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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

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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): December 16, 2005

 

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(d) 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))



Item 1.01    Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement


        On December 15, 2005, the Executive Compensation Committee of Cathay General Bancorp's (the "Bancorp") Board of Directors approved the payment of the following cash bonuses to the executive officers indicated below.

Officer                   

Title                                                                                          

        Bonus       

Anthony M. Tang

Executive Vice President of Bancorp and Senior Executive

Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Cathay Bank

$261,250

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of

Bancorp and Cathay Bank

$232,050

Irwin Wong

Executive Vice President for Branch Administration of

Cathay Bank

$197,500

   
 


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 thereunto duly authorized.

Date: December 16, 2005
                                                                                  CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP 

                                                                                  By: /s/ HENG W. CHEN                 
                                                                                        Heng W. Chen
                                                                                        Executive Vice President and

                                                                                        Chief Financial Officer