Hope Bancorp completes SMBC MANUBANK unit acquisition
The effective SMBC agreement calls for Bank of Hope to serve Japan-based middle-market and retail customers needing U.S. banking services.
Sentiment and the balance of points
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Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Hope Bancorp, Inc. (HOPE) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Hope, completed its acquisition of the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK on October 1, 2026. Bank of Hope’s description lists $18.99 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2026, 45 full-service branches operating under the Bank of Hope name and 28 Hawaii branches under the Territorial Savings name; it also lists 7 additional California locations following the acquisition.
Hope Bancorp said the acquired unit adds an established commercial banking franchise and experienced bankers, diversifies deposit segments and expands its Greater Los Angeles client base. A related Collaboration and Partnership Agreement between Bank of Hope and SMBC became effective at closing. Under the agreement, Bank of Hope will provide financial solutions to SMBC’s Japan-based middle-market and retail customers needing U.S. banking services. The company said the relationship provides another channel to serve multinational businesses with U.S. operations.
Positive
- Minor pointBank of Hope lists 7 additional California locations following the acquisition.
Negative
- None.
Filing Explained
Bank of Hope’s acquisition of the commercial banking unit is complete; this 8-K gives no consideration amount, so the purchase price cannot be sized from this disclosure.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 7.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Total assets: $18.99 billion
Additional California locations: 7 locations
Full-service branches: 45 branches
+2 more
5 metrics
Total assets
$18.99 billion
Bank of Hope, as of June 30, 2026
Additional California locations
7 locations
Listed following the acquisition
Full-service branches
45 branches
Operating under the Bank of Hope banner
Hawaii branches
28 branches
Operating under the Territorial Savings banner
Acquisition completion date
October 1, 2026
Bank of Hope completed the acquisition
Key Terms
middle-market, deposit segments, interest rate derivatives, treasury management
4 terms
middle-market financial
"Japan-based middle-market and retail customers"
Middle-market describes companies that are larger than small businesses but smaller than big, multinational corporations, usually judged by annual revenue, number of employees, or market value. Investors care because these firms often combine growth potential with more predictable cash flow than startups and more agility than large incumbents, making them a common target for investment strategies seeking a balance of return and risk—like choosing a midsize car for a mix of economy and space.
deposit segments financial
"diversifies its deposit segments"
interest rate derivatives financial
"interest rate derivatives"
Contracts that let parties lock in, trade, or hedge future interest payments without buying the underlying loan or bond. Think of them like insurance or a bet on the direction of interest rates: investors and companies use them to protect against rising borrowing costs, to fix cash flows, or to speculate, and their widespread use affects funding costs, bond and stock valuations, and financial market risk.
treasury management financial
"treasury management"
Treasury management is a company's day‑to‑day handling of cash, short‑term investments, borrowing and financial risks to make sure bills are paid, excess cash is used wisely, and exposure to things like interest rates or foreign currencies is controlled. Think of it as running the company's checking account and emergency fund so operations keep flowing. For investors, strong treasury management signals that a company can meet obligations, fund growth without costly surprises, and protect value in changing markets.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did HOPE acquire, and when did the deal close?
Bank of Hope completed its acquisition of the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK on October 1, 2026. Bank of Hope is Hope Bancorp’s wholly owned subsidiary.
How many California locations followed the HOPE acquisition?
Bank of Hope lists 7 additional California locations following the acquisition.
What does the Bank of Hope-SMBC agreement cover?
The agreement, effective at closing, calls for Bank of Hope to provide financial solutions to SMBC’s Japan-based middle-market and retail customers needing banking services in the United States. Hope Bancorp said the relationship also provides a channel to serve multinational businesses with U.S. operations.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
| (State of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(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:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| , | par value $0.001 per share | |||||||||||||
| (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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
As previously disclosed, on March 31, 2026, Hope Bancorp, Inc., (the “Company”) entered into a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) under which Bank of Hope, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will acquire the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK, a wholly owned subsidiary of SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
On October 1, 2026, the closing (the “Closing”) of the transaction contemplated by the Definitive Agreement was completed.
On October 1, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the Closing. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated October 1, 2026 | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| HOPE BANCORP, INC. | |||||||||||
| Date: October 1, 2026 | By: | /s/ Kevin S. Kim | |||||||||
| Kevin S. Kim | |||||||||||
| Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
News Release
BANK OF HOPE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE COMMERCIAL BANKING UNIT OF SMBC MANUBANK
LOS ANGELES – October 1, 2026 – Hope Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOPE) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Hope (“the Bank”), has completed its previously announced acquisition of the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK (“MANUBANK”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”).
The acquisition adds an established commercial banking franchise and seasoned professionals to Bank of Hope, diversifying its deposit segments and expanding its footprint and client base in the Greater Los Angeles market. The transaction also reinforces the Bank’s position as a premier financial partner to middle-market businesses and deepens its relationships across the Korean and Japanese business communities.
“The completion of this transaction represents an important milestone in the continued evolution of Bank of Hope,” said Kevin S. Kim, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hope Bancorp. “By bringing together MANUBANK’s experienced bankers and longstanding client relationships with our broader banking platform, we are expanding our commercial capabilities to better serve our customers and introducing new opportunities to strengthen client engagement.”
In connection with the closing, the previously announced Collaboration and Partnership Agreement between Bank of Hope and SMBC has become effective. Pursuant to the agreement, Bank of Hope will provide comprehensive financial solutions to SMBC’s Japan-based middle-market and retail customers needing banking services in the United States. The relationship provides Bank of Hope with an additional channel to serve multinational businesses with U.S. operations while strengthening its presence in the Japanese community.
“Our partnership with SMBC opens a meaningful channel to connect businesses across markets,” Kim added. “We believe the combination of SMBC’s global network and Bank of Hope’s commercial banking expertise creates a compelling offering for these clients.”
Kim concluded, “We are pleased to welcome the MANUBANK team and customers to Bank of Hope. Our colleagues have been working closely to support a smooth transition, and we look forward to building on the strengths of both organizations.”
About Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Hope Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOPE) is the holding company for Bank of Hope, a leading regional bank serving multicultural customers across the continental United States and Hawaii, with $18.99 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2026. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Bank of Hope offers a comprehensive range of commercial, corporate, and consumer banking products and services, including commercial and commercial real estate lending, SBA lending, residential mortgage and consumer lending, treasury management, foreign exchange solutions, interest rate derivatives, and international trade finance. Bank of Hope’s branch network comprises 45 full-service branches operating under the Bank of Hope banner across California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Texas, Illinois, Alabama and Georgia; seven additional locations in California following the acquisition of SMBC MANUBANK branches; and 28 branches in Hawaii under the Territorial Savings banner. Bank of Hope also operates SBA loan production offices, commercial loan production offices, and residential mortgage loan production offices throughout the United States, and a representative office in Seoul, South Korea. Bank of Hope is a California-chartered bank, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. Bank of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For additional information, please go to www.bankofhope.com for Bank of Hope and www.tsbhawaii.bank for Territorial Savings, a division of Bank of Hope. By including the foregoing website address links, the Company does not intend to incorporate by reference any material contained or accessible therein.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release 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”, “projects”, and similar expressions and statements regarding Hope Bancorp’s strategic initiatives, the completed acquisition of the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK (“MANUBANK”), and Hope Bancorp’s future financial and operational results and capital allocation strategy. 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. With respect to the completed acquisition of MANUBANK, factors that may cause actual outcomes to differ from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements include, among other things: difficulties and delays in integrating Hope Bancorp and MANUBANK and achieving anticipated synergies, cost savings and other benefits from the transaction; higher than anticipated transaction costs; and deposit attrition, operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the acquisition, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees and customers, which may be greater than expected. For additional information concerning these and other risk factors, see Hope Bancorp’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K and other documents Hope Bancorp files with the SEC from time to time. 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.
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Contacts:
Julianna Balicka | Maxime Olivan | ||||
| Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | Senior Vice President & IR Manager | ||||
| investorrelations@bankofhope.com | investorrelations@bankofhope.com | ||||