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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

Commission file number 0-18630

Cathay General Bancorp

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(213) 625-4700

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

None

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of Registrant as of February 18, 2004 was $1,251,740,868 (computed on the basis of $56.88 per share, which was the closing price of our Common Stock reported by the Nasdaq National Market on February 18, 2004).*

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2003) was $660,554,766.

The number of shares outstanding as of February 18, 2004: Common Stock, $.01 par value — 24,833,124 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

2003 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

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In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Bancorp” refers to Cathay General Bancorp and the “Bank” refers to Cathay Bank. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Bancorp and the Bank collectively. The statements in this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, such words as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Bancorp to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from:

Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak as of the date of this report. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the results of any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Business of Bancorp

Overview

Cathay General Bancorp is a business corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 1, 1990. Our only office, and our principal place of business, is located at the main office of Cathay Bank at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012. Our telephone number is (213) 625-4700.

We are the holding company of Cathay Bank, a California state-chartered commercial bank. Our sole current business activity is to hold all of the outstanding stock of Cathay Bank. In the future, we may become an operating company or acquire savings institutions, banks, or companies engaged in bank-related activities and may engage in or acquire such other businesses, or activities as may be permitted by applicable law.

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In 2003, the boards of directors and stockholders of Bancorp and GBC Bancorp approved a merger that became effective as of the close of business on October 20, 2003, whereby GBC Bancorp merged into Bancorp, with Bancorp as the surviving corporation. As part of the merger, General Bank, a California state-chartered commercial bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of GBC Bancorp, merged into the Bank, with the Bank as the surviving corporation.

As a result of the merger, the Bancorp issued 6.75 million shares of its newly issued common stock, and paid $162.4 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding shares of GBC Bancorp common stock. In addition, Bancorp (formerly known as Cathay Bancorp, Inc.) changed its name to Cathay General Bancorp, but its common stock continues to be quoted on Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CATY” while GBC Bancorp’s common stock was removed from trading. As a result of the merger, (i) the assets and liabilities of GBC Bancorp are now assets and liabilities of Bancorp and (ii) the assets and liabilities of General Bank are now assets and liabilities of the Bank.

GBC Bancorp was a California corporation that served as the holding company for General Bank. General Bank was a community bank that served individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. It offered a variety of banking services to its customers, including checking, savings, and time deposits; secured and unsecured loans; traveler’s checks, safe deposit boxes, credit cards and other fee-based services; and international trade-related services. From the closing of the merger, the Bank has been operating the branches of the former General Bank as a division of the Bank under the trade name “General Bank.” The Bank plans to convert the General Bank branches to the Cathay Bank name in or after April, 2004.

Subsidiaries of Bancorp

In addition to its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bancorp has the following subsidiaries:

Cathay Capital Trust I, Cathay Statutory Trust I and Cathay Capital Trust II. In June 2003, September, 2003, and December 2003, Bancorp established Cathay Capital Trust I, Cathay Statutory Trust I, and Cathay Capital Trust II (the “Trusts”), respectively, as wholly owned subsidiaries. All three Trusts are statutory business trusts. In separate transactions in 2003, the Trusts issued capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trusts. The Trusts exists for the sole purpose of issuing the capital securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common stock of the Trusts by Bancorp, in Junior Subordinated Notes issued by Bancorp. Bancorp guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the capital securities of the Trusts and payments on redemption of the capital securities of the Trust. Bancorp is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trusts. The purpose of issuing the capital securities was to provide the Company with a cost-effective means of obtaining Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes in connection with the merger.

Because Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the Trusts, in accordance with the implementation of a new accounting standard in the fourth quarter of 2003, the financial statements of the Trusts are not included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The capital securities of the Trusts are currently included in the Tier 1 capital of Bancorp for regulatory capital purposes. However, because the financial statements of the Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Federal Reserve Board may in the future disallow inclusion of the capital securities of the Trusts in Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

GBC Venture Capital, Inc. The business purpose of GBC Venture Capital, Inc. is to hold stock warrants received as part of business relationships and to make equity investments in companies and limited partnerships subject to applicable regulatory restrictions.

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Competition

Our primary business is the business of the Bank. Therefore, the competitive conditions to be faced by us are expected to include those faced by the Bank. See “Business of the Bank — Competition.” In addition, many banks and financial institutions have formed holding companies. It is likely that these holding companies will attempt to acquire other banks, thrift institutions, or companies engaged in bank-related activities. Thus, we may face increased competition in undertaking acquisitions of such institutions and in operating after any such acquisition.

Employees

Due to the limited nature of Bancorp’s activities, Bancorp currently does not employ any persons other than our management, which includes the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and the General Counsel. See also “Business of the Bank — Employees.”

Business of the Bank

General

The Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on August 22, 1961, and was licensed by the Department of Financial Institutions (previously known as the California State Banking Department), and commenced operations as a California state-chartered bank on April 19, 1962. Cathay Bank is an insured bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act but, like most state-chartered banks of similar size in California, it is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

The Bank’s main office is located in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles, at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012.

In addition, as of December 31, 2003, the Bank had the following branch offices:

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Each branch office has loan approval rights subject to the branch manager’s authorized lending limits. As part of its post-merger integration plans to efficiently serve its customers, Cathay Bank intends to close three branches in Southern California and three branches in Northern California in or after April 2004 and to consolidate their operations with nearby branches. Activities of the Hong Kong and Shanghai representative offices are limited to coordinating the transportation of documents to the Bank’s headquarters office and performing liaison services.

Our primary market area is defined by the Community Reinvestment Act delineation, which includes the contiguous areas surrounding each of the Bank’s branch offices. It is the Bank’s policy to reach out and actively offer services to low and moderate income groups in the delineated branch service areas. Many of the Bank’s employees speak both English and one or more Chinese dialects or Vietnamese, and are thus able to serve the Bank’s Chinese, Vietnamese, and English speaking customers.

The Bank conducts substantially the same business operations as a typical commercial bank. It accepts checking, savings, and time deposits, and makes commercial, real estate, personal, home improvement, automobile, and other installment and term loans. From time to time, the Bank invests available funds in other interest-earning assets, such as U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, and venture capital investments.

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The Bank’s services also include:

To accommodate those customers who cannot conduct banking business during normal banking hours, the Bank has extended its banking hours to include Saturday hours for most branches and Sunday hours at its New York branches. In addition, the operations of the drive-up and walk-up facilities are extended past normal banking hours.

Since its inception, the Bank’s policy has been to attract business from, and to focus its primary services for the benefit of, individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. The three general areas to which the Bank has directed its lendable assets are:

The Bank offers a program called Cathay Global Investment Services, which allows its customers to trade stocks online and to purchase mutual funds, annuities, equities, bonds, and short-term money market instruments, through UVest Financial Services Group, Inc.

Securities

The Bank’s securities portfolio is managed in accordance with a written Investment Policy which addresses strategies, types, and levels of allowable investments, and which is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors.

Our investment portfolio is managed to meet our liquidity needs through proceeds from scheduled maturities and is also utilized for pledging requirements for deposits of state and local subdivisions, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The portfolio is comprised of U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate debt instruments and equity securities. At December 31, 2003, the aggregate investment securities portfolio, with a carrying value of $1.71 billion, was

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classified as investment grade securities, except for our $8.0 million of non-rated venture capital investments. We do not include federal funds sold and certain other short-term securities as investment securities. These other investments are included in cash and cash equivalents.

Information concerning the carrying value, maturity distribution and yield analysis of the Company’s securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity portfolios is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in “Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.” A summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Bank’s securities by contractual maturity is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in “Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Loans

Our Board of Directors and senior management establish, review, and modify the lending policy for the Bank. The decision to make a loan is generally considered in terms of, among other things, character, repayment ability, financial condition of the borrower, secondary repayment source, collateral, capital, leverage capacity of the borrower, market conditions for the borrower’s business or project, and prevailing economic trends and conditions. For mortgage loans, our lending policy requires an independent appraisal on real estate property in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines. Loan originations are obtained through a variety of sources, including existing customers, walk-in customers, referrals from brokers or existing customers, and advertising. In its present marketing efforts, the Bank emphasizes its community ties, customized personal service, competitive rates, and an efficient underwriting and approval process, with loan applications taken at all of the Bank’s branch offices. The Bank’s centralized documentation department supervises the obtaining of credit reports, appraisals, and other documentation involved with a loan.

Commercial Mortgage Loans. These loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust on commercial properties, including primarily commercial retail properties, shopping centers and owner-occupied industrial facilities, and secondarily office buildings, multiple-unit apartments, and multi-tenanted industrial properties.

In addition, the Bank provides medium-term commercial mortgage loans secured by commercial or industrial buildings where the owner either uses the property for business purposes or derives income from tenants.

Commercial Loans. The Bank provides personalized financial services to diverse commercial and professional businesses in its market areas. Commercial loans consist primarily of short-term loans (normally with a maturity of up to one year) to support general business purposes, or to provide working capital to businesses in the form of lines of credit to finance trade-finance loans. The Bank continues to focus primarily on commercial lending to small-to-medium size businesses, within the Company’s geographic market area. Commercial loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal, or the Bank’s reference rate.

Small Business Administration Loans. The Bank originates SBA loans in California, under the “preferred lender” status. Preferred lender status is granted to a lender which has made a certain number of SBA loans and which, in the opinion of the SBA, has staff who are qualified and experienced in this area. As a preferred lender, the Bank’s SBA Lending Group has the authority to make, on behalf of the SBA, the SBA guaranty on loans under the 7(a) program. This can represent a substantial savings in loan processing time to the customer. Under this program, the SBA delegates loan underwriting, closing, and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to selected lenders.

The Bank utilizes both the 504 program, which is focused toward long-term financing of buildings and other long-term fixed assets, and the 7(a) program, which is the SBA’s primary loan program and which can be used for financing of a variety of general business purposes such as acquisition of land and buildings, equipment,

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inventory and working capital needs of eligible businesses generally over a 5- to 25-year term. The collateral position in the SBA loans is enhanced by the SBA guaranty in the case of 7(a) loans, and by lower loan-to-value ratios under the 504 program. The Bank has sold the guaranteed portion of certain of its SBA 7(a) loans in the secondary market. SBA loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal.

Residential Mortgage Loans. The Bank originates single-family-residential mortgage loans, and home equity lines of credit. The single-family-residential mortgage loans are comprised of conforming, non-conforming, and jumbo residential mortgage loans, and are secured by first and subordinate liens on single (one-to-four units) family residential properties. The Bank’s products include a fixed-rate residential mortgage loan, an adjustable-rate residential mortgage loan, and a variable-rate home equity line of credit loan. The pricing on our variable-rate home equity line of credit is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal, or the Banks’ reference rate. These mortgage loans are underwritten in accordance with the Bank’s guidelines, on the basis of the borrower’s financial strength, historical loan quality, and other qualifications. The Bank’s highest concentration of residential mortgage loans relates to properties in California.

Real Estate Construction. The Bank’s real estate construction loan activity focuses on providing short-term loans, typically ranging between approximately $1.0 million and $5.0 million, to individuals and developers with whom the Bank has established relationships for the construction primarily of multi-unit projects. Residential real estate construction loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and guarantees of the borrower. The economic viability of the projects, the borrower’s credit worthiness, and the borrower’s and contractor’s experience are primary considerations in the loan underwriting decision. The Bank utilizes approved independent licensed appraisers. The Bank monitors projects during the construction phase through regular construction inspections and a disbursement program tied to the percentage of completion of each project. The Bank also occasionally makes unimproved property loans to borrowers who intend to construct a single-family-residence on the lot generally within twelve months. In addition, the Bank also makes commercial real estate construction loans to high net worth clients with adequate liquidity for construction of office and warehouse properties. Such loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and guarantees of the borrower.

Installment Loans. The Bank’s installment loan portfolio is divided between installment loans secured by automobiles and home improvement loans. Installment loans tend to be fixed rate and longer-term (one-to-six year maturity). These consumer-oriented loans are funded primarily for the purpose of financing the purchase of automobiles and other personal uses of the borrower.

Distribution and Maturity of Loans. Information concerning loan type and mix, distribution of loans and maturity of loans is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in “Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Non-performing Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses. Information concerning non-performing loans, allowance for loan losses, loans charged-off, loan recoveries, and other real estate owned is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in “Notes 5 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Asset Quality

The Bank monitors its asset quality with lending and credit policies, which require the regular review of its loan portfolio. During the ordinary course of business, management becomes aware of borrowers that may not be able to meet the contractual requirements of the loan agreements. Such loans are placed under closer supervision with consideration given to placing the loan on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

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The Bank’s policy is to place loans on a non-accrual status if interest or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any unpaid accrued interest is reversed against current income. Thereafter, any payment is generally first applied towards the principal balance. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received and/or the loan is well collateralized, and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. Information concerning non-accrual, past due, and restructured loans is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in “Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Deposits

The Bank attempts to price its deposits in order to promote deposit growth and offers a wide array of deposit products in order to satisfy its customers’ needs. The Bank’s current deposit products include passbook accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, college certificates of deposit, and public funds deposits.

The Bank’s deposits are generally obtained from residents within the Company’s geographic market area. The Bank utilizes traditional marketing methods to attract new customers and deposits, by offering a wide variety of products and services and utilizing various forms of advertising media. Information concerning types of deposit accounts, average deposits and rates, and maturity of time deposits of $100,000 or more is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Borrowings

Borrowings from time to time include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the purchase of federal funds, funds obtained as advances from the FHLB of San Francisco and Junior Subordinated Notes. Information concerning the types, amounts, and maturity of our borrowings is included in “Notes 9 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Return on Equity and Assets

Information concerning the return on average assets, return on average stockholders’ equity, the average equity to assets ratio and the dividend payout ratio is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Interest Rates and Differentials

Information concerning the interest-earning asset mix, average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities and the yields on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

An analysis of changes in net interest income due to changes in rate and volume is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Commitments and Letters of Credit

Information concerning the Bank’s outstanding loan commitments and letters of credit is included in “Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”

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Expansion

Management of the Bank continues to look for opportunities to expand the Bank’s branch network by seeking new branch locations and/or by acquiring other financial institutions to diversify its customer base in order to compete for new deposits and loans, and to be able to serve its customers more effectively.

Subsidiaries of Cathay Bank

Cathay Investment Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank that was formed in 1984 to invest in real property. In 1987, Cathay Investment Company opened an office in Taipei, Taiwan, to promote Taiwanese real estate investments in Southern California. The office in Taipei is located at Sixth Floor, Suite 3, 146 Sung Chiang Road, Taipei, Taiwan.

Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust (“CB REIT”) is a real estate investment trust subsidiary of the Bank that was formed in February 2003 to provide the Bank with flexibility in raising capital. During 2003, the Bank contributed $1.13 billion in loans and securities to CB REIT in exchange for 100% of the common stock of CB REIT. In December 2003, CB REIT sold $4.4 million of 7.0% Series A Non-Cumulative preferred stock to accredited investors. At December 31, 2003, total assets of CB REIT were consolidated with the Company and totaled approximately $1.18 billion. See discussion below in the section entitled “Factors That May Affect Future Results” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Cathay Securities Fund, Inc. is a registered investment company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. It was formed in 2000 to engage in the business of investing in, owning, and holding loans and securities. Its office is located at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012. The Company deregistered this registered investment company with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2003 and has filed for dissolution of this company. See discussion below in the section entitled “Factors That May Affect Future Results” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

GBC Investment & Consulting Company, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, was incorporated to provide specific, in-depth expertise in the areas of investment and consultation on an international and domestic basis. An office is maintained in Taipei, Taiwan, to coordinate and develop business between the Bank and prospective customers in Taiwan and other Asian countries.

GBC Leasing Company, Inc. is the Bank’s leasing subsidiary. The Bank owns 90% of the voting stock of this company which was formed to acquire various assets, such as equipment on lease, promissory notes, and leases and/or partnership interests in partnerships owning such types of assets, in exchange for its common stock in transfers qualifying as a tax free exchange of property, described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. GBC Leasing Company, Inc. engages in no off-balance sheet/synthetic lease activities.

GBC Insurance Services, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank and operates exclusively as a full service insurance agent/broker to provide additional financial services to the Bank’s customers. The insurance subsidiary has been in an inactive status since August 1997.

GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The purpose of this subsidiary is to engage in real estate investment activities, which may include equity interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies that own or invest in commercial real estate development properties. To date, there have been no transactions involving this subsidiary.

GBC Trade Services, Asia Limited (“Trade Services”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. Trade Services is a Hong Kong based non-financial institution that serves as a vehicle to reissue, in Hong Kong, letters of credit for the account of its U.S. based import customers in favor of beneficiaries.

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GB Capital Trust II (“GB REIT”) was incorporated in January 2002 and was formed to provide General Bank with flexibility in raising capital. As a result of the GBC merger, the Bank owns 100% of the voting common trust units issued by the REIT. At December 31, 2003, total assets of GB REIT were consolidated with the Company and were approximately $729 million.

Competition

The banking business in California, and specifically in the market areas served by most of the Bank’s branch offices, is highly competitive. The Bank competes for deposits and loans with other commercial banks, savings and thrift institutions, brokerage houses, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, credit card companies and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities. In addition, the Bank also competes with other entities (both governmental and private industry) that are seeking to raise capital through the issuance and sale of debt and equity securities. Many of these institutions and entities offer services that are not offered directly by the Bank and have substantially greater financial resources than does the Bank.

The direction of federal legislation in recent years seems to favor increased competition between different types of financial institutions and to foster new entrants into the financial services market. Competitive conditions are expected to continue to intensify as legislation is enacted which will have the effect of eliminating historical barriers that limit participation in certain markets, increasing the cost of doing business for banks, or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities. Technological factors, such as on-line banking and brokerage services, and economic factors are also expected to increase competitive conditions.

To compete with other financial institutions in its primary service areas, the Bank relies principally upon the following:

For customers whose loan demands exceed the Bank’s lending limit, the Bank has, in the past, and intends, in the future, to arrange for such loans on a participation basis with correspondent banks. The Bank also assists customers requiring other services not offered by the Bank to obtain such services from its correspondent banks.

In Southern California, at least two other Chinese-American banks of comparable size provide particular competition for loans and deposits with the Bank and at least two super-regional banks provide such competition for deposits. In Northern California, one of these Chinese-American banks provides particular competition for loans and deposits with the Bank and the super-regional banks provide such competition for deposits as well.

In addition, there are many other Chinese-American banks in both Southern and Northern California. Banks from the Pacific Rim countries, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China also continue to open branches in the Los Angeles area, thus increasing competition in the Bank’s primary markets.

Employees

As of December 31, 2003, Bancorp and Bank (including subsidiaries) employed approximately 915 persons, including 251 officers. None of the employees are represented by a union. Management believes that its relations with employees are excellent.

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Available Information

We invite you to visit us at our Web site at www.cathaybank.com, to access free of charge Bancorp’s annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, all of which are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish it to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, you can write to us to obtain a free copy of any of those reports at Cathay General Bancorp, 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012, Attn: Investor Relations.

Regulation and Supervision

General

Bancorp and the Bank are subject to significant regulation and restrictions by federal and state regulatory agencies. The following discussion of statutes and regulations is only a brief summary and does not purport to be complete. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutes and regulations referred to. No assurance can be given that these statutes and regulations will not change in the future.

Holding Company Regulation

Bancorp is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act and is registered as such with the Federal Reserve Board. A bank holding company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board annual reports and other information regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries. It is also subject to examination by the Federal Reserve Board and is required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval before acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if it would thereby directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the voting stock of that bank, unless it already owns a majority of the voting stock. In 1997, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a policy for risk-focused supervision of small bank holding companies that do not engage in significant non-banking activities. Under this policy, examinations focus on whether a bank holding company has systems in place to manage the risks inherent in its business. In analyzing risk, the Federal Reserve Board looks at the financial condition of the holding company and its subsidiary banks, management, compliance with laws and regulations, inter-company transactions and any new or contemplated activities. The Federal Reserve Board has by regulation determined certain activities in which a bank holding company may or may not engage. With certain exceptions, a bank holding company may engage only in the business of banking or managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiary banks or activities that are closely related to banking activities. The permissible activities and affiliations of certain bank holding companies have recently been expanded. See section below entitled “—Financial Modernization Act.”

A holding company for a bank and any subsidiary which it acquires or organizes are deemed to be affiliates of the bank within the meaning set forth in the Federal Reserve Act and are subject to the Federal Reserve Act. This means, for example, that there are limitations on loans by the bank to affiliates, on investments by the bank in any affiliate’s stock and on the bank’s taking any affiliate’s stock as collateral for loans to any borrower. All affiliate transactions must satisfy certain limitations and otherwise be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices. In this regard, banks generally may not purchase from any affiliate a low-quality asset (as that term is defined in the Federal Reserve Act). Also, transactions by the bank with an affiliate must be on substantially the same terms as would be available for non-affiliates. The Bancorp and the Bank are currently subject to these restrictions.

Bancorp and the Bank are also subject to certain restrictions with respect to underwriting, public sale and distribution of securities. They are also prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with the extension of credit. For example, generally the Bank may not extend credit on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the Bank or its parent company, or refrain from obtaining such service from a competitor.

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Bank Regulation

Federal law mandates frequent examinations of all banks, with the costs of examinations to be assessed against the bank. The Bank’s primary federal regulator is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC. The federal banking regulatory agencies have substantial enforcement powers over the depository institutions that they regulate. Civil and criminal penalties may be imposed on such institutions and persons associated with those institutions for violations of laws or regulation.

As a California state-chartered bank whose accounts are insured by the FDIC up to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and regular examination by the California Commissioner of Financial Institutions, or the California Commissioner, and the FDIC, and must comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve Board. The regulations of these agencies govern most aspects of the Bank’s business, including the making of periodic reports, its activities relating to dividends, investments, loans, borrowings, capital requirements, certain check-clearing activities, branching, mergers and acquisitions, reserves against deposits and numerous other areas. Supervision, legal action, and examination by these agencies is generally intended to protect depositors, creditors, borrowers and the deposit insurance fund and generally is not intended for the protection of stockholders.

The activities of the Bank are also regulated by state law. State law, for example, regulates certain loans to officers of the Bank, directly or indirectly, or to any related corporation in which such officer is a shareholder, director, officer or employee.

Subject to certain limitations, California law permits California state-chartered banks to invest in the stock and equity securities of other corporations, to engage directly in, or invest directly in subsidiaries which conduct, real estate related activities (including property management and real estate appraisal), and to participate in management consulting and data processing services for third parties. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, or FDICIA, limits the powers, including investment authority, of state banks to those activities that are either permitted to national banks, or activities that the FDIC finds do not pose a significant risk to the deposit insurance fund. In November 1998, the FDIC announced that it would make it easier for well-run state banks to engage in real estate and securities underwriting, if permitted by state law. State banks are now required to file notice of intention to engage in such activities.

FDICIA places limits on brokered deposits and extends the limits to any bank that is not “well capitalized” or has been notified that it is in “troubled condition.” A well-capitalized institution (which generally includes an institution that is considered well capitalized for purposes of the prompt corrective action regulations discussed below) may still accept brokered deposits without restriction, unless it has been informed by its appropriate Federal regulatory agency that it is in “troubled condition.” All other insured depository institutions are prohibited from accepting brokered deposits unless a waiver is obtained from the FDIC. If a waiver is obtained, the interest paid on deposits may not exceed the rate paid for deposits in the bank’s normal market area, or the national rate as determined in the FDIC’s regulation.

Capital Adequacy Requirements

The Bancorp is subject to the capital adequacy regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, and the Bank is subject to the capital adequacy regulations of FDICIA. Those regulations incorporate both risk-based and leverage capital requirements. Each of the federal regulators has established risk-based and leverage capital guidelines for banks or bank holding companies it regulates, which set total capital requirements and define capital in terms of “core capital elements,” or Tier 1 capital; and “supplemental capital elements,” or Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as the sum of the core capital elements less goodwill and certain other deductions, notably the unrealized net gains or losses (after tax adjustments) on available for sale investment securities carried at fair market value. The following items are defined as core capital elements: (i) common shareholders’ equity; (ii) qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus; and (iii) minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Trust preferred securities may also

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constitute up to 25% of Tier 1 capital. Supplementary capital elements include: (i) allowance for loan and lease losses (but not more than 1.25% of an institution’s risk-weighted assets); (ii) perpetual preferred stock and related surplus not qualifying as core capital; (iii) hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt instruments; and (iv) term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock and related surplus. The maximum amount of supplemental capital elements which qualifies as Tier 2 capital is limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill.

The minimum required ratio of qualifying total capital to total risk-weighted assets, or the total risk-based capital ratio, is 8.0%, at least one-half of which must be in the form of Tier 1 capital, and the minimum required ratio of Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets, or the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, is 4.0%. Risk-based capital ratios are calculated to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets, and transactions, such as letters of credit and recourse arrangements, which are recorded as off-balance sheet items. Under the risk-based capital guidelines, the nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit-equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as business loans. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 10.81%, and its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 9.56%. As of December 31, 2003, Bancorp’s Total Risk-Based Capital ratio was 11.21% and its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 9.95%.

The risk-based capital requirements also take into account concentrations of credit (i.e., relatively large proportions of loans involving one borrower, industry, location, collateral or loan type) and the risks of “non-traditional” activities (those that have not customarily been part of the banking business). The regulations require institutions with high or inordinate levels of risk to operate with higher minimum capital standards, and authorize the regulators to review an institution’s management of such risks in assessing an institution’s capital adequacy.

The risk-based capital regulations also include exposure to interest rate risk as a factor that the regulators will consider in evaluating a bank’s capital adequacy. Interest rate risk is the exposure of a bank’s current and future earnings and equity capital arising from adverse movements in interest rates. While interest risk is inherent in a bank’s role as financial intermediary, it introduces volatility to bank earnings and to the economic value of the institution.

The FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board also require the maintenance of a leverage capital ratio designed to supplement the risk-based capital guidelines. Banks and bank holding companies that have received the highest rating of the five categories used by regulators to rate banks and are not anticipating or experiencing any significant growth must maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital (net of all intangibles) to adjusted total assets of at least 3%. All other institutions are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 100 to 200 basis points above the 3% minimum, for a minimum of 4% to 5%. Pursuant to federal regulations, banks must maintain capital levels commensurate with the level of risk to which they are exposed, including the volume and severity of problem loans, and federal regulators may, however, set higher capital requirements when a bank’s particular circumstances warrant. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank’s leverage capital ratio was 7.70%, and the Bancorp’s leverage capital ratio was 7.97%, both ratios exceeding regulatory minimums.

Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

Federal law requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured financial institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios. The federal banking agencies have by regulation defined the following five capital categories: “well capitalized” (total risk-based capital ratio of 10%; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%; and leverage capital ratio of 5%); “adequately capitalized” (total risk-based capital ratio of 8%; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4%; and leverage capital ratio of 4%) (or 3% if the institution receives the highest rating from its primary regulator); “undercapitalized” (total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%; Tier 1 risk-based capital

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ratio of less than 4%; or leverage capital ratio of less than 4%) (or 3% if the institution receives the highest rating from its primary regulator); “significantly undercapitalized” (total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%; Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%; or leverage capital ratio less than 3%); and “critically undercapitalized” (tangible equity to total assets less than 2%). A bank may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, the appropriate federal agency finds an unsafe or unsound condition or practice so warrants, but no bank may be treated as “critically undercapitalized” unless its actual capital ratio warrants such treatment.

At each successively lower capital category, an insured bank is subject to increased restrictions on its operations. For example, a bank is generally prohibited from paying management fees to any controlling persons or from making capital distributions if to do so would make the bank “undercapitalized.” Asset growth and branching restrictions apply to undercapitalized banks, which are required to submit written capital restoration plans meeting specified requirements (including a guarantee by the parent holding company, if any).

“Significantly undercapitalized” banks are subject to broad regulatory authority, including among other things, capital directives, forced mergers, restrictions on the rates of interest they may pay on deposits, restrictions on asset growth and activities, and prohibitions on paying certain bonuses without FDIC approval. Even more severe restrictions apply to critically undercapitalized banks. Most importantly, except under limited circumstances, not later than 90 days after an insured bank becomes critically undercapitalized, the appropriate federal banking agency is required to appoint a conservator or receiver for it.

In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, insured banks may be subject to potential actions by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the issuance of cease and desist orders, termination of insurance of deposits (in the case of a bank), the imposition of civil money penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, formal and informal agreements, or removal and prohibition orders against “institution-affiliated” parties.

Safety and Soundness Standards

The federal banking agencies have also adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards for all insured depository institutions. Those guidelines relate to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan underwriting and documentation, compensation and interest rate exposure. In general, the standards are designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan and institute enforcement proceedings if an acceptable compliance plan is not submitted.

Premiums for Deposit Insurance

The FDIC regulations also implement a risk-based premium system, whereby insured depository institutions are required to pay insurance premiums depending on their risk classification. Under this system, institutions such as the Bank that are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund are categorized into one of three capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, and undercapitalized) and one of three supervisory categories based on federal regulatory evaluations. The three supervisory categories are:

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The capital ratios used by the FDIC to define well capitalized, adequately capitalized and undercapitalized are the same in the FDIC’s prompt corrective action regulations. The current Bank Insurance Fund base assessment rates (expressed as cents per $100 of deposits) are summarized as follows:

In addition, banks must pay a fluctuating amount towards the retirement of the Financing Corporation bonds issued in the 1980s to assist in the recovery of the savings and loan industry.

Dividends

Holders of Bancorp common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Delaware corporations such as the Bancorp may make distributions to their stockholders out of their surplus, or out of their net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year. However, dividends may not be paid out of a corporation’s net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, the corporation’s capital would be less than the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

The Federal Reserve Board has advised bank holding companies that it believes that payment of cash dividends in excess of current earnings from operations is inappropriate and may be cause for supervisory action. As a result of this policy, banks and their holding companies may find it difficult to pay dividends out of retained earnings from historical periods prior to the most recent fiscal year or to take advantage of earnings generated by extraordinary items such as sales of buildings or other large assets in order to generate profits to enable payment of future dividends. Further, the Federal Reserve Board’s position that holding companies are expected to provide a source of managerial and financial strength to their subsidiary banks potentially restricts a bank holding company’s ability to pay dividends.

The Bank is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its holding company. The Bancorp receives income through dividends paid by the Bank. Subject to the regulatory restrictions described below, future cash dividends by the Bank will depend upon management’s assessment of future capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors.

The powers of the board of directors of the Bank to declare a cash dividend to its holding company is subject to California law, which restricts the amount available for cash dividends to the lesser of the retained earnings or the bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to shareholders made during such period). Where the above test is not met, cash dividends may still be paid, with the prior approval of the California Commissioner in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (1) retained earnings of the bank; (2) the net income of the bank for its last fiscal year; or (3) the net income of the bank for its current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2003, the maximum dividend that the Bank could have declared, subject to regulatory approval, was $15.9 million.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, bank regulators also have authority to prohibit a bank from engaging in business practices which are considered to be unsafe or unsound. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of a bank and other factors, that such regulators could assert that the payment of dividends or other payments might, under certain circumstances, be an unsafe or unsound practice, even if technically permissible.

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Community Reinvestment Act

The Bank is subject to certain requirements and reporting obligations involving Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, activities. The CRA generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA further requires the agencies to take into account a financial institution’s record of meeting its community credit needs when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches, consummating mergers or acquisitions, or holding company formations. In measuring a bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations, the regulators utilize a performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on the bank’s actual lending service and investment performance, rather than on the extent to which the institution conducts needs assessments, documents community outreach activities or complies with other procedural requirements. In connection with its assessment of CRA performance, the FDIC assigns a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.” In its most recently released public reports, from January 2001, the Bank received a “satisfactory” rating.

Other Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations

Examination and enforcement have become intense, and banks have been advised to monitor carefully compliance with various consumer protection laws and their implementing regulations. The federal Interagency Task Force on Fair Lending issued a policy statement on discrimination in home mortgage lending describing three methods that federal agencies will use to prove discrimination: overt evidence of discrimination, evidence of disparate treatment, and evidence of disparate impact. Due to heightened regulatory concern related to compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations generally, the Bank may incur additional compliance costs or be required to expend additional funds for investments in the local communities it serves.

In addition to the other laws and regulations discussed herein, the Bank is subject to certain consumer and public interest laws and regulations that are designed to protect customers in transactions with banks. While the list set forth below is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Right to Financial Privacy Act. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans and providing other services. The Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these laws and regulations as part of its ongoing customer relations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations can subject it to various penalties, including but not limited to enforcement actions, injunctions, fines or criminal penalties, punitive damages to consumers and the loss of certain contractual rights.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, in conjunction with similar California legislation, has increased the cost of doing business for banks. The legislation requires employers with 15 or more employees and all businesses operating “commercial facilities” or “public accommodations” to accommodate disabled employees and customers. The Americans with Disabilities Act has two major objectives: (i) to prevent discrimination against disabled job applicants, job candidates and employees, and (ii) to provide disabled persons with ready access to commercial facilities and public accommodations. Commercial facilities, such as the Bank, must ensure that all new facilities are accessible to disabled persons, and in some instances may be required to adapt existing facilities to make them accessible.

Interstate Banking and Branching

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, or the Interstate Banking Act, regulates the interstate activities of banks and bank holding companies and establishes a framework for nationwide interstate banking and branching. Since June 1, 1997, a bank in one state has generally been permitted to merge with a bank in another state without the need for explicit state law authorization. However,

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states were given the ability to prohibit interstate mergers with banks in their own state by “opting-out” (enacting state legislation applying equality to all out-of-state banks prohibiting such mergers) prior to June 1, 1997.

Since 1995, adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies have been permitted to acquire banks located in any state, subject to two exceptions: first, any state may still prohibit bank holding companies from acquiring a bank which is less than five years old; and second, no interstate acquisition can be completed by a bank holding company if the acquirer would control more than 10% of the deposits held by insured depository institutions nationwide or 30% or more of the deposits held by insured depository institutions in any state in which the target bank has branches.

A bank may establish and operate de novo branches in any state in which that bank does not maintain a branch if that state has enacted legislation to expressly permit all out-of-state banks to establish branches in that state.

In 1995, California enacted legislation to implement important provisions of the Interstate Banking Act and to repeal California’s previous interstate banking laws, which were largely preempted by the Interstate Banking Act.

The changes effected by the Interstate Banking Act and California laws have increased competition in the environment in which the Bank operates to the extent that out-of-state financial institutions directly or indirectly enter the Bank’s market areas. It appears that the Interstate Banking Act has contributed to the accelerated consolidation of the banking industry. While many large out-of-state banks have already entered the California market as a result of this legislation, it is not possible to predict the precise impact of this legislation on the Bancorp and the Bank and the competitive environment in which they operate.

Financial Modernization Act

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act became effective March 11, 2000. It repealed two provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act: Section 20, which restricted the affiliation of Federal Reserve Member Banks with firms “engaged principally” in specified securities activities; and Section 32, which restricted officer, director, or employee interlocks between a member bank and any company or person “primarily engaged” in specified securities activities. In addition, it also contains provisions that expressly preempt any state law restricting the establishment of financial affiliations, primarily related to insurance. The general effect of the law is to establish a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms, and other financial service providers by revising and expanding the Bank Holding Company Act framework to permit a holding company system to engage in a full range of financial activities through a new entity known as a financial holding company. “Financial activities” is broadly defined to include not only banking, insurance, and securities activities, but also merchant banking and additional activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature, incidental to such financial activities, or complementary activities that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.

Generally, the Financial Modernization Act:

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In order for the Bancorp to take advantage of the ability to affiliate with other financial services providers, it must become a “financial holding company” as permitted under an amendment to the Bank Holding Company Act effected by the Financial Modernization Act. To do so, the Bancorp would file a declaration with the Federal Reserve Board electing to engage in activities permissible for financial holding companies and certifying that it is eligible to do so because all of its insured depository institution subsidiaries are well-capitalized and well-managed. In addition, the Federal Reserve must also determine that the insured depository institution subsidiary has at least a “satisfactory” CRA rating. The Bancorp currently meets the requirements to make an election to become a financial holding company, but its management has not made the determination for it to become a financial holding company. In addition, the Bancorp is examining its strategic business plan to determine whether, based on market conditions, the relative financial conditions of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries, regulatory capital requirements, general economic conditions, the effect of its merger with GBC Bancorp and other factors, the Bancorp desires to utilize any of its expanded powers provided in the Financial Modernization Act.

The Financial Modernization Act required that designated federal regulatory agencies, including the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of the Currency and the Securities and Exchange Commission, publish regulations to implement certain provisions of the Act. These agencies have cooperated in the release of rules that establish minimum requirements to be followed by financial institutions for protecting the privacy of financial information provided by consumers. The agencies’ rules, which establish privacy standards to be followed by state banks such as the Bank, requires a financial institution to (i) provide notice to customers about its privacy policies and practices, (ii) describe the conditions under which the institution may disclose nonpublic personal information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties, and (iii) provide a method for consumers to prevent the financial institution from disclosing that information to nonaffiliated third parties by “opting out” of that disclosure.

The Financial Modernization Act also includes a new section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act governing subsidiaries of state banks that engage in “activities as principal that would only be permissible” for a national bank to conduct in a financial subsidiary. It expressly preserves the ability of a state bank to retain all existing subsidiaries. Because California permits commercial banks chartered by the state to engage in any activity permissible for national banks, the Bank is permitted to form subsidiaries to engage in the activities authorized by the Financial Modernization Act to the same extent as a national bank. In order to form a financial subsidiary, a bank must be well-capitalized and would be subject to the same capital deduction, risk management, and affiliate transaction rules as applicable to national banks.

The Bancorp does not believe that the Financial Modernization Act will have a material adverse effect on the Bancorp’s operations in the near-term. However, to the extent that it permits banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The Financial Modernization Act is intended to grant to community banks certain powers as a matter of right that larger institutions have accumulated on an ad hoc basis. Nevertheless, this act may have the result of increasing the amount of competition that the Bancorp and the Bank face from larger institutions and other types of companies offering financial products, many of which may have substantially more financial resources.

Regulation W

On December 12, 2002, the Federal Reserve adopted Regulation W, the rule that comprehensively implements Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. The rule became effective April 1, 2003.

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Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W limit the risks to a bank from transactions between the bank and its affiliates and limit the ability of a bank to transfer to its affiliates the benefits arising from the bank’s access to insured deposits, the payment system, and the discount window and other benefits of the Federal Reserve System. The statute and rule impose quantitative and qualitative limits on the ability of a bank to extend credit to, or engage in certain other transactions with, an affiliate (and a nonaffiliate if an affiliate benefits from the transaction). However, certain transactions that generally do not expose a bank to undue risk or abuse the safety net are exempted from coverage under Regulation W.

Historically, a subsidiary of a bank was not considered an affiliate for purposes of Sections 23A and 23B, since their activities were limited to activities permissible for the bank itself. The Financial Modernization Act authorized “financial subsidiaries” that may engage in activities not permissible for a bank. These financial subsidiaries are now considered affiliates. Certain transactions between a financial subsidiary and another affiliate of a bank are also covered by Sections 23A and 23B under Regulation W.

Regulation W has certain exemptions, including:

The final rule contains new valuation rules for a bank’s investments in, and acquisitions of, affiliates. The Federal Reserve expects examiners and other supervisory staff to review intercompany transactions closely for compliance with the statutes and Regulation W and to resolve any violations or potential violations quickly.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 implemented legislative reforms applicable to companies with securities traded publicly in the United States of America. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is intended to address corporate and accounting fraud and contains provisions dealing with corporate governance and management, disclosure, oversight of the accounting profession and auditor independence. Although the Bancorp anticipates that it will incur additional expenses in complying with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, it does not expect that compliance will have a material impact on its financial conditions or results of operations.

Source of Strength Policy

According to Federal Reserve Board policy, bank holding companies are expected to act as a source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary.

USA Patriot Act

The terrorist attacks in September 2001 impacted the financial services industry and led to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA Patriot Act. Part of the USA Patriot Act is the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, or IMLAFATA.

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IMLAFATA authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to adopt special measures applicable to banks, bank holding companies, and/or other financial institutions. These measures may include enhanced recordkeeping and reporting requirements for certain financial transactions that are of primary money laundering concern, due diligence requirements concerning the beneficial ownership of certain types of accounts, and restrictions or prohibitions on certain types of accounts with foreign financial institutions.

Among its other provisions, IMLAFATA requires each financial institution to: (i) establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) establish due diligence policies, procedures, and controls with respect to its private banking accounts and correspondent banking accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks; and (iii) avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts in the United States of America for, or on behalf of, a foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in any country. In addition, IMLAFATA contains a provision encouraging cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities with respect to individuals, entities, and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities. IMLAFATA expands the circumstances under which funds in a bank account may be forfeited and requires covered financial institutions to respond under certain circumstances to requests for information from federal banking agencies within 120 hours. IMLAFATA also amends the Bank Holding Company Act and the Bank Merger Act to require the federal banking agencies to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when reviewing an application under these acts.

IMLAFATA became effective July 23, 2002. Additional regulations were adopted during 2002 and 2003 to implement minimum standards to verify customer identity, to encourage cooperation among financial institutions, federal banking agencies, and law enforcement authorities regarding possible money laundering or terrorist activities, to prohibit the anonymous use of “concentration accounts,” and to require all covered financial institutions to have in place a Bank Secrecy Act compliance program.

Bancorp has not determined the impact that IMLAFATA will have on its operations.

