EXHIBIT 12.1

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

	For the six months ended June 30,					For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except ratios)	2009			2008		2008		2007		2006		2005		2004
Income/(Loss) before income tax expense	$	(35,313	)	$	69,293	$	70,075	$	196,660	$	184,829	$	166,481	$	140,422
Plus fixed charges		132,145			152,941		299,477		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142
Earnings		96,832			222,234		369,552		505,774		399,493		278,913		202,564
Fixed charges		132,145			152,941		299,477		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142
Preferred stock dividends		8,464			301		1,750		610		610		611		593
Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends	$	140,609		$	153,242	$	301,227	$	309,724	$	215,274	$	113,043	$	62,735
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		0.73			1.45		1.23		1.64		1.86		2.48		3.26
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		0.69			1.45		1.23		1.63		1.86		2.47		3.23