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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

October 13, 2020
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
HOPE BANCORP INC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware000-5024595-4849715
(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 shareHOPENASDAQ 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensation Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 13, 2020, James U. Hwang notified Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin S. Kim and Lead Independent Direct Scott Y. Whang of his resignation, effective immediately, from the Boards of Directors of Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Hope, due to his full-time commitment required at this time for his firm. There were no disagreements between Mr. Hwang and the Company with regards to the Company’s operations, procedures and practices. Mr. Hwang's resignation was accepted by the Board of Directors on October 15, 2020.

Prior to his resignation, Mr. Hwang served as a member of the Board Risk and Compliance Committee and chaired the Strategy Committee.



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: October 15, 2020By:/s/ Kevin S. Kim
Kevin S. Kim
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer