6,035		—		—		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		1,654		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,963		—		—		45,963
Other equity securities		2,960		—		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale		54,958		1,239,520		—		1,294,478
Trading securities		2		4,540		—		4,542
Warrants		—		—		218		218
Option contracts		—		34		—		34
Foreign exchange contracts		—		2,151		—		2,151
Total assets	$	54,960	$	1,246,245	$	218	$	1,301,423
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	2,634	$	—	$	2,634
Option contracts		—		5		—		5
Foreign exchange contracts		—		486		—		486
Total liabilities	$	—	$	3,125	$	—	$	3,125

F-47

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2010	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	—	$	—	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		—		825,082		—		825,082
State and municipal securities		—		1,718		—		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		—		642,305		—		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		25,194		—		25,194
Asset-backed securities		—		240		—		240
Corporate debt securities		—		369,425		—		369,425
Mutual funds		3,927		—		—		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		719		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,437		—		—		14,437
Other equity securities		1,692		—		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale		138,884		1,864,683		—		2,003,567
Trading securities		23		3,795		—		3,818
Warrants		—		—		40		40
Option contracts		—		106		—		106
Foreign exchange contracts		—		4,629		—		4,629
Total assets	$	138,907	$	1,873,213	$	40	$	2,012,160
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	6,508	$	—	$	6,508
Option contracts		—		72		—		72
Foreign exchange contracts		—		1,873		—		1,873
Total liabilities	$	—	$	8,453	$	—	$	8,453

The Company measured the fair value of its warrants on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of warrants was $218,000 at December 31, 2011, compared to $40,000 at December 31, 2010. The fair value adjustment of warrants was included in other operating income of 2011.

F-48

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still reflected in the balance sheet at December 31, 2011, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related individual assets at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010, and the total losses for the periods indicated:

	As of December 31, 2011								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,251	$	4,251	$	877	$	3,411
Construction-residential		—		—		—		—		—		1,295
Real estate loans		—		—		35,576		35,576		820		1,407
Land loans		—		—		611		611		46		1,003
Total impaired loans		—		—		40,438		40,438		1,743		7,116
Loans held-for-sale		—		—		760		760		—		3,160
Other real estate owned (1)		—		79,029		1,093		80,122		7,003		20,139
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,693		8,693		379		760
Equity investments		323		—		—		323		200		304
Total assets	$	323	$	79,029	$	50,984	$	130,336	$	9,325	$	31,479

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $92.7 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

	As of December 31, 2010								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,824	$	4,824	$	3,411	$	16,293
Construction-residential		—		—		500		500		1,295		23,234
Construction-other		—		—		5,659		5,659		—		12,493
Real estate loans		—		—		99,309		99,309		1,407		27,350
Land loans		—		—		730		730		1,003		11,639
Total impaired loans		—		—		111,022		111,022		7,116		91,009
Loans held-for-sale.		—		—		2,873		2,873		3,160		19,252
Other real estate owned (1)		—		72,159		11,105		83,264		20,139		28,216
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,410		8,410		760		1,982
Equity investments		522		—		—		522		304		—
Total assets	$	522	$	72,159	$	133,410	$	206,091	$	31,479	$	140,459

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $71.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

F-49

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

17. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Short-term Investments. For short-term investments, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell The fair value of the agreements to resell is based on dealer quotes.

Securities. For securities including securities held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and for trading, fair values were based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes.

Loans held for sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted price from third party sources, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption.

Loans. Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.

The fair value of impaired loans was calculated based on the net realized fair value of the collateral or the observable market price of the most recent sale or quoted price from loans-held-for-sale.

Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits was assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. The fair value of repurchase agreements is based on dealer quotes.

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank. The fair value of the advances is based on quotes from the FHLB to settle the advances.

Other Borrowings. This category includes federal funds purchased, revolving line of credit, and other short-term borrowings. The fair value of other borrowings is based on current market rates for borrowings with similar remaining maturities.

Long-term debt. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the current spreads to LIBOR for long-term debt.

F-50

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Currency Option Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps was derived from observable market prices for similar assets.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written were estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counter parties. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit was based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counter parties at the reporting date.

Fair value was estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 825, formerly SFAS 107. Fair value estimates were made at specific points in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Bank’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates were subjective in nature and involved uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

F-51

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

	As of December 31, 2011				As of December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	117,888	$	117,888	$	87,347	$	87,347
Short-term investments		294,956		294,956		206,321		206,321
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ..		—		—		110,000		110,000
Securities held-to-maturity		1,153,504		1,203,977		840,102		837,359
Securities available-for-sale		1,294,478		1,294,478		2,003,567		2,003,567
Trading securities		4,542		4,542		3,818		3,818
Loans held-for-sale		760		760		2,873		2,873
Loans, net		6,844,483		6,825,571		6,615,769		6,596,501
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		52,989		52,989		63,873		63,873
Warrants		218		218		40		40

	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	3,026	$	34	$	29,336	$	106
Foreign exchange contracts		238,581		2,151		112,665		4,629

Financial Liabilities	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	7,229,131	$	7,240,857	$	6,991,846	$	7,006,913
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		1,400,000		1,547,900		1,561,000		1,704,585
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		225,000		227,825		550,000		580,054
Other borrowings		19,800		19,801		27,576		27,585
Long-term debt		171,136		98,676		171,136		114,557

	Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	1,282	$	5	$	72	$	72
Interest rate swaps		300,000		2,634		300,000		6,508
Foreign exchange contracts		128,215		486		68,355		1,873

	Notional Amount		Fair Value			Notional Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	(1,253	)	$	1,360,266	$	(603	)
Standby letters of credit		62,076		(367	)		59,876		(282	)
Other letters of credit		64,233		(38	)		62,722		(38	)
Bill of lading guarantees		187		—			245		(1	)

18. Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), the Company can make annual contributions to a trust in the form of either cash or common stock of the Bancorp for the benefit of eligible employees. Employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP after completing two years of service for salaried full-time employees or 1,000 hours for each of two

F-52

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

consecutive years for salaried part-time employees. The amount of the annual contribution is discretionary except that it must be sufficient to enable the trust to meet its current obligations. The Company also pays for the administration of this plan and of the trust. The Company has not made contributions to the trust since 2004 and does not expect to make any contributions in the future. Effective June 17, 2004, the ESOP was amended to provide the participants the election either to reinvest the dividends on the Company stock allocated to their accounts or to have these dividends distributed to the participant. The ESOP trust purchased 3,437 shares in 2011, 4,881 shares in 2010, and 22,515 shares in 2009, of the Bancorp’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $47,000 in 2011, $51,000 in 2010, and $289,000 in 2009. All purchases after 2006 were through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The distribution of benefits to participants totaled 83,020 shares in 2011, 171,689 shares in 2010, and 89,968 shares in 2009. As of December 31, 2011, the ESOP owned 1,302,051 shares, or 1.7%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

401(k) Plan. In 1997, the Board approved the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which began on March 1, 1997. Salaried employees who have completed three months of service and have attained the age of 21 are eligible to participate. Enrollment dates are on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st of each year. Participants may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation for the year but not to exceed the dollar limit set by the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may change their contribution election on the enrollment dates. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company matched 100% on the first 5% of eligible compensation contributed per pay period by the participant, after one year of service. The vesting schedule for the matching contribution is 0% for less than two years of service, 25% after two years of service and from then on, at an increment of 25% each year until 100% is vested after five years of service. In February 2009, the Board revised and reduced the contribution match for the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. Effective on April 1, 2009, the Company matches 100% on the first 2.5% of eligible compensation contributed per pay period by the participant, after one year of service. The Company’s contribution amounted to $0.9 million in 2011, $0.9 million in 2010, and $1.1 million in 2009. The Plan allows participants to withdraw all or part of their vested amount in the Plan due to certain financial hardship as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. Participants may also borrow up to 50% of the vested amount, with a maximum of $50,000. The minimum loan amount is $1,000.

19. Equity Incentive Plans

In 1998, the Board adopted the Cathay Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, as amended in September, 2003, directors and eligible employees may be granted incentive or non-statutory stock options and/or restricted stock units, or awarded non-vested stock, for up to 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a split adjusted basis. In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Incentive Plan which provides that 3,131,854 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted as incentive or non-statutory stock options, or as restricted stock, or as restricted stock units. In conjunction with the approval of the 2005 Incentive Plan, the Bancorp agreed to cease granting awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2011, the only options granted by the Company under the 2005 Incentive Plan were non-statutory stock options to selected bank officers and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such options have a maximum ten-year term and vest in 20% annual increments (subject to early termination in certain events) except certain options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2005 and 2008. If such options expire or terminate without having been exercised, any shares not purchased will again be available for future grants or awards. Stock options are typically granted in the first quarter of the year. There were no options granted in 2009, in 2010, or in 2011. The Company expects to issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises and the vesting of restricted stock units.

F-53

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Cash received from exercises of stock options totaled $1.3 million for 86,860 shares in 2011 compared to $13,000 for 1,280 shares in 2009. No options were exercised in 2010. The fair value of stock options vested in 2011 was $2.6 million compared to $4.9 million in 2010. Aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised was $172,000 in 2011 compared to $8,000 in 2009.

A summary of stock option activity for 2011, 2010, and 2009 follows:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2008		5,206,374		$	27.72		5.6	$	6,220
Exercised		(1,280	)		10.63
Forfeited		(35,441	)		29.58
Balance, December 31, 2009		5,169,653		$	27.71		4.6	$	—
Forfeited		(222,305	)		23.23
Balance, December 31, 2010		4,947,348			27.93		3.7	$	334
Exercised		(86,860	)	$	15.05
Forfeited		(503,503	)		22.72
Balance, December 31, 2011		4,356,985			28.86		3.0	$	37
Exercisable, December 31, 2011		4,139,531		$	29.15		2.9	$	37

At December 31, 2011, 2,202,587 shares were available under the 2005 Incentive Plan for future grants. The following table shows stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2011, the corresponding exercise prices, and the weighted-average contractual life remaining:

	Outstanding
Exercise Price	Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)	Exercisable Shares
11.34		10,240	1.0		10,240
16.28		154,376	0.1		154,376
17.29		10,240	0.0		10,240
19.93		336,164	1.1		336,164
23.37		654,495	6.1		437,041
24.80		884,056	1.8		884,056
28.70		477,000	2.1		477,000
32.26		10,000	2.5		10,000
32.47		245,060	3.2		245,060
33.54		264,694	3.4		264,694
37.00		610,800	3.0		610,800
38.38		15,000	2.9		15,000
36.90		258,630	3.8		258,630
36.24		414,230	4.1		414,230
38.26		12,000	4.3		12,000
		4,356,985	3.0		4,139,531

F-54

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

In addition to stock options, the Company also grants restricted stock units to eligible employees. On February 21, 2008, restricted stock units for 82,291 shares were granted. Upon vesting of restricted stock units, the Company issued 15,006 shares of common stock at the closing price of $9.64 per share on February 21, 2010, and 12,633 shares of common stock at the closing price of $18.79 per share on February 21, 2011. Restricted stock units granted in 2008 have a maximum term of five years and vest in approximately 20% annual increments subject to continued employment with the Company.

In March 2011, the Company granted restricted stock units for 65,243 shares. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant was $16.14 for the 15,069 restricted stock units granted on March 15, 2011 and $16.15 for the 50,174 restricted stock units granted on March 23, 2011. These restricted stock units granted in March 2011 are scheduled to vest in March 2013. On December 15, 2011, the Company granted restricted stock units for 77,404 shares at the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $13.69. These restricted stock units granted in December 2011 are scheduled to vest in December 2013.

The following table presents restricted stock unit activity for 2011, 2010, and 2009:

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2008		79,537
Vested		(12,963	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,553	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		60,021
Vested		(15,006	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,055	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		38,960
Granted		142,647
Vested		(12,633	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(2,578	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		166,396

The compensation expense recorded related to the restricted stock units above was $758,000 in 2011, $327,000 in 2010, and $327,000 in 2009. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $2.1 million at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.6 years.

The following table summarizes the tax benefit from options exercised:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
(Short-fall)/benefit of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value.	$	(290	)	$	(539	)	$	(196	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value.		362			539			198
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	72		$	—		$	2

F-55

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

20. Condensed Financial Information of Cathay General Bancorp

The condensed financial information of the Bancorp as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

Balance Sheets

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
Cash	$	809		$	787
Short-term certificates of deposit		19,000			36,500
Investment in bank subsidiaries		1,593,831			1,498,572
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries		2,615			2,611
Other assets		14,189			12,426
Total assets	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896
Liabilities
Junior subordinated debt	$	121,136		$	121,136
Other liabilities		2,122			2,102
Total liabilities		123,258			123,238
Commitments and contingencies		—			—
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010		250,992			247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010		829			827
Additional paid-in-capital		765,641			762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(8,732	)		(1,022	)
Retained earnings		624,192			543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)		(125,736	)		(125,736	)
Total stockholders’ equity .		1,507,186			1,427,658
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896

F-56

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	259		$	227		$	299
Interest expense		3,038			3,075			3,817
Non-interest income/(loss)		286			(782	)		(1,929	)
Non-interest expense		1,548			1,308			3,581
(Loss)/income before income tax benefit		(4,041	)		(4,938	)		(9,028	)
Income tax benefit		(1,699	)		(2,076	)		(3,796	)
(Loss)/income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		(2,342	)		(2,862	)		(5,232	)
Undistributed earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries		102,492			14,427			(62,158	)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)

F-57

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed (earnings)/loss of subsidiaries		(102,492	)		(14,427	)		62,158
Increase/(decrease) in accrued expense		24			3			(80	)
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments		321			521			2,246
Write-downs on impaired securities		200			492			—
(Gains)/Loss in fair value of warrants		(215	)		29			41
Excess tax short-fall from stock options		290			539			196
(Increase)/decrease in other assets		(121	)		1,040			(332	)
Decrease in other liabilities		(221	)		(607	)		(1,773	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(2,064	)		(845	)		(4,934	)
Cash flows from Investment Activities
Additional investment in subsidiary		—			(94,000	)		(103,874	)
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investment		17,500			(12,000	)		14,800
Increase in available-for-sale securities		—			(418	)		(2,846	)
Venture capital investments		(671	)		(1,056	)		(897	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investment activities		16,829			(107,474	)		(92,817	)
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock		—			—			(25	)
Cash dividends		(16,046	)		(16,041	)		(22,460	)
Issuance of common stock		—			124,928			119,447
Proceeds from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan		287			310			1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,306			—			13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		(290	)		(539	)		(196	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities		(14,743	)		108,658			97,939
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		22			339			188
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		787			448			260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	809		$	787		$	448

F-58

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

21. Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan which allows for participants’ reinvestment of cash dividends and certain optional additional investments in the Company’s common stock. Shares issued under the plan and the consideration received were 21,281 shares for $287,000 in 2011, 28,778 shares for $310,000 in 2010, and 87,241 shares for $1.2 million in 2009.

22. Regulatory Matters

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. See Note 11 for discussion of possible future disallowance of Capital Securities as Tier 1 capital.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has established five capital ratio categories: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.” A well capitalized institution must have a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6%, a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%. At December 31, 2011 and 2009, the Bank qualified as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The Bancorp’s and the Bank’s capital and leverage ratios as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, are presented in the tables below:

	As of December 31, 2011										As of December 31, 2010
	Company					Bank					Company					Bank
	Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tier I Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,318,948		15.97	%	$	1,289,747		15.64	%	$	1,228,184		15.37	%	$	1,182,033		14.81	%
Tier I Capital minimum requirement		330,355		4.00			329,928		4.00			319,607		4.00			319,209		4.00
Excess	$	988,593		11.97	%	$	959,819		11.64	%	$	908,577		11.37	%	$	862,824		10.81	%
Total Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,474,496		17.85	%	$	1,444,165		17.51	%	$	1,379,758		17.27	%	$	1,333,610		16.71	%
Total Capital minimum requirement		660,710		8.00			659,855		8.00			639,214		8.00			638,418		8.00
Excess	$	813,786		9.85	%	$	784,310		9.51	%	$	740,544		9.27	%	$	695,192		8.71	%
Tier I Capital (to average assets) Leverage ratio	$	1,318,948		12.93	%	$	1,289,747		12.66	%	$	1,228,184		11.44	%	$	1,182,033		11.03	%
Minimum leverage requirement		408,146		4.00			407,643		4.00			429,254		4.00			428,667		4.00
Excess	$	910,802		8.93	%	$	882,104		8.66	%	$	798,930		7.44	%	$	753,366		7.03	%
Total average assets (1)	$	10,203,647				$	10,191,078				$	10,731,357				$	10,716,672
Risk-weighted assets	$	8,258,878				$	8,248,190				$	7,990,176				$	7,980,219

(1) Average assets represent average balances for the fourth quarter of each year presented.

F-59

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

On December 17, 2009, the Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “FRB SF”) under which it agreed that it will not, without the FRB SF’s prior written approval, (i) receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank, or (ii) declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions. Under the memorandum, the Bancorp agreed to submit to the FRB SF for review and approval a plan to maintain sufficient capital at the Bancorp on a consolidated basis and at the Bank, a dividend policy for the Bancorp, a plan to improve management of our liquidity position and funds management practices, and a liquidity policy and contingency funding plan for the Bancorp. As part of its compliance with the memorandum, on January 22, 2010, the Bancorp submitted to the FRB SF a Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan that updates a previously submitted plan and establishes, among other things, targets for its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 leverage capital ratio and tangible common risk-based ratio, each of which, where applicable, are above the minimum requirements for a well-capitalized institution. In addition, the Bancorp agreed to notify the FRB SF prior to effecting certain changes to its senior executive officers and board of directors and it is limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in its ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments. The Bancorp also agreed in the memorandum that we will not, without the prior written approval of the FRB SF, directly or indirectly, (i) incur, renew, increase or guaranty any debt, (ii) issue any additional trust preferred securities, or (iii) purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any stock.

On March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC pursuant to which the Bank is required to develop and implement, within specified time periods, plans satisfactory to the DFI and the FDIC to reduce commercial real estate concentrations, to enhance and to improve the quality of the stress testing of the Bank’s loan portfolio, and to revise the Bank’s loan policy in connection therewith; to develop and adopt a strategic plan addressing improved profitability and capital ratios and to reduce the Bank’s overall risk profile; to develop and adopt a capital plan; to develop and implement a plan to improve asset quality, including the methodology for calculating the loss reserve allocation and evaluating its adequacy; and to develop and implement a plan to reduce dependence on wholesale funding. In addition, the Bank is required to report progress to the DFI and FDIC on a quarterly basis. The Bank is also subject to a restriction on dividends from the Bank to the Bancorp and is required to maintain adequate allowance for loan and lease losses and is subject to restrictions on any new branches and business lines without prior approval. The Bank is required to notify the FDIC and the DFI prior to effecting certain changes to its senior executive officers and board of directors and is limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in its ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments; and is required to retain management and directors acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. The Board of the Company established a Compliance Committee to, among other things, review the Company’s management and governance and make recommendations for improvement. No assurance can be given that the Bank’s current management and directors are acceptable to the DFI or the FDIC or that it will be able to retain or engage management or directors who are acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Bank will not be subject to further supervisory action or regulatory proceedings.

F-60

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

23. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly financial data:

	Summary of Operations
	2011												2010
	Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income	$	111,076		$	114,379		$	114,339		$	113,777		$	118,332		$	120,506		$	124,287		$	126,469
Interest expense		31,759			33,426			36,024			38,672			43,095			47,165			49,680			51,748
Net interest income		79,317			80,953			78,315			75,105			75,237			73,341			74,607			74,721
Provision for credit losses		2,000			9,000			10,000			6,000			10,000			17,900			45,000			84,000
Net-interest income/(loss) after provision for loan losses		77,317			71,953			68,315			69,105			65,237			55,441			29,607			(9,279	)
Non-interest income		8,986			16,827			12,453			12,626			16,169			3,886			7,412			4,784
Non-interest expense		43,990			48,383			45,410			47,783			56,348			34,881			40,319			44,163
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		42,313			40,397			35,358			33,948			25,058			24,446			(3,300	)		(48,658	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		14,459			14,162			10,906			11,734			6,789			7,023			(5,373	)		(23,068	)
Net income/(loss)		27,854			26,235			24,452			22,214			18,269			17,423			2,073			(25,590	)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		153			151			150			151			158			151			150			151
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp		27,701			26,084			24,302			22,063			18,111			17,272			1,923			(25,741	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(4,114	)		(4,111	)		(4,107	)		(4,105	)		(4,102	)		(4,098	)		(4,096	)		(4,092	)
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders	$	23,587		$	21,973		$	20,195		$	17,958		$	14,009		$	13,174		$	(2,173	)	$	(29,833	)
Basic net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)
Diluted net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)

F-61

EX-3.3

Exhibit 3.3

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

of

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

of

CATHAY BANCORP, INC.

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

Cathay Bancorp, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

That pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation, the said Board of Directors on November 16, 2000 adopted the following resolution creating a series of 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock”:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows:

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of Preferred Stock that shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,” and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 100,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

2. Dividends and Distribution.

(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in respect thereof, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of March, June, September and December, in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $10.00 or (b) the Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and the Adjustment Number times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The “Adjustment Number” shall initially be 1000. In the event the

1

Corporation shall at any time after November 16, 2000 (i) declare and pay any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(A) Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the Adjustment Number on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

(B) Except as required by law, by Section 3(C) and by Section 10 hereof, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

(C) If, at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two. In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting of stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders), unless all dividends in arrears on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as is specified in paragraph (A) of this Section 3. Each such additional director shall not be a member of Class I, Class II or Class III of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, but shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, or until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his right to hold such office terminates pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3(c). Until the default in payments of all dividends which permitted the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall

2

have been so elected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3(c) may be removed at any time, without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this Section 3(c) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in this Section 3.

4. Certain Restrictions.

(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; or

(iii) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such shares ranking on a parity therewith, upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their retirement become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to any conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. (A) Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, voluntary or otherwise, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount per share (the “Series A Liquidation Preference”) equal to the greater of (i) $10.00 plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon,

3

whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, or (ii) the Adjustment Number times the per share amount of all cash and other property to be distributed in respect of the Common Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preferences of all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation, if any, that rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in respect thereof, then the assets available for such distribution shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences.

(C) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another corporation nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 6.

7. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to the Adjustment Number times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

8. No Redemption. Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation.

9. Ranking. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of the Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise, and shall rank senior to the Common Stock as to such matters.

10. Amendment. At any time that any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

11. Fractional Shares. Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this 7th day of December, 2000.

CATHAY BANCORP, INC.
By:	/s/ DUNSON K CHENG
	Name: Dunson K. Cheng Title: Chairman and President

4

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, made this     h day of                     , 200  , between Cathay General Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                     (the “Indemnitee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee is a director and/or officer of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation.

WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection against personal liability in order to enhance Indemnitee’s continued service to the Company in an effective manner and Indemnitee’s reliance on the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Company’s Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) requiring indemnification of the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, and in part to provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance that the protection promised by such Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of such Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or any change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors or acquisition transaction relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and as set forth in this Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification.

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified.

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of Indemnitee agreeing to serve or continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Basic Indemnification Agreement. (a) In the event Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, a Claim (as defined in Section 9(b) herein) by reason of (or arising in part out of) an Indemnifiable Event (as defined in Section 9(d) herein), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable but in any event no later than 30 days after written demand is presented to the Company, against any and all Expenses (as defined in Section 9(c) herein), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection therewith) of such Claim actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Claim and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement. If requested by Indemnitee in writing, the Company shall advance (within ten business days of such written request) any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (an “Expense Advance”). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and except as provided in Section 3, prior to a Change of Control (as defined in Section 9 herein) and except as

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set forth in Sections 1(b) and 7, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Claim (i) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless the Company has joined in or consented to the initiation of such Claim; (ii) made on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; or (iii) arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the indemnification obligations of the Company under Section 1(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which the special independent counsel referred to in Section 2 hereof is involved) that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, and (ii) the obligation of the Company to make an Expense Advance pursuant to Section 1(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Company receives an undertaking that, if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”) to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon. If there has not been a Change in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and if there has been such a Change in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be the special independent counsel referred to in Section 2 hereof. If there has been no determination by the Reviewing Party or if the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation in the Delaware Court seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof and the Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the successful establishment or enforcement, in whole or in part, by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advances.

Section 2. Change in Control. The Company agrees that if there is a Change in Control of the Company (other than a Change in Control which has been approved by two- thirds or more of the Company’s Board of Directors who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) then with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement, the Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from special independent counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and who has not otherwise performed services for the Company within the last five years (other than in connection with such matters) or for Indemnitee. In the event that Indemnitee and the Company are unable to agree on the selection of the special independent counsel, such special independent counsel shall be selected by lot from among at least five law firms with offices in the State of Delaware having more than fifty attorneys, having a rating of “av” or better in the then current Martindale Hubbell Law Directory and having attorneys which specialize in corporate law. Such selection shall be made in the presence of Indemnitee (and his legal counsel or either of them, as Indemnitee may elect). Such counsel, among other things, shall, within 90 days of its retention, render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the special independent counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

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Section 3. Indemnification for Additional Expenses. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, if requested by Indemnitee in writing, shall (within ten business days of such written request) advance such expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim asserted against or action brought by Indemnitee for (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement, the Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events and/or (ii) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances solely upon the execution and delivery to the Company of an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

Section 4. Partial Indemnity, Etc. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provisions of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company of some or a portion of the Expenses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of a Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith. In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

Section 5. No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief.

Section 6. Notification and Defense of Claim. Within 30 days after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of a Claim which may involve an Indemnifiable Event, Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, submit to the Company a written notice identifying the proceeding, but the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the Company is materially prejudiced by such lack of notice. With respect to any such Claim as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof:

(a) the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense;

(b) except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified will be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ its own counsel in such action, suit or proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any claim brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee shall have made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) above; and

(c) the Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent. The Company shall not settle any action or claim in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold or delay their consent to any proposed settlement.

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Section 7. Non-exclusivity, Etc. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the DGCL, any agreement, a vote of the stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee acting on behalf of the Company and at the request of the Company prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the DGCL (whether by statute or judicial decision), the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

Section 8. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Claim as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Claim in accordance with the terms of such policies. In the event of a Potential Change in Control (as defined in Section 9 herein), the Company shall maintain in force any and all insurance policies then maintained by the Company providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, in respect of Indemnitee, for a period of six years thereafter. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any successful action brought by Indemnitee for recovery under any insurance policy referred to in this Section 8 and shall advance to Indemnitee the Expenses of such action in the manner provided in Section 3 above.

Section 9. Certain Definitions.

(a) Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(A) any person, as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act becomes, is discovered to be, or files a report on Schedule 13D or 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report) disclosing that such person is a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities;

(B) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;

(C) the Company, or any material subsidiary of the Company, is merged, consolidated or reorganized into or with an Acquiring Person or securities of the Company are exchanged for securities of an Acquiring Person, and immediately after such merger, consolidation, reorganization or exchange less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Acquiring Person immediately after such transaction are held, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction;

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(D) the Company, or any material subsidiary of the Company, in any transaction or series of related transactions, sells or otherwise transfers all or substantially all of its assets to an Acquiring Person, and less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Acquiring Person immediately after such sale or transfer is held, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or transfer;

(E) the Company and its subsidiaries, in any transaction or series of related transactions, sells or otherwise transfers business operations that generated two thirds or more of the consolidated revenues (determined on the basis of the Company’s four most recently completed fiscal quarters) of the Company and its subsidiaries immediately prior thereto;

(F) the Company files a report or proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing that a change in control of the Company has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future pursuant to any then existing contract or transaction; or

(G) any other transaction or series of related transactions occur that have substantially the effect of the transactions specified in any of the preceding clauses in this paragraph (ii).

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(a)(ii)(A) or 9(a)(ii)(D), unless otherwise determined in a specific case by majority vote of the Board of Directors of the Company, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement solely because (i) the Company, (ii) an entity in which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting securities or (iii) any Company sponsored employee stock ownership plan, or any other employee benefit plan of the Company, either files or becomes obligated to file a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of stock of the Company, or because the Company reports that a Change in Control of the Company has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by reason of such beneficial ownership.

(b) Claim: any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or any inquiry, hearing or investigation whether conducted by the Company or any other party, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other.

(c) Expenses: include attorneys’ fees and all other costs, fees, expenses and obligations of any nature whatsoever paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

(d) Indemnifiable Event: any event or occurrence (whether before or after the date hereof) related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, consultant, agent or fiduciary of or to the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity.

(e) Potential Change in Control. shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (ii) any person (including the Company) publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control; (iii) any person, other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 9.5% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, increases such person’s beneficial ownership of such securities by five percentage points or more over the initial percentage of such securities; or (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

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(f) Reviewing Party: (i) the Company’s Board of Directors (provided that a majority of directors are not parties to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification) or (ii) any other person or body appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors, who is not a party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification, or (iii) if there has been a Change in Control, the special independent counsel referred to in Section 2 hereof.

(g) Voting Securities: any securities of the Company which vote generally in the election of directors.

Section 10. Amendments, Termination and Waiver. No supplement, modification, amendment or termination of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 11. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 3 of this Agreement is unavailable, then, in respect of any Claim in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in the Claim), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement as appropriate to reflect: (i) the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which the Claim arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other, in connection with the events which resulted in such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of Indemnitee, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such Expenses and Liabilities. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations described in this Section 11.

Section 12. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Section 13. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under insurance policy, Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

Section 14. Binding Effect, Etc. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, spouse, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as a director or officer (or in one of the capacities enumerated in Section 9(d) hereof) of the Company or of any other enterprise at the Board of Director’s request.

Section 15. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 16. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, irrevocably, to the extent such party is not a resident of the State of

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Delaware, CT Corporation System, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

Section 17. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

The parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth on the first page of this Agreement.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP A Delaware Corporation
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
Address:	777 N. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012
Fax Number:

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
«IndemniteeName»
Address:	«IndemniteeAddress1»
	«IndemniteeAddress2»

Fax Number:

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EX-10.4

EXHIBIT 10.4

CATHAY BANCORP, INC.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide selected eligible employees and directors of Cathay Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates an opportunity to participate in the Company’s future by offering them an opportunity to acquire stock in the Company so as to retain, attract and motivate them.

(b) Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “Award” means any award under the Plan, including any Option or Restricted Stock Award.

(ii) “Award Agreement” means, with respect to each Award, the signed written agreement between the Company and the Plan participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award.

(iii) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(iv) “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).

(v) “Change in Control Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

(vi) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

(vii) “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency.

(viii) “Committee” means the Committee referred to in Section 2, or the Board in its capacity as administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 2.

(ix) “Company” means Cathay Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(x) “Disability” means disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(xi) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

(xii) “Fair Market Value” means as of any given date (a) if the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, either the closing sale price for the Stock or the closing bid if no sales were reported, or the average of the bid and ask prices, as selected by the Committee in its discretion, as quoted on such system or exchange, as reported in The Wall Street Journal; or (b) in the absence of an established market for the Stock, the fair market value of the Stock as determined by the Committee in good faith.

(xiii) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(xiv) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(xiv) “Option” means an option granted under Section 5.

(xvi) “Plan” means this Cathay Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

(xvii) “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Stock subject to restrictions, as more fully described in Section 6.

(xviii) “Restriction Period” means the period determined by the Committee under Section 6(b).

(xix) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor rule.

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(xx) “Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company, and any successor security.

(xxi) “Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Section 424 of the Code.

(xxii) “Tax Date” means the date defined in Section 8(f).

(xxiii) “Termination” means, for purposes of the Plan, with respect to a participant, that (a) if the participant is a director of the Company, he or she has ceased to be, for any reason, a director and (b) if the participant is an employee, he or she has ceased to be, for any reason, employed by the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate.

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or, upon delegation by the Board, by a committee of the Board that will satisfy Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m) of the Code, as in effect with respect to the Company from time to time. In connection with the administration of the Plan, the Committee shall have the powers possessed by the Board. The Committee may act only by a majority of its members, except that the Committee may from time to time select another committee or one or more other persons to be responsible for any matters so long as the selection comports with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and Rule 16b-3. The Board at any time may abolish the Committee and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.

(b) Authority. The Committee shall grant Awards to directors and eligible employees. In particular and without limitation, the Committee, subject to the terms of the Plan, shall:

(i) select the directors, officers and other employees to whom Awards may be granted;

(ii) determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted under the Plan;

(iii) determine the number of shares to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan; and

(iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan and any related loans to be made by the Company, based upon factors determined by the Committee.

(c) Committee Determinations Binding. The Committee may adopt, alter and repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it from time to time shall deem advisable, may interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan, any Award and any Award Agreement and may otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. Any determination made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole discretion at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later time. All decisions made by the Committee under the Plan shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

SECTION 3. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

(a) Number of Shares. The total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance pursuant to Awards under this Plan shall be 1,075,000 shares. Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares or shares reacquired in private transactions or open market purchases, but all shares issued under the Plan, regardless of source, shall be counted against the 1,075,000 share limitation. If any Option terminates or expires without being exercised in full or if any shares of Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without a payment being made to the participant in the form of Stock, the shares issuable under such Option or Award shall again be available for issuance in connection with Awards. Any Award under this Plan shall be governed by the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or other change in corporate structure affecting the Stock, such substitution or adjustments shall be made in the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, in the number and exercise price of shares subject to outstanding Options, and in the number of shares subject to other outstanding Awards, as may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.

