Company Overview

Hope Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, operating primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hope Bank. The company provides commercial banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals, with a particular focus on serving multicultural communities, including Korean-American and other Asian-American markets. It operates within the commercial banking and financial services industry, generating revenue mainly through interest income on loans and investment securities, as well as non-interest income from service fees.

Founded in 2015 through the merger of BBCN Bancorp, Inc. and Wilshire Bancorp, Inc., Hope Bancorp was created to form one of the largest Korean-American-focused banking institutions in the United States. Since its formation, the company has expanded its product offerings and geographic reach while maintaining a relationship-based banking model and niche market focus that differentiates it from larger national banks.

Business Operations

Hope Bancorp conducts substantially all of its business through Hope Bank, which offers a range of financial products including commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, residential mortgage loans, and trade finance services. Deposit products include checking, savings, money market, and time deposit accounts. Revenue is primarily driven by net interest income from lending activities, supplemented by fees related to loan servicing, remittances, and deposit services.

The company operates domestically within the United States and does not maintain international bank branches, though it facilitates international trade finance and cross-border transactions for its clients. Its operations leverage centralized credit administration and risk management systems, and it maintains specialized lending teams focused on real estate, SBA, and commercial lending. Hope Bancorp does not report material joint ventures but operates multiple wholly owned subsidiaries under the Hope Bank brand.

Strategic Position & Investments

Hope Bancorp’s strategic direction emphasizes disciplined loan growth, asset quality preservation, and expansion within its core relationship-based banking segments. Growth initiatives have historically focused on expanding commercial and SBA lending, deepening client relationships within ethnic and immigrant business communities, and improving operating efficiency through technology investments and digital banking capabilities.

The company has pursued growth through selective acquisitions, most notably the mergers that formed the current institution and subsequent bank acquisitions that expanded its footprint in California, Texas, and the Northeastern United States. Hope Bancorp continues to invest in credit risk management infrastructure and digital platforms rather than pursuing large-scale diversification into non-banking industries. Data inconclusive based on available public sources regarding material investments in emerging financial technologies beyond standard digital banking enhancements.

Geographic Footprint

Hope Bancorp operates primarily across California, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Illinois, Washington, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia, with California representing its largest market by deposits and loans. Its headquarters and executive offices are located in Los Angeles, California, and it maintains a multi-state branch network concentrated in major metropolitan areas.

While operations are domestic, the company supports clients engaged in international trade through foreign exchange and trade finance services, particularly with East Asia. Its geographic strategy prioritizes regions with dense small-business activity and multicultural populations, allowing it to maintain a focused but diversified national presence.

Leadership & Governance

Hope Bancorp is led by an executive team with extensive experience in commercial banking, credit management, and community-based financial services. The leadership emphasizes prudent risk management, conservative underwriting, and long-term relationship banking as core elements of the company’s strategic vision and governance philosophy.

Key executives include:

• Kevin S. Kim – Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
• Thomas J. Stenger – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• David Y. Han – Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
• Patrick J. O’Connor – Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer
• Jay J. Chun – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

The board of directors oversees corporate governance, risk management, and strategic planning, with policies aligned to U.S. banking regulatory standards and public company governance requirements.