Cathay General Bancorp Announces New \$150 Million Share Repurchase Program

Key Points from the SEC 8-K Filing

• New Share Repurchase Program: Cathay General Bancorp (Nasdaq: CATY) has announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a new share repurchase program. This program authorizes the company to repurchase up to \$150,000,000 of its common stock.
• Previous Program Completed: The prior \$150 million repurchase plan, announced June 4, 2025, was completed as of February 4, 2026, with the repurchase of 3,217,481 shares at an average price of \$46.62 per share.
• Current Shares Outstanding: As of April 23, 2026, Cathay General Bancorp has approximately 67,056,307 shares of common stock outstanding.
• Repurchase Methods: Shares may be repurchased on the open market or via privately negotiated transactions. The company may also utilize a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit repurchases during periods when insider trading restrictions might otherwise apply.
• Flexible Management: The timing, price, and volume of repurchases will be determined by management, considering market conditions, relevant securities laws, liquidity, alternative investment opportunities, and other factors. The program can be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time for any reason.
• Forward-Looking Statements: The company notes that forward-looking statements in the filing are subject to risks such as fluctuations in stock price, regulatory changes, market conditions, and other factors. The company cautions investors against undue reliance and does not commit to updating forward-looking statements.

Details Investors Need to Know

Share Repurchases as a Price-Sensitive Event:
The authorization of a new \$150 million share repurchase program is a significant and potentially price-sensitive event. Share repurchases can positively impact shareholder value by reducing the number of shares outstanding, thereby increasing earnings per share and often supporting or boosting the share price. The completion of the previous program at a substantial average price and the launch of an equally sized new program signals management’s confidence in the company’s outlook and its commitment to shareholder returns.

Flexibility and Uncertainty:
The management retains full discretion over the execution of the repurchase program. Factors such as market conditions, liquidity, and alternative investment opportunities may affect the timing and scale of repurchases. Investors should be aware that the program may be altered, suspended, or terminated at any time, which could impact expectations and share price movements.

Rule 10b5-1 Plan:
The potential use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan allows the company to buy back shares even when it might otherwise be restricted by insider trading laws. This could result in steady repurchases regardless of blackout periods, which may support the stock price during times of volatility or insider trading windows.

Risks and Forward-Looking Statements:
The company explicitly warns that forward-looking statements are subject to risks including market price fluctuations, regulatory changes, and other uses of capital. Shareholders should consider these risks, as well as the company’s risk disclosures in its Form 10-K, when evaluating the impact of this announcement.

Potential Impact on Share Price

• The announcement of a substantial new share repurchase program may serve as a catalyst for the share price, potentially enhancing investor sentiment and signaling management’s positive outlook.
• Ongoing repurchases and the completion of a prior program at a premium price may support the share price, especially in volatile markets.
• Any changes to the program—such as suspension or termination—could affect investor expectations and may cause share price volatility.

Corporate Information

• Company Name: Cathay General Bancorp
• Address: 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Trading Symbol: CATY
• Exchange: Nasdaq Global Select Market
• Contact: Albert J. Wang, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Website: https://www.cathaybank.com

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is based on the SEC Form 8-K filing and accompanying press release by Cathay General Bancorp dated April 23, 2026. This article contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Investors are advised to review the company’s filings with the SEC, including the risk factors in its Form 10-K, and to not rely solely on the forward-looking statements herein. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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