Hanmi Bank Hires Regional President to Lead Growth in Texas

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Bank (the "Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:HAFC) ("Hanmi"), today announced that Mohammad Tariq has joined the Bank as Executive Vice President and Regional President Texas. Mr. Tariq will be responsible for managing the Bank's loan production and deposit generation activities in Texas.

"We are delighted to welcome Mohammad to Hanmi," said C. G. Kum, President and Chief Executive Officer. "He has a proven track record of generating profitable growth in his previous position as Chief Lending Officer at MetroBank, N.A., serving customers in the Korean, Chinese, South Asian and mainstream communities in Texas. He brings strong marketing capabilities, excellent leadership skills and a deep understanding of the Texas marketplace. With the completion of our acquisition of United Central Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Central Bancorp, Inc., Hanmi now has a significant presence in the region. Mohammad is an excellent fit and ideally suited to help Hanmi expand its customer base in Texas."

Mr. Tariq served as the Chief Lending Officer at MetroBank, N.A. (now East West Bank), the largest Asian ethnic community bank in Texas with $1.1 billion in assets, where he was responsible for loan portfolio growth, commercial lending strategies and marketing plans in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. After MetroBank, Mr. Tariq was Executive Vice President and Chief Loan Officer at Golden Bank, N.A. (formerly Texas First National Bank). Mr. Tariq received graduate banking education from the University of Pennsylvania's Stonier Graduate School of Banking and holds a Leadership Certification from the Wharton School of Business.

"Joining Hanmi Bank represents a tremendous opportunity for me to lead a talented group of bankers focused on expanding its market share in Texas. I am confident that we will achieve our growth objectives," said Mr. Tariq.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Hanmi Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanmi Financial Corporation, provides services to the multi-ethnic communities across California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey and New York with 49 full-service branches as well as loan production offices in Colorado, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State. Hanmi Bank specializes in commercial, SBA and trade finance lending, and is a recognized community leader. Hanmi Bank's mission is to provide a full range of quality products and premier services to its customers and to maximize shareholder value. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

CONTACT: Christina C. Lee
         FVP & Senior Strategy Officer
         213-427-5631

         Lasse Glassen
         Investor Relations, Addo Communications
         310-829-5400

Released October 27, 2014