caty20260123

caty20260123_8k.htm

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): January 23, 2026

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-31830		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(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock	CATY	Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 23, 2026, Heng W. Chen notified Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) that he will retire as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Cathay Bank (“Cathay”) and Treasurer of the Company effective March 1, 2026. Mr. Chen has been the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since 2003 and Chief Financial Officer of Cathay Bank since 2004. Mr. Chen will continue to serve as Special Advisor to the Office of the President for Cathay Bank through December 31, 2026, but will no longer be a designated executive officer of Cathay. In connection with Mr. Chen’s new position, he will receive a monthly compensation of $15,000 through December 31, 2026.

Succeeding Mr. Chen, Albert J. Wang will be the Chief Financial Officer of Cathay and Treasurer of the Company effective March 1, 2026. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Wang is expected to receive compensation including a base salary of $500,000 and shall have opportunities to receive cash and equity bonus consistent with his predecessor, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement. He is also expected to enter into the Company’s standard form of change of control employment agreement filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10K.

Albert J. Wang, age 50, has over 28 years of finance and accounting experience. Mr. Wang joined Cathay Bank as Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer in September 2025. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer at Webster Bank from 2017 to 2025. Prior to that, Mr. Wang was the Chief Accounting Officer at Banc of California and served as its acting Chief Financial Officer. Earlier in his career, he held financial leadership roles at Santander Bank, most recently as its Chief Accounting Officer and was a Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP focused on its banking and capital market clients. He is a certified public accountant who brings in-depth knowledge of publicly traded commercial banks. There are no family relationships between Mr. Wang and any director or executive officer of the Company, and there are no relationships between Mr. Wang and the Company that require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

99.1

Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp, dated January 23, 2026

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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: January 23, 2026	CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP



	By:	/s/ Heng W. Chen
		Heng W. Chen
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For:	Cathay General Bancorp	Contact:	Heng W. Chen
	777 N. Broadway		(626) 279-3652
	Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cathay General Bancorp Announces

Retirement of Chief Financial Officer and Appointment of Successor

LOS ANGELES, January 23, 2026: Cathay General Bancorp (Nasdaq: CATY), the holding company for Cathay Bank, announced that Heng W. Chen will retire as Chief Financial Officer of Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay Bank (collectively “Cathay”) and Treasurer of Cathay General Bancorp, effective March 1, 2026, following a nearly 42-year career in auditing and finance, including 23 years of service at Cathay. Albert J. Wang, who currently serves as Deputy Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Chen as Chief Financial Officer of Cathay and Treasurer of Cathay General Bancorp. Mr. Chen will remain as a Special Advisor to the Office of the President for Cathay Bank through December 31, 2026.

During Heng W. Chen’s tenure, Cathay has delivered sustained growth, achieving strong earnings and consistent value creation for shareholders. “I would like to thank Heng for his decades-long contributions to Cathay,” said Chang M. Liu, President and CEO of Cathay. “His financial acumen, integrity and unwavering commitment to making sound, strategic decisions have left a lasting legacy. We respect Heng's personal decision to retire and wish him all the best in his well-earned next chapter.”

Albert J. Wang has over 28 years of finance and accounting experience. Prior to joining Cathay, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer at Webster Bank from 2017 to 2025. Prior to that, he was the Chief Accounting Officer at Banc of California and served as its acting Chief Financial Officer. Earlier in his career, he held financial leadership roles at Santander Bank, most recently as its Chief Accounting Officer and was a Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP focused on its banking and capital markets clients. He is a certified public accountant who brings in-depth knowledge of publicly traded commercial banks.

Mr. Chen and Mr. Wang will continue working closely together, ensuring a smooth transition and seamless handoff.

ABOUT CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

Cathay General Bancorp (Nasdaq: CATY) is the holding company for Cathay Bank. Cathay General Bancorp’s website is at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com. Founded in 1962, Cathay Bank offers a wide range of financial services and currently operates over 60 branches across the nation in California, New York, Washington, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, and New Jersey. Overseas, it has a branch in Hong Kong, and a representative office in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei. To learn more about Cathay Bank, please visit www.cathaybank.com.