Cathay Bank

Cathay Bank (traditional Chinese: 國泰銀行; simplified Chinese: 国泰银行; pinyin: Guótài Yínháng) is a Chinese American bank based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1962, it has since expanded its network throughout California and into Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland. Additionally, it has representative offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei.

History

Cathay Bank first opened in 1962 in Los Angeles' Chinatown as the first Chinese-American bank in California. In 1979 it opened its first branch office in Monterey Park. Its first overseas representative office in Hong Kong was opened in 1985.

In 1999, Cathay expanded beyond California by opening a loan production office in Houston, Texas, which was converted to a full service branch in 2000. Expansion to New York occurred in 1999 with the acquisition of certain assets of Golden City Commercial Bank.

In 2003, branch offices were opened in Boston, Massachusetts, and Kent, Washington. Cathay merged with General Bank in 2003. In 2006, Cathay prevailed in a bidding war with United Commercial Bank to acquire Great Eastern Bank. Cathay also acquired New Asia Bank in 2006.