Cross-Institution Assessments

Any insured depository institution owned by a bank holding company can be assessed for losses incurred by the FDIC in connection with assistance provided to, or the failure of, any other depository institution owned by the bank holding company.

Audit Requirements

The Bank is required to have an annual independent audit, alone or as a part of its bank holding company’s audit, and to prepare all financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Each bank is also required to have an independent audit committee comprised entirely of outside directors or to have an audit committee with the same composition as its holding company. Under National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) certifications, the Bancorp has certified that its audit committee has adopted formal written charters and meets the requisite number of directors, independence and qualification standards. In addition, because the Bank has more than $3 billion in total assets, it is subject to the FDIC requirements for audit committees of large institutions. As such, among other requirements, the Bancorp must maintain an audit committee which shall include members with banking or related financial management expertise, have access to its own outside counsel, and not include members who are large customers of the Bank.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco. Among other benefits, each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. Each FHLB makes available loans or

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advances to its members in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors of the individual FHLB. As an FHLB member, we would be required to own capital stock in an FHLB in an amount equal to the greater of:

A new capital plan of the FHLB of San Francisco was approved by the Federal Housing Finance Board and will be implemented on April 1, 2004. The new capital plan incorporates a single class of stock with a par value of $100 per share, which may be issued, exchanged, redeemed, and repurchased only at par value. Each member is to own stock in amount equal to the greater of:

The new capital stock is redeemable on five years’ written notice, subject to certain conditions.

We do not believe that the initial implementation of the FHLB of San Francisco’s new capital plan as approved will have a material impact upon our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. However, the bank could be required to purchase as much as 50% additional capital stock or sell as much as 50% of its proposed capital stock requirement at the discretion of the FHLB of San Francisco.

Impact of Monetary Policies

The earnings and growth of the Bank are largely dependent on its ability to maintain a favorable differential or spread between the yield on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. As a result, the Bank’s performance is influenced by general economic conditions, both domestic and foreign, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, and the policies of the regulatory agencies. The Federal Reserve Board implements national monetary policies (such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession) by its open-market operations in U.S. Government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to its reserve requirements and by varying the discount rate applicable to borrowings by banks from the Federal Reserve Banks. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans and deposits. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.

Environmental Regulation

Federal, state and local regulations regarding the discharge of materials into the environment may have an impact on banks and their holding companies. Under federal law, liability for environmental damage and the cost of cleanup may be imposed upon any person or entity that owns or operates contaminated property. State law provisions, which were modeled after federal law, impose substantially similar requirements. Both federal and state laws were amended in 1996 to provide generally that a lender who is not actively involved in operating the contaminated property will not be liable to clean up the property, even if the lender has a security interest in the property or becomes an owner of the property through foreclosure.

The Economic Growth Act includes protection for lenders from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 by adding a new section which specifies the actions a lender may take with respect to lending and foreclosure activities without incurring environmental clean-up liability or responsibility. Under this section, typical contractual provisions regarding environmental issues in the loan documentation and due diligence inspections conducted in connection with lending transactions

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will not lead to lender liability for clean-up, and a lender may foreclose on contaminated property, so long as the lender merely maintains the property and moves to divest it at the earliest possible time.

Under California law, a lender generally will not be liable to the State for the cost associated with cleaning up contaminated property unless the lender realized some benefit from the property, failed to divest the property promptly, caused or contributed to the release of the hazardous materials, or made the loan primarily for investment purposes.

The extent of the protection provided by both the federal and state lender protection statutes will depend on the interpretation of those statutes by administrative agencies and courts, and the Bancorp cannot predict whether it will be adequately protected for the types of loans made by the Bank.

In addition, the Bank remains subject to the risk that a borrower’s financial position will be impaired by liability under the environmental laws and that property securing a loan made by the Bank may be environmentally impaired and therefore not provide adequate security for the loan. California law provides some protection against the second risk by establishing certain additional alternative remedies for a lender in circumstances where the property securing a loan is later found to be environmentally impaired, permitting the lender to pursue remedies against the borrower other than foreclosure under the deed of trust.

The Bank attempts to protect its positions against the remaining environmental risks by performing due diligence. Environmental questionnaires and information on use of toxic substances are requested as part of the Bank’s underwriting procedures. The Bank makes lending decisions based upon its evaluation of the collateral, the net worth of the borrower, and the borrower’s capacity for unforeseen business interruptions or risks.

Other Pending and Proposed Legislation

Other legislative and regulatory initiatives which could affect the Bancorp and the Bank and the banking industry in general are pending, and additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced, before the U.S. Congress, the California legislature, and other governmental bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation, and competitive relationship among financial institutions, and may subject the Bancorp and the Bank to increased regulation, disclosure, and reporting requirements. In addition, the various banking regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulations may be enacted or the extent to which the business of the Bancorp or the Bank would be affected thereby.

Item 2. Properties

Cathay General Bancorp

The Bancorp currently neither owns nor leases any real or personal property. We use the premises, equipment, and furniture of the Bank without the payment of any rental fees to the Bank.

Cathay Bank

The Bank’s main corporate office and headquarters branch is located in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles. The offices are in a three-story structure containing 26,527 square feet and constructed of glass and concrete. The Bank owns both the building and the land upon which the building is situated.

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Parking for approximately 126 automobiles is provided on three lots adjacent to the Bank’s building, two of which are owned by the Bank. The third lot is leased under a 55-year term with a 30-year option commencing in January 1987 at a current monthly rent of approximately $16,031.

The Bank owns its branch offices in the following cities:

In addition, the Bank has certain operating and administrative departments located at 4128 Temple City Boulevard, Rosemead, California, where it owns the building and land with approximately 27,600 square feet of space.

The Bank leases certain other premises. Expiration dates of the Bank’s leases range from January, 2004 to August, 2011. The Bank’s leased offices include the former headquarters of General Bank, located at 800 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, California 90017, consisting of approximately 41,501 square feet of rentable area which includes the ground floor and the second, fourteenth and fifteenth floors of the building. The initial lease term will expire in the year 2009, and the Bank has two five-year options to renew the lease following the expiration date of the initial term. As of December 31, 2003, the monthly base rent for the facility is $83,000. The monthly base rent is subject to change on specified dates during the 15-year initial lease term pursuant to the lease agreement.

The office in Taipei of Cathay Investment Company and GBC Investment & Consulting Company, Inc. is located at Sixth Floor, Suite 3, 146 Sung Chiang Road, Taipei, Taiwan, and consists of 1,806 square feet. The lease was renewed for one year from October 4, 2003 to October 3, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, neither Cathay Investment Company nor GBC Investment & Consulting Company, Inc. owned any properties.

As of December 31, 2003, the Bank’s investment in premises and equipment totaled $35.6 million. See also Notes 8 and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Cathay General Bancorp, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Management is not currently aware of any litigation that is expected to have material adverse impact on our liquidity, consolidated financial condition or the consolidated results of operations.

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2003.

