Hope Bancorp Reports Strong Q2 Earnings with Margin Expansion and Loan Growth
Hope Bancorp reported improved second-quarter results driven by higher revenue and earnings per share. Revenue rose to $148 million, a 12% sequential increase from the first quarter, while adjusted EPS climbed 17% to $0.27. The performance was supported by a six-basis-point expansion in net interest margin (NIM) to 2.96%, higher loan yields, and lower funding costs. Gross loans grew sequentially by 2% to $15 billion, with commercial lending being the main driver. Deposits also increased slightly to $15.9 billion, aided by a shift toward non-interest-bearing deposits which rose 5%. The company remains on track for its acquisition of SMBC MANUBANK's commercial banking unit in late 2026, expected to add significant loan and deposit balances. Hope maintained full-year guidance with projected revenue growth between 15%–20%, and end-of-period loan growth around 20%. CFO Julianna Balicka noted continued margin expansion for the remainder of 2026, though at a slower pace than Q1 to Q2.
Tickers: $HOPE