The largest Korean-American bank is rebuilding profitability through acquisitions in Hawaii and Japanese-corporate banking, balancing 'prudent expense control with targeted investments in technology', with no disclosed AI programme.
How is Bank of Hope using AI?
Hope Bancorp, the Los Angeles holding company for Bank of Hope with $18.99 billion of assets at 30 June 2026 and the country's largest Korean-American franchise, is in a rebuilding phase defined by deals rather than technology. It closed the drawn-out $78.6 million acquisition of Honolulu's Territorial Bancorp on 2 April 2025 after fending off a rival bid, and on 31 March 2026 agreed to buy the commercial banking unit of SMBC MANUBANK, Sumitomo Mitsui's California lender founded as Manufacturers Bank in 1962, adding eight Los Angeles-area branches, $2.5 billion of loans and $2.7 billion of deposits on a net-book-value basis, a deal chairman and CEO Kevin Kim says 'positions us to drive strategic growth in cross-border middle market banking' with 20% earnings accretion projected for 2027. Second-quarter 2026 net income was $33.0 million, or $0.26 per share, up 12% on the quarter and against a loss a year earlier, with net interest margin up to 2.96% and net interest income of $129.0 million; Kim cites 'loan growth, net interest margin expansion, lower funding costs, increased fee income and expense discipline'. On technology the bank says only that it is 'balancing prudent expense control with targeted investments in technology, talent, risk management, and commercial banking capabilities'; its public technology footprint is business-banking user guides for ACH, positive pay and information reporting on its Q2-based digital platform. Peter Koh became president and chief operating officer of the bank on 1 April 2026, and Kim's employment agreement was extended to 2031 in August 2026. No AI programme, leader, vendor or budget has been disclosed, and the 2025 10-K confirms the position: its AI risk factor says the company 'may develop or incorporate AI technology in certain business processes, services, or products in the future', while its vendors, clients or counterparties may already use it, and it warns that AI models, 'particularly generative AI models, may produce output or take action that is incorrect'. The risk factor first appeared in the 10-K filed on 26 February 2025, and the board adopted an AI acceptable-use policy that limits use of any AI technology until management and information security have vetted and approved it, disclosed in the 2025 and 2026 proxy statements. AI was not raised on any of its last four earnings calls. The SMBC MANUBANK deal received FDIC and California DFPI approval on 2 September 2026 and closed on 1 October 2026; Bank of Hope runs 45 branches under its own banner and 28 in Hawaii under the Territorial Savings banner. Bank of Hope is a California state nonmember bank supervised by the FDIC and the California DFPI.
Thin public record: No AI remarks on its last four earnings calls (Q3 2025 to Q2 2026), a 10-K AI risk factor that says the company may adopt AI only in the future, no AI vendor release or named AI leader, and a careers site that cannot be searched for AI roles.
Lead bank
Bank of Hope
Assets (lead bank, Jun 30, 2026)
$19 billion
Charter
California state nonmember bank (FDIC)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
AI leadership
Kevin S. Kim · Peter J. Koh · Julianna Balicka · Thomas P. Stenger
- No AI programme, leader, vendor or budget disclosed; technology framed as 'targeted investments' balanced against expense control.
- SMBC MANUBANK commercial banking unit acquisition agreed 31 March 2026 and closed 1 October 2026: eight LA branches, $2.5 billion loans, $2.7 billion deposits; 20% EPS accretion projected for 2027.
- Territorial Bancorp (Honolulu) acquired 2 April 2025 for $78.6 million after a contested process.
- Q2 2026 net income $33.0 million ($0.26), up 12% on the quarter; NIM 2.96%; net interest income $129.0 million.
- Peter Koh promoted to president and COO of Bank of Hope on 1 April 2026; CEO Kevin Kim's contract extended to 2031.
- Digital business banking runs on a Q2-based platform with published guides for ACH, positive pay and reporting.
- 2025 10-K AI risk factor: the company may develop or incorporate AI in the future; risks from vendor AI, opaque models and incorrect or biased generative-AI output. No AI remark on the last four earnings calls.
- SMBC MANUBANK deal approved by the FDIC and California DFPI on 2 September 2026 and completed on 1 October 2026, with a Collaboration and Partnership Agreement with SMBC taking effect at closing.
- The board has an AI acceptable-use policy: the 2025 proxy says it was 'recently adopted' and the 2026 proxy repeats it, limiting use of any AI technology 'until any such technology proposed to be deployed at the Company is vetted by management and information security and approved through the appropriate channels'; the board and Board Risk Committee 'continue to consider strategic and responsible use'.
- The AI risk factor first appears in the 10-K for 2024 (filed 26 February 2025); the 10-K for 2023 and the 2024 proxy contain no AI language, and the first-quarter and second-quarter 2026 10-Qs do not mention artificial intelligence, machine learning or generative AI.
- The 2026 proxy gives Peter Koh responsibility for corporate strategy, central operations, information technology, human resources and credit administration; the chief information security officer, who is not named, reports to chief risk officer Thomas Stenger. No chief information, technology, data or AI officer is among the executive officers listed.
- Guido Sacchi, chief information officer of Global Payments from 2011 to 2023, joined the board at the 21 May 2026 annual meeting (97.5 million votes for); the proxy lists his expertise as information technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity and technology infrastructure.
- Fraud tools on the public site are customer-controlled and rules-based: Payee Positive Pay, ACH Positive Pay and ACH Transaction Review for business clients, and card controls by merchant category, transaction type and amount for consumers; none is described as AI.
- Second-quarter 2026 non-interest expense was $98 million ($96 million excluding merger costs) and the efficiency ratio excluding notable items 65.2%; the 2026 outlook is about 20% loan growth, 15% to 20% revenue growth and 25% to 30% pre-provision net revenue growth.
What has Bank of Hope done on AI, and when?
- Oct 1, 2026
SMBC MANUBANK commercial banking unit acquisition completed[23][24]
Bank of Hope completes the deal and the Collaboration and Partnership Agreement with SMBC takes effect, giving the bank a channel to SMBC's Japan-based middle-market and retail customers needing US banking; Kim says colleagues have worked on a 'smooth transition'.
- Sep 2, 2026
Regulatory approvals for the SMBC MANUBANK unit[7]
FDIC and California DFPI approvals received; closing expected early in the fourth quarter of 2026.
- Aug 24, 2026
Kevin Kim's employment agreement extended to 2031[10]
Hope Bancorp and Bank of Hope entered an extension of Kim's employment agreement as chairman, president and CEO.
- Aug 6, 2026
- Jul 27, 2026
Q2 2026 call: non-interest expense $98 million, efficiency ratio 65.2%[8]
Kim: 'balancing prudent expense control with targeted investments in technology, talent, risk management, and commercial banking capabilities'; outlook unchanged at about 20% loan growth, 15% to 20% revenue growth and 25% to 30% pre-provision net revenue growth including a quarter of MANUBANK. AI is not mentioned.
- Jul 27, 2026
Second-quarter 2026 results[4]
Net income $33.0 million; NIM 2.96%; technology investment balanced with expense control.
- May 21, 2026
Annual meeting elects technology executive Guido Sacchi to the board[21]
Sacchi received 97.5 million votes for; the board is reduced to nine directors after three retirements.
- Apr 28, 2026
Q1 2026 call: net income $30 million, no AI remarks[19]
Net income up 40% on the year; efficiency ratio 67%; 604,000 shares repurchased for $7 million; the SMBC MANUBANK deal presented as accretive to 2027 earnings.
- Apr 10, 2026
2026 proxy: AI policy repeated; Koh's remit covers information technology; technology director nominated[18]
The proxy repeats the board's AI acceptable-use policy, gives Koh responsibility for corporate strategy, central operations, information technology, human resources and credit administration, places the chief information security officer under chief risk officer Thomas Stenger, and nominates Guido Sacchi, former Global Payments chief information officer.
- Apr 1, 2026
Peter Koh named president and COO of Bank of Hope[9]
Board approved the promotion 26 March 2026, effective 1 April; Kevin Kim remains chairman and CEO of the company and the bank.