Executive Officers of Registrant

The table below sets forth the names, ages, and positions at the Bancorp and the Bank of all executive officers of the Company as of February 18, 2004. See Part III, Item 10 — “Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant,” below for further information regarding the executive officers of Bancorp and the Bank.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

(a) Market Information

Bancorp’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CATY.” The closing price of the Company’s common stock on February 18, 2004, was $56.88 per share, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. The Company does not represent that the outstanding shares may be either bought or sold at a certain price.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices as reported on the Nasdaq National Market:

(b) Holders

As of February 18, 2004, there were approximately 1,716 holders of record of Bancorp’s Common Stock.

(c) Dividends

The cash dividends declared by quarter were as follows:

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Item 6. Financial Data

The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for the Bancorp, and is derived in part from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Cathay General Bancorp and the Notes thereto, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate the understanding and assessment of the consolidated financial condition of Cathay General Bancorp (“Bancorp”) and its subsidiaries, including Cathay Bank (the “Bank”) and together the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” and their consolidated results of operations. It should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes appearing elsewhere in this report. The Bank offers a wide range of financial services. The Bank currently operates 26 branches in Southern California, 12 branches in Northern California, three branches in New York State, two branches in Massachusetts, one branch in Houston, Texas, and one branch in Washington State, and two representative offices, one in Hong Kong and one in Shanghai, China. In addition, the Bank’s subsidiaries, Cathay Investment Company and GBC Investment and Consulting Company, Inc., maintain an office in Taiwan. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located.

The following discussion and other sections of this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, such words as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Bancorp to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from:

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Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak as of the date hereof. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the results of any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events.

The financial information presented herein includes the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, including the Bank, and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. All material transactions between these entities are eliminated.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under difference assumptions or conditions.

Accounting for the allowance for loan losses involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which has a material impact on the carrying value of net loans; management considers this accounting policy to be a critical accounting policy. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances as described under the heading “Allowance for Loan Losses.”

Accounting for the merger with GBC Bancorp involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which has a material impact on the carrying value of fixed rate loans and borrowings and the determination of the core deposit intangible asset and goodwill. The judgments and assumptions used by management are described under the heading “Merger with GBC Bancorp”.

As of the close of business on October 20, 2003, the Company completed its merger with GBC Bancorp and General Bank (“GBC merger”), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 6, 2003. Consequently, GBC Bancorp was merged with and into Cathay Bancorp, Inc. with Cathay Bancorp, Inc. as the surviving corporation, and General Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GBC Bancorp, was merged with and into Cathay Bank, with Cathay Bank as the surviving corporation. As a result of the merger, Cathay Bancorp, Inc. issued 6.75 million shares of its newly issued common stock, and paid $162.4 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding shares of GBC Bancorp common stock. In addition, Cathay Bancorp, Inc. changed its name to Cathay General Bancorp, but its common stock continues to be quoted on Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CATY” while GBC Bancorp’s common stock has been removed from trading.

In connection with the merger, three existing directors of GBC Bancorp joined the boards of directors of both the Bancorp and the Bank. These directors are Peter Wu, Ph.D., Thomas C.T. Chiu, M.D. and Ting Liu, Ph.D. Peter Wu, GBC Bancorp’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer, became the Bancorp and the Bank’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, and joined the newly-created Office of the President/CEO.

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Results of Operations

Overview

For the year 2003, the Company reported record consolidated net income of $55.6 million or $2.85 per diluted share, a 14.1% increase in net income compared with net income of $48.7 million or $2.69 per diluted share for 2002, which was an increase of 14.3% in net income, when 2002 is compared with net income of $42.6 million or $2.35 per diluted share for 2001.

A 36.5% increase in average earning assets and a 37.8%% increase in average total demand, interest-bearing demand, money market, and savings deposits, both due in part to the merger with GBC Bancorp, and higher securities gains were the main drivers of the total $6.9 million increase in net income between 2003 and 2002. An 11.5% increase in average earnings assets and a 15.7% increase in average total demand, interest-bearing demand, money market, and savings deposits were the main drivers of the total $6.1 million increase in net income between 2002 and 2001. These changes increased our net interest income before provision for loan losses by 22.1%, or $23.0 million, between 2003 and 2002 and by 11.7%, or $10.9 million, between 2002 and 2001.

Between 2002 and 2003 non-interest income increased by $6.8 million, reflecting increases in securities gains and letters of credit commissions compared with $1.4 million growth in non-interest income from 2001 to 2002. Our efficiency ratio increased slightly to 36.73% in 2003 compared to 36.00% in 2002 and 37.2% in 2001 as the Company’s non-interest expense increased by $11.8 million between 2003 and 2002 to $55.1 million, primarily as a result of the merger with GBC Bancorp, and by $3.2 million between 2002 and 2001.

Net income and key financial performance ratios are presented below for the three years indicated:

Year 2003 compared to Year 2002

Taxable-Equivalent Interest Income

Taxable-equivalent interest income increased $23.2 million or 15.9% to $169.4 million in 2003, largely as a result of the merger with GBC Bancorp and continued growth in loans and securities. The increase in taxable-equivalent interest income was due to a combination of the following:

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Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $0.2 million to $40.1 million in 2003 compared with $39.9 million in 2002, primarily due to a combination of the following:

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Margin

The Company’s taxable-equivalent net interest margin, defined as taxable-equivalent net interest income to average interest-earning assets, decreased 47 basis points from 4.34% in 2002 to 3.87% in 2003 as a result of the 50 and 25 basis point drops in the federal funds rate in November 2002 and June 2003, respectively, the prepayments, calls, and sales of higher yielding securities and the related lagging effect on our interest-bearing time deposit accounts.

Year 2002 compared to Year 2001

Taxable-Equivalent Interest Income

During 2002, we experienced compression to our taxable-equivalent net interest margin due to the declining interest rate environment on a balance sheet that is asset sensitive. During 2001, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”), lowered the target federal funds rate by 475 basis points in rapid succession. In November 2002, an additional reduction of 50 basis points was approved by the FOMC, bringing the total decrease to 525 basis points during 2001 and 2002. As a commercial bank, most of our loans are variable-rate, and reprice each time there is a change in the target federal funds rate. In response to these conditions, we made efforts to manage our interest-earning assets by increasing average loans, and made efforts to obtain lower cost core deposits, thus optimizing the mix of our deposit portfolios. The impact of these efforts allowed us to maintain our taxable-equivalent margin well above the 4.00% mark during 2002, and increased our taxable-equivalent net interest income by $11.0 million to $106.3 million in 2002 compared with $95.3 million for 2001. The increase of $11.0 million to taxable-equivalent interest income was due to a combination of the following:

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Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $26.3 million to $39.9 million in 2002 compared with $66.2 million in 2001. The reason for the decrease was a combination of the repricing of deposits in a lower interest rate environment, and a change in the mix of these interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by increases in volume, more particularly described as follows:

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Margin

The taxable-equivalent net interest margin, defined as taxable-equivalent net interest income to average interest-earning assets was 4.34% in 2002 and 2001 as decreases in yields in earning assets were more than offset by decreases in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

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The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the yields and rates paid on those assets and liabilities. Average outstanding amounts included in the table are daily averages.

Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities

(Dollars in thousands)