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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KIL3YwcIuynEwCGPNpDkVpEcjillbxsUqjajPl2YeIOtSeGoZQIqK4JIxXI2Hr0T
 aybiOejw7AG+ZP0l6FM+sw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-003245.txt : 20030708
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-003245.hdr.sgml : 20030708
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030708141955
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-003245
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030708

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WONG IRWIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185635

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18630
		FILM NUMBER:		03778324

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 N BROADWAY
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90012

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CATHAY BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000861842
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				954274680
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 N BROADWAY
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2136254700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 NORTH BROADWAY
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90012
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-05-01</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000861842</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CATHAY BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CATY</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185635</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WONG IRWIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-05-01</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>490</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2214.15</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.50</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F7"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2002-09-17</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2008-09-17</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>3120</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3120</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>21.25</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F7"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2003-01-20</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2010-01-20</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>5364</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5364</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>30.095</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F7"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2002-01-18</value>
<footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2011-01-18</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>8060</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>8060</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>32.55</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F7"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2003-02-21</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2012-02-21</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>9240</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>9240</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>39.85</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F7"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>0</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2004-01-16</value>
<footnoteId id="F6"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-01-16</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>18790</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>18790</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Includes 12.70 shares acquired through atomatic dividend reinvestment on 1/22/03 and 4/22/03; but does not include the reporting person's vested interest of 9,736 shares in ESOP as of 12/31/02.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">The option vests in 2 equal annual installments beginning 9/17/02.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">The Option vests in 3 equal annual installments beginning 1/20/03.</footnote>
<footnote id="F4">The option vests in 5 equal annual installments beginning 1/18/02.</footnote>
<footnote id="F5">The option vests in 5 equal annual installments beginning 2/21/03.</footnote>
<footnote id="F6">The option vests in 5 equal annual installments beginning 01/16/04</footnote>
<footnote id="F7">No transaction, for historical listing purpose.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Irwin Wong</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-07-08</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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