- Mar 31, 2026
- Feb 25, 2026
10-K for 2025 repeats the AI risk factor[6]
The company 'may develop or incorporate AI technology' in the future; flags vendor AI, model opacity and incorrect or biased generative-AI output. Full-time equivalent staff 1,434 against 1,244 a year earlier; the chief information security officer reports to the chief risk officer.
- Jan 27, 2026
Q4 2025 call: net income $34 million, mid-50s efficiency ratio as a medium-term goal[16]
Net income up 42% on the year; net interest margin 2.90%; efficiency ratio 68%; hiring targeted at revenue generation; no AI or technology remark in the transcript.
- Oct 28, 2025
Q3 2025 call: net income $31 million, no AI remarks[15]
Net interest margin up 20 basis points, the best linked-quarter expansion since 2012; efficiency ratio excluding notable items 67.5%; the Territorial integration described as ongoing, with the transcript containing no reference to AI or technology investment.
- Sep 29, 2025
Business banking user guides published[2]
ACH payments, information reporting and login guidance on the Q2 platform.
- Apr 11, 2025
2025 proxy: board 'recently adopted' an AI acceptable-use policy[14][12]
The proxy says the board and Board Risk Committee are evaluating the risks of AI use and considering 'strategic and responsible use'; the policy limits use of AI technology until management and information security have vetted and approved it. The 2024 proxy has no AI language.
- Apr 2, 2025
Territorial Bancorp acquisition closes[1]
$78.6 million all-stock deal after a competing bid; entry into Hawaii.
- Mar 3, 2025
Regulatory approval for the Territorial acquisition[5]
Closing set for April after a contested process.
- Feb 26, 2025
Where does Bank of Hope use AI today?
| System | What it does | Status | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital business banking platform (Q2)[2] | ACH, positive pay, information reporting and user administration. | In production | Third-party & vendor AI |
| AI risk-factor disclosure[6] | The 10-K describes AI as a possible future capability and lists regulatory, bias, transparency, confidentiality and third-party-model risks. | Announced | Model risk management |
| Acquisition integration (Territorial, SMBC MANUBANK)[3][1][23] | Hawaii and Japanese-corporate banking added to the Korean-American core; the SMBC MANUBANK unit closed on 1 October 2026. | Rolling out | AI governance (general) |
| Board AI acceptable-use policy[14][18] | Limits use of AI technology until management and information security have vetted and approved it; disclosed as 'recently adopted' in the 2025 proxy and repeated in 2026. | In production | AI governance (general) |
| Positive Pay and ACH Transaction Review (business clients)[25] | Payee Positive Pay compares checks with the issue file, ACH Positive Pay blocks debits from companies the client has not authorised, and ACH Transaction Review confirms postings case by case; rules-based, and the bank does not describe them as AI. | In production | Fraud detection |
| Customer-set card controls[26] | Consumers block or limit cards by merchant category, transaction type (ATM, e-commerce) and amount, with real-time alerts, in online banking and the app; no AI is disclosed. | In production | Fraud detection |
| Chief-risk-officer-led information security programme[6][18] | An information security team under a chief information security officer who reports to the chief risk officer, built on the GLBA, the FFIEC IT Handbook and the Cyber Risk Institute Profile, with reporting to the Board Risk Committee. | In production | Cybersecurity |
| Vendor and fourth-party cyber due diligence[6] | The information security team assesses vendors during selection and onboarding and monitors them on a risk basis; the AI risk factor names vendor, fourth-party and counterparty AI as a risk. | In production | Third-party & vendor AI |
Use-case links open the tracker's rules-by-use-case matrix: which documents govern each system type.
