Cathay General Bancorp Reports Record $211.9 Million Net Interest Income and Raises Loan Growth Outlook

Cathay General Bancorp reported record net interest income of $211.9 million for the third quarter of 2026, the company said on its October 21, 2026 earnings call. The Motley Fool covered the call. Net interest margin, net interest income as a percentage of total earning assets, expanded to 3.52%.

Cathay General Raises Loan and Deposit Growth Outlook

Cathay General Bancorp is the holding company for Cathay Bank, founded in 1962 as the first Chinese-American-owned bank in the U.S., operating more than 60 branches across nine states plus Hong Kong and serving small-to-medium businesses, consumers, and Asian-American customers.

Management raised its full-year loan growth outlook to 5%-6% from 3.5%-4.5% and its deposit growth outlook to 4%-5% from 3%-4%. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Al Wang said: "Based on our strong year-to-date loan growth, we are raising our full-year outlook to 5%-6% from 3.5%-4.5% previously. We are also increasing our deposit growth outlook to 4%-5%, compared with the prior expectation of 3%-4%."

Wang said he is not ready to call a peak on net interest margin. "I still think there is room for expansion," he said, citing a 25 basis point increase in December in the guide that will help on the asset side.

Commercial and industrial lending led balance sheet growth in the quarter. President and Chief Executive Officer Chang Liu said business clients continue taking out credit lines to fund operations regardless of borrowing costs: "If they need the loan and they need the lines, they're going to continue to use it regardless of the rate environment."

Cathay General's Capital Returns and Scale

According to akta.pro company records, Cathay General Bancorp declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share in May 2026, an 11.8% increase from $0.34, extending its streak to 35 consecutive years of dividend payments. In April 2026, the board authorized a new $150 million share repurchase program after completing the prior $150 million buyback at an average price of $46.62 per share. The same records list total assets of $24.23 billion as of 2025 and full-year 2025 net income of $315.1 million, up 10% year-over-year.

Earlier Cathay General Earnings and Dividend Steps

Cathay General Bancorp said on October 8, 2026 that it would announce third-quarter 2026 results after markets closed on October 21, 2026, with a conference call at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Stock Titan reported. Yahoo reported on October 12, 2026 that Cathay General had beaten earnings estimates in its last two quarters, with EPS surprises of 3.01% and 8.40%. MarketScreener reported on August 14, 2026 that the company maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.38 per share, payable September 8 to stockholders of record on August 28.

Cathay General's Technology and Lending Priorities

Liu said commercial lending activity continues accelerating across manufacturing and distribution clients. He said strategic investments in artificial intelligence and client technology platforms aim to drive operational efficiency and support future growth. Liu said the company's priorities remain disciplined relationship growth, sound credit quality, and prudent capital management.