Cathay General (NASDAQ: CATY) unveils new $150M share repurchase plan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cathay General Bancorp announced that its board has adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing the company to buy back up to $150,000,000 of its common stock. Repurchases may be made on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, and may also be executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan.

The company can suspend, terminate or modify the program at any time based on market conditions, alternative uses of capital, liquidity and other factors. As of the press release date, Cathay General Bancorp had approximately 67,056,307 shares of common stock outstanding.

The company also noted that a prior $150,000,000 repurchase program announced in June 2025 was completed in February 2026, with 3,217,481 shares repurchased at an average cost of $46.62 per share.

Insights

Bank equity analyst

Cathay General adds a new $150M buyback, replacing a fully used prior program.

Cathay General Bancorp authorized a new $150,000,000 share repurchase program after fully completing a prior program of the same size. The earlier authorization retired 3,217,481 shares at an average price of $46.62, showing active use of capital return tools.

The new program is discretionary. Management will decide timing, price and volume based on market conditions, legal constraints, liquidity and competing investment needs. The authorization does not obligate the company to repurchase a specific number of shares.

Repurchases can be executed in the open market, privately negotiated transactions, or under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which can allow trading during periods when normal repurchases might be restricted. Future capital return will depend on factors such as the company’s financial performance, common stock price and board decisions.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

New repurchase authorization: $150,000,000 Shares outstanding: 67,056,307 shares Prior program size: $150,000,000 +2 more

5 metrics

New repurchase authorization $150,000,000 New share repurchase program authorized by the board

Shares outstanding 67,056,307 shares Common stock outstanding as of press release date

Prior program size $150,000,000 Completed share repurchase program announced June 4, 2025

Shares repurchased under prior program 3,217,481 shares Total shares bought before prior program completion on February 4, 2026

Average repurchase price $46.62 per share Average cost of shares repurchased under the prior program

Key Terms

share repurchase program, Rule 10b5-1 plan, forward-looking statements, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, +1 more

5 terms

share repurchase program financial

"has adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000"

A share repurchase program is when a company buys back its own shares from the marketplace. This reduces the total number of shares available, which can increase the value of each remaining share and signal confidence in the company's prospects. For investors, it often suggests that the company believes its stock is undervalued or that it has extra cash to return to shareholders.

Rule 10b5-1 plan regulatory

"Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which if adopted would allow stock repurchases"

A Rule 10b5-1 plan is a prearranged, written schedule that lets corporate insiders buy or sell company stock at set times or amounts, even if they later learn material nonpublic information. Think of it like setting an automatic thermostat for trades: it creates a clear record that trades were planned in advance, reducing the risk of insider-trading accusations and helping investors trust that insider transactions are routine rather than based on secret information.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regulatory

"forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"

risk factors regulatory

"including without limitation the “risk factors” section of its Form 10-K"

Risk factors are elements or conditions that could cause an investment's value to decrease or lead to potential losses. They are like warning signs or obstacles that can affect the success of an investment, making it uncertain or more unpredictable. Recognizing risk factors helps investors understand the possible challenges and make more informed decisions.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

false 0000861842 0000861842 2026-04-23 2026-04-23

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 23, 2026

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-31830		95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California   90012

(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (213) 625-4700

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐         Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐         Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐         Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐         Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

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

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

Emerging growth company ☐

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

Item 8.01 - Other Events.

On April 23, 2026, Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Company’s board of directors has adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The share repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, price and volume of the share repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors. Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which if adopted would allow stock repurchases when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The share repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing shares, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. These factors may also affect the timing and amount of share repurchases. As of the date of the press release, the Company has approximately 67,056,307 shares of common stock outstanding.

The information in this Form 8-K and the exhibit attached to this Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those anticipated, including without limitation fluctuations in the market price of the common stock, regulatory, legal and contractual requirements, other uses of capital, the Company’s financial performance, market conditions generally or modification, extension or termination of the share repurchase authorization by the board of directors. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. The Company cautions you not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. You should consider the above uncertainties as well as the precautionary statements included in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including without limitation the “risk factors” section of its Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as to the date on which it is made, and the Company undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release of Cathay General Bancorp, dated April 23, 2026

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

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: April 23, 2026

	CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
	By:	/s/ Albert J. Wang
		Albert J. Wang
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For:	Cathay General Bancorp		Contact:	Albert J. Wang
	777 N. Broadway			(626) 279-3695
	Los Angeles, CA 90012

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

ADOPTS NEW SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2026: Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”, Nasdaq: CATY), the holding company for Cathay Bank, announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The previous $150,000,000 share repurchase program announced on June 4, 2025, was completed on February 4, 2026, with the repurchase of 3,217,481 shares at an average cost of $46.62.

The share repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, price and volume of the share repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors.  Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which if adopted would allow stock repurchases when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The share repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing shares, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. These factors may also affect the timing and amount of share repurchases. As of the date of this release, the Company has approximately 67,056,307 shares of common stock outstanding.

ABOUT CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

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

FAQ

What did Cathay General Bancorp (CATY) announce in this 8-K?

Cathay General Bancorp announced a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $150,000,000 of common stock repurchases. The company may buy shares on the open market or in private transactions, and can also use a Rule 10b5-1 plan subject to legal and market considerations.

How large is Cathay General Bancorp’s new share repurchase authorization?

The new share repurchase program authorizes up to $150,000,000 of Cathay General Bancorp common stock. Management will determine timing, pricing and volume of buybacks based on market conditions, liquidity, alternative investment opportunities and other factors deemed appropriate by the company.

What happened to Cathay General Bancorp’s previous share repurchase program?

The previous Cathay General Bancorp share repurchase program, also sized at $150,000,000, was completed on February 4, 2026. Under that program, the company repurchased 3,217,481 shares of common stock at an average cost of $46.62 per share before adopting the new authorization.

How many Cathay General Bancorp shares are currently outstanding?

As of the date of the press release, Cathay General Bancorp reported approximately 67,056,307 shares of common stock outstanding. This figure provides context for the potential scale of any repurchases under the new $150,000,000 authorization relative to the company’s existing equity base.

Can Cathay General Bancorp change or stop the new buyback program?

Yes. The company stated that the share repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. Factors include market conditions, repurchase costs, alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other considerations that management and the board deem appropriate.

How might Cathay General Bancorp execute share repurchases under this program?

Cathay General Bancorp may repurchase shares from time to time in open-market transactions or privately negotiated deals. It may also use a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which can allow planned repurchases during periods when typical trading might be restricted by insider trading regulations.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 7.6 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 11.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 15.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.3 KB