What has Bank of Hope disclosed in numbers?
| Metric | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 net income / diluted EPS | $33.0 million / $0.26 (+12% on the quarter)[4] | Jul 27, 2026 |
| Net interest margin / net interest income, Q2 2026 | 2.96% / $129.0 million[4] | Jul 27, 2026 |
| SMBC MANUBANK unit | 8 branches; $2.5 billion loans; $2.7 billion deposits[3] | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Total assets | $18.99 billion[7] | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Branches (Bank of Hope banner / Territorial Savings in Hawaii) | 45 / 28[7] | Sep 2, 2026 |
| Territorial Bancorp acquisition | $78.6 million[1] | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Full-time equivalent employees (Bank and Hope Bancorp) | 1,434 (1,244 a year earlier)[6] | Dec 31, 2025 |
| Non-interest expense, Q2 2026 | $98 million ($96 million excluding merger costs)[8] | Jul 27, 2026 |
| Efficiency ratio excluding notable items, Q2 2026 | 65.2% (66.9% in Q1; 69.1% a year earlier)[8] | Jul 27, 2026 |
| Net income, Q1 2026 | $30 million (+40% on the year)[19] | Apr 28, 2026 |
| 2026 outlook | Loan growth about 20%; revenue growth 15% to 20%; pre-provision net revenue growth 25% to 30%[8] | Jul 27, 2026 |
| Earnings calls with an AI remark, Q3 2025 to Q2 2026 | 0 of 4[15][16][19][8] | Jul 27, 2026 |
“We are focused on building a more profitable and resilient franchise through disciplined balance sheet management, prudent expense control and the strengthening of client relationships.”[4]
Kevin S. Kim · Chairman, President and CEO · Jul 27, 2026
“The addition of the Japanese Banking Division complements our Korean Subsidiary Banking Group and positions us to drive strategic growth in cross-border middle market banking.”[3]
Kevin S. Kim · Chairman, President and CEO · Apr 1, 2026
“On expenses, we are balancing prudent expense control with targeted investments in technology, talent, risk management, and commercial banking capabilities.”[8]
Kevin S. Kim · Chairman, President and CEO · Jul 27, 2026
“The Board has adopted a policy to define the acceptable use of artificial intelligence technology, which limits its use until any such technology proposed to be deployed at the Company is vetted by management and information security and approved through the appropriate channels.”[18]
Hope Bancorp board of directors · 2026 proxy statement, AI oversight · Apr 10, 2026
“The Company may develop or incorporate AI technology in certain business processes, services, or products in the future.”[6]
Hope Bancorp, Inc. · 2025 Form 10-K, risk factors · Feb 25, 2026
“Our priorities remain consistent. Prudent balance sheet growth, operating expense discipline, and active credit oversight”[8]
Kevin S. Kim · Chairman, President and CEO · Jul 27, 2026
“Our colleagues have been working closely to support a smooth transition, and we look forward to building on the strengths of both organizations.”[23]
Kevin S. Kim · Chairman, President and CEO · Oct 1, 2026
Who runs AI at Bank of Hope?
Peter J. KohLinkedIn ↗
President and Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Hope (oversees corporate strategy, central operations, information technology, human resources and credit administration)[9][18]
Julianna Balicka
Chief Financial Officer[8]
Which regulators govern Bank of Hope's AI?
| Authority | Why it matters here | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| FDIC | Bank of Hope is a state nonmember bank; FDIC model-risk and third-party guidance govern the digital platform and any future AI. | FDIC FIL-29-2023 FDIC FIL-15-2026 |
| State of California | A California-chartered bank under the DFPI and the state's automated-decision and privacy rules. | CPPA ADMT, risk-assessment and cybersecurity-audit regulations |
| FinCEN | Cross-border Korean and Japanese corporate banking raises AML model expectations for any AI screening. | 2018 Joint Statement on BSA/AML Innovation |
Side by side: SR 11-7 vs SR 26-2 · all comparisons.
What does the public record suggest about Bank of Hope's AI strategy?
Analysis by BankingNewsAI from the sources cited on this page. Observations, not advice.
01
Integration comes before AI
Two acquisitions in 18 months, the second closed on 1 October 2026, will consume the technology budget through 2027; AI is realistically a post-integration item.
02
Cross-border banking is the natural AI use case
Korean and Japanese corporate clients generate multilingual documents and sanctions exposure where translation and screening models pay first.
