Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	$ 7,694,373	$ 7,429,147
Allowance for loan losses	(179,733)	(183,322)
Unamortized deferred loan fees	(11,685)	(10,238)
Total loans, net	7,502,955	7,235,587
Commercial Loans Member
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	2,210,761	2,127,107
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	1,224,692	1,146,230
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	3,909,559	3,768,452
Equity Lines [Member]
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	182,855	193,852
Real Estate Construction Loans [Member]
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	153,663	180,950
Installment And Other Loans Member
Note 7 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Gross Loans	$ 12,843	$ 12,556

Name:	caty_Note7LoansDetailsComponentsofLoansinConsolidatedBalanceSheetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	caty_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before allowance of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes loans held for sale. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred fees paid by borrowers and unamortized costs incurred to originate loans and leases, unamortized loan commitments and loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of loans that are being amortized into income as an adjustment to yield. Excludes amounts for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378536&loc=d3e10092-111533

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant