EXHIBIT 12.1

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

	For the nine months ended September 30,				For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2008		2007		2007		2006		2005		2004		2003
Income before income tax expense	$	83,554	$	148,945	$	196,660	$	184,829	$	166,481	$	140,422	$	87,822
Plus fixed charges		226,584		224,077		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142		41,152
Earnings		310,138		373,022		505,774		399,493		278,913		202,564		128,974
Fixed charges		226,584		224,077		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142		41,152
Preferred Dividends		452		452		610		610		611		593		15
Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends	$	227,036	$	224,529	$	309,724	$	215,274	$	113,043	$	62,735	$	41,167
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		1.37		1.66		1.64		1.86		2.48		3.26		3.13
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends		1.37		1.66		1.63		1.86		2.47		3.23		3.13