• Bank of Hope, owned by Hope Bancorp, received all required regulatory clearances to buy SMBC MANUBANK’s Commercial Banking Unit.
• Closing is expected early in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
• Approvals were granted by the FDIC and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
• A partnership agreement will take effect at closing to serve SMBC’s Japan-based middle-market and retail customers in the US.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Hope Bancorp Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 20260902088405) on September 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.