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SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.

Awards may be granted to all employees, including officers and directors, and non-employee directors of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS.

(a) Types. Any Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any participant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options or both types of Options.

(b) Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company, its parent (within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) or a Subsidiary. Any portion of an Option that is not designated as, or does not qualify as, an Incentive Stock Option shall constitute a Nonqualified Stock Option.

(c) Terms and Conditions. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted. If, at the time the Company grants an Incentive Stock Option, the optionee owns directly or by attribution stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable more than five years after the date of grant.

(ii) Grant Date. The Company may grant Options under the Plan at any time and from time to time before the Plan terminates. The Committee shall specify the date of grant or, if it fails to, the date of grant shall be the date of action taken by the Committee to grant the Option.

(iii) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be equal to at least the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, however, that if, at the time the Company grants an Incentive Stock Option, the optionee owns directly or by attribution stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company, then the exercise price shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(iv) Exercisability. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, an Option shall be exercisable in its entirety at grant or at such times and in such amounts as are specified in the Award Agreement evidencing the Option. The Committee, in its absolute discretion, at any time may waive any limitations respecting the time at which an Option first becomes exercisable, in whole or in part, including acceleration in connection with a reorganization of the Company if there are no adverse consequences to the Company therefrom.

(v) Method of Exercise; Payment. To the extent the right to purchase shares has accrued, Options may be exercised, in whole or in part, from time to time, by written notice from the optionee to the Company stating the number of shares being purchased, accompanied by payment of the exercise price for the shares.

SECTION 6. RESTRICTED STOCK.

(a) Price. The Committee may grant Restricted Stock to a participant. The grantee shall pay such consideration therefor as determined by the Committee, but no less than the par value of the Stock.

(b) Restrictions. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement, during the Restriction Period set by the Committee, commencing with, and not exceeding 10 years from, the date of such Award, the participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, the Committee may provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part, based on service, performance or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine.

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(c) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, with respect to dividends on shares of Restricted Stock, dividends payable in cash shall be automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, and dividends payable in Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock.

(d) Termination. Except to the extent otherwise provided in the Award Agreement and pursuant to Section 6(b), in the event of a Termination during the Restriction Period, all shares still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the participant.

SECTION 7. CHANGE IN CONTROL

(a) Definition of “Change in Control”. For purposes of Section 7(b), a “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one of the following:

(i) Any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, a subsidiary, an affiliate, or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(ii) The solicitation of proxies (within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(k) under the Exchange Act and any successor rule) with respect to the election of any director of the Company where such solicitation is for any candidate who is not a candidate proposed by a majority of the Board in office prior to the time of such election; or

(iii) The dissolution or liquidation (partial or total) of the Company or a sale of assets involving 30 percent or more of the assets of the Company, any merger or reorganization of the Company whether or not another entity is the survivor, a transaction pursuant to which the holders, as a group, of all of the shares of the Company outstanding prior to the transaction hold, as a group, less than 70 percent of the shares of the Company outstanding after the transaction, or any other event which the Board determines, in its discretion, would materially alter the structure of the Company or its ownership.

(b) Impact of Event. In the event of a “Change in Control” as defined in Section 7(a), but only if and to the extent so specifically determined by the Board in its discretion, which determination may be amended or reversed only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the persons who were directors at the time such determination was made, acceleration and valuation provisions no more favorable to participants than the following may apply:

(i) Any Option outstanding as of the date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred and not then exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested.

(ii) The restrictions and limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall become fully vested.

(iii) The value (net of any exercise price) of all outstanding Options and Restricted Stock, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant and subject to Rule 16b-3, shall be cashed out on the basis of the “Change in Control Price,” as defined in Section 7(c), as of the date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred or such other date as the Board may determine prior to the Change in Control.

(c) Change in Control Price. For purposes of this Section 7, “Change in Control Price” means the highest price per share paid in any transaction reported on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or paid or offered in any bona fide transaction related to a potential or actual Change in Control of the Company at any time during the preceding 60-day period as determined by the Board, except that, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, such price shall be based only on transactions reported for the date on which the Board decides to cash out such Options.

SECTION 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) Award Grants. Any Award may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Subject to the terms and restrictions set forth elsewhere in the Plan, the Committee shall determine the consideration, if any, payable by the participant for any Award and, in addition to those set

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forth in the Plan, any other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee may condition the grant or payment of any Award upon the attainment of specified performance goals or such other factors or criteria, including vesting based on continued service on the Board or employment, as the Committee shall determine. Performance objectives may vary from participant to participant and among groups of participants and shall be based upon such Company, subsidiary, group or division factors or criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, earnings per share or return on equity. The other provisions of Awards also need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Unless specified otherwise in the Plan or by the Committee, the date of grant of an Award shall be the date of action by the Committee to grant the Award. The Committee may also substitute new Options for previously granted Options, including previously granted Options having higher exercise prices.

(b) Award Agreement. As soon as practicable after the date of an Award grant, the Company and the participant shall enter into a written Award Agreement identifying the date of grant, and specifying the terms and conditions of the Award. Options are not exercisable until after execution of the Award Agreement by the Company and the Plan participant, but a delay in execution of the Award Agreement shall not affect the validity of the Option grant.

(c) Certificates; Transfer Restrictions. All certificates for shares of Stock or other securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Commission, any market in which the Stock is then traded and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law.

(d) Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or by the Committee, in the event of Termination for any reason other than death or Disability, Awards held at the date of Termination (and only to the extent then exercisable or payable, as the case may be) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within three months after the date of Termination or such lesser period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event after the expiration date of the Award). If Termination is due to death or Disability, Awards held at the date of Termination (and only to the extent then exercisable or payable, as the case may be) may be exercised in whole or in part by the participant in the case of Disability, by the participant’s guardian or legal representative or by the person to whom the Award is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution, at any time within one year from the date of Termination or any lesser period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event after the expiration of the Award).

(e) Delivery of Purchase Price. If and only to the extent authorized by the Committee, participants may make all or any portion of any payment due to the Company:

(i) with respect to the consideration payable for an Award;

(ii) upon exercise of an Award; or

(iii) with respect to federal, state, local or foreign tax payable in connection with an Award, by delivery of (x) cash, (y) check, or (z) any property other than cash (including a promissory note of the participant or shares of Stock or securities) so long as, if applicable, such property constitutes valid consideration for the Stock under, and otherwise complies with, applicable law. No promissory note under the Plan shall have a term (including extensions) of more than five years or shall be of a principal amount exceeding 90 percent of the purchase price paid by the borrower.

(f) Tax Withholding. Unless the Committee permits otherwise, the participant shall pay to the Company in cash, promptly when the amount of such obligations becomes determinable (the “Tax Date”), all applicable federal, state, local and foreign withholding taxes that the Committee in its discretion determines to result, (i) from the lapse of restrictions imposed upon an Award, (ii) upon exercise of an Award, or (iii) from a transfer or other disposition of shares acquired upon exercise or payment of an Award, or otherwise related to the Award or the shares acquired in connection with an Award.

A participant who has received an Award or payment under an Award may, to the extent, if any, authorized by the Committee in its discretion, make an election to (x) deliver to the Company a promissory note of the participant on the terms set forth in Section 8(e), or (y) tender any such securities to the Company to pay the amount of tax that the Committee in its discretion determines to be required to be withheld by the Company; provided, however, that such election shall be subject to the disapproval of the Committee.

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Any shares or other securities so withheld or tendered shall be valued by the Committee as of the date they are withheld or tendered; provided, however, that Stock shall be valued at Fair Market Value on such date. The value of the shares withheld or tendered may not exceed the required federal, state, local and foreign withholding tax obligations as computed by the Company.

(g) No Transferability. No Award shall be assignable or otherwise transferable by the participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the life of a participant, an Award shall be exercisable, and any elections with respect to an Award may be made, only by the participant or participant’s guardian or legal representative.

(h) Adjustment of Awards; Waivers. The Committee may adjust the performance goals and measurements applicable to Awards (i) to take into account changes in law and accounting and tax rules, (ii) to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the inclusion or exclusion of the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances in order to avoid windfalls or hardships, and (iii) to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect any material changes in business conditions. In the event of hardship or other special circumstances of a participant and otherwise in its discretion, the Committee may waive in whole or in part any or all restrictions, conditions, vesting, or forfeiture with respect to any Award granted to such participant.

(i) Non-Competition. The Committee may condition its discretionary waiver of a forfeiture, the acceleration of vesting at the time of Termination of a participant holding any unexercised or unearned Award, the waiver of restrictions on any Award, or the extension of the expiration period to a period not longer than that provided by the Plan upon such participant’s agreement (and compliance with such agreement) (i) not to engage in any business or activity competitive with any business or activity conducted by the Company and (ii) to be available for consultations at the request of the Company’s management, all on such terms and conditions (including conditions in addition to (i) and (ii)) as the Committee may determine.

(j) Dividends. The reinvestment of dividends in additional Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment pursuant to Section 6(c) shall only be permissible if sufficient shares of Stock are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding Awards).

(k) Regulatory Compliance. Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Stock upon any securities exchange or for trading in any securities market or under any state or federal law, (ii) the consent or approval of any government or regulatory body or (iii) an agreement by the participant with respect thereto, is necessary or desirable, then such Award shall not be consummated in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or agreement shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

(l) Rights as Shareholder. Unless the Plan or the Committee expressly specifies otherwise, an optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the stock certificates representing the shares are actually delivered to the optionee. Subject to Sections 3(b) and 6(c), no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the certificates are delivered.

(m) Beneficiary Designation. The Committee, in its discretion, may establish procedures for a participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable in the event of the participant’s death are to be paid.

(n) Additional Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for its directors and employees.

(o) No Employment Rights; No Right to Directorship. Neither the adoption of this Plan nor the grant of any Award hereunder shall (i) confer upon any employee any right to continued employment nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee at any time; or (ii) confer upon any participant any right with respect to continuation of

6

the participant’s membership on the Board or shall interfere in any way with provisions in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws relating to the election, appointment, terms of office, and removal of members of the Board.

(p) Rule 16b-3. With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with the applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent any provision of this Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be adjusted to comply with Rule 16b-3, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee. It shall be the responsibility of persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, not of the Company or the Committee, to comply with the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and neither the Company nor the Committee shall be liable if this Plan or any transaction under this Plan fails to comply with the applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3, or if any such person incurs any liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(q) Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

(r) Use of Proceeds. All cash proceeds to the Company under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

(s) Unfunded Status of Plan. The Plan shall constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. The Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Stock or make payments; provided, however, that unless the Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan.

(t) Assumption by Successor. The obligations of the Company under the Plan and under any outstanding Award may be assumed by any successor corporation, which for purposes of the Plan shall be included within the meaning of “Company”.

(u) Limitation on Award Grants. The Company may not grant Awards under the Plan for more than 100,000 shares to any one participant in any calendar year.

SECTION 9. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuance shall be made which would impair the rights of a participant under an outstanding Award without the participant’s consent. No amendment, alteration or discontinuance shall require shareholder approval except:

(a) an increase in the total number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan; or

(b) with respect to provisions solely as they relate to Incentive Stock Options, to the extent required for the Plan to comply with Section 422 of the Code; or

(c) to the extent required by other applicable laws, rules or regulations; or

(d) to the extent the Board otherwise concludes that shareholder approval is advisable.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

The Plan shall be effective as of February 19, 1998, but all Awards shall be conditioned upon approval of the Plan (a) at a duly held stockholders’ meeting by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Stock of the Company represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, or (b) by an action by written consent of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the Company entitled to vote.

SECTION 11. TERM OF PLAN.

No Award shall be granted on or after February 18, 2008, but Awards granted prior to February 18, 2008 may extend beyond that date.

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EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

GBC BANCORP

1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Adopted as of April 22, 1999

Section 1. PURPOSE OF PLAN

The purpose of this 1999 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) of GBC Bancorp, a California corporation (the “Company”), is to enable the Company and its subsidiaries to attract, retain and motivate their employees, nonemployee directors and consultants by providing for or increasing the proprietary interests of such employees, nonemployee directors and consultants in the Company and, thereby, further align their interests with those of the shareholders of the Company.

Section 2. PERSONS ELIGIBLE UNDER PLAN

Each of the following persons (each, a “Participant”) shall be eligible to be considered for the grant of Awards (as hereinafter defined) hereunder: (1) any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other entity in which the Company has a significant equity or other interest as determined by the Committee (as hereinafter defined), including any director who is also such an employee, (2) any director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who is not also an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (a “Nonemployee Director”) and (3) any consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

Section 3. AWARDS

(a) The Committee, on behalf of the Company, is authorized under this Plan to enter into any type of arrangement with a Participant that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan and that, by its terms, involves or might involve the issuance of (i) shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Shares”) or (ii) a Derivative Security (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as such rule may be amended from time to time) with an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to the Common Shares or with a value derived from the value of the Common Shares. The entering into of any such arrangement is referred to herein as the “grant” of an “Award.”

(b) Awards are not restricted to any specified form or structure and may include, without limitation, sales or bonuses of stock, restricted stock, stock options, reload stock options, stock purchase warrants, other rights to acquire stock, securities convertible into or redeemable for stock, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, performance units or performance shares, and an Award may consist of one such security or benefit, or two or more of them in tandem or in the alternative.

(c) Awards may be issued, and Common Shares may be issued pursuant to an Award, for any lawful consideration as determined by the Committee, including, without limitation, services rendered by the recipient of such Award.

(d) Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine all of the terms and conditions of each Award granted under this Plan, which terms and conditions may include, among other things:

(i) a provision permitting the recipient of such Award, including any recipient who is a director or officer of the Company, to pay the purchase price of the Common Shares or other property issuable pursuant to such Award, or such recipient’s tax withholding obligation with respect to such issuance, in whole or in part, by any one or more of the following:

(A) the delivery of cash;

(B) the delivery of other property deemed acceptable by the Committee;

(C) the delivery of previously owned shares of capital stock of the Company (including “pyramiding”) or other property;

1

(D) a reduction in the amount of Common Shares or other property otherwise issuable pursuant to such Award;

(E) authorizing a third party to sell Common Shares or other property otherwise issuable pursuant to such Award and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay for all the Common Shares acquired through such exercise or any tax withholding obligation resulting from such exercise; or

(F) crediting toward the purchase price a portion of the recipient’s deferred compensation account balance;

(ii) a provision conditioning or accelerating the receipt of benefits pursuant to such Award, either automatically or in the discretion of the Committee, upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, a change of control of the Company (as defined by the Committee), an acquisition of a specified percentage of the voting power of the Company, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a sale of substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or an event of the type described in Section 7 hereof; or

(iii) a provision required in order for such Award to qualify as an incentive stock option (an “Incentive Stock Option”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); provided,however, that no Award issued to any consultant or any Nonemployee Director may qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(e) All certificates evidencing Awards or Common Shares issued pursuant thereto shall bear any legend determined by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7, at any time, the aggregate number of Common Shares issued and issuable pursuant to all Awards granted under this Plan shall not exceed the sum of (i) 1,000,000, including any Common Shares issuable pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998, between the Company and Li-Pei Wu, as the same may be amended from time to time, (ii) any Common Shares available for future awards under any prior plan of the Company as of the effective date of the Plan and (iii) any Common Shares subject to awards granted under any prior plan of the Company which are forfeited, expire or are canceled without delivery of Common Shares.

(b) For purposes of Section 4(a) hereof, the aggregate number of Common Shares issued and issuable pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan shall at any time be deemed to be equal to the sum of the following:

(i) the number of Common Shares that were issued prior to such time pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan, other than Common Shares that were subsequently reacquired by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Awards and with respect to which the holder thereof received no benefits of ownership such as dividends; plus

(ii) the number of Common Shares that were otherwise issuable prior to such time pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan, but that were withheld by the Company as payment of the purchase price of the Common Shares issued pursuant to such Awards or as payment of the recipient’s tax withholding obligation with respect to such issuance; plus

(iii) the maximum number of Common Shares that are or may be issuable at or after such time pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan prior to such time.

Section 5. DURATION OF PLAN

No Awards shall be made under this Plan after April 22, 2009. Although Common Shares may be issued after April 22, 2009 pursuant to Awards made prior to such date, no Common Shares shall be issued under this Plan after April 22, 2019.

Section 6. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

(a) This Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or, at the election for the Board, by a committee of the Board consisting of two or more directors, each of whom is

2

an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and who otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The term Committee shall mean the Board or any such committee of the Board which shall have been designated by the Board to administer this Plan.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall be authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the administration of this Plan, including, without limitation, the following:

(i) adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan;

(ii) determine which persons are Participants and to which of such Participants, if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder;

(iii) grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions thereof, including the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant thereto, any performance or vesting contingencies and the terms of any transferability of such Awards;

(iv) determine whether, and the extent to which adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7 hereof;

(v) interpret and construe this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder; and

(vi) certify in writing prior to payment of compensation that the performance goals and any other material terms of an Award were in fact satisfied. For this purpose, approved minutes of the Committee meeting in which the certification is made are treated as a written certification.

Section 7. ADJUSTMENTS

If the outstanding securities of the class then subject to this Plan are increased, decreased or exchanged for or converted into cash, property or a different number or kind of securities, or if cash, property or securities are distributed in respect of such outstanding securities, in either case as a result of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, restructuring, reclassification, dividend (other than a regular cash dividend) or other distribution, stock split, reverse stock split or the like, or if substantially all of the property and assets of the Company are sold, then, unless the terms of such transaction shall do so, the Committee shall make appropriate and proportionate adjustments in (i) the number and type of shares or other securities or cash or other property that may be acquired pursuant to Awards theretofore granted under this Plan and (ii) the maximum number and type of shares or other securities that may be issued pursuant to Awards thereafter granted under this Plan.

Section 8. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate this Plan at any time and in any manner, provided that no such amendment, suspension or termination shall impair, or deprive the recipient of, any Award theretofore granted under this Plan, without the consent of such recipient, of any of his or her rights thereunder or with respect thereto.

Section 9. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

This Plan shall be effective as of April 22, 1999, the date upon which it was approved by the affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of the securities of the Company present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

Section 10. GOVERNING LAW

This Plan and any Award granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without reference to choice or conflict of law principles.

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EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

	For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except ratios)	2011		2010			2009			2008		2007
Income before income tax expense	$	151,411	$	(3,064	)	$	(129,302	)	$	70,075	$	196,660
Plus fixed charges		142,533		194,102			247,540			299,477		309,114
Earnings		293,944		191,038			118,238			369,552		505,774
Fixed charges		142,533		194,102			247,540			299,477		309,114
Preferred stock dividends		17,042		16,998			16,948			1,750		610
Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends	$	159,575	$	211,100		$	264,488		$	301,227	$	309,724
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		2.06		0.98			0.48			1.23		1.64
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		1.84		0.90			0.45			1.23		1.63

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Cathay General Bancorp	State of Incorporation
Cathay Bank	California
Cathay Capital Trust I	Delaware
Cathay Capital Trust II	Delaware
Cathay Capital Trust III	Delaware
Cathay Capital Trust IV	Delaware
Cathay Statutory Trust I	Connecticut
GBC Venture Capital, Inc.	California
Subsidiaries of Cathay Bank
Cathay Community Development Corporation	California
Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust	Maryland
GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc.	California
Cathay Holdings LLC	Texas
Cathay Holdings 2, LLC	Texas
Cathay Holding 3, LLC	Texas

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Cathay General Bancorp:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 33-33767, 333-133570, 333-156552, 333-161591, 333-162445, and 333-163070) on Form S-3 and the registration statements (Nos. 333-87225, 333-110008, 333-110009, and 333-127762) on Form S-8 of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries (the Company) of our reports dated February 27, 2012, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which reports appear in the December 31, 2011 annual report on Form 10-K of Cathay General Bancorp.

/s/    KPMG LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 27, 2012

EX-24.1

Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned directors and officers of Cathay General Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby constitute and appoint Dunson K. Cheng and Heng W. Chen, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place and stead in the undersigned’s capacity as an officer and/or director of the Company, to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned an annual report of the Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, (the Report), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to file such Report, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith and any and all amendments thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done and to take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required of, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 16^th day of February, 2012.

Signature	Title
/s/    Dunson K. Cheng	President, Chairman of the Board, Director, and Chief Executive Officer
Dunson K. Cheng
/s/    Peter Wu	Director
Peter Wu
/s/    Anthony M. Tang	Director
Anthony M. Tang
/s/    Kelly L. Chan	Director
Kelly L. Chan
/s/    Michael M.Y. Chang	Director
Michael M.Y. Chang
/s/    Thomas C.T. Chiu	Director
Thomas C.T. Chiu
/s/    Nelson Chung	Director
Nelson Chung
/s/    Jane Jelenko	Director
Jane Jelenko
/s/    Patrick S.D. Lee	Director
Patrick S.D. Lee
/s/    Ting Liu	Director
Ting Liu
/s/    Joseph C.H. Poon	Director
Joseph C.H. Poon

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

I, Dunson K. Cheng, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cathay General Bancorp;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    DUNSON K. CHENG        

Dunson K. Cheng

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

I, Heng W. Chen, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cathay General Bancorp;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    HENG W. CHEN        

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CEO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Dunson K. Cheng, chief executive officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/    DUNSON K. CHENG        

Dunson K. Cheng

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CFO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Heng W. Chen, chief financial officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/     HENG W. CHEN        

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 27, 2012

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Certification for Years following First Fiscal Year

I, Dunson K. Cheng, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, senior executive officer (“SEO”) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Cathay General Bancorp;

(ii) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has identified and limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Cathay General Bancorp and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Cathay General Bancorp and has limited those features to ensure that Cathay General Bancorp is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;

(iii) The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Cathay General Bancorp to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;

(iv) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;

(v) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:

(A) SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Cathay General Bancorp;

(B) Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Cathay General Bancorp to risks; and

(C) Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Cathay General Bancorp to enhance the compensation of an employee;

(vi) Cathay General Bancorp has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;

(vii) Cathay General Bancorp has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(viii) Cathay General Bancorp has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(ix) Cathay General Bancorp and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to the policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;

(x) Cathay General Bancorp will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable Federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the Federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xi) Cathay General Bancorp will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);

(xii) Cathay General Bancorp will disclose whether Cathay General Bancorp, the board of directors of Cathay General Bancorp, or the compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has engaged during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;

(xiii) Cathay General Bancorp has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xiv) Cathay General Bancorp has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Cathay General Bancorp and Treasury, including any amendments;

(xv) Cathay General Bancorp has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and

(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 U.S.C. 1001.)

Date: February 27, 2012

/s/ Dunson K. Cheng

Dunson K. Cheng

Chairman, President, and

Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Certification for Years following First Fiscal Year

I, Heng W. Chen, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, senior executive officer (“SEO”) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Cathay General Bancorp;

(ii) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has identified and limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Cathay General Bancorp and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Cathay General Bancorp and has limited those features to ensure that Cathay General Bancorp is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;

(iii) The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Cathay General Bancorp to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;

(iv) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;

(v) The compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:

(A) SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Cathay General Bancorp;

(B) Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Cathay General Bancorp to risks; and

(C) Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Cathay General Bancorp to enhance the compensation of an employee;

(vi) Cathay General Bancorp has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;

(vii) Cathay General Bancorp has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(viii) Cathay General Bancorp has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(ix) Cathay General Bancorp and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to the policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;

(x) Cathay General Bancorp will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable Federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the Federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xi) Cathay General Bancorp will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);

(xii) Cathay General Bancorp will disclose whether Cathay General Bancorp, the board of directors of Cathay General Bancorp, or the compensation committee of Cathay General Bancorp has engaged during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;

(xiii) Cathay General Bancorp has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xiv) Cathay General Bancorp has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Cathay General Bancorp and Treasury, including any amendments;

(xv) Cathay General Bancorp has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and

(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 U.S.C. 1001.)

Date: February 27, 2012

/s/ Heng W. Chen

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President, and

Chief Financial Officer

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Borrowed Funds (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Borrowed Funds [Abstract]

Summary Of Comparative Data For Federal Funds Purchased

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	27		$	—		$	8,392
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		—			—			85,000
Balance, December 31		—			—			—
Rate at year-end		N/A			N/A			N/A
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		1.29	%		0.00	%		0.27	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were April 2009.

Schedule Of Callable Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase

(Dollars in millions)	Fixed-to-floating																		Floating-to-fixed						Total
Callable		All callable at December 31, 2011																		All callable at December 31, 2011
Rate type		Float Rate																		Fixed Rate
Rate index		8% minus 3 month LIBOR
Maximum rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%
Minimum rate		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
No. of agreements		3			1			4			3			1			1			10			4			27
Amount	$	150.0		$	50.0		$	200.0		$	150.0		$	50.0		$	50.0		$	550.0		$	200.0		$	1,400.0
Weighted average rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%		4.54	%		5.00	%		4.14	%
Final maturity		2014			2014			2014			2015			2015			2015			2014			2017

Summary Of Comparative Data For Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	1,448,363		$	1,560,215		$	1,562,447
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		1,559,000			1,566,000			1,587,000
Balance, December 31		1,400,000			1,561,000			1,557,000
Rate, December 31		4.14	%		4.18	%		4.19	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year		4.19	%		4.24	%		4.17	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were January 2011, September 2010, and February 2009.

Schedule Of Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

	2011					2010
Maturity	Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
91 days through 365 days	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	—		—
1 – 2 years		—		—			550,000		4.43	%
	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	550,000		4.43	%

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Line Items]
Dividend reinvestment plan, consideration received on issue	$ 287,000	$ 310,000	$ 1,160,000
Reinvestment Plan [Member]
Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Line Items]
Dividend reinvestment plan, shares issued	21,281	28,778	87,241
Dividend reinvestment plan, consideration received on issue	$ 287,000	$ 310,000	$ 1,200,000

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Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell [Abstract]
Resale agreements		$ 110,000,000
Resale agreements, Percentage		0.20%
Resale agreements, maturities		March 9, 2011
Balance, December 31		110,000,000
Annualized weighted-average interest rate, December 31	0.00%	0.20%
Daily average amount outstanding during the year	84,493,000	6,932,000
Weighted-average interest rate for the year	0.10%	0.20%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end	255,000,000	110,000,000
Interest income associated with securities purchased under resale agreements	$ 83,000	$ 14,000	$ 1,300,000

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Regulatory Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Regulatory Matters [Abstract]

Summary Of The Bancorp's And The Bank's Capital And Leverage Ratios

	As of December 31, 2011										As of December 31, 2010
	Company					Bank					Company					Bank
	Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tier I Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,318,948		15.97	%	$	1,289,747		15.64	%	$	1,228,184		15.37	%	$	1,182,033		14.81	%
Tier I Capital minimum requirement		330,355		4.00			329,928		4.00			319,607		4.00			319,209		4.00
Excess	$	988,593		11.97	%	$	959,819		11.64	%	$	908,577		11.37	%	$	862,824		10.81	%
Total Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,474,496		17.85	%	$	1,444,165		17.51	%	$	1,379,758		17.27	%	$	1,333,610		16.71	%
Total Capital minimum requirement		660,710		8.00			659,855		8.00			639,214		8.00			638,418		8.00
Excess	$	813,786		9.85	%	$	784,310		9.51	%	$	740,544		9.27	%	$	695,192		8.71	%
Tier I Capital (to average assets) Leverage ratio	$	1,318,948		12.93	%	$	1,289,747		12.66	%	$	1,228,184		11.44	%	$	1,182,033		11.03	%
Minimum leverage requirement		408,146		4.00			407,643		4.00			429,254		4.00			428,667		4.00
Excess	$	910,802		8.93	%	$	882,104		8.66	%	$	798,930		7.44	%	$	753,366		7.03	%
Total average assets (1)	$	10,203,647				$	10,191,078				$	10,731,357				$	10,716,672
Risk-weighted assets	$	8,258,878				$	8,248,190				$	7,990,176				$	7,980,219

(1) Average assets represent average balances for the fourth quarter of each year presented.

