<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001262063-13-000320.txt : 20131028
<SEC-HEADER>0001262063-13-000320.hdr.sgml : 20131028
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20131028194210
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001262063-13-000320
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20131028
FILED AS OF DATE:		20131028
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20131028

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000861842
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				954274680
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 N BROADWAY
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2136254700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 NORTH BROADWAY
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90012

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CATHAY BANCORP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Tai Pin
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001577235

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18630
		FILM NUMBER:		131174358

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
		STREET 2:		9650 FLAIR DRIVE
		CITY:			EL MONTE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91731
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-10-28</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000861842</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CATY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001577235</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Tai Pin</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9650 FLAIR DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EL MONTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91731</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, CLO, Cathay Bank</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
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            </transactionDate>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16180</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36460</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                </natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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        </derivativeHolding>
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        </derivativeHolding>
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                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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        </derivativeHolding>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                    <value>1454</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>78890</value>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option is fully exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">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 (&quot;EESA&quot;).  Each unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of CATY Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">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.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on May 8, 2014, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on March 14, 2015, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on April 15, 2015, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These restricted stock units are scheduled to vest in a single installment on May 17, 2015, or earlier in the event of death or disability, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions under EESA.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Pin Tai</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-10-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
