CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP — M&A Activity 2015

Jan 21, 2015

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 20, 2015

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Delaware	1-18630	95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California	90012
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (213) 625-4700

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS.

On January 21, 2015, Cathay General Bancorp (“Cathay”) and Asia Bancshares, Inc. (“Asia”) issued a joint press release announcing the execution of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 20, 2015, pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, Asia will merge with and into Cathay. A copy of the joint press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Joint Press Release, dated January 21, 2015

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 21,
2015
By:	/s/ Heng W. Chen
Heng W. Chen
Executive Vice President
and Chief
Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Joint Press Release, dated January 21, 2015

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