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, except ratios)	2009			2008		2008		2007		2006		2005		2004
Income/(Loss) before income tax expense	$	(67,474	)	$	83,554	$	70,075	$	196,660	$	184,829	$	166,481	$	140,422
Plus fixed charges		191,860			226,584		299,477		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142
Earnings		124,386			310,138		369,552		505,774		399,493		278,913		202,564
Fixed charges		191,860			226,584		299,477		309,114		214,664		112,432		62,142
Preferred stock dividends		12,706			452		1,750		610		610		611		593
Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends	$	204,566		$	227,036	$	301,227	$	309,724	$	215,274	$	113,043	$	62,735
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		0.65			1.37		1.23		1.64		1.86		2.48		3.26
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		0.61			1.37		1.23		1.63		1.86		2.47		3.23