HOPE announces voluntary board retirement; press release attached

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Hope Bancorp announced that Steven S. Koh, Honorary Chairman and board member, will retire from the board effective December 1, 2025. The company thanked him for his service and stated his decision was not due to any disagreement with the company on operations, policies or practices.

The filing notes that after Mr. Koh's retirement the board is expected to be fixed at 10 directors and that a press release announcing the retirement was issued on August 29, 2025 and is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Positive

• Retirement is voluntary and explicitly stated to be not due to any disagreement with the company
• Company issued a press release (Exhibit 99.1) to publicly announce the change

Negative

• Board size expected to be fixed at 10 directors, indicating a reduction but no information provided on replacement
• No details in the filing about succession planning, committee reassignment, or timing to fill any vacancy

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Routine director retirement with no reported disagreements; board will be reduced to 10 members.

The filing describes a planned director retirement that the company frames as voluntary and not related to any dispute. For investors and governance observers, this is a routine succession event rather than a governance red flag because the company explicitly disclaims any disagreement. The expected reduction to a 10-member board is a structural change but the filing does not provide details on succession planning, committee impacts, or timing for filling any vacancy, limiting assessment of governance continuity.

Board/Corporate Secretary

TL;DR: Administrative disclosure of a board member's forthcoming retirement; press release attached.

The 8-K complies with disclosure norms by noting the retirement date, thanking the director, and stating no disagreement prompted the departure. It also cites a press release filed as Exhibit 99.1. Absent additional information on replacement or committee reassignments, the practical impact on board operations cannot be determined from this filing alone.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

August 26, 2025

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

HOPE BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

000-50245

95-4849715

(State of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3200 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400

Los Angeles, California 90010

(Address of principal executives offices, including zip code)

(213) 639-1700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock

,

par value $0.001 per share

HOPE

NASDAQ Global Select Market

(Title of class)

(Trading Symbol)

(Name of exchange on which registered)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Steven S. Koh, the Honorary Chairman and a member of the board of directors of Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company that he will retire from the board of directors of the Company, effective December 1, 2025. The Company would like to thank him for his dedication and service. Mr. Koh’s decision to retire from the board of directors and not stand for re-election was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the operations, policies or practices of the Company.

Following Mr. Koh’s retirement, it is expected that the Company’s board of directors will be fixed at 10 directors.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On August 29, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Koh’s retirement. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this 8-K may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or similar expressions. With respect to any such forward-looking statements, Hope Bancorp claims the protection provided for in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. Hope Bancorp’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Hope Bancorp does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						Press release, dated August 29, 2025
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

						HOPE BANCORP, INC.
Date: August 29, 2025			By:			/s/ Kevin S. Kim
						Kevin S. Kim
						Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What did Hope Bancorp (HOPE) disclose about Steven S. Koh's retirement?

The company disclosed that Steven S. Koh will retire from the board effective December 1, 2025 and that his decision was not the result of any disagreement with the company.

When was the retirement announced for HOPE's board member?

Hope Bancorp issued a press release announcing the retirement on August 29, 2025, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the 8-K.

Will Hope Bancorp's board size change after the retirement?

Following Mr. Koh's retirement, the company expects the board to be fixed at 10 directors.

Did Hope Bancorp report any disagreement related to the retirement?

No. The filing states Mr. Koh's decision to retire and not stand for re-election was not the result of any disagreement with the company on operations, policies, or practices.

Is there information about who will replace Steven S. Koh on the board?

The filing does not provide any information about a replacement, succession plan, or committee reassignments.