03
Margin recovery funds technology
A margin still below 3% means expense discipline dominates; AI would need a revenue or risk case rather than a cost case.
04
Name the platform strategy
Published user guides show a vendor digital stack; investors have not been told what sits on top of it.
Where does the Bank of Hope record go deeper?
How does Bank of Hope compare with its peers?
- How does Hope Bancorp (Bank of Hope) compare with its peers on AI and technology?
- Hope Bancorp (Bank of Hope) competitors and alternatives, by business line
Its peer group on this site, by business model and size:
Who leads AI at Bank of Hope?
Hope Bancorp has named no AI leader. Its 2026 proxy statement lists no chief information, technology, data or AI officer among its executive officers. Chairman, President and CEO Kevin Kim sets strategy; Peter Koh, president and COO of Bank of Hope since 1 April 2026, oversees information technology, central operations and corporate strategy; chief risk officer Thomas Stenger receives the chief information security officer's reporting; and the board and its Board Risk Committee set the AI acceptable-use policy. Technology executive Guido Sacchi, formerly chief information officer of Global Payments, joined the board on 21 May 2026.
Does Bank of Hope use AI?
Hope Bancorp has not disclosed an AI programme, leader, vendor or budget. Management describes balancing expense control with targeted investments in technology, and the bank runs a vendor digital business-banking platform. Its 2025 10-K says the company 'may develop or incorporate AI technology' in the future, and AI was not raised on its last four earnings calls.
What is Hope Bancorp acquiring from SMBC?
The commercial banking unit of SMBC MANUBANK, Sumitomo Mitsui's California lender, including eight Los Angeles-area branches, $2.5 billion of loans and $2.7 billion of deposits, purchased on a net-book-value basis. Regulators approved it on 2 September 2026 and the deal closed on 1 October 2026, when a Collaboration and Partnership Agreement with SMBC also took effect. Hope projects 20% earnings-per-share accretion in 2027.
What AI governance has Bank of Hope disclosed?
The 2026 proxy says the board has adopted a policy defining the acceptable use of artificial intelligence, which limits its use until any technology proposed for deployment is vetted by management and information security and approved through the appropriate channels. The board and Board Risk Committee 'continue to consider strategic and responsible use'. The 2025 proxy, filed on 11 April 2025, described the policy as recently adopted. The 10-K adds that vendors and counterparties may use AI and that generative models may give incorrect or biased output.
When did Hope Bancorp first mention AI in its filings?
The first mention is in the 10-K for 2024, filed on 26 February 2025, as a risk factor saying the company may develop or incorporate AI in future. The 2025 proxy of 11 April 2025 followed with the board's acceptable-use policy. The 10-K for 2023 and the 2024 proxy have no AI language. The company's first-quarter and second-quarter 2026 10-Qs do not mention AI, and none of its four earnings calls from Q3 2025 to Q2 2026 raised it.
- Hope Bancorp closes drawn-out deal to buy Hawaii bank
- Business Online Banking User Guide: ACH Payments
- LA bank to buy US commercial banking unit from Japan's SMBC
- Hope Bancorp Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2026
- Hope Bancorp gets regulatory go-ahead to buy Territorial
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
- Bank of Hope Receives Regulatory Approvals to Acquire the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK
- Hope Bancorp Inc. Q2 FY2026 earnings call transcript
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Form 8-K: Peter J. Koh promoted to President and COO of Bank of Hope
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Form 8-K: Extension of Kevin S. Kim's Employment Agreement
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. 2024 Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A)
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. 2025 Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A)
- Hope Bancorp (HOPE) Q3 2025 earnings call transcript
- Hope Bancorp (HOPE) Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Form 8-K: definitive agreement to acquire the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. 2026 Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A)
- Hope Bancorp (HOPE) Q1 2026 earnings call transcript
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Form 8-K: results of the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026
- Bank of Hope Completes Acquisition of the Commercial Banking Unit of SMBC MANUBANK
- Hope Bancorp, Inc. Form 8-K: completion of the SMBC MANUBANK unit acquisition
- Protect Your Business from Fraud (Global Treasury Management fraud protection products)
- Card Management
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