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Loans (Schedule Of Allowance For Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment And Based On Impairment Method) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Allowance	$ 7,552	$ 13,116
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Balance	321,973	366,740
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	198,728	232,115
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	6,737,239	6,501,881
Total allowance	206,280	245,231
Total balance	7,059,212	6,868,621
Commercial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Allowance	3,336	2,540
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Balance	45,781	33,555
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	62,322	61,379
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	1,822,494	1,407,612
Total allowance	65,658	63,919
Total balance	1,868,275	1,441,167
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Allowance		7,470
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Balance	78,766	77,691
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	21,749	35,791
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	158,606	332,295
Total allowance	21,749	43,261
Total balance	237,372	409,986
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Allowance	2,969	3,106
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Balance	177,058	248,059
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	105,052	125,241
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	3,571,839	3,692,002
Total allowance	108,021	128,347
Total balance	3,748,897	3,940,061
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Allowance	1,247
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, Balance	20,368	7,435
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	9,548	9,668
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	1,166,601	1,053,895
Total allowance	10,795	9,668
Total balance	1,186,969	1,061,330
Consumer And Other [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Allowance	57	36
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, Balance	17,699	16,077
Total allowance	57	36
Total balance	$ 17,699	$ 16,077

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Investment Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 securities	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities	$ 759,700,000	$ 1,040,000,000	$ 2,440,000,000
Proceeds from repayments of mortgage-backed securities	108,400,000	308,200,000	313,200,000
Proceeds from sales and repayments of other investment securities	525,000,000	65,100,000	51,700,000
Proceeds from maturity and calls of investment securities	435,000,000	2,880,000,000	1,430,000,000
Gains realized on sales and calls of investment securities	21,100,000	19,300,000	56,500,000
Realized losses on sales and calls of investment securities		67,000	9,000
Percentage of fair value securities, temporarily impaired	18.70%
Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months, percentage of historical cost	5.40%
Securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more, percentage of historical cost	9.20%
Number of issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer	28
Number of issues of securities with unrealized losses of less than 12 months	30
Pledged investment securities at carrying value	1,680,000,000	1,800,000,000
Non-Agency Issues Rated Below Investment Grade [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Par amount of securities	430,000
Unrealized loss on securities	182,000
Other Issue [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Par amount of securities	7,000,000
Unrealized loss on securities	428,000
Corporate Bond Rated Below Investment Grade [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Par amount of securities	$ 5,000,000

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Deposits (Summary Of Deposit Balances) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deposits [Abstract]
Demand	$ 1,074,718	$ 930,300
NOW accounts	451,541	418,703
Money market accounts	951,516	982,617
Savings accounts	420,030	385,245
Time deposits under $100,000	832,997	1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more	3,498,329	3,193,715
Total deposits	$ 7,229,131	$ 6,991,846

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Equity Incentive Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended											12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 15, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 23, 2011	Mar. 15, 2011	Feb. 21, 2011	Feb. 21, 2010	Feb. 21, 2008	Sep. 30, 2003	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 15, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Feb. 21, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Feb. 21, 2010 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	May 31, 2005 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of options granted, years	10
Annual vesting increments, percentage	20.00%
Option compensation expense	$ 1,000,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 5,400,000									$ 758,000	$ 327,000	$ 327,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options	904,000											2,100,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options expected to be recognized period, years	1.2											1.6
Stock options exercised, Shares	86,860		1,280
Cash received totaled	1,300,000		13,000
Aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised	172,000		8,000
Fair value of stock options vested	$ 2,600,000	$ 4,900,000
Shares available for future grant under incentive plan	2,202,587										7,000,000							3,131,854
Restricted stock units granted to eligible employees					65,243	50,174	15,069			82,291					77,404
Common stock shares issued upon vesting restricted stock units	82,860,122	82,739,348														12,633	15,006
Restricted stock units granted maximum term, years	5
Annual vesting increments of restricted stock grants	20.00%
Common stock, market price				$ 13.69		$ 16.15	$ 16.14	$ 18.79	$ 9.64

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Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]

Schedule Of Equity Incentive Plans, Stock Option Activity

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2008		5,206,374		$	27.72		5.6	$	6,220
Exercised		(1,280	)		10.63
Forfeited		(35,441	)		29.58
Balance, December 31, 2009		5,169,653		$	27.71		4.6	$	—
Forfeited		(222,305	)		23.23
Balance, December 31, 2010		4,947,348			27.93		3.7	$	334
Exercised		(86,860	)	$	15.05
Forfeited		(503,503	)		22.72
Balance, December 31, 2011		4,356,985			28.86		3.0	$	37
Exercisable, December 31, 2011		4,139,531		$	29.15		2.9	$	37

Schedule Of Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable

	Outstanding
Exercise Price	Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)	Exercisable Shares
11.34		10,240	1.0		10,240
16.28		154,376	0.1		154,376
17.29		10,240	0.0		10,240
19.93		336,164	1.1		336,164
23.37		654,495	6.1		437,041
24.80		884,056	1.8		884,056
28.70		477,000	2.1		477,000
32.26		10,000	2.5		10,000
32.47		245,060	3.2		245,060
33.54		264,694	3.4		264,694
37.00		610,800	3.0		610,800
38.38		15,000	2.9		15,000
36.90		258,630	3.8		258,630
36.24		414,230	4.1		414,230
38.26		12,000	4.3		12,000
		4,356,985	3.0		4,139,531

Schedule Of Equity Incentive Plans, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2008		79,537
Vested		(12,963	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,553	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		60,021
Vested		(15,006	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,055	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		38,960
Granted		142,647
Vested		(12,633	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(2,578	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		166,396

Schedule Of Tax (Short-Fall) From Equity Incentive Plans

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
(Short-fall)/benefit of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value.	$	(290	)	$	(539	)	$	(196	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value.		362			539			198
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	72		$	—		$	2

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Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell [Abstract]

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31	$	—		$	110,000
Annualized weighted-average interest rate, December 31		0.00	%		0.20	%
Daily average amount outstanding during the year	$	84,493		$	6,932
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		0.10	%		0.20	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end	$	255,000		$	110,000

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Deposits (Schedule Of Maturities For Time Deposits) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011
Time Deposits [Line Items]
2012	$ 3,891,643,000
2013	261,987,000
2014	176,277,000
2015	191,000
2016	1,228,000
Thereafter
Time Deposits	4,331,326,000
Time Deposits, $100,000 And Over [Member]
Time Deposits [Line Items]
2012	3,106,609,000
2013	228,188,000
2014	162,437,000
2016	1,095,000
Thereafter
Time Deposits	3,498,329,000
Other Time Deposits [Member]
Time Deposits [Line Items]
2012	785,034,000
2013	33,799,000
2014	13,840,000
2015	191,000
2016	133,000
Thereafter
Time Deposits	$ 832,997,000

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Other Real Estate Owned (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Nevada [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other States [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential [Member] Nevada [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential [Member] Nevada [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial [Member] Nevada [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial [Member] Other States [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial [Member] Other States [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Building Construction Projects [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential Construction Projects [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential Construction Projects [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential Construction Projects [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential Construction Projects [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Retail Stores [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Office And Commercial Use Buildings [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Office And Commercial Use Buildings [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Family Residential Properties [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Family Residential Properties [Member] California [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Family Residential Properties [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Family Residential Properties [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Family Residential Properties [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Family Residential Properties [Member] Washington State [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Family Residential Properties [Member] Other States [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Multi-Family Residences [Member] Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Industrial Building [Member] Texas [Member]
Other Real Estate Owned [Line Items]
Increased value of other real estate owned	$ 15,000,000
Percentage of value increased, other real estate owned	19.30%
Carrying value of other real estate owned		$ 32,300,000	$ 55,900,000	$ 48,600,000	$ 12,900,000	$ 3,900,000	$ 4,300,000	$ 4,800,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 9,900,000	$ 14,300,000	$ 11,700,000	$ 3,600,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 4,800,000	$ 8,100,000	$ 33,500,000	$ 906,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 4,800,000	$ 2,400,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 658,000	$ 949,000	$ 588,000	$ 9,700,000	$ 3,700,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 1,600,000	$ 13,200,000	$ 18,400,000	$ 395,000	$ 605,000	$ 959,000	$ 786,000	$ 531,000	$ 241,000	$ 878,000	$ 1,700,000	$ 291,000
Number of real estate properties										5	7	3	2	3	1			4	6	8	1	1	3	3	2	2	3	2	1	1	1	3	2	2	2	12	11	2	3	3	3	3	1	4	2

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Income Taxes (Schedule Of Current And Deferred Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current, Federal	$ 26,548	$ 16,496	$ (25,226)
Current, State	10,905	7,379	429
Current, Total	37,453	23,875	(24,797)
Deferred, Federal	10,133	(28,600)	(26,367)
Deferred, State	3,675	(9,904)	(10,748)
Deferred, Total	13,808	(38,504)	(37,115)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$ 51,261	$ (14,629)	$ (61,912)

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Investment Securities (Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Investment Securities By Contractual Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due in one year or less	$ 17,983
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due in one year or less	17,915
Amortized Cost of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due in one year or less	99,966
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due in one year or less	101,372
Amortized Cost of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after one year through five years	125,416
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after one year through five years	123,651
Amortized Cost of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after five years through ten years	858,217
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after five years through ten years	835,179
Amortized Cost of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due after five years through ten years	29,709
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due after five years through ten years	30,943
Amortized Cost of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after ten years	307,905	[1]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Due after ten years	317,733	[1]
Amortized Cost of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due after ten years	1,023,829	[1]
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Due after ten years	1,071,662	[1]
Amortized Cost of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1,309,521
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1,294,478
Amortized Cost of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	1,153,504
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	$ 1,203,977

[1] Equity securities are reported in this category

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Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 05, 2008
Cash	$ 117,888	$ 87,347	$ 100,124	$ 84,818
Other assets	206,768	209,868
Total assets	10,644,864	10,801,986
Junior subordinated debt	121,136
Other liabilities	46,864	50,309
Total liabilities	9,129,231	9,365,881
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010	250,992	247,455			258,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010	829	827
Additional paid-in-capital	765,641	762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(8,732)	(1,022)
Retained earnings	624,192	543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)	(125,736)	(125,736)
Total Cathay General Bancorp stockholders' equity	1,507,186	1,427,658
Total liabilities and equity	10,644,864	10,801,986
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	258,000	258,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	258,000	258,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	82,860,122	82,739,348
Common stock, shares outstanding	78,652,557	78,531,783
Treasury Stock, shares	4,207,565	4,207,565
Parent Company [Member]
Cash	809	787	448	260
Short-term certificates of deposit	19,000	36,500
Investment In bank subsidiaries	1,593,831	1,498,572
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries	2,615	2,611
Other assets	14,189	12,426
Total assets	1,630,444	1,550,896
Junior subordinated debt	121,136	121,136
Other liabilities	2,122	2,102
Total liabilities	123,258	123,238
Commitments and contingencies
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010	250,992	247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010	829	827
Additional paid-in-capital	765,641	762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(8,732)	(1,022)
Retained earnings	624,192	543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)	(125,736)	(125,736)
Total Cathay General Bancorp stockholders' equity	1,507,186	1,427,658
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,630,444	$ 1,550,896

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Investments In Affordable Housing (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Increase in total assets and liabilities from consolidating affordable housing equity interest	$ 22,800,000	$ 22,800,000
Investments in affordable housing partnerships	78,358,000	88,472,000
Number of limited partnerships in which Company has equity interest	6	6
Minimum compliance period, years	15
Usage of tax credits	9,500,000	10,500,000	11,100,000
Pretax losses	8,200,000	7,600,000	7,300,000
Affordable Housing Limited Partnerships [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Other borrowings for affordable housing limited partnerships	18,900,000	19,100,000
Unfunded commitments for affordable housing limited partnerships	1,500,000	4,300,000
Federal Tax [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Remaining tax credits to be utilized	43,100,000
State Tax [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Remaining tax credits to be utilized	$ 1,200,000

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Capital Resources (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 05, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007	Sep. 29, 2006	Dec. 31, 2003	Dec. 05, 2008 Five Years [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Thereafter [Member]
Capital Resources [Line Items]
Common stock value before issuance costs and fees		$ 132,300,000	$ 126,000,000
Common stock shares		15,028,409	13,869,856
New common stock, value per share		$ 8.80	$ 8.61
Common stock value		124,928,000	119,448,000
U.S. treasury purchased senior preferred stock	250,992,000	247,455,000		258,000,000
Senior preferred stock, cumulative compounding dividends rate								5.00%	9.00%
Non-voting shares are callable at par value after, years	3
Warrants to purchase, shares of common stock	1,846,374
Warrants exercise price	$ 20.96
Warrants, aggregate market price	38,700,000
Senior preferred stock	15.00%
Subordinated debt						50,000,000
Subordinated note original maturity term, years						10
Unsecured debt that bore interest						three-month LIBOR plus 110 basis points
Subordinated note extension	LIBOR plus 110 basis points
Increased unsecure debt to bore interest	LIBOR plus 330 basis points
Current interest rate on subordinated note	3.88%	1.40%
Maximum consecutive quarterly period to defer interest Junior Subordinated Notes	20
Number of trusts established for special purpose	5				2		3
Aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements, percentage	25.00%
Interest expense on Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 3,000,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,800,000

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Borrowed Funds (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 months years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2005	Dec. 31, 2004	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011 Long-Term Securities [Member] securities	Dec. 31, 2011 Repurchase Agreements [Member]	May 31, 2011 Repurchase Agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Repurchase Agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$ 1,400,000,000	$ 1,561,000,000	$ 1,600,000,000			$ 1,500,000,000	$ 100,000,000	$ 1,400,000,000		$ 1,600,000,000
Weighted average rate of securities sold under agreements to repurchase								4.14%		4.18%
Number of long-tem securities sold							2
Weighted average interest rate							4.77%
Prepaid security sold under repurchase agreement									50,000,000
Rate of prepaid security									4.83%
Prepayment penalty security sold under agreements to repurchase									1,700,000
Total floating-to-fixed rate agreements	750,000,000
Number of floating-to-fixed rate agreements	14
Initial floating rate period on floating-to-fixed rate agreements, months, minimum	6
Initial floating rate period on floating-to-fixed rate agreements, years, maximum	1
Maximum initial floating rate, 3-month LIBOR minus 100 basis point	100
Minimum initial floating rate, 3-month LIBOR minus 340 basis point	340
Security sold under agreements to repurchase, floating-to-fix interest rates for the remainder of term											4.29%	5.07%
Total floating-to-fixed rate agreements	650,000,000
Number of fixed-to-floating securities sold under agreements to repurchase	13
Floating rate for remaining seven year term	8% minus the three-month LIBOR rate
Minimum initial fixed rate	1.00%
Maximum initial fixed rate	3.50%
Initial fixed rate period (in months)											6	18
Remainder of long-term securities, years	7
Maximum interest rate											3.25%	3.75%
Minimum interest rate	0.00%
Collateralized financing transaction at fair value	1,600,000,000	1,700,000,000
Federal home loan bank advances	225,000,000	550,000,000
Decrease in Loans from Federal Home Loan Banks	(325,000,000)
Federal home loan bank prepaid advances	450,000,000	379,400,000
Federal home loan bank prepaid advances weighted rate	$ 4.39%	$ 4.62%
Federal home loan bank prepayment penalties	18,500,000	14,300,000
Federal home loan bank weighted average interest rate	$ 2.08%	$ 4.43%
Other borrowings	880,000	8,500,000
Estimate of borrowings maturing in first quarter of 2012	880,000
Weighted average rate	0.55%	0.48%
Maximum amount of deferred bonus				225,000
Amount of deferred bonus accrued in other liabilities					610,000
Accrued interest rate per annum on deferred bonus	7.00%
Interest accrued on deferred bonus	67,000	62,000	58,000
Amount of deferred bonus	$ 995,000	$ 928,000
Basis points above prevailing interest rate	275

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Capital Resources (Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes Issued) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 121,136
Cathay Capital Trust I [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance Date	June 26, 2003
Junior Subordinated Notes	20,619
Not Redeemable Until	June 30, 2008
Stated Maturity	Jun. 30, 2033
Annualized Coupon Rate	3-month LIBOR +3.15%
Current Interest Rate	3.73%
Date of Rate Change	December 30, 2011
Payable/Distribution Date	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Statutory Trust I [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance Date	September 17, 2003
Junior Subordinated Notes	20,619
Not Redeemable Until	September 17, 2008
Stated Maturity	Sep. 17, 2033
Annualized Coupon Rate	3-month LIBOR+3.00%
Current Interest Rate	3.56%
Date of Rate Change	December 17, 2011
Payable/Distribution Date	March 17 June 17 September 17 December 17
Cathay Capital Trust II [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance Date	December 30, 2003
Junior Subordinated Notes	12,887
Not Redeemable Until	March 30, 2009
Stated Maturity	Mar. 30, 2034
Annualized Coupon Rate	3-month LIBOR+2.90%
Current Interest Rate	3.48%
Date of Rate Change	December 30, 2011
Payable/Distribution Date	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Capital Trust III [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance Date	March 28, 2007
Junior Subordinated Notes	46,392
Not Redeemable Until	June 15, 2012
Stated Maturity	Jun. 15, 2037
Annualized Coupon Rate	3-month LIBOR+1.48%
Current Interest Rate	2.03%
Date of Rate Change	December 15, 2011
Payable/Distribution Date	March 15 June 15 September 15 December 15
Cathay Capital Trust IV [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Issuance Date	May 31, 2007
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 20,619
Not Redeemable Until	September 6, 2012
Stated Maturity	Sep. 06, 2037
Annualized Coupon Rate	3-month LIBOR 1.40%
Current Interest Rate	1.93%
Date of Rate Change	December 6, 2011
Payable/Distribution Date	March 6 June 6 September 6 December 6

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Premises And Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	$ 157,290,000	$ 156,709,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation/amortization	51,329,000	47,253,000
Premises and equipment, net	105,961,000	109,456,000
Depreciation/amortization included in operating expense	6,100,000	4,600,000	7,700,000
Land And Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	33,429,000	33,429,000
Building And Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	72,608,000	73,541,000
Furniture, Fixtures And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	37,445,000	36,621,000
Leasehold Improvement [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	12,494,000	12,216,000
Construction In Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Premises and equipment, gross	$ 1,314,000	$ 902,000

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Loans (Schedule Of Allowance For Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 245,231	$ 211,889	$ 122,093
Provision for possible credit losses	27,268	159,770
Charge-offs	(77,626)	(138,755)	(222,547)
Recoveries	11,407	12,327	3,218
Net charge-offs	(66,219)	(126,428)
Balance at end of year	206,280	245,231	211,889
Reserve to impaired loans	7,552	15,186
Reserve to non-impaired loans	198,728	230,045
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	2,069	2,337
Commercial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	63,918	57,814
Provision for possible credit losses	11,711	23,001
Charge-offs	(11,745)	(21,609)
Recoveries	1,774	4,712
Net charge-offs	(9,971)	(16,897)
Balance at end of year	65,658	63,918
Reserve to impaired loans	3,336	2,925
Reserve to non-impaired loans	62,322	60,994
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	816	691
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	43,262	45,087
Provision for possible credit losses	11,514	37,495
Charge-offs	(37,500)	(45,321)
Recoveries	4,473	6,001
Net charge-offs	(33,027)	(39,320)
Balance at end of year	21,749	43,262
Reserve to impaired loans		7,470
Reserve to non-impaired loans	21,749	35,791
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	1,103	1,505
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	128,348	100,495
Provision for possible credit losses	1,454	96,217
Charge-offs	(26,750)	(69,891)
Recoveries	4,969	1,527
Net charge-offs	(21,781)	(68,364)
Balance at end of year	108,021	128,348
Reserve to impaired loans	2,969	3,812
Reserve to non-impaired loans	105,052	124,535
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	113	103
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	9,668	8,480
Provision for possible credit losses	2,392	3,048
Charge-offs	(1,456)	(1,934)
Recoveries	191	74
Net charge-offs	(1,265)	(1,860)
Balance at end of year	10,795	9,668
Reserve to impaired loans	1,247	979
Reserve to non-impaired loans	9,548	8,690
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	34	36
Installment And Other Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	35	13
Provision for possible credit losses	197	9
Charge-offs	(175)
Recoveries		13
Net charge-offs	(175)	13
Balance at end of year	57	35
Reserve to non-impaired loans	57	35
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$ 3	$ 2

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Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

18. Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Under the Company's Amended and Restated Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), the Company can make annual contributions to a trust in the form of either cash or common stock of the Bancorp for the benefit of eligible employees. Employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP after completing two years of service for salaried full-time employees or 1,000 hours for each of two consecutive years for salaried part-time employees. The amount of the annual contribution is discretionary except that it must be sufficient to enable the trust to meet its current obligations. The Company also pays for the administration of this plan and of the trust. The Company has not made contributions to the trust since 2004 and does not expect to make any contributions in the future. Effective June 17, 2004, the ESOP was amended to provide the participants the election either to reinvest the dividends on the Company stock allocated to their accounts or to have these dividends distributed to the participant. The ESOP trust purchased 3,437 shares in 2011, 4,881 shares in 2010, and 22,515 shares in 2009, of the Bancorp's common stock at an aggregate cost of $47,000 in 2011, $51,000 in 2010, and $289,000 in 2009. All purchases after 2006 were through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The distribution of benefits to participants totaled 83,020 shares in 2011, 171,689 shares in 2010, and 89,968 shares in 2009. As of December 31, 2011, the ESOP owned 1,302,051 shares, or 1.7%, of the Company's outstanding common stock.

401(k) Plan. In 1997, the Board approved the Company's 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which began on March 1, 1997. Salaried employees who have completed three months of service and have attained the age of 21 are eligible to participate. Enrollment dates are on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st of each year. Participants may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation for the year but not to exceed the dollar limit set by the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may change their contribution election on the enrollment dates. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company matched 100% on the first 5% of eligible compensation contributed per pay period by the participant, after one year of service. The vesting schedule for the matching contribution is 0% for less than two years of service, 25% after two years of service and from then on, at an increment of 25% each year until 100% is vested after five years of service. In February 2009, the Board revised and reduced the contribution match for the Company's 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. Effective on April 1, 2009, the Company matches 100% on the first 2.5% of eligible compensation contributed per pay period by the participant, after one year of service. The Company's contribution amounted to $0.9 million in 2011, $0.9 million in 2010, and $1.1 million in 2009. The Plan allows participants to withdraw all or part of their vested amount in the Plan due to certain financial hardship as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. Participants may also borrow up to 50% of the vested amount, with a maximum of $50,000. The minimum loan amount is $1,000.

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common securities	100.00%
Gross loans comprised of commercial mortgage loans, percentage	53.10%
Gross loans comprised of commercial loans, percentage	26.50%
Residential mortgages properties, percentage	65.00%
Total deposits comprised of time deposit, percentage	48.40%
Jumbo CDs deposit with the company for two years or more, percentage	57.10%
Time Deposits	$ 4,331,326,000
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	52,989,000	63,873,000
Minimum stock requirement on outstanding FHLB borrowings, shares	250,000
Outstanding FHLB borrowings	225,000,000
Company owned shares of FHLB stock	529,888
Maximum homogenous portfolio loan amount	500,000
Venture capital investments, limited partnership interests represent ownership, maximum percentage	5.00%
Unamortized core deposit premium	10,600,000	16,400,000
Core deposit premium, accumulated amortization	49,800,000	44,100,000
Amortization of core deposit intangibles	5,859,000	5,958,000	6,636,000
Estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums, 2012	5,700,000
Estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums, 2013	4,500,000
Estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums, 2014 and thereafter	400,000
Option compensation expense	1,000,000	3,000,000	5,400,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options	904,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options expected to be recognized period, years	1.2
Time Deposit [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Time Deposits	$ 100,000

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Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation Of Numerators And Denominators Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011							2010								2009
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount			Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150						$	11,565							$	(67,390	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)						(16,388	)							(16,338	)
Basic EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,633,317	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)
Effect of dilutive stock options					7,335							—								—
Diluted EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,640,652	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)

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Other Real Estate Owned (Components Of Other Real Estate Owned Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other Real Estate Owned [Abstract]
Operating expense	$ 5,441	$ 5,849	$ 5,794
Provision for losses	10,385	20,139	28,216
Net (gain)/loss on transfer and disposal	(5,243)	(9,977)	2,065
Total other real estate owned expense	$ 10,583	$ 16,011	$ 36,075

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Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Future Minimum Payments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2012	$ 5,896
2013	4,968
2014	3,803
2015	2,068
2016	1,510
Thereafter	179
Total minimum lease payments	$ 18,424

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Premises And Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Premises And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule Of Premises And Equipment

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	33,429	$	33,429
Building and building improvements		72,608		73,541
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		37,445		36,621
Leasehold improvement		12,494		12,216
Construction in process		1,314		902
		157,290		156,709
Less: Accumulated depreciation/amortization		51,329		47,253
Premises and equipment, net	$	105,961	$	109,456

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill And Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 1,249,198
Fair Value	1,226,000
Allocated Goodwill	316,340	316,340
Commercial Lending Unit [Member]
Goodwill And Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	647,628
Fair Value	124,000
Retail Banking Unit [Member]
Goodwill And Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	390,003
Fair Value	708,000
Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	81.50%
Allocated Goodwill	235,195
East Coast Operations [Member]
Goodwill And Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	211,567
Fair Value	394,000
Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	86.20%
Allocated Goodwill	$ 81,145

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Loans (Schedule Of Troubled Debt Restructuring By Type Of Concession And Type Of Loans) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	$ 31,518,000	$ 21,127,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	49,798,000	89,790,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal	2,071,000	3,459,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	36,629,000	22,424,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	120,016,000	136,800,000	54,992,000
Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	26,349,000	22,193,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Interest Deferral	2,944,000	1,579,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	14,684,000	2,310,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal	1,506,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	5,387,000	2,064,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	50,870,000	28,146,000	41,609,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	12,933,000	1,131,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	1,756,000	1,780,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	431,000	1,114,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	15,120,000	4,025,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	616,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	1,859,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal	1,506,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	3,981,000
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	16,820,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	9,659,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	5,776,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	32,255,000
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	13,579,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	12,376,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	25,955,000
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	471,000	17,338,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	37,796,000	87,411,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal	2,071,000	3,459,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	28,935,000	20,831,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	69,273,000	129,039,000
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	9,727,000	21,156,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Interest Deferral	2,633,000	1,239,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction		2,310,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	5,076,000	1,113,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	17,436,000	25,818,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	1,294,000	2,658,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	587,000	599,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	1,487,000	479,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	3,368,000	3,736,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Principal Deferral	2,427,000	1,037,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Interest Deferral	311,000	340,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction	449,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral	311,000	951,000
Troubled Debt Restructurings, Total	$ 3,498,000	$ 2,328,000

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Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp (Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net income/(loss)	$ 100,150	$ 11,565	$ (67,390)
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments	379	515	1,982
Write-downs on impaired securities	200	492	817
Excess tax short-fall from stock options	(218)	(539)	(196)
Increase/(decrease) in other assets, net	(534)	34,594	(63,426)
Decrease in other liabilities	3,746	(13,368)	(30,461)
Net cash provided by operating activities	174,050	168,505	146,408
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investment	(88,634)	48,404	(229,726)
Increase in available-for-sale securities	(571,093)	(3,366,780)	(1,573,823)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	127,050	596,595	(279,583)
Cash dividends	(16,046)	(16,040)	(22,460)
Issuance of common stock		124,928	119,448
Proceeds from shares issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	287	310	1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,306		13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements	(290)	(539)	(196)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing actvities	(270,559)	(777,877)	148,481
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	30,541	(12,777)	15,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	87,347	100,124	84,818
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	117,888	87,347	100,124
Parent Company [Member]
Net income/(loss)	100,150	11,565	(67,390)
Equity in undistributed (earnings)/loss of subsidiaries	(102,492)	(14,427)	62,158
Increase/(decrease) in accrued expense	24	3	(80)
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments	321	521	2,246
Write-downs on impaired securities	200	492
(Gains)/Loss in fair value of warrants	(215)	29	41
Excess tax short-fall from stock options	290	539	196
Increase/(decrease) in other assets, net	(121)	1,040	(332)
Decrease in other liabilities	(221)	(607)	(1,773)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2,064)	(845)	(4,934)
Additional investment in subsidiary		(94,000)	(103,874)
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investment	17,500	(12,000)	14,800
Increase in available-for-sale securities		(418)	(2,846)
Venture capital investments	(671)	(1,056)	(897)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	16,829	(107,474)	(92,817)
Issuance of Series B preferred stock			(25)
Cash dividends	(16,046)	(16,041)	(22,460)
Issuance of common stock		124,928	119,447
Proceeds from shares issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	287	310	1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,306		13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements	(290)	(539)	(196)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing actvities	(14,743)	108,658	97,939
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	22	339	188
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	787	448	260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	$ 809	$ 787	$ 448

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Loans (Schedule Of Analysis Of Activity With Respect To Loans To Related Parties) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loans [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 134,161	$ 139,194
Additional loans made	89,985	52,809
Payment received	(64,077)	(57,842)
Balance at end of year	$ 160,069	$ 134,161

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Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Financial Information Disclosure Of Cathay General Bancorp [Abstract]

Condensed Balance Sheets

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
Cash	$	809		$	787
Short-term certificates of deposit		19,000			36,500
Investment in bank subsidiaries		1,593,831			1,498,572
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries		2,615			2,611
Other assets		14,189			12,426
Total assets	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896
Liabilities
Junior subordinated debt	$	121,136		$	121,136
Other liabilities		2,122			2,102
Total liabilities		123,258			123,238
Commitments and contingencies		—			—
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010		250,992			247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010		829			827
Additional paid-in-capital		765,641			762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(8,732	)		(1,022	)
Retained earnings		624,192			543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)		(125,736	)		(125,736	)
Total stockholders' equity .		1,507,186			1,427,658
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896

Condensed Statement Of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	259		$	227		$	299
Interest expense		3,038			3,075			3,817
Non-interest income/(loss)		286			(782	)		(1,929	)
Non-interest expense		1,548			1,308			3,581
(Loss)/income before income tax benefit		(4,041	)		(4,938	)		(9,028	)
Income tax benefit		(1,699	)		(2,076	)		(3,796	)
(Loss)/income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		(2,342	)		(2,862	)		(5,232	)
Undistributed earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries		102,492			14,427			(62,158	)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)

Condensed Statement Of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed (earnings)/loss of subsidiaries		(102,492	)		(14,427	)		62,158
Increase/(decrease) in accrued expense		24			3			(80	)
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments		321			521			2,246
Write-downs on impaired securities		200			492			—
(Gains)/Loss in fair value of warrants		(215	)		29			41
Excess tax short-fall from stock options		290			539			196
(Increase)/decrease in other assets		(121	)		1,040			(332	)
Decrease in other liabilities		(221	)		(607	)		(1,773	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(2,064	)		(845	)		(4,934	)
Cash flows from Investment Activities
Additional investment in subsidiary		—			(94,000	)		(103,874	)
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investment		17,500			(12,000	)		14,800
Increase in available-for-sale securities		—			(418	)		(2,846	)
Venture capital investments		(671	)		(1,056	)		(897	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investment activities		16,829			(107,474	)		(92,817	)
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock		—			—			(25	)
Cash dividends		(16,046	)		(16,041	)		(22,460	)
Issuance of common stock		—			124,928			119,447
Proceeds from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan		287			310			1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,306			—			13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		(290	)		(539	)		(196	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities		(14,743	)		108,658			97,939
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		22			339			188
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		787			448			260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	809		$	787		$	448

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Cash And Cash Equivalents

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash And Cash Equivalents

2. Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company manages its cash and cash equivalents, which consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold, and short-term investments with original maturity of three months or less, based upon the Company's operating, investment, and financing activities. For the purpose of reporting cash flows, these same accounts are included in cash and cash equivalents.

The Company is required to maintain reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank. Reserve requirements are based on a percentage of deposit liabilities. The average reserve balances required were $12.2 million for 2011 and $16.1 million for 2010. There were no federal funds sold in 2011 or in 2010.

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Loans (Schedule Of Impaired Loans And Related Allowance And Charge-Off) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 432,973	$ 500,722
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	321,973	381,992
Impaired Loans, Allowance	7,554	15,185
With Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	55,330	137,763
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	47,991	126,202
Impaired Loans, Allowance	7,554	15,185
With No Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	377,643	362,959
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	273,982	255,790
Commercial Loans [Member] | With Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	11,795	13,930
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	7,587	7,748
Impaired Loans, Allowance	3,336	2,925
Commercial Loans [Member] | With No Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	46,671	41,233
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	38,194	27,775
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | With Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance		15,429
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment		13,416
Impaired Loans, Allowance		7,470
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | With No Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	134,837	102,186
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	78,767	64,274
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | With Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	29,722	98,593
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	28,023	96,449
Impaired Loans, Allowance	2,969	3,812
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | With No Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	187,580	211,717
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	149,034	156,305
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | With Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	13,813	9,811
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	12,381	8,589
Impaired Loans, Allowance	1,249	978
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | With No Allocated Allowance [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	8,555	7,823
Impaired Loans, Recorded Investment	$ 7,987	$ 7,436

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Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Financial Instruments, Credit Risk

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	1,360,266
Standby letters of credit		62,076		59,876
Commercial letters of credit		64,233		62,722
Bill of lading guarantees		187		245
Total	$	1,753,019	$	1,483,109

Schedule Of Future Minimum Payments

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	5,896
2013		4,968
2014		3,803
2015		2,068
2016		1,510
Thereafter		179
Total minimum lease payments	$	18,424

Schedule Of Future Rental Payments To Be Received

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	90
2013		93
2014		45
Thereafter		—
Total minimum lease payments to be received	$	228

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Regulatory Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Regulatory Matters [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

22. Regulatory Matters

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. See Note 11 for discussion of possible future disallowance of Capital Securities as Tier 1 capital.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has established five capital ratio categories: "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," and "critically undercapitalized." A well capitalized institution must have a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6%, a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%. At December 31, 2011 and 2009, the Bank qualified as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

The Bancorp's and the Bank's capital and leverage ratios as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, are presented in the tables below:

	As of December 31, 2011										As of December 31, 2010
	Company					Bank					Company					Bank
	Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage			Balance		Percentage
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tier I Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,318,948		15.97	%	$	1,289,747		15.64	%	$	1,228,184		15.37	%	$	1,182,033		14.81	%
Tier I Capital minimum requirement		330,355		4.00			329,928		4.00			319,607		4.00			319,209		4.00
Excess	$	988,593		11.97	%	$	959,819		11.64	%	$	908,577		11.37	%	$	862,824		10.81	%
Total Capital (to risk- weighted assets)	$	1,474,496		17.85	%	$	1,444,165		17.51	%	$	1,379,758		17.27	%	$	1,333,610		16.71	%
Total Capital minimum requirement		660,710		8.00			659,855		8.00			639,214		8.00			638,418		8.00
Excess	$	813,786		9.85	%	$	784,310		9.51	%	$	740,544		9.27	%	$	695,192		8.71	%
Tier I Capital (to average assets) Leverage ratio	$	1,318,948		12.93	%	$	1,289,747		12.66	%	$	1,228,184		11.44	%	$	1,182,033		11.03	%
Minimum leverage requirement		408,146		4.00			407,643		4.00			429,254		4.00			428,667		4.00
Excess	$	910,802		8.93	%	$	882,104		8.66	%	$	798,930		7.44	%	$	753,366		7.03	%
Total average assets (1)	$	10,203,647				$	10,191,078				$	10,731,357				$	10,716,672
Risk-weighted assets	$	8,258,878				$	8,248,190				$	7,990,176				$	7,980,219

(1) Average assets represent average balances for the fourth quarter of each year presented.

On December 17, 2009, the Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the "FRB SF") under which it agreed that it will not, without the FRB SF's prior written approval, (i) receive any dividends or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction of capital from the Bank, or (ii) declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on trust preferred securities, or make any other capital distributions. Under the memorandum, the Bancorp agreed to submit to the FRB SF for review and approval a plan to maintain sufficient capital at the Bancorp on a consolidated basis and at the Bank, a dividend policy for the Bancorp, a plan to improve management of our liquidity position and funds management practices, and a liquidity policy and contingency funding plan for the Bancorp. As part of its compliance with the memorandum, on January 22, 2010, the Bancorp submitted to the FRB SF a Three-Year Capital and Strategic Plan that updates a previously submitted plan and establishes, among other things, targets for its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 leverage capital ratio and tangible common risk-based ratio, each of which, where applicable, are above the minimum requirements for a well-capitalized institution. In addition, the Bancorp agreed to notify the FRB SF prior to effecting certain changes to its senior executive officers and board of directors and it is limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in its ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments. The Bancorp also agreed in the memorandum that we will not, without the prior written approval of the FRB SF, directly or indirectly, (i) incur, renew, increase or guaranty any debt, (ii) issue any additional trust preferred securities, or (iii) purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any stock.

On March 1, 2010, the Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the DFI and the FDIC pursuant to which the Bank is required to develop and implement, within specified time periods, plans satisfactory to the DFI and the FDIC to reduce commercial real estate concentrations, to enhance and to improve the quality of the stress testing of the Bank's loan portfolio, and to revise the Bank's loan policy in connection therewith; to develop and adopt a strategic plan addressing improved profitability and capital ratios and to reduce the Bank's overall risk profile; to develop and adopt a capital plan; to develop and implement a plan to improve asset quality, including the methodology for calculating the loss reserve allocation and evaluating its adequacy; and to develop and implement a plan to reduce dependence on wholesale funding. In addition, the Bank is required to report progress to the DFI and FDIC on a quarterly basis. The Bank is also subject to a restriction on dividends from the Bank to the Bancorp and is required to maintain adequate allowance for loan and lease losses and is subject to restrictions on any new branches and business lines without prior approval. The Bank is required to notify the FDIC and the DFI prior to effecting certain changes to its senior executive officers and board of directors and is limited and/or prohibited, in certain circumstances, in its ability to enter into contracts to pay and to make golden parachute severance and indemnification payments; and is required to retain management and directors acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. The Board of the Company established a Compliance Committee to, among other things, review the Company's management and governance and make recommendations for improvement. No assurance can be given that the Bank's current management and directors are acceptable to the DFI or the FDIC or that it will be able to retain or engage management or directors who are acceptable to the DFI and the FDIC. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Bank will not be subject to further supervisory action or regulatory proceedings.

