Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Organization And Background

Organization and Background. The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operations of the Bank, which owns 100% of the common securities of the following subsidiaries: Cathay Real Estate Investment Trust, GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc., Cathay Holdings LLC, Cathay Holdings 2, LLC, Cathay Holdings 3, LLC, Cathay Community Development Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation.

There are limited operating business activities currently at the Bancorp. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. Its operations include the acceptance of checking, savings, and time deposits, and the making of commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The Bank also offers trade financing, letters of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contracts, Internet banking, investment services, and other customary banking services to its customers.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates subject to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, other-than-temporary impairment analysis on investments, fair value disclosures, and the fair value of options granted. The more significant of these policies are described below.

Concentrations

Concentrations. The Bank was incorporated in California and started its business from California. Therefore, loans originated and deposits solicited were mainly from California. As of December 31, 2011, gross loans were primarily comprised of 53.1% of commercial mortgage loans and 26.5% of commercial loans. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 65% of the Bank's residential mortgages were for properties located in California. Total deposits were comprised of 48.4% of time deposit of $100,000 or more (Jumbo CDs) at December 31, 2011, and approximately 57.1% of the Company's Jumbo CDs have been on deposit with the Company for two years or more.

Allowance For Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses. The determination of the amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operations reflects management's current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which loan losses is determined the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

The total allowance for loan losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, two primary methodologies are employed, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

The Bank's management allocates a specific allowance for "Impaired Credits," in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management's estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. The Company purchases securities under agreement to resell with various terms. These agreements are collateralized by agency securities and mortgage backed securities that are generally held by a third party custodian. The purchases are over-collateralized to ensure against unfavorable market price movements. In the event that the fair market value of the securities decreases below the collateral requirements under the related repurchase agreements, the counterparty is required to deliver additional securities. The counterparties to these agreements are nationally recognized investment banking firms that meet credit eligibility criteria and with whom a master repurchase agreement has been duly executed.

Securities

Securities. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available-for-sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time, or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes, and may be sold from time to time to manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Securities are classified as trading securities when management intends to sell the securities in the near term. Securities purchased are designated as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities at the time of acquisition.

Securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts on a level-yield basis. The carrying value of these assets is not adjusted for temporary declines in fair value since the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, and any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted as adjustment of yield on a level-yield basis.

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall have considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is then recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.

Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in income.

Investment In Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock. As a member of the FHLB system the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. The amount of investment is also affected by the outstanding advances under the line of credit the Bank maintains with the FHLB. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is pledged as collateral to the FHLB. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The carrying amount of the FHLB stock was $53.0 million at December 31, 2011, and $63.9 million at December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, 250,000 shares of FHLB stock was the minimum stock requirement based on outstanding FHLB borrowings of $225.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 529,888 shares of FHLB stock.

Loans

Loans. Loans are carried at amounts advanced, less principal payments collected and net deferred loan fees. Interest is accrued and earned daily on an actual or 360-day basis. Interest accruals on business loans and non-residential real estate loans are generally discontinued whenever the payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, based on contractual terms. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status, unless the loan is well secured, and there is a high probability of recovery in full, as determined by management. When loans are placed on a non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months. Loan origination fees and commitment fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment. The amortization utilizes the interest method. If a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the amortization of the loan fees and the accretion of discounts are discontinued until the loan is returned to accruing status.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses are recorded in non-interest income based on the difference between sales proceeds, net of sales commissions, and carrying value.

Loans Acquired Through Transfer

Loans Acquired Through Transfer. Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payment receivables are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the "accretable yield," is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the "nonaccretable difference," are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowance on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

Impaired Loans

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (i.e. both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (1) the present value of the expected future cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate, (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of the impaired loan is recognized by recording a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The Company stratifies its loan portfolio by size and treats smaller non-performing loans with an outstanding balance based on the Company's defined criteria, generally where the loan amount is $500,000 or less, as a homogenous portfolio. Once a loan has been identified as a possible problem loan, the Company conducts a periodic review of such loan in order to test for impairment. When loans are placed on an impaired status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructed Loan ("TDR")

Troubled Debt Restructured Loan ("TDR".) A TDR is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered TDRs, accruing TDR loans have, pursuant to the Bank's policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

Unfunded Loan Commitments

Unfunded Loan Commitments. Unfunded loan commitments are generally related to providing credit facilities to clients of the Bank, and are not actively traded financial instruments. These unfunded commitments are disclosed as off-balance sheet financial instruments in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Letter Of Credit Fees

Letter of Credit Fees. Issuance and commitment fees received for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit are recognized over the term of the instruments.

