Hope Bancorp, Inc. and Bank of Hope announced that Alex Ko has resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Bank, effective January 6, 2023, in order to pursue other opportunities. The resignation of Ko did not result from any disagreement with the Company, and Ko has agreed to serve as a consultant through March 31, 2023, to assist in the transition process. A formal search has been initiated and until such time when a new Chief Financial Officer is appointed, the Company announced that David P. Malone will step in and serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer.

Malone, age 72, has been a director of the Company and the Bank since May 2014 and currently chairs a special committee of the Board, the Asset Liability Committee. He was appointed a member of the executive management team of the Bank in April 2017 and retired from his position as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Hope, effective December 31, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, he was most widely known for his 15-year tenure at Community Bank in Pasadena, California, where he served various capacities, including Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Malone earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from California State University, Northridge.