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Abstract]

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

21. Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan which allows for participants' reinvestment of cash dividends and certain optional additional investments in the Company's common stock. Shares issued under the plan and the consideration received were 21,281 shares for $287,000 in 2011, 28,778 shares for $310,000 in 2010, and 87,241 shares for $1.2 million in 2009.

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Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	$ 1,294,478,000	$ 2,003,567,000
Total assets	1,301,423,000	2,012,160,000
Total liabilities	3,125,000	8,453,000
Fair value of warrants	218,000	40,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	54,958,000	138,884,000
Total assets	54,960,000	138,907,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	1,239,520,000	1,864,683,000
Total assets	1,246,245,000	1,873,213,000
Total liabilities	3,125,000	8,453,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	218,000	40,000
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale		118,828,000
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale		118,828,000
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	501,226,000	825,082,000
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	501,226,000	825,082,000
State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	1,928,000	1,718,000
State And Municipal Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	1,928,000	1,718,000
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	337,631,000	642,305,000
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	337,631,000	642,305,000
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	16,486,000	25,194,000
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	16,486,000	25,194,000
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	166,000	240,000
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	166,000	240,000
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	380,429,000	369,425,000
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	380,429,000	369,425,000
Mutual Funds [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	6,035,000	3,927,000
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	6,035,000	3,927,000
Preferred Stock Of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	1,654,000	719,000
Preferred Stock Of Government Sponsored Entities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	1,654,000	719,000
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	45,963,000	14,437,000
Trust Preferred Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	45,963,000	14,437,000
Other Equity Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	2,960,000	1,692,000
Other Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total securities available-for-sale	2,960,000	1,692,000
Trading Securities [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	4,542,000	3,818,000
Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	2,000	23,000
Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	4,540,000	3,795,000
Warrants [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	218,000	40,000
Warrants [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	218,000	40,000
Option Contracts [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	34,000	106,000
Total liabilities	5,000	72,000
Option Contracts [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	34,000	106,000
Total liabilities	5,000	72,000
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	2,151,000	4,629,000
Total liabilities	486,000	1,873,000
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total assets	2,151,000	4,629,000
Total liabilities	486,000	1,873,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total liabilities	2,634,000	6,508,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Servicing Assets at Fair Value [Line Items]
Total liabilities	$ 2,634,000	$ 6,508,000

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Investment Securities (Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses, And Fair Values Of Investment Securities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Total investment securities, Amortized Cost	$ 2,463,025	$ 2,845,432
Total investment securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	68,220	26,772
Total investment securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	32,790	31,278
Total investment securities, Fair Value	2,498,455	2,840,926
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	1,309,521	2,005,330
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	17,410	18,903
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	32,453	20,666
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	1,294,478	2,003,567
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	1,153,504	840,102
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gains	50,810	7,869
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Losses	337	10,612
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,203,977	837,359
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	500,007	830,269
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,226	1,653
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	7	6,840
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	501,226	825,082
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	99,966	99,921
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gains	1,406	2,639
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	101,372	102,560
State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	1,869	1,875
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	59
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses		157
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	1,928	1,718
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	129,577	130,107
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gains	7,053
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Losses		8,946
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	136,630	121,161
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	325,706	627,574
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	12,361	14,854
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	436	123
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	337,631	642,305
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	913,990	600,107
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gains	42,351	5,230
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Losses		1,653
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	956,341	603,684
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	412,045	374,489
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	113	1,374
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	31,729	6,438
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	380,429	369,425
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	9,971	9,967
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Losses	337	13
Securities Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	9,634	9,954
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost		125,573
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses		6,745
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value		118,828
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	16,184	24,719
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	540	590
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	238	115
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	16,486	25,194
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	172	245
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	6	5
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	166	240
Mutual Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	6,000	4,000
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	48
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	13	73
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	6,035	3,927
Preferred Stock Of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	569	569
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,085	150
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	1,654	719
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	45,501	14,549
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	486	58
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	24	170
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	45,963	14,437
Other Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost	1,468	1,468
Securities Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,492	224
Securities Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$ 2,960	$ 1,692

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis

As of December 31, 2011	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	—	$	501,226	$	—	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		—		1,928		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		—		337,631		—		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		16,486		—		16,486
Asset-backed securities		—		166		—		166
Corporate debt securities		—		380,429		—		380,429
Mutual funds		6,035		—		—		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		1,654		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,963		—		—		45,963
Other equity securities		2,960		—		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale		54,958		1,239,520		—		1,294,478
Trading securities		2		4,540		—		4,542
Warrants		—		—		218		218
Option contracts		—		34		—		34
Foreign exchange contracts		—		2,151		—		2,151
Total assets	$	54,960	$	1,246,245	$	218	$	1,301,423
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	2,634	$	—	$	2,634
Option contracts		—		5		—		5
Foreign exchange contracts		—		486		—		486
Total liabilities	$	—	$	3,125	$	—	$	3,125

As of December 31, 2010	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	—	$	—	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		—		825,082		—		825,082
State and municipal securities		—		1,718		—		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		—		642,305		—		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		25,194		—		25,194
Asset-backed securities		—		240		—		240
Corporate debt securities		—		369,425		—		369,425
Mutual funds		3,927		—		—		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		719		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,437		—		—		14,437
Other equity securities		1,692		—		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale		138,884		1,864,683		—		2,003,567
Trading securities		23		3,795		—		3,818
Warrants		—		—		40		40
Option contracts		—		106		—		106
Foreign exchange contracts		—		4,629		—		4,629
Total assets	$	138,907	$	1,873,213	$	40	$	2,012,160
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	6,508	$	—	$	6,508
Option contracts		—		72		—		72
Foreign exchange contracts		—		1,873		—		1,873
Total liabilities	$	—	$	8,453	$	—	$	8,453

Schedule Of Level Of Valuation Assumptions Used To Determine Each Adjustment And The Carrying Value Of The Related Individual Assets And The Total Losses On A Nonrecurring Basis

	As of December 31, 2011								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,251	$	4,251	$	877	$	3,411
Construction-residential		—		—		—		—		—		1,295
Real estate loans		—		—		35,576		35,576		820		1,407
Land loans		—		—		611		611		46		1,003
Total impaired loans		—		—		40,438		40,438		1,743		7,116
Loans held-for-sale		—		—		760		760		—		3,160
Other real estate owned (1)		—		79,029		1,093		80,122		7,003		20,139
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,693		8,693		379		760
Equity investments		323		—		—		323		200		304
Total assets	$	323	$	79,029	$	50,984	$	130,336	$	9,325	$	31,479

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $92.7 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

	As of December 31, 2010								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,824	$	4,824	$	3,411	$	16,293
Construction-residential		—		—		500		500		1,295		23,234
Construction-other		—		—		5,659		5,659		—		12,493
Real estate loans		—		—		99,309		99,309		1,407		27,350
Land loans		—		—		730		730		1,003		11,639
Total impaired loans		—		—		111,022		111,022		7,116		91,009
Loans held-for-sale.		—		—		2,873		2,873		3,160		19,252
Other real estate owned (1)		—		72,159		11,105		83,264		20,139		28,216
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,410		8,410		760		1,982
Equity investments		522		—		—		522		304		—
Total assets	$	522	$	72,159	$	133,410	$	206,091	$	31,479	$	140,459

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $71.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

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Quarterly Results Of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Results Of Operations [Abstract]

Quarterly Results Of Operations

23. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly financial data:

	Summary of Operations
	2011												2010
	Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income	$	111,076		$	114,379		$	114,339		$	113,777		$	118,332		$	120,506		$	124,287		$	126,469
Interest expense		31,759			33,426			36,024			38,672			43,095			47,165			49,680			51,748
Net interest income		79,317			80,953			78,315			75,105			75,237			73,341			74,607			74,721
Provision for credit losses		2,000			9,000			10,000			6,000			10,000			17,900			45,000			84,000
Net-interest income/(loss) after provision for loan losses		77,317			71,953			68,315			69,105			65,237			55,441			29,607			(9,279	)
Non-interest income		8,986			16,827			12,453			12,626			16,169			3,886			7,412			4,784
Non-interest expense		43,990			48,383			45,410			47,783			56,348			34,881			40,319			44,163
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		42,313			40,397			35,358			33,948			25,058			24,446			(3,300	)		(48,658	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		14,459			14,162			10,906			11,734			6,789			7,023			(5,373	)		(23,068	)
Net income/(loss)		27,854			26,235			24,452			22,214			18,269			17,423			2,073			(25,590	)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		153			151			150			151			158			151			150			151
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp		27,701			26,084			24,302			22,063			18,111			17,272			1,923			(25,741	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(4,114	)		(4,111	)		(4,107	)		(4,105	)		(4,102	)		(4,098	)		(4,096	)		(4,092	)
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders	$	23,587		$	21,973		$	20,195		$	17,958		$	14,009		$	13,174		$	(2,173	)	$	(29,833	)
Basic net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)
Diluted net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Organization And Background

Organization and Background. The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operations of the Bank, which owns 100% of the common securities of the following subsidiaries: Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust, GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc., Cathay Holdings LLC, Cathay Holdings 2, LLC, Cathay Holdings 3, LLC, Cathay Community Development Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation.

There are limited operating business activities currently at the Bancorp. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. Its operations include the acceptance of checking, savings, and time deposits, and the making of commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The Bank also offers trade financing, letters of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contracts, Internet banking, investment services, and other customary banking services to its customers.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates subject to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, other-than-temporary impairment analysis on investments, fair value disclosures, and the fair value of options granted. The more significant of these policies are described below.

Concentrations

Concentrations. The Bank was incorporated in California and started its business from California. Therefore, loans originated and deposits solicited were mainly from California. As of December 31, 2011, gross loans were primarily comprised of 53.1% of commercial mortgage loans and 26.5% of commercial loans. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of the Bank's residential mortgages were for properties located in California. Total deposits were comprised of 48.4% of time deposit of $100,000 or more (Jumbo CDs) at December 31, 2011, and approximately 57.1% of the Company's Jumbo CDs have been on deposit with the Company for two years or more.

Allowance For Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses. The determination of the amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operations reflects management's current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which loan losses is determined the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

The total allowance for loan losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, two primary methodologies are employed, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

The Bank's management allocates a specific allowance for "Impaired Credits," in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management's estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. The Company purchases securities under agreement to resell with various terms. These agreements are collateralized by agency securities and mortgage backed securities that are generally held by a third party custodian. The purchases are over-collateralized to ensure against unfavorable market price movements. In the event that the fair market value of the securities decreases below the collateral requirements under the related repurchase agreements, the counterparty is required to deliver additional securities. The counterparties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit eligibility criteria and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed.

Securities

Securities. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available-for-sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time, or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes, and may be sold from time to time to manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Securities are classified as trading securities when management intends to sell the securities in the near term. Securities purchased are designated as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities at the time of acquisition.

Securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts on a level-yield basis. The carrying value of these assets is not adjusted for temporary declines in fair value since the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, and any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted as adjustment of yield on a level-yield basis.

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall have considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is then recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.

Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in income.

Investment In Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock. As a member of the FHLB system the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. The amount of investment is also affected by the outstanding advances under the line of credit the Bank maintains with the FHLB. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is pledged as collateral to the FHLB. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The carrying amount of the FHLB stock was $53.0 million at December 31, 2011, and $63.9 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, 250,000 shares of FHLB stock was the minimum stock requirement based on outstanding FHLB borrowings of $225.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 529,888 shares of FHLB stock.

Loans

Loans. Loans are carried at amounts advanced, less principal payments collected and net deferred loan fees. Interest is accrued and earned daily on an actual or 360-day basis. Interest accruals on business loans and non-residential real estate loans are generally discontinued whenever the payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, based on contractual terms. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status, unless the loan is well secured, and there is a high probability of recovery in full, as determined by management. When loans are placed on a non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months. Loan origination fees and commitment fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment. The amortization utilizes the interest method. If a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the amortization of the loan fees and the accretion of discounts are discontinued until the loan is returned to accruing status.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses are recorded in non-interest income based on the difference between sales proceeds, net of sales commissions, and carrying value.

Loans Acquired Through Transfer

Loans Acquired Through Transfer. Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payment receivables are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the "accretable yield," is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the "nonaccretable difference," are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowance on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

Impaired Loans

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (i.e. both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (1) the present value of the expected future cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate, (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of the impaired loan is recognized by recording a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The Company stratifies its loan portfolio by size and treats smaller non-performing loans with an outstanding balance based on the Company's defined criteria, generally where the loan amount is $500,000 or less, as a homogenous portfolio. Once a loan has been identified as a possible problem loan, the Company conducts a periodic review of such loan in order to test for impairment. When loans are placed on an impaired status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructed Loan ("TDR")

Troubled Debt Restructured Loan ("TDR".) A TDR is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered TDRs, accruing TDR loans have, pursuant to the Bank's policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

Unfunded Loan Commitments

Unfunded Loan Commitments. Unfunded loan commitments are generally related to providing credit facilities to clients of the Bank, and are not actively traded financial instruments. These unfunded commitments are disclosed as off-balance sheet financial instruments in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Letter Of Credit Fees

Letter of Credit Fees. Issuance and commitment fees received for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit are recognized over the term of the instruments.

Premises And Equipment

Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Type	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings	15 to 45 years
Building improvements	5 to 20 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

Improvements are capitalized and amortized to occupancy expense based on the above table. Construction in process is carried at cost and includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest and other costs related directly to the construction of a property.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer's initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

Investments In Affordable Housing

Investments in Affordable Housing. The Company is a limited partner in limited partnerships that invest in low-income housing projects that qualify for Federal and/or State income tax credits. As further discussed in Note 7, the partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company therefore consolidated the financial statements of these six limited partnerships into its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments In Venture Capital

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company invests in limited partnerships that invest in nonpublic companies. These partnerships are commonly referred to as venture capital investments. These limited partnership interests represent ownership of less than 5% and are carried under the cost method with other-than-temporary impairment charged against net income.

Goodwill And Goodwill Impairment

Reporting Units	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount			Allocated Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Lending Unit	$	647,628	$	124,000		—			—
Retail Banking Unit		390,003		708,000		81.5	%		235,195
East Coast Operations		211,567		394,000		86.2	%		81,145
Total	$	1,249,198	$	1,226,000				$	316,340

If economic conditions were to worsen instead of improve as assumed in the key assumptions, then the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations could be significantly lower than projected. In addition, a worsening of economic conditions could potentially reduce the price to earnings multiples and price to book multiples of peer groups for Retail Banking and East Coast Operations and result in a reduction in the fair value of these units even if the forecasted earnings were achieved.

Core Deposit Premium

Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium, which represents the purchase price over the fair value of the deposits acquired from other financial institutions, is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. If a pattern of consumption cannot be reliably determined, straight-line amortization is used. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the premium balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the remaining deposit portfolio and amortizes core deposit premium over its estimated useful life.

At December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $10.6 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $49.8 million. Aggregate amortization expense for core deposit premium was $5.9 million for 2011, $6.0 million for 2010, and $6.6 million for 2009. At December 31, 2011, the estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums is $5.7 million for 2012, $4.5 million for 2013, and $0.4 million for 2014 and thereafter. At December 31, 2010, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $16.4 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $44.1 million.

Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the applicable asset accounts.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date for those options expected to vest, and is recognized as an expense over the vesting period of the grant using the straight-line method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of granted options. This model takes into account the option exercise price, the expected life, the current price of the underlying stock, the expected volatility of the Company's stock, expected dividends on the stock and a risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility based on the Company's historical stock prices for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock options. Option compensation expense totaled $1.0 million in 2011, $3.0 million in 2010, and $5.4 million in 2009. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $904,000 at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.2 years.

Foreign Exchange Forwards And Foreign Currency Option Contracts

Foreign Exchange Forwards and Foreign Currency Option Contracts. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with correspondent banks to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts, are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive Income/(loss). Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income/(loss) generally includes net income/(loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities available-for-sale, and cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are reported and displayed in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss).

Net Income Per Common Share

Net Income per Common Share. Earnings per share ("EPS") is computed on a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shares in the earnings of the Company. Potential dilution is excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts when a net loss from operations exists.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation. The Company considers the functional currency of its foreign operations to be the United States dollar. Accordingly, the Company remeasures monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, while nonmonetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for depreciation, which is remeasured at historical rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in income in the period of occurrence.

Statement Of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term highly-liquid investments that generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

Segment Information And Disclosures

Segment Information and Disclosures. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has concluded it has one operating segment.

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cathay General Bancorp (the "Bancorp"), a Delaware corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cathay Bank (the "Bank"), a California state-chartered bank, six limited partnerships investing in affordable housing projects, and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. (together, the "Company"). All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and general practices within the banking industry

Organization and Background. The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operations of the Bank, which owns 100% of the common securities of the following subsidiaries: Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust, GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc., Cathay Holdings LLC, Cathay Holdings 2, LLC, Cathay Holdings 3, LLC, Cathay Community Development Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation.

There are limited operating business activities currently at the Bancorp. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. Its operations include the acceptance of checking, savings, and time deposits, and the making of commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The Bank also offers trade financing, letters of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contracts, Internet banking, investment services, and other customary banking services to its customers.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates subject to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, other-than-temporary impairment analysis on investments, fair value disclosures, and the fair value of options granted. The more significant of these policies are described below.

Concentrations. The Bank was incorporated in California and started its business from California. Therefore, loans originated and deposits solicited were mainly from California. As of December 31, 2011, gross loans were primarily comprised of 53.1% of commercial mortgage loans and 26.5% of commercial loans. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of the Bank's residential mortgages were for properties located in California. Total deposits were comprised of 48.4% of time deposit of $100,000 or more (Jumbo CDs) at December 31, 2011, and approximately 57.1% of the Company's Jumbo CDs have been on deposit with the Company for two years or more.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The determination of the amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operations reflects management's current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which loan losses is determined the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

The total allowance for loan losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, two primary methodologies are employed, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

The Bank's management allocates a specific allowance for "Impaired Credits," in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management's estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. The Company purchases securities under agreement to resell with various terms. These agreements are collateralized by agency securities and mortgage backed securities that are generally held by a third party custodian. The purchases are over-collateralized to ensure against unfavorable market price movements. In the event that the fair market value of the securities decreases below the collateral requirements under the related repurchase agreements, the counterparty is required to deliver additional securities. The counterparties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit eligibility criteria and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed.

Securities. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available-for-sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time, or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes, and may be sold from time to time to manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Securities are classified as trading securities when management intends to sell the securities in the near term. Securities purchased are designated as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities at the time of acquisition.

Securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts on a level-yield basis. The carrying value of these assets is not adjusted for temporary declines in fair value since the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, and any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted as adjustment of yield on a level-yield basis.

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall have considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is then recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.

Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in income.

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock. As a member of the FHLB system the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. The amount of investment is also affected by the outstanding advances under the line of credit the Bank maintains with the FHLB. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is pledged as collateral to the FHLB. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The carrying amount of the FHLB stock was $53.0 million at December 31, 2011, and $63.9 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, 250,000 shares of FHLB stock was the minimum stock requirement based on outstanding FHLB borrowings of $225.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 529,888 shares of FHLB stock.

Loans. Loans are carried at amounts advanced, less principal payments collected and net deferred loan fees. Interest is accrued and earned daily on an actual or 360-day basis. Interest accruals on business loans and non-residential real estate loans are generally discontinued whenever the payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, based on contractual terms. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status, unless the loan is well secured, and there is a high probability of recovery in full, as determined by management. When loans are placed on a non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months. Loan origination fees and commitment fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment. The amortization utilizes the interest method. If a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the amortization of the loan fees and the accretion of discounts are discontinued until the loan is returned to accruing status.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses are recorded in non-interest income based on the difference between sales proceeds, net of sales commissions, and carrying value.

Loans Acquired Through Transfer. Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payment receivables are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the "accretable yield," is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the "nonaccretable difference," are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowance on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (i.e. both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (1) the present value of the expected future cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate, (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of the impaired loan is recognized by recording a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The Company stratifies its loan portfolio by size and treats smaller non-performing loans with an outstanding balance based on the Company's defined criteria, generally where the loan amount is $500,000 or less, as a homogenous portfolio. Once a loan has been identified as a possible problem loan, the Company conducts a periodic review of such loan in order to test for impairment. When loans are placed on an impaired status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructured Loan ("TDR".) A TDR is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered TDRs, accruing TDR loans have, pursuant to the Bank's policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

Unfunded Loan Commitments. Unfunded loan commitments are generally related to providing credit facilities to clients of the Bank, and are not actively traded financial instruments. These unfunded commitments are disclosed as off-balance sheet financial instruments in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Letter of Credit Fees. Issuance and commitment fees received for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit are recognized over the term of the instruments.

Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Type	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings	15 to 45 years
Building improvements	5 to 20 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

Improvements are capitalized and amortized to occupancy expense based on the above table. Construction in process is carried at cost and includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest and other costs related directly to the construction of a property.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer's initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

Investments in Affordable Housing. The Company is a limited partner in limited partnerships that invest in low-income housing projects that qualify for Federal and/or State income tax credits. As further discussed in Note 7, the partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company therefore consolidated the financial statements of these six limited partnerships into its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company invests in limited partnerships that invest in nonpublic companies. These partnerships are commonly referred to as venture capital investments. These limited partnership interests represent ownership of less than 5% and are carried under the cost method with other-than-temporary impairment charged against net income.

Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment. Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350. ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, formerly, SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets."

The Company's policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Accounting standards require management to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit in making the assessment of impairment at least annually.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process conducted by us, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our three reporting units- Commercial Lending, Retail Banking, and East Coast Operations. The Company then completes "step one" of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or "carrying amount") of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and "step two" of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment. Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill to the "implied fair value" of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill. This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

The Commercial Lending unit did not have any goodwill allocated to the unit and accordingly no goodwill impairment testing was performed for that unit. The reporting unit fair values for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations were determined based on an equal weighting of (1) the fair value determined using a market approach using a combination of price to earnings multiples determined based on a representative peer group applied to 2011 and forecasted 2012 and 2013 earnings, and a price to book multiple and (2) the fair value determined using a dividend discount model with the discount rate determined using the same representative peer group. A control premium was then applied to the unit fair values so determined as of December 31, 2011.

In determining the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations, the financial forecasts assume muted growth during the forecast period. The principal driver of the Company's negative operating results has been the Commercial Lending reporting unit where the vast majority of the Company's loan losses have been incurred. A summary of the respective unit fair value, carrying amounts and unit goodwill as well as the percentage by which fair value exceed carrying value of each reporting unit as of December 31, 2011, is shown below:

Reporting Units	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount			Allocated Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Lending Unit	$	647,628	$	124,000		—			—
Retail Banking Unit		390,003		708,000		81.5	%		235,195
East Coast Operations		211,567		394,000		86.2	%		81,145
Total	$	1,249,198	$	1,226,000				$	316,340

If economic conditions were to worsen instead of improve as assumed in the key assumptions, then the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations could be significantly lower than projected. In addition, a worsening of economic conditions could potentially reduce the price to earnings multiples and price to book multiples of peer groups for Retail Banking and East Coast Operations and result in a reduction in the fair value of these units even if the forecasted earnings were achieved.

Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium, which represents the purchase price over the fair value of the deposits acquired from other financial institutions, is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. If a pattern of consumption cannot be reliably determined, straight-line amortization is used. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the premium balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the remaining deposit portfolio and amortizes core deposit premium over its estimated useful life.

At December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $10.6 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $49.8 million. Aggregate amortization expense for core deposit premium was $5.9 million for 2011, $6.0 million for 2010, and $6.6 million for 2009. At December 31, 2011, the estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums is $5.7 million for 2012, $4.5 million for 2013, and $0.4 million for 2014 and thereafter. At December 31, 2010, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $16.4 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $44.1 million.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the applicable asset accounts.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date for those options expected to vest, and is recognized as an expense over the vesting period of the grant using the straight-line method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of granted options. This model takes into account the option exercise price, the expected life, the current price of the underlying stock, the expected volatility of the Company's stock, expected dividends on the stock and a risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility based on the Company's historical stock prices for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock options. Option compensation expense totaled $1.0 million in 2011, $3.0 million in 2010, and $5.4 million in 2009. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $904,000 at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.2 years.

Foreign Exchange Forwards and Foreign Currency Option Contracts. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with correspondent banks to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts, are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Comprehensive Income/(loss). Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income/(loss) generally includes net income/(loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities available-for-sale, and cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are reported and displayed in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss).

Net Income per Common Share. Earnings per share ("EPS") is computed on a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shares in the earnings of the Company. Potential dilution is excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts when a net loss from operations exists.

Foreign Currency Translation. The Company considers the functional currency of its foreign operations to be the United States dollar. Accordingly, the Company remeasures monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, while nonmonetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for depreciation, which is remeasured at historical rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in income in the period of occurrence.

Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term highly-liquid investments that generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

Segment Information and Disclosures. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has concluded it has one operating segment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02 "A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring." ASU 2011-02 clarifies the guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. A restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring if it meets both of the following criteria: (a) the restructuring constitutes a concession; and (b) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. ASU 2011-02 was effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. Adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03 "Transfers and Servicing: Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements." ASU 2011-03 improves the accounting for repurchase agreements and other similar transactions by removing the following: the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms even in the event of default by the transferee, and the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. ASU 2011-03 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011, and will be applied prospectively. Adoption of ASU 2011-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 "Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ASU 2011-05 requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011, and will be applied retrospectively. Adoption of ASU 2011-05 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 "Intangible- Goodwill and other." ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 will be effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed after December 15, 2011. Adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Estimated Useful Lives Of Assets

Type	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings	15 to 45 years
Building improvements	5 to 20 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

Schedule Of Goodwill

Reporting Units	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount			Allocated Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Lending Unit	$	647,628	$	124,000		—			—
Retail Banking Unit		390,003		708,000		81.5	%		235,195
East Coast Operations		211,567		394,000		86.2	%		81,145
Total	$	1,249,198	$	1,226,000				$	316,340

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Borrowed Funds (Schedule Of Callable Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Floating Rate, Rate index, 8% minus 3 month LIBOR	8.00%
No. of agreements	27
Amount	$ 1,400,000,000
Weighted average rate	4.14%
Fixed-To-Floating 150.0 Million With 3 Agreements At 3.75% [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.75%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	3
Amount	150,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.75%
Final maturity	2014
Fixed-To-Floating 200.0 [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.50%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	4
Amount	200,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.50%
Final maturity	2014
Fixed-To-Floating 150.0 Million With 3 Agreements At 3.5% [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.50%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	3
Amount	150,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.50%
Final maturity	2015
Fixed-To-Floating 50.0 With 1 Agreement At 3.25% [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.25%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	1
Amount	50,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.25%
Final maturity	2015
Floating-To-Fixed 550.0 [Member] | Floating-To-Fixed [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
No. of agreements	10
Amount	550,000,000
Weighted average rate	4.54%
Final maturity	2014
Floating-To-Fixed 200.0 [Member] | Floating-To-Fixed [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
No. of agreements	4
Amount	200,000,000
Weighted average rate	5.00%
Final maturity	2017
2014 [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating 50.0 With 1 Agreement At 3.53% [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.53%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	1
Amount	50,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.53%
Final maturity	2014
2015 [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating 50.0 With 1 Agreement At 3.53% [Member] | Fixed-To-Floating [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Maximum rate	3.53%
Minimum rate	0.00%
No. of agreements	1
Amount	$ 50,000,000
Weighted average rate	3.53%
Final maturity	2015

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Quarterly Results Of Operations (Selected Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Results Of Operations [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 111,076	$ 114,379	$ 114,339	$ 113,777	$ 118,332	$ 120,506	$ 124,287	$ 126,469	$ 453,571	$ 489,594	$ 528,731
Interest expense	31,759	33,426	36,024	38,672	43,095	47,165	49,680	51,748	139,881	191,688	246,039
Net interest income before provision for credit losses	79,317	80,953	78,315	75,105	75,237	73,341	74,607	74,721	313,690	297,906	282,692
Provision for credit losses	2,000	9,000	10,000	6,000	10,000	17,900	45,000	84,000	27,000	156,900	307,000
Net interest income/(loss) after provision for credit losses	77,317	71,953	68,315	69,105	65,237	55,441	29,607	(9,279)	286,690	141,006	(24,308)
Non-interest income	8,986	16,827	12,453	12,626	16,169	3,886	7,412	4,784	50,892	32,251	78,654
Non-interest expense	43,990	48,383	45,410	47,783	56,348	34,881	40,319	44,163	185,566	175,711	183,037
Income/(loss) before income tax (benefit)/expense	42,313	40,397	35,358	33,948	25,058	24,446	(3,300)	(48,658)	152,016	(2,454)	(128,691)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	14,459	14,162	10,906	11,734	6,789	7,023	(5,373)	(23,068)	51,261	(14,629)	(61,912)
Net income/(loss)	27,854	26,235	24,452	22,214	18,269	17,423	2,073	(25,590)	100,755	12,175	(66,779)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	153	151	150	151	158	151	150	151	605	610	611
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp	27,701	26,084	24,302	22,063	18,111	17,272	1,923	(25,741)	100,150	11,565	(67,390)
Dividends on preferred stock	(4,114)	(4,111)	(4,107)	(4,105)	(4,102)	(4,098)	(4,096)	(4,092)	(16,437)	(16,388)	(16,338)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,587	$ 21,973	$ 20,195	$ 17,958	$ 14,009	$ 13,174	$ (2,173)	$ (29,833)	$ 83,713	$ (4,823)	$ (83,728)
Basic net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 0.23	$ 0.18	$ 0.17	$ (0.03)	$ (0.41)	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)
Diluted net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 0.23	$ 0.18	$ 0.17	$ (0.03)	$ (0.41)	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)

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Capital Resources (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Capital Resources [Abstract]

Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes Issued

Trust Name	Issuance Date	Principal Balance of Notes	Not Redeemable Until	Stated Maturity	Annualized Coupon Rate		Current Interest Rate			Date of Rate Change	Payable/ Distribution Date
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cathay Capital Trust I	June 26, 2003	$20,619	June 30, 2008	June 30, 2033		3-month LIBOR +3.15%		3.73	%	December 30, 2011	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Statutory Trust I	September 17, 2003	20,619	September 17, 2008	September 17, 2033		3-month LIBOR+3.00%		3.56%		December 17, 2011	March 17 June 17 September 17 December 17
Cathay Capital Trust II	December 30, 2003	12,887	March 30, 2009	March 30, 2034		3-month LIBOR+2.90%		3.48%		December 30, 2011	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Capital Trust III	March 28, 2007	46,392	June 15, 2012	June 15, 2037		3-month LIBOR+1.48%		2.03%		December 15, 2011	March 15 June 15 September 15 December 15
Cathay Capital Trust IV	May 31, 2007	20,619	September 6, 2012	September 6, 2037		3-month LIBOR 1.40%		1.93%		December 6, 2011	March 6 June 6 September 6 December 6
Total Junior Subordinated Notes		$121,136

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Cash And Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Average reserve balances required to be maintained with the federal bank	$ 12.2	$ 16.1

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Loans (Schedule Of Analysis Of Activity In The Allowance For Credit Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year				$ 245,231				$ 211,889	$ 245,231	$ 211,889	$ 122,093
Provision for credit losses	2,000	9,000	10,000	6,000	10,000	17,900	45,000	84,000	27,000	156,900	307,000
Transfers from reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments.									268	2,870	2,125
Loans charged off									(77,626)	(138,755)	(222,547)
Recoveries of charged off loans									11,407	12,327	3,218
Balance at end of year	206,280				245,231				206,280	245,231	211,889
Reserve For Off-balance Sheet Credit Commitments [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year				2,337				5,207	2,337	5,207	7,332
Provision for credit losses									(268)	(2,870)	(2,125)
Balance at end of year	$ 2,069				$ 2,337				$ 2,069	$ 2,337	$ 5,207

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 117,888	$ 87,347
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits	294,956	206,321
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		110,000
Securities held-to-maturity (market value of $1,203,977 in 2011 and $837,359 in 2010)	1,153,504	840,102
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,309,521 in 2011 and $2,005,330 in 2010)	1,294,478	2,003,567
Trading securities	4,542	3,818
Loans held for sale	760	2,873
Loans	7,059,212	6,868,621
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(206,280)	(245,231)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net	(8,449)	(7,621)
Loans, net	6,844,483	6,615,769
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	52,989	63,873
Other real estate owned, net	92,713	77,740
Affordable housing investments, net	78,358	88,472
Premises and equipment, net	105,961	109,456
Customers' liability on acceptances	37,300	14,014
Accrued interest receivable	32,226	35,382
Goodwill	316,340	316,340
Other intangible assets, net	11,598	17,044
Other assets	206,768	209,868
Total assets	10,644,864	10,801,986
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	1,074,718	930,300
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits	451,541	418,703
Money market deposits	951,516	982,617
Savings deposits	420,030	385,245
Time deposits under $100,000	832,997	1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more	3,498,329	3,193,715
Total deposits	7,229,131	6,991,846
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,400,000	1,561,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank	225,000	550,000
Other borrowings from financial institutions	880	8,465
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments	18,920	19,111
Long-term debt	171,136	171,136
Acceptances outstanding	37,300	14,014
Other liabilities	46,864	50,309
Total liabilities	9,129,231	9,365,881
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010	250,992	247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010	829	827
Additional paid-in-capital	765,641	762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net	(8,732)	(1,022)
Retained earnings	624,192	543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)	(125,736)	(125,736)
Total Cathay General Bancorp stockholders' equity	1,507,186	1,427,658
Noncontrolling interest	8,447	8,447
Total equity	1,515,633	1,436,105
Total liabilities and equity	$ 10,644,864	$ 10,801,986

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

	As of December 31, 2011				As of December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	117,888	$	117,888	$	87,347	$	87,347
Short-term investments		294,956		294,956		206,321		206,321
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ..		—		—		110,000		110,000
Securities held-to-maturity		1,153,504		1,203,977		840,102		837,359
Securities available-for-sale		1,294,478		1,294,478		2,003,567		2,003,567
Trading securities		4,542		4,542		3,818		3,818
Loans held-for-sale		760		760		2,873		2,873
Loans, net		6,844,483		6,825,571		6,615,769		6,596,501
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		52,989		52,989		63,873		63,873
Warrants		218		218		40		40

	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	3,026	$	34	$	29,336	$	106
Foreign exchange contracts		238,581		2,151		112,665		4,629

Financial Liabilities	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	7,229,131	$	7,240,857	$	6,991,846	$	7,006,913
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		1,400,000		1,547,900		1,561,000		1,704,585
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		225,000		227,825		550,000		580,054
Other borrowings		19,800		19,801		27,576		27,585
Long-term debt		171,136		98,676		171,136		114,557

	Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	1,282	$	5	$	72	$	72
Interest rate swaps		300,000		2,634		300,000		6,508
Foreign exchange contracts		128,215		486		68,355		1,873

	Notional Amount		Fair Value			Notional Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	(1,253	)	$	1,360,266	$	(603	)
Standby letters of credit		62,076		(367	)		59,876		(282	)
Other letters of credit		64,233		(38	)		62,722		(38	)
Bill of lading guarantees		187		—			245		(1	)

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Commitments And Contingencies (Financial Instruments, Credit Risk) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding commitments	$ 1,753,019	$ 1,483,109
Commercial Letters Of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding commitments	64,233	62,722
Bill Of Lading Guarantees [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding commitments	187	245
Commitments To Extend Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding commitments	1,626,523	1,360,266
Standby Letters Of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding commitments	$ 62,076	$ 59,876

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Regulatory Matters (Summary Of The Bancorp's And The Bank's Capital And Leverage Ratios) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Balance	$ 1,318,948		$ 1,228,184
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Percentage	15.97%		15.37%
Tier I Capital minimum requirement, Balance	330,355		319,607
Tier I Capital minimum requirement, Percentage	4.00%		4.00%
Excess, Balance	988,593		908,577
Excess, Percentage	11.97%		11.37%
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Balance	1,474,496		1,379,758
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Percentage	17.85%		17.27%
Total Capital minimum requirement, Balance	660,710		639,214
Total Capital minimum requirement, Percentage	8.00%		8.00%
Excess Capital	813,786		740,544
Excess, Percentage	9.85%		9.27%
Leverage ratio, Balance	1,318,948		1,228,184
Leverage ratio, Percentage	12.93%		11.44%
Minimum leverage requirement, Balance	408,146		429,254
Minimum leverage requirement, Percentage	4.00%		4.00%
Excess, Balance	910,802		798,930
Excess, Percentage	8.93%		7.44%
Total average assets	10,203,647	[1]	10,731,357	[1]
Risk-weighted assets	8,258,878		7,990,176
Tier 1 capital ratio, minimum	6.00%
Tier 1 leverage ratio, minimum	5.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio, minimum	10.00%
Cathay Bank [Member]
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Balance	1,289,747		1,182,033
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Percentage	15.64%		14.81%
Tier I Capital minimum requirement, Balance	329,928		319,209
Tier I Capital minimum requirement, Percentage	4.00%		4.00%
Excess, Balance	959,819		862,824
Excess, Percentage	11.64%		10.81%
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Balance	1,444,165		1,333,610
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets), Percentage	17.51%		16.71%
Total Capital minimum requirement, Balance	659,855		638,418
Total Capital minimum requirement, Percentage	8.00%		8.00%
Excess Capital	784,310		695,192
Excess, Percentage	9.51%		8.71%
Leverage ratio, Balance	1,289,747		1,182,033
Leverage ratio, Percentage	12.66%		11.03%
Minimum leverage requirement, Balance	407,643		428,667
Minimum leverage requirement, Percentage	4.00%		4.00%
Excess, Balance	882,104		753,366
Excess, Percentage	8.66%		7.03%
Total average assets	10,191,078	[1]	10,716,672	[1]
Risk-weighted assets	$ 8,248,190		$ 7,980,219

[1] Average assets represent average balances for the fourth quarter of each year presented.

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Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.205

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Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of Numerators And Denominators Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income/(loss), Income (Numerator)	$ 27,701	$ 26,084	$ 24,302	$ 22,063	$ 18,111	$ 17,272	$ 1,923	$ (25,741)	$ 100,150	$ 11,565	$ (67,390)
Dividends on preferred stock	(4,114)	(4,111)	(4,107)	(4,105)	(4,102)	(4,098)	(4,096)	(4,092)	(16,437)	(16,388)	(16,338)
Basic EPS, income/(loss), Income (Numerator)	23,587	21,973	20,195	17,958	14,009	13,174	(2,173)	(29,833)	83,713	(4,823)	(83,728)
Diluted EPS, income/(loss), Income (Numerator)									$ 83,713	$ (4,823)	$ (83,728)
Basic EPS, income/(loss), Shares (Denominator)									78,633,317	77,073,954	52,629,159
Effect of dilutive stock options, Shares (Denominator)									7,335
Diluted EPS, income/(loss), Shares (Denominator)									78,640,652	77,073,954	52,629,159
Basic EPS, income/(loss), Per Share Amount	$ 0.30	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 0.23	$ 0.18	$ 0.17	$ (0.03)	$ (0.41)	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)
Diluted EPS, income/(loss), Per Share Amount	$ 0.30	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 0.23	$ 0.18	$ 0.17	$ (0.03)	$ (0.41)	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)

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Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale	$ 760,000	$ 2,873,000
Decrease in loans held for sale	2,100,000
Sale of loans held for sale	3,600,000	4,300,000
Loans held for sale based on market value		2,900,000
Net gains on sale of loans	3,354,000	149,000	4,761,000
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale	88,000	779,000
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale	46,377,000	7,481,000	44,597,000
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale	760,000	2,873,000	54,826,000
Charge-offs	(77,626,000)	(138,755,000)	(222,547,000)
Loans serviced for others	222,200,000
Impaired loans, recorded investment	321,973,000	381,992,000
Non-accrual Loans	201,197,000	242,319,000
Average balance of impaired loans	361,353,000	370,638,000
Interest income recognized, impaired loans	5,330,000	9,989,000
Percentage of charge-off to contractual balances for impaired loans	25.60%	23.30%
Accruing TDRs occurred, number of Loans	32	28	14
Decrease in troubled debt restructurings on accrual status	16,800,000
Charge-Offs for accruing TDRs	15,196,000
Accruing TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	120,016,000	136,800,000	54,992,000
Allowance for credit losses associated with TDRs	1,400,000	3,600,000
Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	50,870,000	28,146,000	41,609,000
Allowance for credit losses associated with TDRs	1,600,000	1,300,000
Six Held For Sale Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale		31,700,000
Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale		21,500,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale	260,000
Loans serviced for others	60,800,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	3,368,000	3,736,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	3,498,000	2,328,000
Commercial Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Charge-offs	(11,745,000)	(21,609,000)
Loans serviced for others	49,000,000
Non-accrual Loans	30,661,000	31,498,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Accruing TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	15,120,000	4,025,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total	3,981,000
Commercial Construction Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale	500,000
Retail Shopping And Commercial Use Buildings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of TDRs having payments default	11	8
Troubled debt restructurings, total	74,400,000	64,400,000
Office And Commercial Use Buildings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of TDRs having payments default	7	6
Troubled debt restructurings, total	23,800,000	20,800,000
Hotel Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of TDRs having payments default	1
Troubled debt restructurings, total	7,900,000	15,400,000
Accruing TDRs occurred, number of Loans		2
Single Family Residential Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of TDRs having payments default	10
Troubled debt restructurings, total	13,300,000	10,500,000
Accruing TDRs occurred, number of Loans		4
Multi-Family Residential Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Troubled debt restructurings, total		21,400,000
Accruing TDRs occurred, number of Loans		3
28 Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Increase in troubled debt restructurings on accrual status		81,800,000
Land Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of TDRs having payments default	1
Troubled debt restructurings, total	635,000	2,500,000
Accruing TDRs occurred, number of Loans		3
Commercial Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Real estate loans pledged under specific pledge program	250,900,000	286,600,000
Number of TDRs having payments default	2	2
Troubled debt restructurings, total	39,000	1,800,000
TDRs having payments default	930,000
Commercial [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans serviced for others	111,800,000
TDRs having payments default	26,000
New Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Sale of loans held for sale	4,400,000
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale		20,800,000
Cash [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale		10,900,000
Real Estate Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Real estate loans pledged under specific pledge program	2,000,000,000	2,400,000,000
Construction - Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans serviced for others	$ 600,000
Maximum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan is in period default after, days	90
Minimum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loan is in period default after, days	60

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Financial Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of swap agreements	5
Interest rate swaps notional amount	$ 300,000,000
Period of interest rate swap agreements, years	3
Payment of weighted average fixed rate	1.95%
Weighted average fixed rate	0.52%
Net accrued on interest rate swaps	4,900,000	4,800,000
Interest rate derivative liabilities, at fair value	2,600,000	6,500,000
Positive Fair Value [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of option contracts	4,300,000	29,300,000
Option contracts with net fair value	29,000	35,000
Spot and forward contracts total notional amount	238,600,000	112,700,000
Spot and forward contracts total fair value	2,200,000	4,600,000
Negative Fair Value [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Spot and forward contracts total notional amount	128,200,000	68,400,000
Spot and forward contracts total fair value	$ (486,000)	$ (1,900,000)

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Loans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Loans [Abstract]

Schedule Of Components Of Loans In Consolidated Balance Sheets

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	1,868,275		$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		237,372			409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,748,897			3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		972,262			852,454
Equity lines		214,707			208,876
Installment and other loans		17,699			16,077
Gross loans		7,059,212			6,868,621
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(206,280	)		(245,231	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(8,449	)		(7,621	)
Total loans and leases, net	$	6,844,483		$	6,615,769
Loans held for sale	$	760		$	2,873

Schedule Of Analysis Of Activity With Respect To Loans To Related Parties

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	134,161		$	139,194
Additional loans made		89,985			52,809
Payment received		(64,077	)		(57,842	)
Balance at end of year	$	160,069		$	134,161

Schedule Of Impaired Loans And Related Allowance And Charge-Off

	Impaired Loans
	At December 31, 2011						At December 31, 2010
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(Dollars in thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	46,671	$	38,194	$	—	$	41,233	$	27,775	$	—
Real estate construction loans		134,837		78,767		—		102,186		64,274		—
Commercial mortgage loans		187,580		149,034		—		211,717		156,305		—
Residential mortgage and equity lines		8,555		7,987		—		7,823		7,436		—
Subtotal	$	377,643	$	273,982	$	—	$	362,959	$	255,790	$	—
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	11,795	$	7,587	$	3,336	$	13,930	$	7,748	$	2,925
Real estate construction loans		—		—		—		15,429		13,416		7,470
Commercial mortgage loans		29,722		28,023		2,969		98,593		96,449		3,812
Residential mortgage and equity lines.		13,813		12,381		1,249		9,811		8,589		978
Subtotal	$	55,330	$	47,991	$	7,554	$	137,763	$	126,202	$	15,185
Total impaired loans	$	432,973	$	321,973	$	7,554	$	500,722	$	381,992	$	15,185

Schedule Of Average Balance And Interest Income Recognized Related To Impaired Loans

	For the year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	Average Recorded Investment				Interest Income Recognized
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	48,349	$	34,857	$	1,053	$	1,059
Real estate construction loans		82,529		92,859		940		1,665
Commercial mortgage loans		212,555		230,952		3,101		6,925
Residential mortgage and equity lines		17,920		11,970		236		340
Subtotal	$	361,353	$	370,638	$	5,330	$	9,989

Schedule Of Non-Accrual Loans And The Related Net Interest Foregone

	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual portfolio loans	$	201,197	$	242,319	$	280,643
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale		760		2,873		54,826
Total non-accrual loans	$	201,957	$	245,192	$	335,469
Contractual interest due	$	13,049	$	17,304	$	23,746
Interest recognized		71		4,853		9,830
Net interest foregone	$	12,978	$	12,451	$	13,916

Schedule Of Aging Of Loan Portfolio

	As of December 31, 2011
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,683	$	—	$	—	$	30,661	$	32,344	$	1,835,931	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		20,326		—		—		46,012		66,338		171,034		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		13,627		20,277		6,726		107,784		148,414		3,600,483		3,748,897
Residential mortgage loans		5,871		—		—		16,740		22,611		1,164,358		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		17,699		17,699
Total loans	$	41,507	$	20,277	$	6,726	$	201,197	$	269,707	$	6,789,505	$	7,059,212

	As of December 31, 2010
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	7,037	$	2,990	$	—	$	31,498	$	41,525	$	1,399,642	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		14,634		15,425		4,175		53,937		88,171		321,815		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		12,569		9,430		831		144,596		167,426		3,772,635		3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		9,934		2,581		—		12,288		24,803		1,036,527		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		16,077		16,077
Total loans	$	44,174	$	30,426	$	5,006	$	242,319	$	321,925	$	6,546,696	$	6,868,621

Schedule Of Troubled Debt Restructurings Modified In 2011

	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Specific Reserve		Charge-off
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		7	$	15,025	$	15,025	$	104	$	—
Real estate construction loans		3		33,669		21,522		—		12,147
Commercial mortgage loans		6		17,343		14,294		1		3,049
Residential mortgage and equity lines		3		1,574		1,574		114		—
Total		19	$	67,611	$	52,415	$	219	$	15,196

Schedule Of Troubled Debt Restructuring By Type Of Concession And Type Of Loans

	As of December 31, 2011
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	12,933	$	1,756	$	—	$	431	$	15,120
Real estate construction loans		16,820		9,659		—		5,776		32,255
Commercial mortgage loans		471		37,796		2,071		28,935		69,273
Residential mortgage loans		1,294		587		—		1,487		3,368
Total accruing TDRs	$	31,518	$	49,798	$	2,071	$	36,629	$	120,016

	As of December 31, 2011
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	—	$	616	$	1,859	$	1,506	$	—	$	3,981
Real estate construction loans		—		13,579		12,376		—		—		25,955
Commercial mortgage loans		2,633		9,727				—		5,076		17,436
Residential mortgage loans		311		2,427		449		—		311		3,498
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	2,944	$	26,349	$	14,684	$	1,506	$	5,387	$	50,870

	As of December 31, 2010
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,131	$	1,780	$	—	$	1,114	$	4,025
Commercial mortgage loans		17,338		87,411		3,459		20,831		129,039
Residential mortgage loans		2,658		599		—		479		3,736
Total accruing TDRs	$	21,127	$	89,790	$	3,459	$	22,424	$	136,800

	As of December 31, 2010
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial mortgage loans	$	1,239	$	21,156	$	2,310	$	1,113	$	25,818
Residential mortgage loans		340		1,037		—		951		2,328
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	1,579	$	22,193	$	2,310	$	2,064	$	28,146

Activity Of Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans

Accruing TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	136,800		$	54,992
New restructurings		60,863			55,815
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		709			53,432
Charge-offs		(2,341	)		—
Payments		(46,313	)		(8,205	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		(28,969	)		(18,371	)
Expiration of loan concession		(733	)		(863	)
Ending balance	$	120,016		$	136,800

Non-accrual TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	28,146		$	41,609
New restructurings		13,269			74,543
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		28,969			18,371
Charge-offs		(7,303	)		(21,293	)
Payments		(3,355	)		(8,035	)
Foreclosures		(8,147	)		(23,617	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(709	)		(53,432	)
Ending balance	$	50,870		$	28,146

Schedule Of Portfolio By Risk Rating

	As of December 31, 2011
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,689,842	$	64,290	$	108,858	$	5,285	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		115,538		23,555		90,132		8,147		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		3,275,431		69,925		403,541		—		3,748,897
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,149,225		4,439		33,160		145		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		17,636		63		—		—		17,699
Total gross loans	$	6,247,672	$	162,272	$	635,691	$	13,577		7,059,212
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	260	$	500	$	760

	As of December 31, 2010
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,258,537	$	58,189	$	118,670	$	5,771	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		191,455		53,172		153,857		11,502		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,365,040		143,974		431,047		—		3,940,061
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,026,216		6,109		28,846		159		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		15,535		542		—		—		16,077
Total gross loans		5,856,783	$	261,986	$	732,420	$	17,432		6,868,621
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	2,873	$	—	$	2,873

Schedule Of Allowance For Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment And Based On Impairment Method

	Commercial Loans		Real Estate Construction Loans		Commercial Mortgage Loans		Residential mortgage and equity line		Consumer and Other		Total
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2011
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	3,336	$	—	$	2,969	$	1,247	$	—	$	7,552
Balance	$	45,781	$	78,766	$	177,058	$	20,368	$	—	$	321,973
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	62,322	$	21,749	$	105,052	$	9,548	$	57	$	198,728
Balance	$	1,822,494	$	158,606	$	3,571,839	$	1,166,601	$	17,699	$	6,737,239
Total allowance	$	65,658	$	21,749	$	108,021	$	10,795	$	57	$	206,280
Total balance	$	1,868,275	$	237,372	$	3,748,897	$	1,186,969	$	17,699	$	7,059,212
December 31, 2010
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	2,540	$	7,470	$	3,106	$	—	$	—	$	13,116
Balance	$	33,555	$	77,691	$	248,059	$	7,435	$	—	$	366,740
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	61,379	$	35,791	$	125,241	$	9,668	$	36	$	232,115
Balance	$	1,407,612	$	332,295	$	3,692,002	$	1,053,895	$	16,077	$	6,501,881
Total allowance	$	63,919	$	43,261	$	128,347	$	9,668	$	36	$	245,231
Total balance	$	1,441,167	$	409,986	$	3,940,061	$	1,061,330	$	16,077	$	6,868,621

Schedule Of Allowance For Loan Losses By Portfolio Segment

	Commercial Loans			Real Estate Construction Loans			Commercial Mortgage Loans			Residential mortgage and equity line			Installment and Other Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2010 Beginning Balance	$	57,814		$	45,087		$	100,495		$	8,480		$	13		$	211,889
Provision for possible loan losses		23,001			37,495			96,217			3,048			9			159,770
Charge-offs		(21,609	)		(45,321	)		(69,891	)		(1,934	)		—			(138,755	)
Recoveries		4,712			6,001			1,527			74			13			12,327
Net Charge-offs		(16,897	)		(39,320	)		(68,364	)		(1,860	)		13			(126,428	)
2010 Ending Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Reserve to impaired loans	$	2,925		$	7,470		$	3,812		$	979		$	—		$	15,186
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	60,994		$	35,791		$	124,535		$	8,690		$	35		$	230,045
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	691		$	1,505		$	103		$	36		$	2		$	2,337
2011 Beginning Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Provision for possible loan losses		11,711			11,514			1,454			2,392			197			27,268
Charge-offs		(11,745	)		(37,500	)		(26,750	)		(1,456	)		(175	)		(77,626	)
Recoveries		1,774			4,473			4,969			191			—			11,407
Net Charge-offs		(9,971	)		(33,027	)		(21,781	)		(1,265	)		(175	)		(66,219	)
2011 Ending Balance	$	65,658		$	21,749		$	108,021		$	10,795		$	57		$	206,280
Reserve to impaired loans	$	3,336		$	—		$	2,969		$	1,247		$	—		$	7,552
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	62,322		$	21,749		$	105,052		$	9,548		$	57		$	198,728
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	816		$	1,103		$	113		$	34		$	3		$	2,069

Schedule Of Analysis Of Activity In The Allowance For Credit Losses

	December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$	245,231		$	211,889		$	122,093
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000
Transfers from reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments.		268			2,870			2,125
Loans charged off		(77,626	)		(138,755	)		(222,547	)
Recoveries of charged off loans		11,407			12,327			3,218
Balance at end of year	$	206,280		$	245,231		$	211,889
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Credit Commitments
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,337		$	5,207		$	7,332
Provision for credit losses/transfers		(268	)		(2,870	)		(2,125	)
Balance at end of year	$	2,069		$	2,337		$	5,207

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Loans (Schedule Of Aging Of Loan Portfolio) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days Past Due	$ 41,507	$ 44,174
60-89 Days Past Due	20,277	30,426
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,726	5,006
Non-accrual Loans	201,197	242,319
Total Past Due	269,707	321,925
Loans Not Past Due	6,789,505	6,546,696
Loans	7,059,212	6,868,621
Commercial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days Past Due	1,683	7,037
60-89 Days Past Due		2,990
Non-accrual Loans	30,661	31,498
Total Past Due	32,344	41,525
Loans Not Past Due	1,835,931	1,399,642
Loans	1,868,275	1,441,167
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days Past Due	20,326	14,634
60-89 Days Past Due		15,425
Greater than 90 Days Past Due		4,175
Non-accrual Loans	46,012	53,937
Total Past Due	66,338	88,171
Loans Not Past Due	171,034	321,815
Loans	237,372	409,986
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days Past Due	13,627	12,569
60-89 Days Past Due	20,277	9,430
Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,726	831
Non-accrual Loans	107,784	144,596
Total Past Due	148,414	167,426
Loans Not Past Due	3,600,483	3,772,635
Loans	3,748,897	3,940,061
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days Past Due	5,871	9,934
60-89 Days Past Due		2,581
Non-accrual Loans	16,740	12,288
Total Past Due	22,611	24,803
Loans Not Past Due	1,164,358	1,036,527
Loans	1,186,969	1,061,330
Installment And Other Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans Not Past Due	17,699	16,077
Loans	$ 17,699	$ 16,077

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Financial Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Financial Derivatives [Abstract]

Financial Derivatives

15. Financial Derivatives

It is the policy of the Company not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Management believes that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in the Company's assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, the Company may protect its position through the purchase or sale of interest rate futures contracts for a specific cash or interest rate risk position. Other hedge transactions may be implemented using interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors, financial futures, forward rate agreements, and options on futures or bonds. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges will require an assessment of basis risk and must be approved by the Bank's Investment Committee.

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 which established accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and if so, the type of hedge.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding with two major financial institutions in the notional amount of $300.0 million for a period of three years. These interest rate swaps were not structured to hedge against inherent interest rate risks related to the Company's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the Company paid a fixed rate at a weighted average rate of 1.95% and received a floating 3-month LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 0.52%. The net amount accrued on these interest rate swaps of $4.9 million for 2011 was recorded to reduce other non-interest income compared to $4.8 million for 2010. At December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $2.6 million within other liabilities to recognize the negative fair value of these interest rate swaps compared to the $6.5 million negative fair value at December 31, 2010.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, for foreign exchange certificates of deposit, foreign currency contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts, or foreign currency option contracts are recognized immediately in operations as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2011, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $4.3 million with a net positive fair value of $29,000. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $238.6 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $2.2 million, at December 31, 2011. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $128.2 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $486,000, at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $29.3 million with a net positive fair value of $35,000. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $112.7 million had positive fair value, in the amount of $4.6 million, at December 31, 2010. Spot and forward contracts in the total notional amount of $68.4 million had a negative fair value, in the amount of $1.9 million, at December 31, 2010.

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Other Real Estate Owned (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Real Estate Owned [Abstract]

Activity In The Valuation Allowance For Other Real Estate Losses

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	25,310		$	22,743		$	3,814
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
OREO disposal		(9,273	)		(17,572	)		(9,287	)
Balance, end of year	$	26,422		$	25,310		$	22,743

Components Of Other Real Estate Owned Expense

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Operating expense	$	5,441		$	5,849		$	5,794
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
Net (gain)/loss on transfer and disposal		(5,243	)		(9,977	)		2,065
Total other real estate owned expense	$	10,583		$	16,011		$	36,075

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Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Future Rental Payments To Be Received) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2012	$ 90
2013	93
2014	45
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments to be received	$ 228

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

17. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Short-term Investments. For short-term investments, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell The fair value of the agreements to resell is based on dealer quotes.

Securities. For securities including securities held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and for trading, fair values were based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes.

Loans held for sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted price from third party sources, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption.

Loans. Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.

The fair value of impaired loans was calculated based on the net realized fair value of the collateral or the observable market price of the most recent sale or quoted price from loans-held-for-sale.

Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits was assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. The fair value of repurchase agreements is based on dealer quotes.

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank. The fair value of the advances is based on quotes from the FHLB to settle the advances.

Other Borrowings. This category includes federal funds purchased, revolving line of credit, and other short-term borrowings. The fair value of other borrowings is based on current market rates for borrowings with similar remaining maturities.

Long-term debt. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the current spreads to LIBOR for long-term debt.

Currency Option Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps was derived from observable market prices for similar assets.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written were estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counter parties. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit was based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counter parties at the reporting date.

Fair value was estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 825, formerly SFAS 107. Fair value estimates were made at specific points in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Bank's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank's financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates were subjective in nature and involved uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

	As of December 31, 2011				As of December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	117,888	$	117,888	$	87,347	$	87,347
Short-term investments		294,956		294,956		206,321		206,321
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ..		—		—		110,000		110,000
Securities held-to-maturity		1,153,504		1,203,977		840,102		837,359
Securities available-for-sale		1,294,478		1,294,478		2,003,567		2,003,567
Trading securities		4,542		4,542		3,818		3,818
Loans held-for-sale		760		760		2,873		2,873
Loans, net		6,844,483		6,825,571		6,615,769		6,596,501
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		52,989		52,989		63,873		63,873
Warrants		218		218		40		40

	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	3,026	$	34	$	29,336	$	106
Foreign exchange contracts		238,581		2,151		112,665		4,629

Financial Liabilities	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	7,229,131	$	7,240,857	$	6,991,846	$	7,006,913
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		1,400,000		1,547,900		1,561,000		1,704,585
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		225,000		227,825		550,000		580,054
Other borrowings		19,800		19,801		27,576		27,585
Long-term debt		171,136		98,676		171,136		114,557

	Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Option contracts	$	1,282	$	5	$	72	$	72
Interest rate swaps		300,000		2,634		300,000		6,508
Foreign exchange contracts		128,215		486		68,355		1,873

	Notional Amount		Fair Value			Notional Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	(1,253	)	$	1,360,266	$	(603	)
Standby letters of credit		62,076		(367	)		59,876		(282	)
Other letters of credit		64,233		(38	)		62,722		(38	)
Bill of lading guarantees		187		—			245		(1	)

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Loans (Activity Of Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accruing TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 136,800,000	$ 54,992,000
New restructurings	60,863,000	55,815,000
Restructured loans restored to accrual status	709,000	53,432,000
Charge-offs	(2,341,000)
Payments	(46,313,000)	(8,205,000)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual	(28,969,000)	(18,371,000)
Expiration of loan concession	(733,000)	(863,000)
Ending balance	120,016,000	136,800,000
Non-Accrual TDRs [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Beginning balance	28,146,000	41,609,000
New restructurings	13,269,000	74,543,000
Restructured loans restored to accrual status	(709,000)	(53,432,000)
Charge-offs	(7,303,000)	(21,293,000)
Payments	(3,355,000)	(8,035,000)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual	28,969,000	18,371,000
Foreclosures	(8,147,000)	(23,617,000)
Ending balance	$ 50,870,000	$ 28,146,000

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Equity Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Tax Benefit (Short-Fall) From Equity Incentive Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]
(Short-fall)/benefit of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value	$ (290)	$ (539)	$ (196)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value	362	539	198
Total benefit of tax deductions	$ 72		$ 2

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$ 100,755	$ 12,175	$ (66,779)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses	27,000	156,900	307,000
Provision for losses on other real estate owned	10,385	20,139	28,216
Deferred tax liability/(benefit)	13,808	(38,504)	(37,115)
Depreciation	6,079	4,619	7,695
Net (gains)/losses on sale and transfers of other real estate owned	(5,243)	(9,977)	2,065
Net gains on sale of loans	(3,354)	(149)	(4,761)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale	(88)	(779)
Proceeds from sale of loans	46,377	7,481	44,597
Originations of loans held for sale	(14,027)	(7,332)	(9,418)
Write-down on loans held for sale		3,160
(Decrease)/increase in unrealized loss from interest rate swaps	(3,874)	5,814
Purchase of trading securities	(745)	(3,795)
Write-down on venture capital and other investments	379	515	1,982
Write-downs on impaired securities	200	492	817
Gain on sales and calls of securities	(21,131)	(19,253)	(56,461)
Other non-cash interest	(480)	(794)	7
Amortization of security premiums, net	4,233	6,667	2,816
Amortization of other intangible assets	5,965	6,034	6,703
Excess tax short-fall from stock options	290	539	196
Stock based compensation expense	1,758	3,337	5,725
Decrease in accrued interest receivable	3,156	600	7,621
Noncontrolling interest.	(605)	(610)	(611)
Increase/(decrease) in other assets, net	(534)	34,594	(63,426)
Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities	3,746	(13,368)	(30,461)
Net cash provided by operating activities	174,050	168,505	146,408
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
(Increase)/decrease in short-term investments	(88,634)	48,404	(229,726)
Decrease/(increase) in securities purchased under agreements to resell	110,000	(110,000)	201,000
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale	(571,093)	(3,366,780)	(1,573,823)
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities available-for-sale	435,000	2,876,414	1,428,468
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale	524,958	65,139	51,679
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	(541,356)		(2,487,276)
Proceeds from repayment and sale of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	868,023	1,351,018	2,760,904
Purchase of investment securities held-to-maturity		(150,164)	(99,858)
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity	(480,083)	(165,527)	(536,262)
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities held-to-maturity	163,855	108,067	1,057
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	10,884	7,918
Net (increase)/decrease in loans	(362,054)	(151,054)	177,690
Purchase of premises and equipment	(2,888)	(4,979)	(12,222)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned	61,406	91,154	52,902
Net increase in investment in affordable housing	(968)	(3,015)	(14,116)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	127,050	596,595	(279,583)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market and saving deposits	180,940	224,122	529,359
Net increase/(decrease) in time deposits	56,828	(736,549)	138,945
Net (decrease)/increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(161,000)	4,000	(105,000)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank ..	4,734,000	528,000	816,000
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings	(5,059,000)	(907,362)	(1,336,000)
Cash dividends	(16,046)	(16,040)	(22,460)
Issuance of common stock		124,928	119,448
Proceeds from other borrowings		1,253	7,212
Repayment of other borrowings	(7,584)
Proceeds from shares issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan	287	310	1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,306		13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements	(290)	(539)	(196)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing actvities	(270,559)	(777,877)	148,481
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	30,541	(12,777)	15,306
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	87,347	100,124	84,818
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	117,888	87,347	100,124
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest	142,644	197,762	255,243
Income taxes	53,148	13,369	25,247
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Net change in unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax	(7,710)	(147)	(24,202)
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 160			8,500
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for investment	83,941	98,653	114,354
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for sale	2,874	21,473
Loans transferred to loans held for sale	4,399	4,332	81,678
Loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned	7,472	12,204	21,272
Loans to facilitate the sale of loans	$ 6,094	$ 23,500

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Securities held-to-maturity, market value	$ 1,203,977	$ 837,359
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,309,521	$ 2,005,330
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	258,000	258,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	258,000	258,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	82,860,122	82,739,348
Common stock, shares outstanding	78,652,557	78,531,783
Treasury stock, shares	4,207,565	4,207,565

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Borrowed Funds

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Borrowed Funds [Abstract]

Borrowed Funds

10. Borrowed Funds

Federal Funds Purchased. The table below provides comparative data for federal funds purchased:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	27		$	—		$	8,392
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		—			—			85,000
Balance, December 31		—			—			—
Rate at year-end		N/A			N/A			N/A
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		1.29	%		0.00	%		0.27	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were April 2009.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $1.4 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.14% at December 31, 2011, compared to $1.6 billion with a weighted average rate of 4.18% at December 31, 2010. Two long-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 4.77% matured in March 2011. In May 2011, the Company prepaid a security sold under agreement to repurchase of $50 million with a rate of 4.83% and incurred a prepayment penalty of $1.7 million. Fourteen floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $750.0 million have initial floating rates for a period of time ranging from six months to one year, with floating rates ranging from the three-month LIBOR minus 100 basis points to three-month LIBOR minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.29% to 5.07%. After the initial floating rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the fixed rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Thirteen fixed-to-floating rate agreements totaling $650.0 million have initial fixed rates ranging from 1.00% to 3.50% with initial fixed rate terms ranging from six months to 18 months. For the remainder of the seven year term, the rates float at 8% minus the three-month LIBOR rate with a maximum rate ranging from 3.25% to 3.75% and minimum rate of 0.0%. After the initial fixed rate term, the counter parties have the right to terminate the transaction at par at the floating rate reset date and quarterly thereafter. Quarterly average balance for securities sold under agreements to repurchase was $1.4 billion for the last three quarters in 2011, $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2011, and $1.6 billion for all quarters in 2010 and in 2009. The table below provides summary data for callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of December 31, 2011:

(Dollars in millions)	Fixed-to-floating																		Floating-to-fixed						Total
Callable		All callable at December 31, 2011																		All callable at December 31, 2011
Rate type		Float Rate																		Fixed Rate
Rate index		8% minus 3 month LIBOR
Maximum rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%
Minimum rate		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
No. of agreements		3			1			4			3			1			1			10			4			27
Amount	$	150.0		$	50.0		$	200.0		$	150.0		$	50.0		$	50.0		$	550.0		$	200.0		$	1,400.0
Weighted average rate		3.75	%		3.53	%		3.50	%		3.50	%		3.53	%		3.25	%		4.54	%		5.00	%		4.14	%
Final maturity		2014			2014			2014			2015			2015			2015			2014			2017

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amount at which the securities were sold. We may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency security debt, and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2011, and $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2010.

The table below provides comparative data for securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the years indicated:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)	$	1,448,363		$	1,560,215		$	1,562,447
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)		1,559,000			1,566,000			1,587,000
Balance, December 31		1,400,000			1,561,000			1,557,000
Rate, December 31		4.14	%		4.18	%		4.19	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year		4.19	%		4.24	%		4.17	%

(1) Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2) Highest month-end balances were January 2011, September 2010, and February 2009.

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Total advances from the FHLB decreased by $325.0 million to $225.0 million at December 31, 2011, from $550.0 million at December 31, 2010. The Company prepaid advances from the FHLB totaling $450.0 million with a weighted rate of 4.39% and incurred prepayment penalties of $18.5 million in 2011 compared to prepaying $379.4 million with a rate of 4.62% and incurring prepayment penalties totaling $14.3 million in 2010. As of December 31, 2011, $225.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 2.08% were outstanding compared to $550.0 million FHLB advances with weighted average rate of 4.43% at December 31, 2010.

The following relates to the outstanding advances at December 31, 2011, and 2010:

	2011					2010
Maturity	Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount (In thousands)		Weighted Average Interest Rate
91 days through 365 days	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	—		—
1 – 2 years		—		—			550,000		4.43	%
	$	225,000		2.08	%	$	550,000		4.43	%

Other borrowings from financial institutions. At December 31, 2011, other borrowings from a financial institution were $880,000 with a weighted average rate of 0.55% compared to $8.5 million with a weighted average rate of 0.48% at December 31, 2010. Other borrowings of $880,000 will mature in the first quarter of 2012.

Other Liabilities. On November 23, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") pursuant to which the CEO agreed to defer any bonus amounts in excess of $225,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005, until January 1 of the first year following such time as the CEO separates from the Company. Accordingly, an amount equal to $610,000 was deferred in 2004 and was accrued in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company agreed to accrue interest on the deferred portion of the bonus at 7.0% per annum compounded quarterly. The deferred amount will be increased each quarter by the amount of interest computed for that quarter. Beginning on the tenth anniversary of the agreement, the interest rate will equal 275 basis points above the prevailing interest rate on the ten-year Treasury Note. Interest of $67,000 during 2011, $62,000 during 2010, and $58,000 during 2009 was accrued on this deferred bonus. The balance was $995,000 at December 31, 2011, and $928,000 at December 31, 2010.

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Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 hours years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2009
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Minimum numbers of years required to be eligible to participate in ESOP	2
Minimum number of hours required for each of the two consecutive years, to be eligible to participate in ESOP	1,000
Shares purchased by ESOP Trust	3,437	4,881	22,515
Common stock aggregate cost	$ 47,000	$ 51,000	$ 289,000
Distribution of benefits to participants, shares	83,020	171,689	89,968
Company outstanding common stock, owned by ESOP	1,302,051
Percentage of outstanding common stock under ESOP	1.70%
Profit sharing plan, salaried employees' eligibility period of service, months	3
Profit sharing plan eligibility age, years	21
Percent of eligible compensation contributable by employee	75.00%
Company match percentage, applied to a defined employee contribution amount	100.00%			100.00%
Percent of eligible employee contribution matched by the Company	2.50%			5.00%
Vesting schedule for matching contribution less than two years				0.00%
Vesting schedule for matching contribution after two years				25.00%
Vesting schedule for matching contribution for subsequent years				25.00%
Vesting schedule for matching contribution after five years				100.00%
Company's contribution	900,000	900,000	1,100,000
Percentage of participant borrowing capacity of vested amount, maximum	50.00%
Maximum [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Participant vested amount	50,000
Minimum [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Participant vested amount	$ 1,000

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Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 05, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011 Series A Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Series A Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Series A Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Five Years [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Five Years [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Thereafter [Member]	Dec. 05, 2008 Thereafter [Member] Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Person Or Group Acquires [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Tender Offer [Member]
Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Issuance of Series B preferred stock													$ 8,600,000
Dividends on preferred stock	4,114,000	4,111,000	4,107,000	4,105,000	4,102,000	4,098,000	4,096,000	4,092,000	16,437,000	16,388,000	16,338,000		605,000	611,000	611,000
Series A junior participating preferred stock price									$ 200
Preferred stock rights exercisable																					15.00%	15.00%
Preferred stock, shares	258,000				258,000				258,000	258,000						258,000
U.S. treasury purchased senior preferred stock	250,992,000				247,455,000				250,992,000	247,455,000		258,000,000				258,000,000
Senior preferred stock, cumulative compounding dividends rate													7.00%				5.00%	5.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Warrants to purchase, shares of common stock	1,846,374								1,846,374
Warrants exercise price	$ 20.96								$ 20.96
Warrants aggregate market price	38,700,000								38,700,000
Senior preferred stock									15.00%
Options to purchase additional shares	4,400,000				5,000,000				4,400,000	5,000,000
Warrants to purchase additional shares	1,800,000				1,800,000				1,800,000	1,800,000
Restricted stock units additional shares									103,000	39,000
Amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends									$ 55,300,000

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Income Taxes (Schedule Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 519	$ 2,593
Expiration of statute of limitations		(508)
Federal impact of state payments		843
Payments	(86)	(2,409)
Increases for tax positions of prior years.	75
Balance, end of year	$ 508	$ 519

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Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 15, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000861842
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,658,254
Entity Public Float			$ 1,197,601,500
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

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Capital Resources

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Capital Resources [Abstract]

Capital Resources

11. Capital Resources

In 2010, the Company sold $132.3 million of new common stock consisting of 15,028,409 shares at an average price of $8.80 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $124.9 million to common stockholders' equity. In 2009, the Company sold $126.0 million of new common stock consisting of 13,869,856 shares at an average price of $8.61 per share. Net of issuance costs and fees, this issuance added $119.4 million to common stockholders' equity. The Company did not sell any common stock in 2011.

The Company has participated in the U.S. Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Upon the approval of participation, the U.S. Treasury purchased the Company's senior preferred stock on December 5, 2008, in the amount of $258.0 million. The senior preferred stock pays cumulative compounding dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years, and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. The shares are non-voting, other than class voting rights on matters that could adversely affect the shares. They are callable at par after three years. Prior to the end of three years, the shares may only be redeemed with the proceeds from one or more qualified equity offerings. In conjunction with the purchase of senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received warrants to purchase 1,846,374 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $20.96 with an aggregate market price equal to $38.7 million, 15% of the senior preferred stock amount that U.S. Treasury invested.

On September 29, 2006, the Bank issued $50.0 million in subordinated debt in a private placement transaction. The debt had an original maturity term of 10 years, was unsecured and bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 110 basis points, payable on a quarterly basis. In March 2011, the Company extended the debt for an additional year. As part of the extension agreement, the rate was increased from LIBOR plus 110 basis points to LIBOR plus 330 basis points for 2011 and 2012, after which time it reverts back to LIBOR plus 110 basis points. At December 31, 2011, the per annum interest rate on the subordinated debt was 3.88% compared to 1.40% at December 31, 2010. The subordinated debt was issued through the Bank and qualifies as Tier 2 capital for regulatory reporting purposes and is included in long-term debt in the accompanying condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Bancorp established three special purpose trusts in 2003 and two in 2007 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities to outside investors ("Capital Securities"). The trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common securities of the trusts by the Bancorp, in Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Bancorp. Subject to some limitations, payment of distributions out of the monies held by the trusts and payments on liquidation of the trusts or the redemption of the Capital Securities are guaranteed by the Bancorp to the extent the trusts have funds on hand at such time. The obligations of the Bancorp under the guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Bancorp and will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Bancorp's subsidiaries. The Bancorp has the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes at any time or from time to time for a period of up to twenty consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, the Bancorp may not, with certain exceptions, declare or pay any dividends or distributions on its capital stock or purchase or acquire any of its capital stock if the Bancorp has deferred payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes.

The five special purpose trusts are considered variable interest entities under FIN 46R. Because the Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the trusts, the financial statements of the trusts are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

The Junior Subordinated Notes are currently included in the Tier 1 capital of the Bancorp for regulatory capital purposes. On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve adopted a final rule that retains trust preferred securities in the Tier I capital of bank holding companies, which after a five-year transition period, limited the aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements to 25% of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill, less any associated deferred tax liability. The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions. This rule did not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's capital positions.

Interest expense on the Junior Subordinated Notes was $3.0 million for 2011, $3.1 million for 2010, and $3.8 million for 2009.

The table below summarizes the outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Company to each trust as of December 31, 2011:

Trust Name	Issuance Date	Principal Balance of Notes	Not Redeemable Until	Stated Maturity	Annualized Coupon Rate		Current Interest Rate			Date of Rate Change	Payable/ Distribution Date
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cathay Capital Trust I	June 26, 2003	$20,619	June 30, 2008	June 30, 2033		3-month LIBOR +3.15%		3.73	%	December 30, 2011	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Statutory Trust I	September 17, 2003	20,619	September 17, 2008	September 17, 2033		3-month LIBOR+3.00%		3.56%		December 17, 2011	March 17 June 17 September 17 December 17
Cathay Capital Trust II	December 30, 2003	12,887	March 30, 2009	March 30, 2034		3-month LIBOR+2.90%		3.48%		December 30, 2011	March 30 June 30 September 30 December 30
Cathay Capital Trust III	March 28, 2007	46,392	June 15, 2012	June 15, 2037		3-month LIBOR+1.48%		2.03%		December 15, 2011	March 15 June 15 September 15 December 15
Cathay Capital Trust IV	May 31, 2007	20,619	September 6, 2012	September 6, 2037		3-month LIBOR 1.40%		1.93%		December 6, 2011	March 6 June 6 September 6 December 6
Total Junior Subordinated Notes		$121,136

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Deposits (Summary Of Interest Expense On Deposits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Deposits [Abstract]
Interest bearing demand	$ 756,000	$ 927,000	$ 1,059,000
Money market accounts	7,351,000	8,733,000	13,233,000
Saving accounts	482,000	694,000	799,000
Time deposits	53,625,000	73,808,000	118,465,000
Total	62,214,000	84,162,000	133,556,000
Accrued interest payable on customer deposits	$ 4,200,000	$ 5,200,000	$ 9,700,000

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Income Taxes (Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Loan loss allowance, due to differences in computation of bad debts	$ 109,686	$ 122,691
Write-down on equity securities	3,609	3,714
Stock option compensation expense	16,048	15,748
State tax	3,744	1,903
Non-accrual interest	2,048	4,004
Write-down on other real estate owned	14,148	16,374
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	1,097	2,709
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net	6,311	741
Other, net	3,536	3,079
Gross deferred tax assets	160,227	170,963
Core deposit intangibles	(3,919)	(6,282)
Investment in aircraft financing trust and venture capital partnerships	(21,628)	(21,329)
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank common stock	(2,788)	(4,035)
Other, net	(5,646)	(4,876)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(33,981)	(36,522)
Valuation allowance	(2,533)	(2,533)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 123,713	$ 131,908

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loan receivable	$ 364,580	$ 380,662	$ 401,831
Investment securities-taxable	83,083	106,568	123,939
Investment securities-nontaxable	4,218	854	788
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	177	237	149
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell	83	14	1,351
Deposits with banks	1,430	1,259	673
Total interest and dividend income	453,571	489,594	528,731
INTEREST EXPENSE
Time deposits of $100,000 or more	42,204	54,219	83,349
Other deposits	20,010	29,943	50,207
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase	60,733	66,141	65,182
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank	12,033	37,527	42,442
Long-term debt	4,890	3,852	4,835
Short-term borrowings	11	6	24
Total interest expense	139,881	191,688	246,039
Net interest income before provision for credit losses	313,690	297,906	282,692
Provision for credit losses	27,000	156,900	307,000
Net interest income/(loss) after provision for credit losses	286,690	141,006	(24,308)
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Securities gains, net	21,131	18,695	55,644
Letters of credit commissions	5,644	4,466	4,216
Depository service fees	5,420	5,220	5,206
Other operating income	18,697	3,870	13,588
Total non-interest income .	50,892	32,251	78,654
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits	71,849	58,835	60,795
Occupancy expense	14,225	12,188	16,109
Computer and equipment expense	8,508	8,230	7,856
Professional services expense	20,209	17,630	16,428
FDIC and State assessments	12,494	19,549	19,386
Marketing expense	3,175	3,160	2,593
Other real estate owned	10,583	16,011	36,075
Operations of investments in affordable housing	8,153	7,611	7,338
Amortization of core deposit premium	5,859	5,958	6,636
Cost associated with debt redemption	20,231	14,261
Other operating expense	10,280	12,278	9,821
Total non-interest expense	185,566	175,711	183,037
Income/(loss) before income tax (benefit)/expense	152,016	(2,454)	(128,691)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	51,261	(14,629)	(61,912)
Net income/(loss)	100,755	12,175	(66,779)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	605	610	611
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp	100,150	11,565	(67,390)
Dividends on preferred stock	(16,437)	(16,388)	(16,338)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders	83,713	(4,823)	(83,728)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during the year	4,538	7,714	(806)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	12,248	7,860	23,396
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(7,710)	(146)	(24,202)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 92,440	$ 11,419	$ (91,592)
Net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share
Basic	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)
Diluted	$ 1.06	$ (0.06)	$ (1.59)
Basic average common shares outstanding	78,633,317	77,073,954	52,629,159
Diluted average common shares outstanding	78,640,652	77,073,954	52,629,159

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Loans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Loans [Abstract]

Loans

5. Loans

Most of the Company's business activity is predominately with Asian customers located in Southern and Northern California; New York City; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral.

The components of loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, were as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	1,868,275		$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		237,372			409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,748,897			3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		972,262			852,454
Equity lines		214,707			208,876
Installment and other loans		17,699			16,077
Gross loans		7,059,212			6,868,621
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(206,280	)		(245,231	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(8,449	)		(7,621	)
Total loans and leases, net	$	6,844,483		$	6,615,769
Loans held for sale	$	760		$	2,873

Loans held for sale of $760,000 at December 31, 2011, decreased $2.1 million from $2.9 million at December 31, 2010. In 2011, we added six new loans of $4.4 million, transferred one loan of $2.9 million to OREO, and sold four loans of $3.6 million for a net gain on sale of $88,000. At December 31, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of a commercial construction loan of $500,000 and a residential mortgage loan of $260,000. In 2010, the Company sold six held for sale loans of $31.7 million with net gains of $779,000, transferred seven loans of $21.5 million to OREO, wrote down $2.9 million loans held for sale based on their market value, and added four new loans of $4.3 million which were sold subsequently. Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale during 2010 were $10.9 million in cash and a new loan of $20.8 million to one of the note purchasers.

The Company pledged real estate loans of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2011, and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2010, to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco under its specific pledge program. In addition, the Bank pledged $250.9 million at December 31, 2011, and $286.6 million at December 31, 2010, of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank's Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program.

Loans serviced for others as of December 31, 2011, totaled $222.2 million and were comprised of $49.0 million of commercial loans, $111.8 million of commercial real estate loans, $0.6 million in construction loans, and $60.8 million of residential mortgages.

The Company has entered into transactions with its directors, executive officers, or principal holders of its equity securities, or the associates of such persons ("Related Parties"). Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with customers who are not related parties. In management's opinion, these transactions did not involve more than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features. All loans to Related Parties were current as of December 31, 2011. An analysis of the activity with respect to loans to Related Parties for the years indicated is as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	134,161		$	139,194
Additional loans made		89,985			52,809
Payment received		(64,077	)		(57,842	)
Balance at end of year	$	160,069		$	134,161

At December 31, 2011, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $322.0 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans of $201.2 million, nonaccrual loans held for sale of $760,000, and accruing TDR's of $120.0 million. At December 31, 2010, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $382.0 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans of $242.3 million, nonaccrual loans held for sale of $2.9 million, and accruing TDR's of $136.8 million. The average balance of impaired loans was $361.4 million in 2011 and $370.6 million in 2010. We considered all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") to be impaired. Interest recognized on impaired loans totaled $5.3 million in 2011 and $10.0 million in 2010. The Bank recognizes interest income on impaired loans based on its existing method of recognizing interest income on non-accrual loans except accruing TDRs. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 25.6% at December 31, 2011, and 23.3% at December 31, 2010, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance and charge-off as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	At December 31, 2011						At December 31, 2010
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(Dollars in thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	46,671	$	38,194	$	—	$	41,233	$	27,775	$	—
Real estate construction loans		134,837		78,767		—		102,186		64,274		—
Commercial mortgage loans		187,580		149,034		—		211,717		156,305		—
Residential mortgage and equity lines		8,555		7,987		—		7,823		7,436		—
Subtotal	$	377,643	$	273,982	$	—	$	362,959	$	255,790	$	—
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	11,795	$	7,587	$	3,336	$	13,930	$	7,748	$	2,925
Real estate construction loans		—		—		—		15,429		13,416		7,470
Commercial mortgage loans		29,722		28,023		2,969		98,593		96,449		3,812
Residential mortgage and equity lines.		13,813		12,381		1,249		9,811		8,589		978
Subtotal	$	55,330	$	47,991	$	7,554	$	137,763	$	126,202	$	15,185
Total impaired loans	$	432,973	$	321,973	$	7,554	$	500,722	$	381,992	$	15,185

The following table presents the average balance and interest income recognized related to impaired loans for the period indicated:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	Average Recorded Investment				Interest Income Recognized
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	48,349	$	34,857	$	1,053	$	1,059
Real estate construction loans		82,529		92,859		940		1,665
Commercial mortgage loans		212,555		230,952		3,101		6,925
Residential mortgage and equity lines		17,920		11,970		236		340
Subtotal	$	361,353	$	370,638	$	5,330	$	9,989

The following is a summary of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and the related net interest foregone for the years then ended:

	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Non-accrual portfolio loans	$	201,197	$	242,319	$	280,643
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale		760		2,873		54,826
Total non-accrual loans	$	201,957	$	245,192	$	335,469
Contractual interest due	$	13,049	$	17,304	$	23,746
Interest recognized		71		4,853		9,830
Net interest foregone	$	12,978	$	12,451	$	13,916

The following table presents the aging of the loan portfolio by type as of December 31, 2011 and as of December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,683	$	—	$	—	$	30,661	$	32,344	$	1,835,931	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		20,326		—		—		46,012		66,338		171,034		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		13,627		20,277		6,726		107,784		148,414		3,600,483		3,748,897
Residential mortgage loans		5,871		—		—		16,740		22,611		1,164,358		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		17,699		17,699
Total loans	$	41,507	$	20,277	$	6,726	$	201,197	$	269,707	$	6,789,505	$	7,059,212

	As of December 31, 2010
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Type of Loans:	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	7,037	$	2,990	$	—	$	31,498	$	41,525	$	1,399,642	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		14,634		15,425		4,175		53,937		88,171		321,815		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		12,569		9,430		831		144,596		167,426		3,772,635		3,940,061
Residential mortgage loans		9,934		2,581		—		12,288		24,803		1,036,527		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		—		—		—		—		—		16,077		16,077
Total loans	$	44,174	$	30,426	$	5,006	$	242,319	$	321,925	$	6,546,696	$	6,868,621

The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses for impaired loans is based on management's current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectibility when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. This allowance evaluation process is also applied to TDRs since TDRs are considered to be impaired loans. As a result of adopting the amendments in ASU 2011-02, the Company reassessed all restructurings that occurred on or after January 1, 2011, for identification as TDRs.

At December 31, 2011, accruing TDRs were $120.0 million and non-accrual TDRs were $50.9 million compared to accruing TDRs of $136.8 million and non-accrual TDRs of $28.1 million at December 31, 2010. The Company has allocated specific reserves of $1.4 million to accruing TDRs and $1.6 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2011, and $3.6 million to accruing TDRs and $1.3 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2010. The following table presents TDRs that were modified during 2011, their specific reserve at December 31, 2011, and charge-off during 2011:

	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Specific Reserve		Charge-off
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		7	$	15,025	$	15,025	$	104	$	—
Real estate construction loans		3		33,669		21,522		—		12,147
Commercial mortgage loans		6		17,343		14,294		1		3,049
Residential mortgage and equity lines		3		1,574		1,574		114		—
Total		19	$	67,611	$	52,415	$	219	$	15,196

A summary of TDRs by type of concession and by type of loans is shown below:

	As of December 31, 2011
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	12,933	$	1,756	$	—	$	431	$	15,120
Real estate construction loans		16,820		9,659		—		5,776		32,255
Commercial mortgage loans		471		37,796		2,071		28,935		69,273
Residential mortgage loans		1,294		587		—		1,487		3,368
Total accruing TDRs	$	31,518	$	49,798	$	2,071	$	36,629	$	120,016

	As of December 31, 2011
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	—	$	616	$	1,859	$	1,506	$	—	$	3,981
Real estate construction loans		—		13,579		12,376		—		—		25,955
Commercial mortgage loans		2,633		9,727				—		5,076		17,436
Residential mortgage loans		311		2,427		449		—		311		3,498
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	2,944	$	26,349	$	14,684	$	1,506	$	5,387	$	50,870

	As of December 31, 2010
Accruing TDRs	Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,131	$	1,780	$	—	$	1,114	$	4,025
Commercial mortgage loans		17,338		87,411		3,459		20,831		129,039
Residential mortgage loans		2,658		599		—		479		3,736
Total accruing TDRs	$	21,127	$	89,790	$	3,459	$	22,424	$	136,800

	As of December 31, 2010
Non-accrual TDRs	Interest Deferral		Principal Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial mortgage loans	$	1,239	$	21,156	$	2,310	$	1,113	$	25,818
Residential mortgage loans		340		1,037		—		951		2,328
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	1,579	$	22,193	$	2,310	$	2,064	$	28,146

Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $120.0 million at December 31, 2011, and were comprised of 32 loans, a decrease of $16.8 million, compared to 28 loans totaling $136.8 million at December 31, 2010. TDRs at December 31, 2011, were comprised of eleven retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $74.4 million, seven office and commercial use buildings loans of $23.8 million, one hotel loan of $7.9 million, ten single family residential loans of $13.3 million, one land loan of $635,000 and two commercial loans of $39,000. Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $136.8 million at December 31, 2010, and were comprised of 28 loans, an increase of $81.8 million, compared to 14 loans totaling $55.0 million at December 31, 2009. TDRs at December 31, 2010, were comprised of eight retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $64.4 million, six office and commercial use building loans of $20.8 million, three multi-family residential loans of $21.4 million, two hotel loans of $15.4 million, four single family residential loan of $10.5 million, three land loans of $2.5 million, and two commercial loans of $1.8 million.

The activity within our TDR loans for 2011 and 2010 are shown below:

Accruing TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	136,800		$	54,992
New restructurings		60,863			55,815
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		709			53,432
Charge-offs		(2,341	)		—
Payments		(46,313	)		(8,205	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		(28,969	)		(18,371	)
Expiration of loan concession		(733	)		(863	)
Ending balance	$	120,016		$	136,800

Non-accrual TDRs	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	28,146		$	41,609
New restructurings		13,269			74,543
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		28,969			18,371
Charge-offs		(7,303	)		(21,293	)
Payments		(3,355	)		(8,035	)
Foreclosures		(8,147	)		(23,617	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(709	)		(53,432	)
Ending balance	$	50,870		$	28,146

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 to 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms. Two commercial TDRs of $930,000 and one commercial real estate TDR of $26,000 had payments defaults within the previous twelve months ended December 31, 2011. The TDRs that subsequently defaulted incurred no charge-off during 2011.

Under the Company's internal underwriting policy, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification in order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. As of December 31, 2011, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans have been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, the Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each loan. Loans are risk rated based on analysis of the current state of the borrower's credit quality. The analysis of credit quality includes a review of all sources of repayment, the borrower's current financial and liquidity status and all other relevant information. The risk rating categories can be generally described by the following grouping for non-homogeneous loans:

• Pass/Watch – These loans range from minimal credit risk to lower than average, but still acceptable, credit risk.

• Special Mention – Borrower is fundamentally sound and the loan is currently protected but adverse trends are apparent, that if not corrected, may affect ability to repay. Primary source of loan repayment remains viable but there is increasing reliance on collateral or guarantor support.

• Substandard – These loans are inadequately protected by current sound worth, paying capacity or pledged collateral. Well-defined weaknesses exist that could jeopardize repayment of debt. Loss may not be imminent, but if weaknesses are not corrected, there is a good possibility of some loss.

• Doubtful – The possibility of loss is extremely high, but due to identifiable and important pending events (which may strengthen the loan) a loss classification is deferred until the situation is better defined.

• Loss – These loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that to continue to carry the loan as an active asset is no longer warranted.

The following table presents loan portfolio by risk rating as of December 31, 2011, and as of December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,689,842	$	64,290	$	108,858	$	5,285	$	1,868,275
Real estate construction loans		115,538		23,555		90,132		8,147		237,372
Commercial mortgage loans		3,275,431		69,925		403,541		—		3,748,897
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,149,225		4,439		33,160		145		1,186,969
Installment and other loans		17,636		63		—		—		17,699
Total gross loans	$	6,247,672	$	162,272	$	635,691	$	13,577		7,059,212
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	260	$	500	$	760

	As of December 31, 2010
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,258,537	$	58,189	$	118,670	$	5,771	$	1,441,167
Real estate construction loans		191,455		53,172		153,857		11,502		409,986
Commercial mortgage loans		3,365,040		143,974		431,047		—		3,940,061
Residential mortgage and equity lines		1,026,216		6,109		28,846		159		1,061,330
Installment and other loans		15,535		542		—		—		16,077
Total gross loans		5,856,783	$	261,986	$	732,420	$	17,432		6,868,621
Loans held for sale		—	$	—	$	2,873	$	—	$	2,873

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments are significant estimates that can and do change based on management's process in analyzing the loan portfolio and on management's assumptions about specific borrowers, underlying collateral, and applicable economic and environmental conditions, among other factors.

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of December 31, 2011, and as of December 31, 2010.

	Commercial Loans		Real Estate Construction Loans		Commercial Mortgage Loans		Residential mortgage and equity line		Consumer and Other		Total
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2011
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	3,336	$	—	$	2,969	$	1,247	$	—	$	7,552
Balance	$	45,781	$	78,766	$	177,058	$	20,368	$	—	$	321,973
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	62,322	$	21,749	$	105,052	$	9,548	$	57	$	198,728
Balance	$	1,822,494	$	158,606	$	3,571,839	$	1,166,601	$	17,699	$	6,737,239
Total allowance	$	65,658	$	21,749	$	108,021	$	10,795	$	57	$	206,280
Total balance	$	1,868,275	$	237,372	$	3,748,897	$	1,186,969	$	17,699	$	7,059,212
December 31, 2010
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	2,540	$	7,470	$	3,106	$	—	$	—	$	13,116
Balance	$	33,555	$	77,691	$	248,059	$	7,435	$	—	$	366,740
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	61,379	$	35,791	$	125,241	$	9,668	$	36	$	232,115
Balance	$	1,407,612	$	332,295	$	3,692,002	$	1,053,895	$	16,077	$	6,501,881
Total allowance	$	63,919	$	43,261	$	128,347	$	9,668	$	36	$	245,231
Total balance	$	1,441,167	$	409,986	$	3,940,061	$	1,061,330	$	16,077	$	6,868,621

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

	Commercial Loans			Real Estate Construction Loans			Commercial Mortgage Loans			Residential mortgage and equity line			Installment and Other Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2010 Beginning Balance	$	57,814		$	45,087		$	100,495		$	8,480		$	13		$	211,889
Provision for possible loan losses		23,001			37,495			96,217			3,048			9			159,770
Charge-offs		(21,609	)		(45,321	)		(69,891	)		(1,934	)		—			(138,755	)
Recoveries		4,712			6,001			1,527			74			13			12,327
Net Charge-offs		(16,897	)		(39,320	)		(68,364	)		(1,860	)		13			(126,428	)
2010 Ending Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Reserve to impaired loans	$	2,925		$	7,470		$	3,812		$	979		$	—		$	15,186
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	60,994		$	35,791		$	124,535		$	8,690		$	35		$	230,045
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	691		$	1,505		$	103		$	36		$	2		$	2,337
2011 Beginning Balance	$	63,918		$	43,262		$	128,348		$	9,668		$	35		$	245,231
Provision for possible loan losses		11,711			11,514			1,454			2,392			197			27,268
Charge-offs		(11,745	)		(37,500	)		(26,750	)		(1,456	)		(175	)		(77,626	)
Recoveries		1,774			4,473			4,969			191			—			11,407
Net Charge-offs		(9,971	)		(33,027	)		(21,781	)		(1,265	)		(175	)		(66,219	)
2011 Ending Balance	$	65,658		$	21,749		$	108,021		$	10,795		$	57		$	206,280
Reserve to impaired loans	$	3,336		$	—		$	2,969		$	1,247		$	—		$	7,552
Reserve to non-impaired loans	$	62,322		$	21,749		$	105,052		$	9,548		$	57		$	198,728
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	816		$	1,103		$	113		$	34		$	3		$	2,069

An analysis of the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the year ended 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

	December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$	245,231		$	211,889		$	122,093
Provision for credit losses		27,000			156,900			307,000
Transfers from reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments.		268			2,870			2,125
Loans charged off		(77,626	)		(138,755	)		(222,547	)
Recoveries of charged off loans		11,407			12,327			3,218
Balance at end of year	$	206,280		$	245,231		$	211,889
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Credit Commitments
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,337		$	5,207		$	7,332
Provision for credit losses/transfers		(268	)		(2,870	)		(2,125	)
Balance at end of year	$	2,069		$	2,337		$	5,207

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Investment Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investment Securities [Abstract]

Investment Securities

4. Investment Securities

Investment Securities. The following table reflects the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair values of investment securities as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	At December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,966	$	1,406	$	—	$	101,372
State and municipal securities		129,577		7,053		—		136,630
Mortgage-backed securities		913,990		42,351		—		956,341
Corporate debt securities		9,971		—		337		9,634
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	1,153,504	$	50,810	$	337	$	1,203,977
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	500,007	$	1,226	$	7	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		1,869		59		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		325,706		12,361		436		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		16,184		540		238		16,486
Asset-backed securities		172		—		6		166
Corporate debt securities		412,045		113		31,729		380,429
Mutual funds		6,000		48		13		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		1,085		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,501		486		24		45,963
Other equity securities		1,468		1,492		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,309,521	$	17,410	$	32,453	$	1,294,478
Total investment securities..	$	2,463,025	$	68,220	$	32,790	$	2,498,455

	At December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,921	$	2,639	$	—	$	102,560
State and municipal securities		130,107		—		8,946		121,161
Mortgage-backed securities		600,107		5,230		1,653		603,684
Corporate debt securities		9,967		—		13		9,954
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	840,102	$	7,869	$	10,612	$	837,359
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	125,573	$	—	$	6,745	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		830,269		1,653		6,840		825,082
State and municipal securities		1,875		—		157		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		627,574		14,854		123		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		24,719		590		115		25,194
Asset-backed securities		245		—		5		240
Corporate debt securities		374,489		1,374		6,438		369,425
Mutual funds		4,000		—		73		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		150		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,549		58		170		14,437
Other equity securities		1,468		224		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale	$	2,005,330	$	18,903	$	20,666	$	2,003,567
Total investment securities	$	2,845,432	$	26,772	$	31,278	$	2,840,926

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2011, by contractual maturities are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or repayment penalties.

