Board of Directors

Mr. Choi, a director of the Bank since 2008, has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Bank since 2010, and OP Bancorp since 2016. Mr. Choi has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Financing Corporation since 1991, and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ehese Investments, LLC since 2001. Mr. Choi has previous experience as a bank director with Alaska First Bank & Trust (formerly First Interstate Bank of Alaska) where he served on the Board from 1999 through 2008. He was the president of the Korean Community of Anchorage, Alaska from 2003 to 2004. He was the President of the Korean Christian Businessmen’s Committee of North America from 2006 to 2008. He also served as the President of the Federation of Korean American Association of Northwest States of United States of America, which included Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Choi is a graduate of Korea University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Foreign Relations. Mr. Choi contributes to the Board over 21 years of leadership and substantial experience in the community banking industry. He brings a wide-ranging understanding of the bank management, finance and operations. His leadership ability, judgment and prior business executive experience led the Board to elect him as Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Dow has served as a member of the Board since the founding of the Bank in 2005. He is a retired Certified Public Accountant and has been a Principal of Dow & Sohn CPAs for 15 years. He has maintained his accounting practice for over 38 years providing accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting services for international and local companies operating in Southern California. Mr. Dow served as a director for Pacific Union Bank from May 2003 until the bank’s acquisition by Hanmi Bank in April 2004. Mr. Dow is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Dow obtained his Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge, in 1976. Mr. Dow’s significant accounting experience provides among other things in-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards to the Board. Mr. Dow was a member of Choi Dow Ivan Hong & Lee Accountancy Corporation (“CDIH&L”) from August 1992 to December 2007. He is particularly suited to serve as Chair of the audit committee.

Dr. Jung has served as a Board member since the founding of the Bank in 2005. He is a medical doctor who has been in private medical practice since 1982. Dr. Jung obtained his medical degree from Pusan National University College of Medicine, Pusan, South Korea, in 1975. He subsequently completed his general surgery internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, in 1979 and his internal medicine residency at Hospital of the Good Samaritan (affiliated with U.S.C. Medical School) Los Angeles, in 1982. Dr. Jung is affiliated with various hospitals and medical associations. He is a Member of the Board of Good Samaritan Medical Practice Association; Good Samaritan Hospital, and Korean-American Medical Group. In addition, he is a member of American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, and Korean Medical Association. He serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine for U.S.C. School of Medicine. As a long-term member of the Board, Mr. Jung has a broad-based understanding of the Company and the Bank and is deeply committed to the community through his medical practice and affiliations with medical organizations and associations.

Ms. Kim has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of the Company and the Bank since April 2010. She has over 39 years of banking experience in the Korean banking community. Prior to joining the Bank, she served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Nara Bancorp and Nara Bank (now Bank of Hope and Hope Bancorp Inc) for three and half years assuming those positions in 2006. From 1996 to March 2006, Ms. Kim served in various executive positions with Nara Bancorp and Nara Bank, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, and Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Administrator. Prior to joining Nara Bancorp and Nara Bank in 1995, Ms. Kim served in numerous positions with Hanmi Bank, including Vice President and Manager of the Western Street Branch of Hanmi Bank in Los Angeles from 1985 to 1995. Ms. Kim has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Finance from the University of Southern California. Ms. Kim contributes to the Board her breadth of knowledge of the Company's bank business, markets, community, and culture. She provides the Board with an overall perspective of all facets of the Company's business, financial condition, and strategic direction.

Ms. Shin has served as a Board member since the founding of the Bank in 2005. She is the President and Secretary of CJS Groups Inc (DBA Bicici & Coty Fashion), an apparel manufacturer and wholesaler in Los Angeles, California which she founded in 1994. Ms. Shin was a fashion designer and co-manager of Coty Fashion in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 1985 to 1994. Ms. Shin obtained her Bachelor of Science in Dietary Nutrition from University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1982. Ms. Shin co-founded her own manufacturing and wholesale business in Los Angeles, California, and contributes to the Board her substantial business acumen developed through years of proven entrepreneurial success. Also as an active member of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, she brings to the Board various business and cultural insights from the local community.

Ms. Kwon is the President of UNI & Good Friend Insurance, an independent retail insurance brokerage in the Greater Los Angeles area. She has over 40 years of leading insurance experience within the Korean and American insurance industries. She has also been an active, founding member of KAIFPA, the Korean American Insurance and Financial Professional Association, since 1985, where she has not only held a Board Member seat since then but has been Board Chair in 2002-2003 and 2020-2022. Ms. Kwon commenced her active Member Advisory Council of United Valley Agencies in 2022. She is serving as a Board Member of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County in 2023.

Mr. Kim is a founder and CEO of KLK Capital Management LLC, California-based investment firm. Prior to establishing his own investment firm, he served as Vice President at Merrill Lynch, with more than 20 years of experience in the finance industry. In addition to receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Binghamton University, he holds his Certified Financial Planner professional designation and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 3, 7, and 66 licenses. With his extensive knowledge and understanding of macroeconomics and finance, he contributes to the Board with historical economic trends, current headlines, and forecasting economic trends.

Mr. Sohn is the Managing Partner of Dow & Sohn CPAs, Professional Corporation, with over 15 years of distinguished experience in the public accounting industry. With his deep understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Audit Standards (GAAS), he provides accounting, tax, and business consulting services to domestic and international companies across the United States. His expertise extends to international tax compliance issues and Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (KIFRS) allowing him to offer comprehensive solutions tailored to clients operating in a global landscape. Mr. Sohn graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Accountancy from California State University Fullerton. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is deeply committed to making impactful contributions to the community. From 2018 to 2023, he served as a Publication and Social Networking Service (SNS) Officer at the Korean-American CPA Society of Southern California (KACPA) playing a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission and objectives. Presently, he holds the position of Chief Financial Officer at the Korea Franchise Association USA (KFAUSA) and the Korean American United Foundation (KAUF), where he contributes significantly to the growth and success of these non-profit organizations.