Businesswire·2026-01-16 21:10Core Viewpoint - Hope Bancorp, Inc. announces the retirement of Scott Yoon-Suk Whang from its Board of Directors, effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, marking a significant transition in the company's leadership [1][4]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Scott Yoon-Suk Whang has chosen not to seek re-election and will retire from his position on the Boards of Directors of Hope Bancorp and Bank of Hope [1]. - Whang has been a pivotal figure in the establishment of Hope Bancorp, contributing to the merger of Nara Bancorp, Inc. and Center Financial Corporation, and has served in various leadership roles since joining the Board in 2007 [2][3]. - Following Whang's retirement, the Board will be reduced to nine directors, and amendments to the company's bylaws and governance documents have been filed [4]. Group 2: Company Overview - Hope Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Bank of Hope, which is the only regional Korean American bank in the U.S., with total assets of $18.51 billion as of September 30, 2025 [5]. - The company has expanded its reach by incorporating Territorial Savings as a division, making it the largest regional bank serving multicultural customers across the continental U.S. and Hawaii [5]. - Bank of Hope offers a wide range of banking products and services, including commercial and consumer lending, treasury management, and international trade finance, operating 45 branches in various states and 29 branches in Hawaii [5].