HOPE Q1 Deep Dive: Loan Growth Outlook and Territorial Merger Integration Define 2025 Strategy

Regional banking company Hope Bancorp (NASDAQ: HOPE) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 5.5% year on year to $116.5 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.19 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy HOPE? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

StockStory’s Take

Hope Bancorp’s first quarter was marked by stable asset quality and a positive market response, as revenue modestly exceeded Wall Street’s expectations despite a year-over-year decline. CEO Kevin Kim attributed the quarter’s performance to disciplined expense management, improved net charge-offs, and targeted focus on deposit mix enhancements. The completion of the Territorial Bancorp merger added low-cost deposits and high-quality residential mortgage loans, which management highlighted as a key contributor to Hope Bancorp’s strengthened capital position. CFO Julianna Balicka emphasized that noninterest income also gained momentum due to continued growth across several fee-based business lines.

Turning to the remainder of the year, Hope Bancorp’s outlook centers on high single-digit loan growth, with the addition of the Territorial franchise and new hires supporting expansion in specialized lending verticals. Management cited opportunities from increased direct investments by Korean companies in the U.S. as a potential driver of loan demand, particularly in sectors like healthcare, project finance, and structured finance. CEO Kevin Kim cautioned that macroeconomic uncertainty and fluctuating interest rates could temper results, but reaffirmed a commitment to prudent balance sheet growth, stating, “We remain focused on supporting our customers while navigating an evolving external environment.”

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management pointed to the successful integration of the Territorial merger and a shift in deposit and loan mix as major themes impacting first quarter results and ongoing strategy.

• Territorial merger completed: The acquisition of Territorial Bancorp closed in early April, bringing $1.7 billion in stable, low-cost deposits and $1 billion of high-quality residential mortgage loans. Management believes this strengthens Hope Bancorp’s funding base and supports future loan growth.
• Deposit mix improvement: Customer deposits increased, while brokered deposits—typically more expensive and less stable—were intentionally reduced to below 7% of total deposits, reflecting a strategic focus on core funding sources.
• Expense discipline maintained: Noninterest expense, excluding notable items, was down year-over-year due to ongoing cost management, though quarter-over-quarter expenses rose on seasonal payroll and benefits adjustments commonly seen in the first quarter.
• Loan portfolio trends: The loan book showed a 7% increase in residential mortgages, offset by declines in commercial and industrial, as well as commercial real estate lending. Competitive market pricing and selective renewals contributed to subdued net loan growth.
• Asset quality remains stable: Nonperforming assets and net charge-offs both improved versus the prior quarter, with management noting continued vigilance in monitoring potential credit risks, especially in the face of geopolitical and trade uncertainties.

Drivers of Future Performance

Hope Bancorp’s management expects future performance to be shaped by continued loan growth in specialized sectors, successful integration of Territorial, and sensitivity to interest rate moves.

• Specialized lending expansion: Management is prioritizing growth in verticals such as healthcare, project finance, and structured finance, leveraging new team hires and strengthening pipelines, especially among Korean subsidiary clients investing in the U.S.
• Interest rate environment impact: CFO Julianna Balicka explained that both net interest income and margin will be influenced by federal rate cuts, as variable-rate loans and deposit costs offset each other. Fewer rate cuts than expected could cause modest downward pressure but are not projected to materially change guidance.
• Integration of Territorial operations: The merger’s success depends on realizing expected accretion from Territorial’s loan book and extracting cost and operational synergies. Management also highlighted the importance of growing fee-based income to offset lower net interest income projections.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Looking ahead, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the effectiveness of integrating Territorial’s operations, especially in realizing cost and revenue synergies; (2) pipeline development and loan demand—particularly from Korean subsidiaries and specialized lending groups; and (3) the bank’s ability to maintain strong asset quality as macroeconomic and industry conditions evolve. Growth in fee-based income lines will also be a key area of focus.

Hope Bancorp currently trades at $10.36, up from $9.57 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

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