	Securities Available-for-Sale				Securities Held-to-Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	17,983	$	17,915	$	99,966	$	101,372
Due after one year through five years		125,416		123,651		—		—
Due after five years through ten years		858,217		835,179		29,709		30,943
Due after ten years (1)		307,905		317,733		1,023,829		1,071,662
Total	$	1,309,521	$	1,294,478	$	1,153,504	$	1,203,977

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities were $759.7 million and repayments of mortgage-backed securities were $108.4 million during 2011 compared to proceeds from sales of $1.04 billion and repayment of $308.2 million during 2010, and proceeds from sales of $2.44 billion and repayment of $313.2 million during 2009. Proceeds from sales and repayments of other investment securities were $525.0 million during 2011 compared to $65.1 million during 2010 and $51.7 million during 2009. Proceeds from maturity and calls of investment securities were $435.0 million during 2011 compared to $2.88 billion during 2010 and $1.43 billion in 2009. In 2011, gains of $21.1 million and no losses were realized on sales and calls of investment securities compared with $19.3 million in gains and $67,000 in losses realized in 2010, and $56.5 million in gains and $9,000 in losses realized in 2009.

At December 31, 2011, all of the Company's mortgage-backed securities were rated as investment grade except for three non-agency issues. Two issues not rated investment grade had a par amount of $430,000 and an unrealized loss of $182,000. The other issue was rated below investment grade by one rating agency and investment grade by another rating agency had a par amount of $7.0 million and an unrealized loss of $428,000. The unrealized losses resulted from increases in credit spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. Based on the Company's analysis at December 31, 2011, there was no "other-than-temporary" impairment in these securities due to the low loan to value ratio for the loans underlying these securities and the credit support provided by junior tranches of these securitizations. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost for those three non-agency mortgage-backed securities issues.

The Company's unrealized loss on investments in corporate bonds relates to a number of investments in bonds of financial institutions, all of which were investment grade at the date of acquisition and as of December 31, 2011, except for one issue, of which the Company owns $5 million of par value, by a regional bank which was downgraded to below investment grade during the fourth quarter of 2010. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by the widening of credit spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. The Company currently does not believe it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the investments. Therefore, it is expected that these bonds would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold this investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, it does not consider its investments in these corporate bonds to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

The temporarily impaired securities represent 18.7% of the fair value of investment securities as of December 31, 2011. Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months represent 5.4%, and securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more represent 9.2%, of the historical cost of these securities. Unrealized losses on these securities generally resulted from increases in interest rate spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. All of these securities were investment grade as of December 31, 2011, except the four issues mentioned above. At December 31, 2011, 28 issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer and 30 issues of securities had unrealized losses of less than 12 months.

At December 31, 2011, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss has been recognized in our consolidated statements of operations. We expect to recover the amortized cost basis of our debt securities, and have no intent to sell and will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery. The table below shows the fair value, unrealized losses, and number of issuances of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
Corporate debt securities	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	49,993	$	7		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	49,993	$	7		1
Mortgage-backed securities		564		4		8		35		1		2		599		5		10
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		6,719		431		2		6,719		431		2
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		570		238		4		570		238		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		166		6		1		166		6		1
Corporate debt securities		185,577		14,201		17		172,857		17,528		19		358,434		31,729		36
Mutual funds		1,987		13		1		—		—		—		1,987		13		1
Trust preferred securities		5,674		24		2		—		—		—		5,674		24		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	243,795	$	14,249		29	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	424,142	$	32,453		57
Total investment securities	$	253,430	$	14,586		30	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	433,777	$	32,790		58

	As of December 31, 2010
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
State and municipal securities	$	121,161	$	8,946		122		—		—		—	$	121,161	$	8,946		122
Mortgage-backed securities		89,439		1,653		2		—		—		—		89,439		1,653		2
Corporate debt securities		9,954		13		1		—		—		—		9,954		13		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	220,554	$	10,612		125	$	—	$	—		—	$	220,554	$	10,612		125
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	6,745		5	$	—	$	—		—	$	118,828	$	6,745		5
U.S. government sponsored entities		578,118		6,840		12		—		—		—		578,118		6,840		12
State and municipal securities		1,718		157		2		—		—		—		1,718		157		2
Mortgage-backed securities		354		4		7		32		1		1		386		5		8
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		10,127		118		3		10,127		118		3
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		887		115		4		887		115		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		240		5		1		240		5		1
Corporate debt securities		310,630		6,438		30		—		—		—		310,630		6,438		30
Mutual funds		3,927		73		1		—		—		—		3,927		73		1
Trust preferred securities		10,384		170		2		—		—		—		10,384		170		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	1,023,959	$	20,427		59	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,035,245	$	20,666		68
Total investment securities	$	1,244,513	$	31,039		184	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,255,799	$	31,278		193

Investment securities having a carrying value of $1.68 billion at December 31, 2011, and $1.80 billion at December 31, 2010, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and foreign exchange transactions.

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

16. Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 on January 1, 2008, and determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the following:

• Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 — Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset and liability; market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the Company's own judgments about the assumptions that a market participant would use.

The Company uses the following methodologies to measure the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis:

Securities Available for Sale. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities ("MBS"), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds.

Trading Equity Securities and Mutual Funds. The Company measures the fair value of trading equity securities and mutual funds based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

Warrants. The Company measures the fair value of warrants based on unobservable inputs based on assumption and management judgment, a Level 3 measurement.

Currency Option Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes on a recurring basis, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps was derived from observable market prices for similar assets on a recurring basis, a Level 2 measurement.

The valuation techniques for the assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis are as follows:

Impaired Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on either the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management's judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Loans Held for sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted prices from third party sale analysis, existing sale agreements, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption, a Level 3 measurement.

Goodwill. The Company completes "step one" of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or "carrying amount") of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and "step two" of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment. Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill to the "implied fair value" of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill. This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two. An impairment charge is then recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. In connection with the determination of fair value, certain data and information was utilized, including earnings forecast at the reporting unit level for the next four years. Other key assumptions include terminal values based on future growth rates and discount rates for valuing the cash flows, which have inputs for the risk-free rate, market risk premium and adjustments to reflect inherent risk and required market returns. Because of the significance of unobservable inputs in the valuation of goodwill impairment, goodwill subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments is classified as Level 3 measurement.

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles is initially recorded at fair value based on a valuation of the core deposits acquired and is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset on a nonrecurring basis using the core deposits remaining at the assessment date and the fair value of cash flows expected to be generated from the core deposits, a Level 3 measurement.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value based on the appraised value of the property on the date of transfer, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 2 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to other real estate owned based on the current updated appraised value of the property, also a Level 2 measurement, or management's judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company periodically reviews for OTTI on a nonrecurring basis. Investments in venture capital were written down to their fair value based on available financial reports from venture capital partnerships and management's judgment and estimation, a Level 3 measurement.

Equity Investments. The Company records equity investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on quoted market prices in active exchange market at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

The following table presents the Company's hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010:

As of December 31, 2011	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	—	$	501,226	$	—	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		—		1,928		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		—		337,631		—		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		16,486		—		16,486
Asset-backed securities		—		166		—		166
Corporate debt securities		—		380,429		—		380,429
Mutual funds		6,035		—		—		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		1,654		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,963		—		—		45,963
Other equity securities		2,960		—		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale		54,958		1,239,520		—		1,294,478
Trading securities		2		4,540		—		4,542
Warrants		—		—		218		218
Option contracts		—		34		—		34
Foreign exchange contracts		—		2,151		—		2,151
Total assets	$	54,960	$	1,246,245	$	218	$	1,301,423
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	2,634	$	—	$	2,634
Option contracts		—		5		—		5
Foreign exchange contracts		—		486		—		486
Total liabilities	$	—	$	3,125	$	—	$	3,125

As of December 31, 2010	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	—	$	—	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		—		825,082		—		825,082
State and municipal securities		—		1,718		—		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		—		642,305		—		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		25,194		—		25,194
Asset-backed securities		—		240		—		240
Corporate debt securities		—		369,425		—		369,425
Mutual funds		3,927		—		—		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		—		719		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,437		—		—		14,437
Other equity securities		1,692		—		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale		138,884		1,864,683		—		2,003,567
Trading securities		23		3,795		—		3,818
Warrants		—		—		40		40
Option contracts		—		106		—		106
Foreign exchange contracts		—		4,629		—		4,629
Total assets	$	138,907	$	1,873,213	$	40	$	2,012,160
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	6,508	$	—	$	6,508
Option contracts		—		72		—		72
Foreign exchange contracts		—		1,873		—		1,873
Total liabilities	$	—	$	8,453	$	—	$	8,453

The Company measured the fair value of its warrants on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of warrants was $218,000 at December 31, 2011, compared to $40,000 at December 31, 2010. The fair value adjustment of warrants was included in other operating income of 2011.

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still reflected in the balance sheet at December 31, 2011, the following table provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related individual assets at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010, and the total losses for the periods indicated:

	As of December 31, 2011								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,251	$	4,251	$	877	$	3,411
Construction-residential		—		—		—		—		—		1,295
Real estate loans		—		—		35,576		35,576		820		1,407
Land loans		—		—		611		611		46		1,003
Total impaired loans		—		—		40,438		40,438		1,743		7,116
Loans held-for-sale		—		—		760		760		—		3,160
Other real estate owned (1)		—		79,029		1,093		80,122		7,003		20,139
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,693		8,693		379		760
Equity investments		323		—		—		323		200		304
Total assets	$	323	$	79,029	$	50,984	$	130,336	$	9,325	$	31,479

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $92.7 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

	As of December 31, 2010								Total Losses
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at Fair Value		For the Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				December 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,824	$	4,824	$	3,411	$	16,293
Construction-residential		—		—		500		500		1,295		23,234
Construction-other		—		—		5,659		5,659		—		12,493
Real estate loans		—		—		99,309		99,309		1,407		27,350
Land loans		—		—		730		730		1,003		11,639
Total impaired loans		—		—		111,022		111,022		7,116		91,009
Loans held-for-sale.		—		—		2,873		2,873		3,160		19,252
Other real estate owned (1)		—		72,159		11,105		83,264		20,139		28,216
Investments in venture capital		—		—		8,410		8,410		760		1,982
Equity investments		522		—		—		522		304		—
Total assets	$	522	$	72,159	$	133,410	$	206,091	$	31,479	$	140,459

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $71.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

12. Income Taxes

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the current and deferred amounts of the income tax expense are summarized as follows:

	2011		2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	26,548	$	16,496		$	(25,226	)
State		10,905		7,379			429
	$	37,453	$	23,875		$	(24,797	)
Deferred:
Federal		10,133		(28,600	)		(26,367	)
State		3,675		(9,904	)		(10,748	)
	$	13,808	$	(38,504	)	$	(37,115	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261	$	(14,629	)	$	(61,912	)

Temporary differences between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities give rise to deferred taxes. Net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010, are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
Loan loss allowance, due to differences in computation of bad debts	$	109,686		$	122,691
Write-down on equity securities		3,609			3,714
Stock option compensation expense		16,048			15,748
State tax		3,744			1,903
Non-accrual interest		2,048			4,004
Write-down on other real estate owned		14,148			16,374
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		1,097			2,709
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net		6,311			741
Other, net		3,536			3,079
Gross deferred tax assets		160,227			170,963
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Core deposit intangibles		(3,919	)		(6,282	)
Investment in aircraft financing trust and venture capital partnerships		(21,628	)		(21,329	)
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank common stock		(2,788	)		(4,035	)
Other, net		(5,646	)		(4,876	)
Gross deferred tax liabilities		(33,981	)		(36,522	)
Valuation allowance		(2,533	)		(2,533	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	123,713		$	131,908

Amounts for the current year are based upon estimates and assumptions and could vary from amounts shown on the tax returns as filed.

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize all benefits related to these deductible temporary differences except for $2.5 million of state deferred taxes for a portion of the capital losses related to the Company's former investments in the preferred stock of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had income tax receivables of approximately $39.3 million, of which $11.2 million relates to the carryback of the Company's net operating loss for 2009 to the 2007 tax year and $9.1 million relates to the carryback of the Company's low income housing tax credits for 2009 to the 2008 tax year. The refunds receivable from the carryback of the Company's net operating loss for 2009 were issued in January 2012. These income tax receivables are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other assets included current income taxes receivable of $23.5 million as of December 31, 2010.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had Federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $2.0 million which expire through 2022. The Federal net operating loss carry-forwards were acquired in connection with the Company's acquisition of United Heritage Bank. Federal and state tax laws related to a change in ownership place limitations on the annual amount of operating loss carryovers that can be utilized to offset post-acquisition operating income based on the value of the acquired bank at the ownership change date.

During 2010, the Company paid $1.5 million of California income taxes and $0.9 million of interest upon the completion of the audit of its 2000 to 2002 California income tax returns, recognized $0.5 million in tax benefits upon the expiration of statutes of limitation and a $0.8 million Federal impact of state tax payments. During 2011, the Company paid $0.1 million of state taxes previously recorded in unrecognized tax benefits. The Company had accrued interest and penalties of less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2011, and $0.1 million at December 31, 2010. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	519		$	2,593
Expiration of statute of limitations		—			(508	)
Federal impact of state payments		—			843
Payments		(86	)		(2,409	)
Increases for tax positions of prior years.		75			—
Balance, end of year	$	508		$	519

The Company's tax returns are open for audits by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2010 and by the FTB of the State of California back to 2003. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2003 to 2007. As the Company is presently under audit by a number of tax authorities, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company does not expect that any such changes would have a material impact on its annual effective tax rate.

Income tax expense results in effective tax rates that differ from the statutory Federal income tax rate for the years indicated as follows:

	2011					2010					2009
	(In thousands)
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate	$	52,994		35.0	%	$	(1,072	)	35.0	%	$	(45,042	)	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit		9,477		6.3			(1,641	)	53.5			(6,175	)	4.8
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation		(1,476	)	(1.0	)		(299	)	9.8			(267	)	0.2
Low income housing and other tax credits		(10,087	)	(6.6	)		(11,220	)	366.2			(10,575	)	8.2
Other, net		353		0.2			(397	)	13.0			147		(0.1	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261		33.9	%	$	(14,629	)	477.5	%	$	(61,912	)	48.1	%

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Borrowed Funds (Summary Of Comparative Data For Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Federal Funds Purchased [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Average amount outstanding during the year	$ 27	[1]			$ 8,392	[1]
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end					85,000	[2]
Balance, December 31
Weighted-average interest rate for the year	1.29%		0.00%		0.27%
Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Average amount outstanding during the year	1,448,363	[1]	1,560,215	[1]	1,562,447	[1]
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end	1,559,000	[3]	1,566,000	[3]	1,587,000	[3]
Balance, December 31	$ 1,400,000		$ 1,561,000		$ 1,557,000
Rate at year-end	4.14%		4.18%		4.19%
Weighted-average interest rate for the year	4.19%		4.24%		4.17%

[1] Average balances were computed using daily averages.

[2] Highest month-end balances were April 2009.

[3] Highest month-end balances were January 2011, September 2010, and February 2009.

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Premises And Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Premises And Equipment [Abstract]

Premises And Equipment

8. Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	33,429	$	33,429
Building and building improvements		72,608		73,541
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		37,445		36,621
Leasehold improvement		12,494		12,216
Construction in process		1,314		902
		157,290		156,709
Less: Accumulated depreciation/amortization		51,329		47,253
Premises and equipment, net	$	105,961	$	109,456

The amount of depreciation/amortization included in operating expense was $6.1 million in 2011, $4.6 million in 2010, and $7.7 million in 2009.

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Loans (Schedule Of Components Of Loans In Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	$ 7,059,212,000	$ 6,868,621,000
Allowance for loan losses	(206,280,000)	(245,231,000)
Unamortized deferred loan fees	(8,449,000)	(7,621,000)
Total loans and leases, net	6,844,483,000	6,615,769,000
Loans held for sale	760,000	2,873,000
Commercial Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	1,868,275,000	1,441,167,000
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	237,372,000	409,986,000
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	3,748,897,000	3,940,061,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	972,262,000	852,454,000
Loans held for sale	260,000
Equity Lines [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	214,707,000	208,876,000
Installment And Other Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	$ 17,699,000	$ 16,077,000

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Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp (Condensed Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Interest income	$ 111,076	$ 114,379	$ 114,339	$ 113,777	$ 118,332	$ 120,506	$ 124,287	$ 126,469	$ 453,571	$ 489,594	$ 528,731
Interest expense	31,759	33,426	36,024	38,672	43,095	47,165	49,680	51,748	139,881	191,688	246,039
Non-interest income/(loss)	8,986	16,827	12,453	12,626	16,169	3,886	7,412	4,784	50,892	32,251	78,654
Non-interest expense	43,990	48,383	45,410	47,783	56,348	34,881	40,319	44,163	185,566	175,711	183,037
(Loss)/income before income tax benefit	42,313	40,397	35,358	33,948	25,058	24,446	(3,300)	(48,658)	152,016	(2,454)	(128,691)
Income tax benefit	14,459	14,162	10,906	11,734	6,789	7,023	(5,373)	(23,068)	51,261	(14,629)	(61,912)
Net income/(loss)	27,701	26,084	24,302	22,063	18,111	17,272	1,923	(25,741)	100,150	11,565	(67,390)
Parent Company [Member]
Interest income									259	227	299
Interest expense									3,038	3,075	3,817
Non-interest income/(loss)									286	(782)	(1,929)
Non-interest expense									1,548	1,308	3,581
(Loss)/income before income tax benefit									(4,041)	(4,938)	(9,028)
Income tax benefit									(1,699)	(2,076)	(3,796)
(Loss)/income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(2,342)	(2,862)	(5,232)
Undistributed earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries									102,492	14,427	(62,158)
Net income/(loss)									$ 100,150	$ 11,565	$ (67,390)

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Other Real Estate Owned

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Real Estate Owned [Abstract]

Other Real Estate Owned

6. Other Real Estate Owned

At December 31, 2011, the net carrying value of other real estate owned increased $15.0 million, or 19.3%, to $92.7 million from $77.7 million at December 31, 2010. OREO located in California was $32.3 million and was comprised primarily of five parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $9.9 million, four parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose properties of $4.8 million, two commercial building construction projects of $3.5 million, one residential construction project of $588,000, twelve office and commercial use buildings of $13.2 million, two single family residential properties of $395,000. OREO located in Texas was $48.6 million and was comprised of eight commercial use buildings of $33.5 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $11.7 million, three commercial building construction projects of $2.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $959,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $3.9 million and was comprised of two retail stores $1.6 million, three parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $1.2 million, one commercial construction project of $658,000, and three single family residential properties of $531,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was $4.8 million and was comprised of a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.5 million and one commercial use building of $1.3 million. OREO in all other states was $3.0 million and was comprised of three commercial use properties of $2.1 million and four single family residential properties of $878,000.

For 2010, OREO located in California was $55.9 million and was comprised primarily of seven parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $14.3 million, six parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose properties of $8.1 million, two commercial building construction projects of $4.8 million, three residential construction projects of $9.7 million, eleven office and commercial use buildings of $18.4 million, and three single family residential properties of $605,000. OREO located in Texas was $12.9 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $3.7 million, two commercial use buildings construction projects of $1.9 million, two parcels of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.6 million, two multi-family residences of $1.7 million, one parcel of land zoned for commercial purpose of $906,000, three single family residential properties of $786,000, and an industrial building of $291,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was $4.3 million and was comprised of two residential construction projects of $1.8 million, one parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $1.3 million, a commercial building construction project of $949,000, and a single family residence of $241,000. OREO located in the state of Nevada was a parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $3.3 million. OREO in all other states was $1.3 million and was comprised primarily of three commercial use properties.

An analysis of the activity in the valuation allowance for other real estate losses for the years ended on December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	25,310		$	22,743		$	3,814
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
OREO disposal		(9,273	)		(17,572	)		(9,287	)
Balance, end of year	$	26,422		$	25,310		$	22,743

The following table presents the components of other real estate owned expense for the year ended:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Operating expense	$	5,441		$	5,849		$	5,794
Provision for losses		10,385			20,139			28,216
Net (gain)/loss on transfer and disposal		(5,243	)		(9,977	)		2,065
Total other real estate owned expense	$	10,583		$	16,011		$	36,075

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Investments In Affordable Housing

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments In Affordable Housing [Abstract]

Investments In Affordable Housing

7. Investments in Affordable Housing

The Company has invested in certain limited partnerships that were formed to develop and operate housing for lower-income tenants throughout the United States. The Company's investments in these partnerships were $78.4 million at December 31, 2011, and $88.5 million at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The consolidation of these limited partnerships in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements increased total assets and liabilities by $22.8 million at December 31, 2011, and also by $22.8 million at December 31, 2010. Other borrowings for affordable housing limited partnerships were $18.9 million at December 31, 2011, and $19.1 million at December 31, 2010; recourse is limited to the assets of the limited partnerships. Unfunded commitments for affordable housing limited partnerships of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2011, and $4.3 million as of December 31, 2010, were recorded under other liabilities.

Each of the partnerships must meet regulatory requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilize the tax credits. If the partnerships cease to qualify during the compliance period, the credits may be denied for any period in which the projects are not in compliance and a portion of the credits previously taken is subject to recapture with interest. The remaining tax credits to be utilized over a multiple-year period are $43.1 million for Federal and $1.2 million for state at December 31, 2011. The Company's usage of tax credits approximated $9.5 million in 2011, $10.5 million in 2010, and $11.1 million in 2009. For the year ended December 31, operations of investments in affordable housing resulted in pretax losses of $8.2 million for 2011, $7.6 million for 2010, and $7.3 million for 2009. Losses in excess of the Bank's investment in two limited partnerships have not been recorded in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements because the Company had fully satisfied all capital commitments required under the respective limited partnership agreements.

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Deposits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deposits [Abstract]

Deposits

9. Deposits

The following table displays deposit balances as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Demand	$	1,074,718	$	930,300
NOW accounts		451,541		418,703
Money market accounts .		951,516		982,617
Saving accounts		420,030		385,245
Time deposits under $100,000		832,997		1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		3,498,329		3,193,715
Total	$	7,229,131	$	6,991,846

Time deposits outstanding as of December 31, 2011, mature as follows.

	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
	(In thousands)
Time deposits, $100,000 and over	$	3,106,609	$	228,188	$	162,437	$	—	$	1,095	$	—	$	3,498,329
Other time deposits		785,034		33,799		13,840		191		133		—		832,997
	$	3,891,643	$	261,987	$	176,277	$	191	$	1,228	$	—	$	4,331,326

Accrued interest payable on customer deposits was $4.2 million at December 31, 2011, $5.2 million at December 31, 2010, and $9.7 million at December 31, 2009. The following table summarizes the interest expense on deposits by account type for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Interest bearing demand	$	756	$	927	$	1,059
Money market accounts		7,351		8,733		13,233
Saving accounts		482		694		799
Time deposits		53,625		73,808		118,465
Total	$	62,214	$	84,162	$	133,556

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Loans (Schedule Of Non-Accrual Loans And The Related Net Interest Foregone) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Loans [Abstract]
Non-accrual portfolio loans	$ 201,197	$ 242,319	$ 280,643
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale	760	2,873	54,826
Total non-accrual loans	201,957	245,192	335,469
Contractual interest due	13,049	17,304	23,746
Interest recognized	71	4,853	9,830
Net interest foregone	$ 12,978	$ 12,451	$ 13,916

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Borrowed Funds (Schedule Of Federal Home Loan Bank Advances) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Borrowed Funds [Abstract]
Amount, Maturity, 91 days through 365 days	$ 225,000
Amount, Maturity, 1 - 2 years		550,000
Amount, Maturity	$ 225,000	$ 550,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Maturity, 91 days through 365 days	2.08%
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Maturity, 1 - 2 years		4.43%
Weighted Average Interest Rate, Maturity	2.08%	4.43%

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Loans (Schedule Of Troubled Debt Restructurings Modified In 2011) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	19
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	$ 67,611
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	52,415
Specific Reserve	219
Charge-off	15,196
Commercial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	7
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	15,025
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	15,025
Specific Reserve	104
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	3
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	33,669
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	21,522
Charge-off	12,147
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	6
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	17,343
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	14,294
Specific Reserve	1
Charge-off	3,049
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of Contracts	3
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	1,574
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment	1,574
Specific Reserve	$ 114

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Assets [Member] Carrying Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Assets [Member] Carrying Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Assets [Member] Fair Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Assets [Member] Fair Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Assets [Member] Notional Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Assets [Member] Notional Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Liabilities [Member] Carrying Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Liabilities [Member] Carrying Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Liabilities [Member] Fair Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Liabilities [Member] Fair Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Liabilities [Member] Notional Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Liabilities [Member] Notional Amount [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and due from banks					$ 117,888,000	$ 87,347,000	$ 117,888,000	$ 87,347,000
Short-term investments					294,956,000	206,321,000	294,956,000	206,321,000
Securities purchased under agreements to resell			110,000,000			110,000,000		110,000,000
Securities held-to-maturity	1,153,504,000		840,102,000		1,153,504,000	840,102,000	1,203,977,000	837,359,000
Securities available-for-sale	1,294,478,000		2,003,567,000		1,294,478,000	2,003,567,000	1,294,478,000	2,003,567,000
Trading securities					4,542,000	3,818,000	4,542,000	3,818,000
Loans held-for-sale	760,000		2,873,000		760,000	2,873,000	760,000	2,873,000
Loans, net					6,844,483,000	6,615,769,000	6,825,571,000	6,596,501,000
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock					52,989,000	63,873,000	52,989,000	63,873,000
Warrants					218,000	40,000	218,000	40,000
Option contracts							34,000	106,000	3,026,000	29,336,000
Foreign exchange contracts							2,151,000	4,629,000	238,581,000	112,665,000
Deposits											7,229,131,000	6,991,846,000	7,240,857,000	7,006,913,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,400,000,000	1,500,000,000	1,561,000,000	1,600,000,000							1,400,000,000	1,561,000,000	1,547,900,000	1,704,585,000
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank											225,000,000	550,000,000	227,825,000	580,054,000
Other borrowings	880,000		8,500,000								19,800,000	27,576,000	19,801,000	27,585,000
Long-term debt											171,136,000	171,136,000	98,676,000	114,557,000
Option contracts													5,000	72,000	1,282,000	72,000
Interest rate swaps	2,600,000		6,500,000										2,634,000	6,508,000	300,000,000	300,000,000
Foreign exchange contracts													486,000	1,873,000	128,215,000	68,355,000
Commitments to extend credit, Notional Amount																	1,626,523,000	1,360,266,000
Commitments to extend credit, Fair Value																	(1,253,000)	(603,000)
Standby letters of credit, Notional Amount																	62,076,000	59,876,000
Standby letters of credit, Fair Value																	(367,000)	(282,000)
Other letters of credit, Notional Amount																	64,233,000	62,722,000
Other letters of credit, Fair Value																	(38,000)	(38,000)
Bill of lading guarantees, Notional Amount																	187,000	245,000
Bill of lading guarantees, Fair Value																		$ (1,000)

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Loans (Schedule Of Average Balance And Interest Income Recognized Related To Impaired Loans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Average Recorded Investment	$ 361,353	$ 370,638
Impaired Loans, Interest Income Recognized	5,330	9,989
Commercial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Average Recorded Investment	48,349	34,857
Impaired Loans, Interest Income Recognized	1,053	1,059
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Average Recorded Investment	82,529	92,859
Impaired Loans, Interest Income Recognized	940	1,665
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Average Recorded Investment	212,555	230,952
Impaired Loans, Interest Income Recognized	3,101	6,925
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Loans, Average Recorded Investment	17,920	11,970
Impaired Loans, Interest Income Recognized	$ 236	$ 340

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Income Taxes (Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate	$ 52,994	$ (1,072)	$ (45,042)
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate, effective tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit	9,477	(1,641)	(6,175)
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit, tax rate	6.30%	53.50%	4.80%
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation	(1,476)	(299)	(267)
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation, tax rate	(1.00%)	9.80%	0.20%
Low income housing and other tax credits	(10,087)	(11,220)	(10,575)
Low income housing and other tax credits, tax rate	(6.60%)	366.20%	8.20%
Income tax expense, Other, net	353	(397)	147
Income tax rate, Other, net	0.20%	13.00%	(0.10%)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$ 51,261	$ (14,629)	$ (61,912)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense, tax rate	33.90%	477.50%	48.10%

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Investment Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investment Securities [Abstract]

Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses, And Fair Values Of Investment Securities

	At December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,966	$	1,406	$	—	$	101,372
State and municipal securities		129,577		7,053		—		136,630
Mortgage-backed securities		913,990		42,351		—		956,341
Corporate debt securities		9,971		—		337		9,634
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	1,153,504	$	50,810	$	337	$	1,203,977
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	500,007	$	1,226	$	7	$	501,226
State and municipal securities		1,869		59		—		1,928
Mortgage-backed securities		325,706		12,361		436		337,631
Collateralized mortgage obligations		16,184		540		238		16,486
Asset-backed securities		172		—		6		166
Corporate debt securities		412,045		113		31,729		380,429
Mutual funds		6,000		48		13		6,035
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		1,085		—		1,654
Trust preferred securities		45,501		486		24		45,963
Other equity securities		1,468		1,492		—		2,960
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,309,521	$	17,410	$	32,453	$	1,294,478
Total investment securities..	$	2,463,025	$	68,220	$	32,790	$	2,498,455

	At December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	99,921	$	2,639	$	—	$	102,560
State and municipal securities		130,107		—		8,946		121,161
Mortgage-backed securities		600,107		5,230		1,653		603,684
Corporate debt securities		9,967		—		13		9,954
Total securities held-to-maturity	$	840,102	$	7,869	$	10,612	$	837,359
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	125,573	$	—	$	6,745	$	118,828
U.S. government sponsored entities		830,269		1,653		6,840		825,082
State and municipal securities		1,875		—		157		1,718
Mortgage-backed securities		627,574		14,854		123		642,305
Collateralized mortgage obligations		24,719		590		115		25,194
Asset-backed securities		245		—		5		240
Corporate debt securities		374,489		1,374		6,438		369,425
Mutual funds		4,000		—		73		3,927
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		569		150		—		719
Trust preferred securities		14,549		58		170		14,437
Other equity securities		1,468		224		—		1,692
Total securities available-for-sale	$	2,005,330	$	18,903	$	20,666	$	2,003,567
Total investment securities	$	2,845,432	$	26,772	$	31,278	$	2,840,926

Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Investment Securities By Contractual Maturities

	Securities Available-for-Sale				Securities Held-to-Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	17,983	$	17,915	$	99,966	$	101,372
Due after one year through five years		125,416		123,651		—		—
Due after five years through ten years		858,217		835,179		29,709		30,943
Due after ten years (1)		307,905		317,733		1,023,829		1,071,662
Total	$	1,309,521	$	1,294,478	$	1,153,504	$	1,203,977

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

Fair Value, Unrealized Losses, And Number Of Issuances Of The Temporarily Impaired Securities

	As of December 31, 2011
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
Corporate debt securities	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	9,635	$	337		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	9,635	$	337		1
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. government sponsored entities	$	49,993	$	7		1	$	—	$	—		—	$	49,993	$	7		1
Mortgage-backed securities		564		4		8		35		1		2		599		5		10
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		6,719		431		2		6,719		431		2
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		570		238		4		570		238		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		166		6		1		166		6		1
Corporate debt securities		185,577		14,201		17		172,857		17,528		19		358,434		31,729		36
Mutual funds		1,987		13		1		—		—		—		1,987		13		1
Trust preferred securities		5,674		24		2		—		—		—		5,674		24		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	243,795	$	14,249		29	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	424,142	$	32,453		57
Total investment securities	$	253,430	$	14,586		30	$	180,347	$	18,204		28	$	433,777	$	32,790		58

	As of December 31, 2010
	Temporarily Impaired Securities
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		No. of Issuances
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Held-to-Maturity
State and municipal securities	$	121,161	$	8,946		122		—		—		—	$	121,161	$	8,946		122
Mortgage-backed securities		89,439		1,653		2		—		—		—		89,439		1,653		2
Corporate debt securities		9,954		13		1		—		—		—		9,954		13		1
Total securities held-to- maturity	$	220,554	$	10,612		125	$	—	$	—		—	$	220,554	$	10,612		125
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	118,828	$	6,745		5	$	—	$	—		—	$	118,828	$	6,745		5
U.S. government sponsored entities		578,118		6,840		12		—		—		—		578,118		6,840		12
State and municipal securities		1,718		157		2		—		—		—		1,718		157		2
Mortgage-backed securities		354		4		7		32		1		1		386		5		8
Mortgage-backed securities-Non- agency		—		—		—		10,127		118		3		10,127		118		3
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—		—		—		887		115		4		887		115		4
Asset-backed securities		—		—		—		240		5		1		240		5		1
Corporate debt securities		310,630		6,438		30		—		—		—		310,630		6,438		30
Mutual funds		3,927		73		1		—		—		—		3,927		73		1
Trust preferred securities		10,384		170		2		—		—		—		10,384		170		2
Total securities available- for-sale	$	1,023,959	$	20,427		59	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,035,245	$	20,666		68
Total investment securities	$	1,244,513	$	31,039		184	$	11,286	$	239		9	$	1,255,799	$	31,278		193

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives Of Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases
Buildings [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life Years, minimum	15
Estimated Useful Life Years, maximum	45
Building Improvements [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life Years, minimum	5
Estimated Useful Life Years, maximum	20
Furniture, Fixtures, And Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life Years, minimum	3
Estimated Useful Life Years, maximum	25

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Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation. The Company is involved in various litigation concerning transactions entered into during the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the resolution of such litigation will have a material effect upon its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity taken as a whole.

Lending. In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through commercial or standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. Those instruments represent varying degrees of exposure to risk in excess of the amounts included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual or notional amount of these instruments indicates a level of activity associated with a particular class of financial instrument and is not a reflection of the level of expected losses, if any.

The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, the Company does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent the amount of credit risk include the following:

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,626,523	$	1,360,266
Standby letters of credit		62,076		59,876
Commercial letters of credit		64,233		62,722
Bill of lading guarantees		187		245
Total	$	1,753,019	$	1,483,109

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit is based on management's credit evaluation of the borrowers.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company does not have fixed-rate or variable-rate commitments with characteristics similar to options, which provide the holder, for a premium paid at inception to the Company, the benefits of favorable movements in the price of an underlying asset or index with limited or no exposure to losses from unfavorable price movements.

As of December 31, 2011, commitments to extend credit of $1.6 billion include commitments to fund fixed rate loans of $86.7 million and adjustable rate loans of $1.5 billion.

Commercial letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees are issued to facilitate domestic and foreign trade transactions while standby letters of credit are issued to make payments on behalf of customers if certain specified future events occur. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees is essentially the same as that involved in making loans to customers.

Leases. The Company is obligated under a number of operating leases for premises and equipment with terms ranging from one to 50 years, many of which provide for periodic adjustment of rentals based on changes in various economic indicators. Rental expense was $6.7 million for 2011, $6.6 million for 2010, and $6.9 million for 2009. The following table shows future minimum payments under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2011.

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	5,896
2013		4,968
2014		3,803
2015		2,068
2016		1,510
Thereafter		179
Total minimum lease payments	$	18,424

Rental income was $0.2 million for 2011, $0.3 million for 2010, and $0.3 million for 2009. The following table shows future rental payments to be received under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2011:

Year Ending December 31,	Commitments
	(In thousands)
2012	$	90
2013		93
2014		45
Thereafter		—
Total minimum lease payments to be received	$	228

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Equity Incentive Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]

Equity Incentive Plans

19. Equity Incentive Plans

In 1998, the Board adopted the Cathay Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, as amended in September, 2003, directors and eligible employees may be granted incentive or non-statutory stock options and/or restricted stock units, or awarded non-vested stock, for up to 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock on a split adjusted basis. In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Incentive Plan which provides that 3,131,854 shares of the Company's common stock may be granted as incentive or non-statutory stock options, or as restricted stock, or as restricted stock units. In conjunction with the approval of the 2005 Incentive Plan, the Bancorp agreed to cease granting awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2011, the only options granted by the Company under the 2005 Incentive Plan were non-statutory stock options to selected bank officers and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Such options have a maximum ten-year term and vest in 20% annual increments (subject to early termination in certain events) except certain options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2005 and 2008. If such options expire or terminate without having been exercised, any shares not purchased will again be available for future grants or awards. Stock options are typically granted in the first quarter of the year. There were no options granted in 2009, in 2010, or in 2011. The Company expects to issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises and the vesting of restricted stock units.

Cash received from exercises of stock options totaled $1.3 million for 86,860 shares in 2011 compared to $13,000 for 1,280 shares in 2009. No options were exercised in 2010. The fair value of stock options vested in 2011 was $2.6 million compared to $4.9 million in 2010. Aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised was $172,000 in 2011 compared to $8,000 in 2009.

A summary of stock option activity for 2011, 2010, and 2009 follows:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2008		5,206,374		$	27.72		5.6	$	6,220
Exercised		(1,280	)		10.63
Forfeited		(35,441	)		29.58
Balance, December 31, 2009		5,169,653		$	27.71		4.6	$	—
Forfeited		(222,305	)		23.23
Balance, December 31, 2010		4,947,348			27.93		3.7	$	334
Exercised		(86,860	)	$	15.05
Forfeited		(503,503	)		22.72
Balance, December 31, 2011		4,356,985			28.86		3.0	$	37
Exercisable, December 31, 2011		4,139,531		$	29.15		2.9	$	37

At December 31, 2011, 2,202,587 shares were available under the 2005 Incentive Plan for future grants. The following table shows stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2011, the corresponding exercise prices, and the weighted-average contractual life remaining:

	Outstanding
Exercise Price	Shares		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)	Exercisable Shares
11.34		10,240	1.0		10,240
16.28		154,376	0.1		154,376
17.29		10,240	0.0		10,240
19.93		336,164	1.1		336,164
23.37		654,495	6.1		437,041
24.80		884,056	1.8		884,056
28.70		477,000	2.1		477,000
32.26		10,000	2.5		10,000
32.47		245,060	3.2		245,060
33.54		264,694	3.4		264,694
37.00		610,800	3.0		610,800
38.38		15,000	2.9		15,000
36.90		258,630	3.8		258,630
36.24		414,230	4.1		414,230
38.26		12,000	4.3		12,000
		4,356,985	3.0		4,139,531

In addition to stock options, the Company also grants restricted stock units to eligible employees. On February 21, 2008, restricted stock units for 82,291 shares were granted. Upon vesting of restricted stock units, the Company issued 15,006 shares of common stock at the closing price of $9.64 per share on February 21, 2010, and 12,633 shares of common stock at the closing price of $18.79 per share on February 21, 2011. Restricted stock units granted in 2008 have a maximum term of five years and vest in approximately 20% annual increments subject to continued employment with the Company.

In March 2011, the Company granted restricted stock units for 65,243 shares. The closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant was $16.14 for the 15,069 restricted stock units granted on March 15, 2011 and $16.15 for the 50,174 restricted stock units granted on March 23, 2011. These restricted stock units granted in March 2011 are scheduled to vest in March 2013. On December 15, 2011, the Company granted restricted stock units for 77,404 shares at the closing price of the Company's common stock of $13.69. These restricted stock units granted in December 2011 are scheduled to vest in December 2013.

The following table presents restricted stock unit activity for 2011, 2010, and 2009:

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2008		79,537
Vested		(12,963	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,553	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		60,021
Vested		(15,006	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(6,055	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		38,960
Granted		142,647
Vested		(12,633	)
Cancelled or forfeited		(2,578	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		166,396

The compensation expense recorded related to the restricted stock units above was $758,000 in 2011, $327,000 in 2010, and $327,000 in 2009. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $2.1 million at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.6 years.

The following table summarizes the tax benefit from options exercised:

	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
(Short-fall)/benefit of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value.	$	(290	)	$	(539	)	$	(196	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value.		362			539			198
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	72		$	—		$	2

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments to extend credit	$ 1,600,000,000
Commitments to fund fixed rate loans	86,700,000
Commitments to fund adjustable rate loans	1,500,000,000
Operating lease, lease term, years, minimum	1
Operating lease, lease term, years, maximum	50
Rental expense, operating lease	6,700,000	6,600,000	6,900,000
Rental income, operating lease	$ 200,000	$ 300,000	$ 300,000

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Quarterly Results Of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Results Of Operations [Abstract]

Selected Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

	Summary of Operations
	2011												2010
	Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income	$	111,076		$	114,379		$	114,339		$	113,777		$	118,332		$	120,506		$	124,287		$	126,469
Interest expense		31,759			33,426			36,024			38,672			43,095			47,165			49,680			51,748
Net interest income		79,317			80,953			78,315			75,105			75,237			73,341			74,607			74,721
Provision for credit losses		2,000			9,000			10,000			6,000			10,000			17,900			45,000			84,000
Net-interest income/(loss) after provision for loan losses		77,317			71,953			68,315			69,105			65,237			55,441			29,607			(9,279	)
Non-interest income		8,986			16,827			12,453			12,626			16,169			3,886			7,412			4,784
Non-interest expense		43,990			48,383			45,410			47,783			56,348			34,881			40,319			44,163
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		42,313			40,397			35,358			33,948			25,058			24,446			(3,300	)		(48,658	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		14,459			14,162			10,906			11,734			6,789			7,023			(5,373	)		(23,068	)
Net income/(loss)		27,854			26,235			24,452			22,214			18,269			17,423			2,073			(25,590	)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		153			151			150			151			158			151			150			151
Net income/(loss) attributable to Cathay General Bancorp		27,701			26,084			24,302			22,063			18,111			17,272			1,923			(25,741	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(4,114	)		(4,111	)		(4,107	)		(4,105	)		(4,102	)		(4,098	)		(4,096	)		(4,092	)
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders	$	23,587		$	21,973		$	20,195		$	17,958		$	14,009		$	13,174		$	(2,173	)	$	(29,833	)
Basic net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)
Diluted net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.28		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.18		$	0.17		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.41	)

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Equity Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Equity Incentive Plans, Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009 years
Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Beginning balance, Shares	4,947,348	5,169,653	5,206,374
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 27.93	$ 27.71	$ 27.72
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3.7	4.6	5.6
Beginning balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 334		$ 6,220
Exercised, Shares	(86,860)		(1,280)
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 15.05		$ 10.63
Forfeited, Shares	(503,503)	(222,305)	(35,441)
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 22.72	$ 23.23	$ 29.58
Ending balance, Shares	4,356,985	4,947,348	5,169,653
Ending balance, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 28.86	$ 27.93	$ 27.71
Ending balance, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3.0	3.7	4.6
Ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	37	334
Exercisable, Shares	4,139,531
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 29.15
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2.9
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 37

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Schedule Of Current And Deferred Income Tax Expense

	2011		2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	26,548	$	16,496		$	(25,226	)
State		10,905		7,379			429
	$	37,453	$	23,875		$	(24,797	)
Deferred:
Federal		10,133		(28,600	)		(26,367	)
State		3,675		(9,904	)		(10,748	)
	$	13,808	$	(38,504	)	$	(37,115	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261	$	(14,629	)	$	(61,912	)

Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
Loan loss allowance, due to differences in computation of bad debts	$	109,686		$	122,691
Write-down on equity securities		3,609			3,714
Stock option compensation expense		16,048			15,748
State tax		3,744			1,903
Non-accrual interest		2,048			4,004
Write-down on other real estate owned		14,148			16,374
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps		1,097			2,709
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net		6,311			741
Other, net		3,536			3,079
Gross deferred tax assets		160,227			170,963
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Core deposit intangibles		(3,919	)		(6,282	)
Investment in aircraft financing trust and venture capital partnerships		(21,628	)		(21,329	)
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank common stock		(2,788	)		(4,035	)
Other, net		(5,646	)		(4,876	)
Gross deferred tax liabilities		(33,981	)		(36,522	)
Valuation allowance		(2,533	)		(2,533	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	123,713		$	131,908

Schedule Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	519		$	2,593
Expiration of statute of limitations		—			(508	)
Federal impact of state payments		—			843
Payments		(86	)		(2,409	)
Increases for tax positions of prior years.		75			—
Balance, end of year	$	508		$	519

Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

	2011					2010					2009
	(In thousands)
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate	$	52,994		35.0	%	$	(1,072	)	35.0	%	$	(45,042	)	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit		9,477		6.3			(1,641	)	53.5			(6,175	)	4.8
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation		(1,476	)	(1.0	)		(299	)	9.8			(267	)	0.2
Low income housing and other tax credits		(10,087	)	(6.6	)		(11,220	)	366.2			(10,575	)	8.2
Other, net		353		0.2			(397	)	13.0			147		(0.1	)
Total income tax (benefit)/expense	$	51,261		33.9	%	$	(14,629	)	477.5	%	$	(61,912	)	48.1	%

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Equity Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Equity Incentive Plans, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Equity Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	38,960	60,021	79,537
Vested	(12,633)	(15,006)	(12,963)
Cancelled or forfeited	(2,578)	(6,055)	(6,553)
Granted	142,647
Ending Balance	166,396	38,960	60,021

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Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Trust Preferred Securities [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008 (Previously Reported [Member])	$ 240,554,000	$ 537,000	$ 508,613,000	$ 23,327,000	$ 645,592,000	$ (125,736,000)	$ 0	$ 1,292,887,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	240,554,000	537,000	508,613,000	23,327,000	645,592,000	(125,736,000)	8,500,000	1,301,387,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2008 (Previously Reported [Member])	258,000	49,508,250
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2008	258,000	49,508,250
Adjustment to initially apply FASB No. 160 at Jan. 01, 2009 (Previously Reported [Member])							8,500,000	8,500,000
Adjustment to initially apply FASB No. 160								8,500,000
Forfeiture of restricted stock, Shares		(20,000)						6,553
Issuances of common stock - Common stock issuance		139,000	119,309,000					119,448,000
Issuances of common stock - Common stock issuance, Shares		13,869,856						13,869,856
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		1,000	1,159,000					1,160,000
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Shares		87,241
Restricted stock units vested, Shares		12,963						12,963
Stock options exercised			13,000					13,000
Stock options exercised, Shares		1,280						1,280
Tax short-fall from stock options			(196,000)					(196,000)
Stock-based compensation			5,725,000					5,725,000
Cash dividends					(10,276,000)			(10,276,000)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock	3,413,000				(3,438,000)			(25,000)
Dividends on preferred stock					(12,900,000)		(611,000)	(13,511,000)
Change in other comprehensive loss				(24,202,000)				(24,202,000)
Net income/(loss)					(67,390,000)		611,000	(66,779,000)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	243,967,000	677,000	634,623,000	(875,000)	551,588,000	(125,736,000)	8,500,000	1,312,744,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2009	258,000	63,459,590
Forfeiture of restricted stock, Shares								6,055
Issuances of common stock - Common stock issuance		150,000	124,778,000					124,928,000
Issuances of common stock - Common stock issuance, Shares		15,028,409						15,028,409
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			310,000					310,000
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Shares		28,778
Restricted stock units vested, Shares		15,006						15,006
Tax short-fall from stock options			(539,000)					(539,000)
Stock-based compensation			3,337,000					3,337,000
Cash dividends					(3,140,000)			(3,140,000)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock	3,488,000				(3,488,000)
Dividends on preferred stock					(12,900,000)		(610,000)	(13,510,000)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest							(53,000)	(53,000)
Change in other comprehensive loss				(147,000)				(147,000)
Net income/(loss)					11,565,000		610,000	12,175,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	247,455,000	827,000	762,509,000	(1,022,000)	543,625,000	(125,736,000)	8,447,000	1,436,105,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010	258,000	78,531,783
Forfeiture of restricted stock, Shares								2,578
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		1,000	286,000					287,000
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Shares		21,281
Restricted stock units vested, Shares		12,633						12,633
Stock options exercised		1,000	1,306,000					1,307,000
Stock options exercised, Shares		86,860						86,860
Tax short-fall from stock options			(218,000)					(218,000)
Stock-based compensation			1,758,000					1,758,000
Cash dividends					(3,146,000)			(3,146,000)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock	3,537,000				(3,537,000)
Dividends on preferred stock					(12,900,000)		(605,000)	(13,505,000)
Change in other comprehensive loss				(7,710,000)				(7,710,000)
Net income/(loss)					100,150,000		605,000	100,755,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 250,992,000	$ 829,000	$ 765,641,000	$ (8,732,000)	$ 624,192,000	$ (125,736,000)	$ 8,447,000	$ 1,515,633,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	258,000	78,652,557

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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
State deferred taxes for capital losses	$ 2,500,000								$ 2,500,000
Income tax receivables	39,300,000								39,300,000
Federal net operating loss carry forward	2,000,000								2,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	508,000				519,000				508,000	519,000	2,593,000
Income taxes paid									53,148,000	13,369,000	25,247,000
Income tax benefit	14,459,000	14,162,000	10,906,000	11,734,000	6,789,000	7,023,000	(5,373,000)	(23,068,000)	51,261,000	(14,629,000)	(61,912,000)
Expiration of statute of limitations										(508,000)
Federal impact of state payments					843,000					843,000
Accrued interest and penalties					100,000					100,000
Net Operating Loss For 2009 To The 2007 Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax receivables	11,200,000								11,200,000
Low Income Housing Tax Credits For 2009 To The 2008 Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax receivables	9,100,000								9,100,000
Other Assets [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax receivables					23,500,000					23,500,000
State Taxes [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	100,000								100,000
Income taxes paid										800,000
California [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income taxes paid										1,500,000
Income tax benefit										500,000
Interest on income tax paid										900,000
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 100,000								$ 100,000

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Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell [Abstract]

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

3. Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are usually collateralized by U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities. The counter-parties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit requirements of the Company and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed. There were no resale agreements as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has one resale agreement of $110.0 million at the rate of 0.2% which matured on March 9, 2011.

The following table sets forth information with respect to securities purchased under agreements to resell.

	2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31	$	—		$	110,000
Annualized weighted-average interest rate, December 31		0.00	%		0.20	%
Daily average amount outstanding during the year	$	84,493		$	6,932
Weighted-average interest rate for the year		0.10	%		0.20	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end	$	255,000		$	110,000

For those securities obtained under the resale agreements, the collateral is either held by a third party custodian or by the counter party and is segregated under written agreements that recognize the Company's interest in the securities. Interest income associated with securities purchased under agreements to resell was $83,000 for 2011, $14,000 for 2010, and $1.3 million for 2009.

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Investment Securities (Fair Value, Unrealized Losses, And Number Of Issuances Of The Temporarily Impaired Securities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 securities	Dec. 31, 2010 securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	$ 9,635	$ 220,554
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	9,635	220,554
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	337	10,612
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	337	10,612
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	1	125
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	1	125
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	243,795	1,023,959
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	180,347	11,286
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	424,142	1,035,245
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	14,249	20,427
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	18,204	239
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	32,453	20,666
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	29	59
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	28	9
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	57	68
Fair Value of Total investment securities, Less than 12 months	253,430	1,244,513
Fair Value of Total investment securities, 12 months or longer	180,347	11,286
Fair Value of Total investment securities	433,777	1,255,799
Unrealized Losses of Total investment securities, Less than 12 months	14,586	31,039
Unrealized Losses of Total investment securities, 12 months or longer	18,204	239
Unrealized Losses of Total investment securities	32,790	31,278
No. of Issuances of Total investment securities, Less than 12 months	30	184
No. of Issuances of Total investment securities, 12 months or longer	28	9
No. of Issuances of Total investment securities	58	193
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		118,828
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		118,828
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		6,745
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		6,745
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		5
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		5
U.S. Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	49,993	578,118
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	49,993	578,118
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	7	6,840
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	7	6,840
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	1	12
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1	12
State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		121,161
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		121,161
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		8,946
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		8,946
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		122
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		122
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		1,718
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		1,718
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		157
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		157
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months		2
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total		2
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	9,635	9,954
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	9,635	9,954
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	337	13
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	337	13
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months	1	1
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total	1	1
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	185,577	310,630
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	172,857
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	358,434	310,630
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	14,201	6,438
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	17,528
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	31,729	6,438
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	17	30
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	19
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	36	30
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		89,439
Fair Value of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		89,439
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		1,653
Unrealized Losses on Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		1,653
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Less than 12 months		2
No. of Issuances of Securities Held-to-Maturity, Total		2
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	564	354
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	35	32
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	599	386
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	4	4
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	1	1
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	5	5
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	8	7
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	2	1
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	10	8
Mortgage-Backed Securities-Non-Agency [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	6,719	10,127
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	6,719	10,127
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	431	118
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	431	118
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	2	3
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	2	3
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	570	887
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	570	887
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	238	115
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	238	115
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	4	4
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	4	4
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	166	240
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	166	240
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	6	5
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	6	5
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, 12 months or longer	1	1
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1	1
Mutual Funds [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	1,987	3,927
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1,987	3,927
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	13	73
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	13	73
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	1	1
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	1	1
Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	5,674	10,384
Fair Value of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	5,674	10,384
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	24	170
Unrealized Losses of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	$ 24	$ 170
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Less than 12 months	2	2
No. of Issuances of Securities Available-for-Sale, Total	2	2

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Borrowed Funds (Summary Of Comparative Data For Federal Funds Purchased) (Details) (Federal Funds Purchased [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Federal Funds Purchased [Member]
Borrowed Funds [Line Items]
Average amount outstanding during the year	$ 27	[1]		$ 8,392	[1]
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end				85,000	[2]
Balance, December 31
Weighted-average interest rate for the year	1.29%		0.00%	0.27%

[1] Average balances were computed using daily averages.

[2] Highest month-end balances were April 2009.

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Equity Incentive Plans (Schedule Of Stock Option Outstanding And Exercisable) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009 years	Dec. 31, 2008 years
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	4,356,985	4,947,348	5,169,653	5,206,374
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.0	3.7	4.6	5.6
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	4,139,531
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.86	$ 27.93	$ 27.71	$ 27.72
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	4,356,985
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.0
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	4,139,531
11.34 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	10,240
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	1.0
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	10,240
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.34
16.28 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	154,376
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	0.1
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	154,376
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 16.28
17.29 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	10,240
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	0.0
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	10,240
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 17.29
19.93 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	336,164
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	1.1
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	336,164
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 19.93
23.37 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	654,495
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	6.1
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	437,041
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 23.37
24.80 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	884,056
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	1.8
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	884,056
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.80
28.70 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	477,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	2.1
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	477,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 28.70
32.26 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	10,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	2.5
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	10,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 32.26
32.47 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	245,060
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.2
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	245,060
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 32.47
33.54 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	264,694
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.4
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	264,694
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.54
37.00 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	610,800
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.0
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	610,800
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 37.00
38.38 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	15,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	2.9
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	15,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 38.38
36.90 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	258,630
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	3.8
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	258,630
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.90
36.24 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	414,230
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	4.1
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	414,230
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.24
38.26 [Member] | 2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	12,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding (in Years)	4.3
Exercisable Shares, Outstanding	12,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 38.26

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Loans (Schedule Of Portfolio By Risk Rating) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	$ 7,059,212	$ 6,868,621
Loans held for sale	760	2,873
Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	6,247,672	5,856,783
Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	162,272	261,986
Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	635,691	732,420
Loans held for sale	260	2,873
Doubtful [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	13,577	17,432
Loans held for sale	500
Commercial Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	1,868,275	1,441,167
Commercial Loans [Member] | Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	1,689,842	1,258,537
Commercial Loans [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	64,290	58,189
Commercial Loans [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	108,858	118,670
Commercial Loans [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	5,285	5,771
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	237,372	409,986
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	115,538	191,455
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	23,555	53,172
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	90,132	153,857
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	8,147	11,502
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	3,748,897	3,940,061
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	3,275,431	3,365,040
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	69,925	143,974
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	403,541	431,047
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	1,186,969	1,061,330
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	1,149,225	1,026,216
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	4,439	6,109
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	33,160	28,846
Residential Mortgage And Equity Lines [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	145	159
Installment And Other Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	17,699	16,077
Installment And Other Loans [Member] | Pass/Watch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	17,636	15,535
Installment And Other Loans [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross loans	$ 63	$ 542

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Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Financial Information Disclosure Of Cathay General Bancorp [Abstract]

Condensed Financial Information Of Cathay General Bancorp

20. Condensed Financial Information of Cathay General Bancorp

The condensed financial information of the Bancorp as of December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 is as follows:

Balance Sheets

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
Cash	$	809		$	787
Short-term certificates of deposit		19,000			36,500
Investment in bank subsidiaries		1,593,831			1,498,572
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries		2,615			2,611
Other assets		14,189			12,426
Total assets	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896
Liabilities
Junior subordinated debt	$	121,136		$	121,136
Other liabilities		2,122			2,102
Total liabilities		123,258			123,238
Commitments and contingencies		—			—
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 258,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010		250,992			247,455
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 82,860,122 issued and 78,652,557 outstanding at December 31, 2011, and 82,739,348 issued and 78,531,783 outstanding at December 31, 2010		829			827
Additional paid-in-capital		765,641			762,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(8,732	)		(1,022	)
Retained earnings		624,192			543,625
Treasury stock, at cost (4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2011, and at December 31, 2010)		(125,736	)		(125,736	)
Total stockholders' equity .		1,507,186			1,427,658
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,630,444		$	1,550,896

Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	259		$	227		$	299
Interest expense		3,038			3,075			3,817
Non-interest income/(loss)		286			(782	)		(1,929	)
Non-interest expense		1,548			1,308			3,581
(Loss)/income before income tax benefit		(4,041	)		(4,938	)		(9,028	)
Income tax benefit		(1,699	)		(2,076	)		(3,796	)
(Loss)/income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		(2,342	)		(2,862	)		(5,232	)
Undistributed earnings/(loss) of subsidiaries		102,492			14,427			(62,158	)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)

Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150		$	11,565		$	(67,390	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed (earnings)/loss of subsidiaries		(102,492	)		(14,427	)		62,158
Increase/(decrease) in accrued expense		24			3			(80	)
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments		321			521			2,246
Write-downs on impaired securities		200			492			—
(Gains)/Loss in fair value of warrants		(215	)		29			41
Excess tax short-fall from stock options		290			539			196
(Increase)/decrease in other assets		(121	)		1,040			(332	)
Decrease in other liabilities		(221	)		(607	)		(1,773	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(2,064	)		(845	)		(4,934	)
Cash flows from Investment Activities
Additional investment in subsidiary		—			(94,000	)		(103,874	)
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investment		17,500			(12,000	)		14,800
Increase in available-for-sale securities		—			(418	)		(2,846	)
Venture capital investments		(671	)		(1,056	)		(897	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investment activities		16,829			(107,474	)		(92,817	)
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock		—			—			(25	)
Cash dividends		(16,046	)		(16,041	)		(22,460	)
Issuance of common stock		—			124,928			119,447
Proceeds from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan		287			310			1,160
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,306			—			13
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		(290	)		(539	)		(196	)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities		(14,743	)		108,658			97,939
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		22			339			188
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		787			448			260
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	809		$	787		$	448

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Other Real Estate Owned (Activity In The Valuation Allowance For Other Real Estate Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other Real Estate Owned [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 25,310	$ 22,743	$ 3,814
Provision for losses	10,385	20,139	28,216
OREO disposal	(9,273)	(17,572)	(9,287)
Balance, end of year	$ 26,422	$ 25,310	$ 22,743

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Deposits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deposits [Abstract]

Summary Of Deposit Balances

	2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Demand	$	1,074,718	$	930,300
NOW accounts		451,541		418,703
Money market accounts .		951,516		982,617
Saving accounts		420,030		385,245
Time deposits under $100,000		832,997		1,081,266
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		3,498,329		3,193,715
Total	$	7,229,131	$	6,991,846

Schedule Of Maturities For Time Deposits

	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
	(In thousands)
Time deposits, $100,000 and over	$	3,106,609	$	228,188	$	162,437	$	—	$	1,095	$	—	$	3,498,329
Other time deposits		785,034		33,799		13,840		191		133		—		832,997
	$	3,891,643	$	261,987	$	176,277	$	191	$	1,228	$	—	$	4,331,326

Summary Of Interest Expense On Deposits

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Interest bearing demand	$	756	$	927	$	1,059
Money market accounts		7,351		8,733		13,233
Saving accounts		482		694		799
Time deposits		53,625		73,808		118,465
Total	$	62,214	$	84,162	$	133,556

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Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share

13. Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share

As a bank holding company, the Bancorp's ability to pay dividends will depend upon the dividends it receives from the Bank and on the income it may generate from any other activities in which it may engage, either directly or through other subsidiaries.

Under California banking law, the Bank may not, without regulatory approval, pay a cash dividend that exceeds the lesser of the Bank's retained earnings or its net income for the last three fiscal years, less any cash distributions made during that period. Under this regulation, the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends to the Company immediately after December 31, 2011, is restricted to approximately $55.3 million.

During 2003, the Bank formed Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust ("Trust") to provide the Bank flexibility in raising capital. In 2003 and 2004, the Trust sold to accredited investors $8.6 million of its 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative preferred stock which pays dividends, if declared, at the end of each quarter. This preferred stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital under current regulatory guidelines. The Company paid dividends of $605,000 in 2011, $611,000 in 2010, and $611,000 in 2009. For the years ended and as of December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009, the net income and assets of the Trust were eliminated in consolidation.

The Board of Directors of the Bancorp is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences or other rights of the shares of each such class or series and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereon. Any preferred stock issued by the Bancorp may rank prior to the Bancorp common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preferences, or both, may have full or limited voting rights, and may be convertible into shares of the Bancorp common stock.

On November 16, 2000, the Bancorp's Board of Directors adopted a Rights Agreement between the Bancorp and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent, and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of the Bancorp common stock. The dividend was payable on January 19, 2001, to stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, December 20, 2000. Each preferred share purchase right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Bancorp one one-thousandth of a share of the Bancorp's Series A junior participating preferred stock at a price of $200, subject to adjustment. In general, the rights become exercisable if, after December 20, 2000, a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Bancorp's common stock or announces a tender offer for 15% or more of the common stock. The Board of Directors is entitled to redeem the rights at one cent per right at any time before any such person acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock. The Rights Agreement expired at the close of business on November 16, 2010, and was not renewed.

Pursuant to the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, on December 5, 2008, the U.S. Treasury purchased 258,000 shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock in the amount of $258.0 million. The Series B Preferred Stock pays cumulative compounding dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years, and thereafter at a rate of 9% per year. In conjunction with the purchase of senior preferred shares, the U.S. Treasury received warrants to purchase 1,846,374 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $20.96 per share with an aggregate market price equal to $38.7 million, or 15%, of the senior preferred stock amount that the U.S. Treasury invested. The exercise price of $20.96 on warrants was calculated based on the average of closing prices of the Company's common stock on the 20 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to November 17, 2008, the date that the Company received the preliminary approval of the purchase from the U.S. Treasury.

The following is the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years as indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011							2010								2009
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount		Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount			Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
Net income/(loss)	$	100,150						$	11,565							$	(67,390	)
Dividends on preferred stock		(16,437	)						(16,388	)							(16,338	)
Basic EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,633,317	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)
Effect of dilutive stock options					7,335							—								—
Diluted EPS, income/(loss)	$	83,713			78,640,652	$	1.06	$	(4,823	)		77,073,954	$	(0.06	)	$	(83,728	)		52,629,159	$	(1.59	)

Options to purchase an additional 4.4 million shares, restricted stock units for an additional 103,000 shares, and warrants to purchase an additional 1.8 million shares at December 31, 2011, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect. All options to purchase an additional 5.0 million shares, restricted stock units for an additional 39,000 shares, and warrants on an additional 1.8 million shares at December 31, 2010, were excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts due to the net loss from operations for 2010.

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Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Level Of Valuation Assumptions Used To Determine Each Adjustment And The Carrying Value Of The Related Individual Assets And The Total Losses On A Nonrecurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	$ 40,438,000		$ 111,022,000
Loans held-for-sale	760,000		2,873,000
Other real estate owned	80,122,000	[1]	83,264,000	[2]
Investments in venture capital	8,693,000		8,410,000
Equity investments	323,000		522,000
Total assets	130,336,000		206,091,000
Other real estate owned net of disposal costs	92,700,000		71,000,000
Losses on impaired loans	1,743,000		7,116,000		91,009,000
Losses on loans held-for-sale			3,160,000		19,252,000
Losses on other real estate owned	7,003,000	[1]	20,139,000	[1],[2]	28,216,000	[2]
Losses on investments in venture capital	379,000		760,000		1,982,000
Losses on equity investments	200,000		304,000
Total losses on assets	9,325,000		31,479,000		140,459,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Equity investments	323,000		522,000
Total assets	323,000		522,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Other real estate owned	79,029,000	[1]	72,159,000	[2]
Total assets	79,029,000		72,159,000
Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	40,438,000		111,022,000
Loans held-for-sale	760,000		2,873,000
Other real estate owned	1,093,000	[1]	11,105,000	[2]
Investments in venture capital	8,693,000		8,410,000
Total assets	50,984,000		133,410,000
Commercial Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	4,251,000		4,824,000
Losses on impaired loans	877,000		3,411,000		16,293,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	4,251,000		4,824,000
Construction - Residential [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans			500,000
Losses on impaired loans			1,295,000		23,234,000
Construction - Residential [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans			500,000
Construction - Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans			5,659,000
Losses on impaired loans					12,493,000
Construction - Other [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans			5,659,000
Real Estate Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	35,576,000		99,309,000
Losses on impaired loans	820,000		1,407,000		27,350,000
Real Estate Loans [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	35,576,000		99,309,000
Land Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	611,000		730,000
Losses on impaired loans	46,000		1,003,000		11,639,000
Land Loans [Member] | Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured On Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Total impaired loans	$ 611,000		$ 730,000

[1] Other real estate owned balance of $92.7 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

[2] Other real estate owned balance of $71.0 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.