Regional banking company Hope Bancorp (NASDAQ: HOPE) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales falling 19.1% year on year to $94.58 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.19 per share was 8.4% below 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 second quarter faced significant challenges, as the company missed Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations. The market responded negatively, with shares declining after results were released. Management attributed the underperformance to the onetime costs associated with the acquisition of Territorial Bancorp and restructuring of legacy securities. CEO Kevin Kim acknowledged these factors, stating, “We reported a net loss of $27.9 million for the second quarter” due to acquisition and repositioning expenses, along with a onetime state tax adjustment. The addition of Territorial also led to higher operating expenses, while organic loan growth was overshadowed by merger-related adjustments and market headwinds.

Looking ahead, Hope Bancorp’s guidance is shaped by expectations for high single-digit loan growth and improved fee income, supported by new banking hires and ongoing integration of the Territorial franchise. Management remains focused on optimizing their deposit mix and reducing funding costs, while cautioning that delayed Federal Reserve rate cuts may limit near-term net interest income growth. CFO Julianna Balicka emphasized, “All else equal, higher for longer interest rates negatively impact our net interest income,” but highlighted that the repositioned securities portfolio and stronger fee income are expected to help offset this pressure through the rest of the year.

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management pointed to several structural changes in the business, including the Territorial acquisition and a shift in deposit and loan mix, as central to the quarter’s results.

• Territorial Bancorp acquisition completed: Hope Bancorp closed its acquisition of Territorial Bancorp, expanding into Hawaii and improving loan and deposit diversification. The addition contributed to a 10% sequential deposit increase and improved the mix toward lower-cost funding sources.
• Securities portfolio repositioned: The company sold $418 million of lower-yielding legacy securities and reinvested in higher-yielding assets, which management expects will add approximately $12 million in annual interest income moving forward.
• Deposit cost improvement: The average cost of interest-bearing deposits declined 37 basis points from the prior quarter, as brokered deposits were reduced and lower-cost Territorial deposits were incorporated. The brokered deposit ratio fell to 5%, down from 7% previously.
• Loan portfolio changes: Loans receivable increased 8% quarter-over-quarter, driven by the Territorial portfolio and modest organic growth. Residential mortgages now comprise a larger share of total loans, improving portfolio diversification, though commercial real estate loans still represent a significant portion.
• Asset quality stable, but monitored: Criticized loans and special mention loans declined, with nonperforming assets up slightly due to one commercial real estate loan. Management remains “cautiously optimistic” about credit quality, noting resilience among legacy borrowers and proactive portfolio oversight.

Drivers of Future Performance

Hope Bancorp’s outlook centers on disciplined loan growth, fee income expansion, and navigating uncertain interest rate trends.

• Loan growth via new hires: Management expects high single-digit loan growth for the year, driven by new commercial and corporate banker hires and stronger loan pipelines, though competitive pricing and elevated paydowns could temper momentum.
• Interest rate environment impact: Delayed Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected to weigh on net interest income, as higher funding costs persist. Management aims to offset this through improved deposit mix and ongoing securities repositioning.
• Fee income and efficiency priorities: The company raised its fee income growth expectations to the high 20% range, citing momentum in swap fee income and loan-related fees. Ongoing integration of Territorial operations and targeted cost controls are expected to support efficiency improvements.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Looking forward, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the pace and quality of loan growth from new commercial banker hires, (2) further improvements in deposit costs and the impact of maturing CDs on funding mix, and (3) the realization of cost synergies and operational efficiencies from integrating Territorial Bancorp. We will also track fee income momentum and asset quality trends as key indicators of execution.

Hope Bancorp currently trades at $10.51, down from $11.37 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

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