____________________________________________________________________

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): October 1, 2004

 

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 8.01 Other Events

On October 1, 2004, Cathay General Bancorp announced, in a press release, that its Board of Directors had declared a cash dividend of $0.09 cents per share on a post-split basis payable October 22, 2004 to stockholders of record on October 13, 2004. That press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

     99    Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated October 1, 2004.

 

 

 

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: October 1, 2004

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

By:  /s/ Heng W. Chen                            

       Heng W. Chen

       Executive Vice President and Chief

       Financial Officer

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Number    Exhibit

99              Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated October 1, 2004.