Note 9 - Capital Resources - Outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	May 31, 2014
Junior subordinated debt	$ 119,136	$ 119,100
Cathay Capital Trust I [Member]
Issuance date	Jun. 26, 2003
Junior subordinated debt	$ 20,619
Not redeemable until	Jun. 30, 2008
Stated maturity	Jun. 30, 2033
Annualized coupon rate	3.15
Current interest rate	3.39%
Date of rate change	Dec. 30, 2020
Payable/distribution date	March 30, June 30, September 30, December 30
Cathay Statutory Trust I [Member]
Issuance date	Sep. 17, 2003
Junior subordinated debt	$ 20,619
Not redeemable until	Sep. 17, 2008
Stated maturity	Sep. 17, 2033
Annualized coupon rate	3.0
Current interest rate	3.23%
Date of rate change	Dec. 17, 2020
Payable/distribution date	March 17, June 17, September 17, December 17
Cathay Capital Trust II [Member]
Issuance date	Dec. 30, 2003
Junior subordinated debt	$ 12,887
Not redeemable until	Mar. 30, 2009
Stated maturity	Mar. 30, 2034
Annualized coupon rate	2.9
Current interest rate	3.14%
Date of rate change	Dec. 30, 2020
Payable/distribution date	March 30, June 30, September 30, December 30
Cathay Capital Trust III [Member]
Issuance date	Mar. 28, 2007
Junior subordinated debt	$ 46,392
Not redeemable until	Jun. 15, 2012
Stated maturity	Jun. 15, 2037
Annualized coupon rate	1.48
Current interest rate	1.70%
Date of rate change	Dec. 15, 2020
Payable/distribution date	March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15
Cathay Capital Trust IV [Member]
Issuance date	May 31, 2007
Junior subordinated debt	$ 18,619
Not redeemable until	Sep. 06, 2012
Stated maturity	Sep. 06, 2037
Annualized coupon rate	1.4
Current interest rate	1.63%
Date of rate change	Dec. 07, 2020
Payable/distribution date	March 6, June 6, September 6, December 6