CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP — Declaration of Voting Results & Voting Rights Announcements 2012

May 15, 2012

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 14, 2012

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-18630	95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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

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

Not Applicable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

On May 14, 2012, Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which the stockholders voted upon (i) the election of four Class I directors to serve until the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders and their successors have been elected and qualified, (ii) an advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve the Company’s executive compensation, and (iii) the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2012 fiscal year.

The stockholders elected all four Class I director nominees, approved the advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve the Company’s executive compensation, and approved the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2012 fiscal year. The number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes as to each such matter voted upon, as applicable, are set forth below.

Election of Four Class I Directors

Name	For	Withheld	Broker Non-Votes
Michael M.Y. Chang	50,143,510	7,111,043	12,494,540
Jane Jelenko	55,498,785	1,755,768	12,494,540
Anthony M. Tang	50,306,724	6,947,829	12,494,540
Peter Wu	50,330,464	6,924,089	12,494,540

Advisory (Non-Binding) Proposal to Approve Our Executive Compensation

For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
52,715,451	3,538,475	1,000,627	12,494,540

Proposal to Ratify the Appointment of KPMG LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the 2012 Fiscal Year

For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
69,323,957	259,703	165,433	0

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SIGNATURE

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

Date: May 15, 2012
By:	/s/ Heng W. Chen
	Heng W. Chen Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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