================================================================================
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 25, 2005
CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-18630 95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer
incorporation) File Number) 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))
================================================================================
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On October 25, 2005, Cathay General Bancorp announced, in a press
release, that it has exercised options to purchase 41% of the outstanding stock
of Great Eastern Bank. Closing of the purchase of Great Eastern Bank stock
pursuant to the stock options is subject to the receipt of the necessary
regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver by Cathay General Bancorp of
other conditions to closing. That press release is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated October 25, 2005.
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 25, 2005
CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
By: /s/ Heng W. Chen
----------------------------
Heng W. Chen
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number Exhibit
- ------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
99.1 Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp dated October 25, 2005.