BBCN Bank was a prominent financial institution that, prior to its merger in 2016, stood as the largest Korean-American bank in the United States. It was formed in 2011 through the strategic merger of equals between Nara Bank (established in 1989) and Center Bank (established in 1986). Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, BBCN Bank catered primarily to the Korean-American community and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services. These included commercial and consumer loans, deposit accounts, international trade finance, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and wealth management services. The bank was known for its strong community ties and bilingual services. In a landmark move for the Korean-American banking sector, BBCN Bank merged with Hanmi Bank in 2016 to create Bank of Hope (NASDAQ: HOPE), establishing the only super-regional Korean-American bank in the U.S. This page provides historical information regarding BBCN Bank's operations and structure before this significant merger.
The headquarters served as the main administrative and operational center, overseeing strategic planning, credit administration, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance for all BBCN Bank branches and operations.
Located in a prominent high-rise commercial building on Wilshire Boulevard, the headquarters offered modern office spaces and convenient access for clients and employees. It featured dedicated departments for various banking operations and executive management.
BBCN Bank fostered a work culture centered on customer service, community engagement, and professional integrity. There was a strong emphasis on bilingual capabilities to effectively serve its diverse customer base, particularly Korean-speaking clients.
The headquarters symbolized BBCN Bank's status as the leading financial institution for the Korean-American community in the U.S. It was the nerve center for its expansion and service delivery, playing a crucial role in the economic empowerment of the communities it served.
While BBCN Bank's physical branches were located exclusively within the United States, it maintained a notable international capability, primarily focused on facilitating trade and financial transactions between the U.S. and Asia, particularly South Korea. This was achieved through a robust network of correspondent banking relationships, specialized trade finance services (letters of credit, export/import financing), and international wire transfer services. The bank did not operate its own international branches but was a key financial intermediary for businesses and individuals engaged in global commerce.
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 300
Los Angeles
California
United States
Address: 144-29 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354 (Representative historical branch)
Served as a vital connection point for the East Coast's vibrant Korean-American communities and businesses, facilitating local economic activity and international commerce, particularly with South Korea.
Address: 5600 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 (Representative historical branch)
Supported the financial needs of the Midwest's Korean-American community, focusing on SME lending, deposit services, and fostering local business growth.
Address: 19400 Highway 99, Lynnwood, WA 98036 (Representative historical branch)
Facilitated business and personal banking for the growing Korean-American population in Washington state, contributing to local economic development.
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As of April 2025, BBCN Bank' leadership includes:
BBCN Bank has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
In the 12 months leading up to its merger with Hanmi Bank in July 2016, executive activities at BBCN Bank were predominantly focused on the planning and execution of this transformative combination. This period saw key leadership roles defined for the succeeding entity, Bank of Hope, rather than significant standalone hires or exits from BBCN itself.
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For its corporate communications, BBCN Bank (operating with the domain bbcnbank.com) likely employed standard email address formats common in the banking industry. These formats would have been crucial for internal and external communication.
Common formats included [first_initial][last]@bbcnbank.com (e.g., jsmith@bbcnbank.com) or [first].[last]@bbcnbank.com (e.g., john.smith@bbcnbank.com).
Format
jsmith@bbcnbank.com
Example
0 (Historical domain, no longer active for email)%
Success rate
Los Angeles Times • December 7, 2015
BBCN Bancorp Inc. in Los Angeles and Hanmi Financial Corp. in Koreatown announced they will merge, creating the nation’s largest Korean American bank with $12.3 billion in assets. The new bank will be called Bank of Hope....more
PR Newswire • July 29, 2016
BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBCN) and Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC) today announced the successful completion of their merger of equals. The combined company, Hope Bancorp, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Hope, create the only super regional Korean-American bank in the United States....more
GlobeNewswire • May 5, 2016
BBCN Bancorp, Inc. and Hanmi Financial Corporation announced that at their respective special meetings of stockholders held today, the stockholders of both companies approved the proposed merger of equals between BBCN and Hanmi....more
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