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<title>hope-20230105</title></head><body><div style="display:none"><ix:header><ix:hidden><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:EntityCentralIndexKey" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl80L2ZyYWc6YmM2NjQ3Y2JhNzQ2NDg4N2I5MWVmNTJhMGVhZDM3NWIvdGFibGU6MGQ4OGY3OTlkYzlkNDg2Yjg2MmY0ZWFjYzZmYmI3ZTgvdGFibGVyYW5nZTowZDg4Zjc5OWRjOWQ0ODZiODYyZjRlYWNjNmZiYjdlOF8yLTEtMS0xLTE2MzMwMA_c05317e4-ca2a-49e2-a61b-5f9c75affe7a">0001128361</ix:nonNumeric><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:AmendmentFlag" 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style="min-height:36pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="-sec-extract:summary;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">UNITED STATES</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:7.3pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Washington, D.C. 20549</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">FORM <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:DocumentType" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjc3_ddee9466-d1e9-4bab-8c94-4e80cb5673f3">8-K</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">CURRENT REPORT</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric 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style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:2pt;text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:1pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjc4_905ce723-a409-427d-b874-5d2cf0d91efa">3200 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:4pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric 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id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjc5_a01dbb27-c274-4560-bed8-c75cf44c6ed3">90010</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:4pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Address of principal executives offices, including zip code)</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:3pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(<ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:CityAreaCode" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjgw_ad62845c-e1f1-4ae6-92dc-293b186fa924">213</ix:nonNumeric>) <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:LocalPhoneNumber" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjg4_3244eb31-de41-4860-af34-d20214b35f43">639-1700</ix:nonNumeric> </span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</span></div><div 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style="margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:513.00pt"><tr><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:75.25pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:3.25pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:124.00pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:99.25pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:201.25pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:Security12bTitle" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGFibGU6NjQ0MmZjYzVhNmMwNDY3ZThmMzg4M2MwZWRiN2YxZjQvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo2NDQyZmNjNWE2YzA0NjdlOGYzODgzYzBlZGI3ZjFmNF8wLTAtMS0xLTE2MzMwMA_793e4b6a-46d3-4d57-81c7-5fbb4e2b828c">Common Stock</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">par value $0.001 per share</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:TradingSymbol" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGFibGU6NjQ0MmZjYzVhNmMwNDY3ZThmMzg4M2MwZWRiN2YxZjQvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo2NDQyZmNjNWE2YzA0NjdlOGYzODgzYzBlZGI3ZjFmNF8wLTMtMS0xLTE2MzMwMA_04a7ecb9-5539-431e-ac8a-3513b5174f6f">HOPE</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:SecurityExchangeName" format="ixt-sec:exchnameen" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGFibGU6NjQ0MmZjYzVhNmMwNDY3ZThmMzg4M2MwZWRiN2YxZjQvdGFibGVyYW5nZTo2NDQyZmNjNWE2YzA0NjdlOGYzODgzYzBlZGI3ZjFmNF8wLTQtMS0xLTE2MzMwMA_ae349cab-4e22-4554-9940-03e969a63c8a">NASDAQ Global Select Market</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Title of class)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Trading Symbol)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Name of exchange on which registered)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:2.04pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9.94pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9.94pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Emerging growth company</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><span style="color:#231f20;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="ib8f66ab18d5f4772968e19749d076deb_D20230105-20230105" name="dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="id3VybDovL2RvY3MudjEvZG9jOjBlMmIxNThmZGJiMjQyMGQ4NWMzMWVjMWNjOWQ1NzU2L3NlYzowZTJiMTU4ZmRiYjI0MjBkODVjMzFlYzFjYzlkNTc1Nl8xL2ZyYWc6NDRlZDViNjNkYWI3NDdmMjk0NzhlYTY4NmYxZmU1YzMvdGV4dHJlZ2lvbjo0NGVkNWI2M2RhYjc0N2YyOTQ3OGVhNjg2ZjFmZTVjM18zMjg1_2dd2842e-71bd-4f8c-8cbd-2fb6139a38e5">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#231f20;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9.94pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">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.     </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial Unicode MS',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#9744;</span><span style="color:#231f20;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:36pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">As described in Item 5.02 below, on January 5, 2023, Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;), the holding company of Bank of Hope (the &#8220;Bank&#8221;), entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with Alex Ko in connection with his resignation from his position as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, pursuant to which Mr. Ko will receive a lump sum payment of $430,500 and certain equity awards will be accelerated and vested as set forth on a schedule thereto, subject to terms and conditions therein, in exchange for release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates following his resignation.  In connection with the resignation, on January 5, 2023, the Company and Mr. Ko also entered into a Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which (i) Mr. Ko will provide certain consulting services to assist the Company with the transition of his responsibilities to the Interim Chief Financial Officer until March 31, 2023, and (ii) the Company will pay Mr. Ko $110,250 during the term of such agreement.  </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">The foregoing descriptions of the Separation and Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of the Separation and Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">On January 6, 2023, the Company announced that Alex Ko has resigned from his position as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, effective January 6, 2023, in order to pursue other opportunities.  The resignation of Mr. Ko did not result from any disagreement with the Company, and Mr. Ko has agreed to serve as a consultant through March 31, 2023  to assist in the transition process.  The Company also announced that David P. Malone will step in and serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until a new Chief Financial Officer is appointed. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Mr. Malone, age 72, has been a director of the Company and the Bank since May 2014 and currently chairs a special committee of the Board, the Asset Liability Committee. Mr. Malone was appointed a member of the executive management team of the Bank in April 2017 and retired from his position as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Hope, effective December 31, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Malone was most widely known for his 15-year tenure at Community Bank in Pasadena, California, where he served various capacities, including Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Malone earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from California State University, Northridge.  In his capacity as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Malone will receive an annual salary of $556,756 and will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus at the discretion of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, as well as perquisites and benefit plans available to other executive employees of the Company, and reimbursement of reasonable business-related expenses.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">On January 6, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer and appointment of an Interim Chief Financial Officer described in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.  </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">The information furnished under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be &#8220;filed&#8221; for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(d) Exhibits</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.707%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:9.603%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:0.533%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:87.464%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Exhibit No.</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Description of Exhibit</span></td></tr><tr style="height:8pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">10.1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline" href="hope-01x05x20238xkxex101.htm">Separation and Release Agreement, dated January 5, 2023, by and between the Company and Alex Ko</a></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">10.2</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline" href="hope-01x05x20238xkxex102.htm">Consulting Agreement, dated January 5, 2023, by and between the Company and Alex Ko</a></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">99.1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline"><a style="-sec-extract:exhibit;color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline" href="hope-cforesignationxex991.htm">Press release, dated January 6, 2023</a></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">104</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="margin-bottom:6.95pt;padding-left:108pt;text-indent:-108pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:36pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SIGNATURES</span></div><div style="text-indent:22.5pt"><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">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.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:88.742%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:47.005%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:4.171%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:17.351%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:27.073%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">HOPE BANCORP, INC.</span></td></tr><tr style="height:20pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Date:  January 6, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">By:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">/s/ Kevin S. Kim</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Kevin S. Kim</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div></body></html>
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hope-20230105
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
January 5, 2023
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐
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 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As described in Item 5.02 below, on January 5, 2023, Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), the holding company of Bank of Hope (the "Bank"), entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with Alex Ko in connection with his resignation from his position as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, pursuant to which Mr. Ko will receive a lump sum payment of $430,500 and certain equity awards will be accelerated and vested as set forth on a schedule thereto, subject to terms and conditions therein, in exchange for release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates following his resignation.  In connection with the resignation, on January 5, 2023, the Company and Mr. Ko also entered into a Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which (i) Mr. Ko will provide certain consulting services to assist the Company with the transition of his responsibilities to the Interim Chief Financial Officer until March 31, 2023, and (ii) the Company will pay Mr. Ko $110,250 during the term of such agreement.
The foregoing descriptions of the Separation and Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of the Separation and Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On January 6, 2023, the Company announced that Alex Ko has resigned from his position as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, effective January 6, 2023, in order to pursue other opportunities.  The resignation of Mr. Ko did not result from any disagreement with the Company, and Mr. Ko has agreed to serve as a consultant through March 31, 2023  to assist in the transition process.  The Company also announced that David P. Malone will step in and serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until a new Chief Financial Officer is appointed.
Mr. Malone, age 72, has been a director of the Company and the Bank since May 2014 and currently chairs a special committee of the Board, the Asset Liability Committee. Mr. Malone was appointed a member of the executive management team of the Bank in April 2017 and retired from his position as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Hope, effective December 31, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Malone was most widely known for his 15-year tenure at Community Bank in Pasadena, California, where he served various capacities, including Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Malone earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from California State University, Northridge.  In his capacity as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Malone will receive an annual salary of $556,756 and will be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus at the discretion of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, as well as perquisites and benefit plans available to other executive employees of the Company, and reimbursement of reasonable business-related expenses.
Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.
On January 6, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer and appointment of an Interim Chief Financial Officer described in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
10.1
Separation and Release Agreement, dated January 5, 2023, by and between the Company and Alex Ko
10.2
Consulting Agreement, dated January 5, 2023, by and between the Company and Alex Ko
99.1
Press release, dated January 6, 2023
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:  January 6, 2023
By:
/s/ Kevin S. Kim
Kevin S. Kim
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer