CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP — Director's Dealing 2011

Dec 16, 2011

SEC Form 4 — Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership

Issuer: CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP (CATY)
CIK: 0000861842
Period of Report: 2011-12-15

Reporting Person: WONG IRWIN (EVP - Branch Administration)

Derivative Transactions

Date	Security	Exercise Price	Code	Shares	A/D	Expiration	Underlying	Ownership
2011-12-15	Restricted Stock Units	$	A	4774	Acquired		Common Stock (4774)	Direct

Holdings (Non-Derivative)

Security	Shares	Ownership
Common Stock	10496.46	Direct
Common Stock	16678	Indirect

Holdings (Derivative)

Security	Exercise Price	Expiration	Underlying	Shares	Ownership
Stock Option	$16.275	2012-02-21	Common Stock (11088)	11088	Direct
Stock Option	$19.925	2013-01-16	Common Stock (30064)	41152	Direct
Stock Option	$24.80	2013-11-20	Common Stock (143040)	184192	Direct
Stock Option	$37.00	2015-02-17	Common Stock (32580)	216772	Direct
Stock Option	$36.24	2016-01-25	Common Stock (31000)	247772	Direct
Stock Option	$23.37	2018-02-21	Common Stock (20000)	267772	Direct
Restricted Stock Units	$		Common Stock (3840)	271612	Direct

Footnotes

F1: Includes 15.331 shares acquired through dividend reinvestment year-to-date.

F2: The option is fully exercisable.

F3: The option vests in 5 equal annual installments beginning 2/21/09.

F4: Consists of long term restricted stock units within the meaning of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder ("EESA"). Each unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of CATY Common Stock.

F5: These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on March 23, 2013, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.

F6: These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on December 15, 2013, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.