Premises And Equipment

Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Type	Estimated Useful Life
Buildings	15 to 45 years
Building improvements	5 to 20 years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

Improvements are capitalized and amortized to occupancy expense based on the above table. Construction in process is carried at cost and includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest and other costs related directly to the construction of a property.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer's initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

Investments In Affordable Housing

Investments in Affordable Housing. The Company is a limited partner in limited partnerships that invest in low-income housing projects that qualify for Federal and/or State income tax credits. As further discussed in Note 7, the partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, six of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company therefore consolidated the financial statements of these six limited partnerships into its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments In Venture Capital

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company invests in limited partnerships that invest in nonpublic companies. These partnerships are commonly referred to as venture capital investments. These limited partnership interests represent ownership of less than 5% and are carried under the cost method with other-than-temporary impairment charged against net income.

Goodwill And Goodwill Impairment

Reporting Units	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount			Allocated Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Lending Unit	$	647,628	$	124,000		—			—
Retail Banking Unit		390,003		708,000		81.5	%		235,195
East Coast Operations		211,567		394,000		86.2	%		81,145
Total	$	1,249,198	$	1,226,000				$	316,340

If economic conditions were to worsen instead of improve as assumed in the key assumptions, then the forecasted earnings for the Retail Banking unit and the East Coast Operations could be significantly lower than projected. In addition, a worsening of economic conditions could potentially reduce the price to earnings multiples and price to book multiples of peer groups for Retail Banking and East Coast Operations and result in a reduction in the fair value of these units even if the forecasted earnings were achieved.

Core Deposit Premium

Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium, which represents the purchase price over the fair value of the deposits acquired from other financial institutions, is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. If a pattern of consumption cannot be reliably determined, straight-line amortization is used. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the premium balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the remaining deposit portfolio and amortizes core deposit premium over its estimated useful life.

At December 31, 2011, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $10.6 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $49.8 million. Aggregate amortization expense for core deposit premium was $5.9 million for 2011, $6.0 million for 2010, and $6.6 million for 2009. At December 31, 2011, the estimated aggregate amortization of core deposit premiums is $5.7 million for 2012, $4.5 million for 2013, and $0.4 million for 2014 and thereafter. At December 31, 2010, the unamortized balance of core deposit premium was $16.4 million, which was net of accumulated amortization of $44.1 million.

Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the applicable asset accounts.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date for those options expected to vest, and is recognized as an expense over the vesting period of the grant using the straight-line method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of granted options. This model takes into account the option exercise price, the expected life, the current price of the underlying stock, the expected volatility of the Company's stock, expected dividends on the stock and a risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility based on the Company's historical stock prices for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock options. Option compensation expense totaled $1.0 million in 2011, $3.0 million in 2010, and $5.4 million in 2009. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $904,000 at December 31, 2011, and is expected to be recognized over the next 1.2 years.

Foreign Exchange Forwards And Foreign Currency Option Contracts

Foreign Exchange Forwards and Foreign Currency Option Contracts. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with correspondent banks to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts, are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive Income/(loss). Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income/(loss) generally includes net income/(loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities available-for-sale, and cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are reported and displayed in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss).

Net Income Per Common Share

Net Income per Common Share. Earnings per share ("EPS") is computed on a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shares in the earnings of the Company. Potential dilution is excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts when a net loss from operations exists.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation. The Company considers the functional currency of its foreign operations to be the United States dollar. Accordingly, the Company remeasures monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, while nonmonetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for depreciation, which is remeasured at historical rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in income in the period of occurrence.

Statement Of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term highly-liquid investments that generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

Segment Information And Disclosures

Segment Information and Disclosures. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has concluded it has one operating segment.