    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-16-541464-index.html : 20160414
    <SEC-HEADER>0001193125-16-541464.hdr.sgml : 20160414
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160414163039
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-16-541464
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		7
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160516
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20160414
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160414
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20160414

    FILER:

    	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

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31830
    		FILM NUMBER:		161572051

    	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
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>d152641ddef14a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>DEF 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: d152641ddef14a.htm

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    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>g152641g13y83.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: g152641g13y83.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>g152641g34u22.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: g152641g34u22.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>g152641g84n69.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: g152641g84n69.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>g152641pc1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: g152641pc1.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>g152641pc2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: g152641pc2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>g152641pc3.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: g152641pc3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>