Anna Chung Joins Hanmi Bank to Lead SBA Lending Division

LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Bank (the "Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:HAFC), today announced the addition of Anna Chung as Executive Vice President & Director of SBA Lending Division. Ms. Chung will lead the Bank's SBA Lending Division and will be responsible for managing the nationwide SBA loan production and operations.

"We are delighted to have Anna join Hanmi to revitalize our SBA lending program. Her deep-rooted history in the SBA industry and extraordinary track-record of success will enable Hanmi to fulfill its goal to be one of the top SBA lenders," said C. G. Kum, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As an SBA Preferred Lender, Hanmi has a long history of working with small businesses to fund their business needs."

Prior to joining Hanmi Bank, Ms. Chung was the Chief SBA Lending Officer with Wilshire Bank, ranked the 9^th largest SBA lender in the nation by lending volume for SBA 7(a) loan in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Under her leadership, she created one of the nation's top SBA lending teams and a highly efficient process for underwriting SBA loans. Ms. Chung is a 31-year veteran of banking and SBA lending, and has held progressively important executive positions with prominent community banks. She completed her SBA training with the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), a trade association representing lenders that participate in the SBA Program, and currently serves as a member of the Technical Committee and Region IX Liaison Committee of the NAGGL.

"I am delighted to become a part of Hanmi Bank, and look forward to continuing to work with small businesses in the communities we serve for their funding needs," said Anna Chung, Executive Vice President & Director of SBA Lending Division. 

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 of California, with 27 full-service branch offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Diego counties, and loan production offices in Texas 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.

Source: http://www.sba.gov/category/lender-navigation/lender-loan-data/100-most-active-sba-7a-lenders

CONTACT: Mark (Shick) Yoon
         EVP & Chief Financial Officer
         Direct Phone: 213-427-5636

Released April 21, 2014