EXHIBIT 99.1

Hanmi Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

2021 First Quarter Highlights:

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC, or “Hanmi”), the parent company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income for the 2021 first quarter of $16.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared with $14.3 million, or $0.47 per diluted share for the 2020 fourth quarter and $2.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share for the 2020 first quarter.

Bonnie Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Hanmi is off to a good start in 2021 with solid first quarter performance highlighted by strong loan production, notable deposit growth, careful noninterest expense management, a significant improvement in nonaccrual loans, and excellent earnings. Loan production reached $348.0 million and included $131.5 million of second draw PPP loans. More notable, first quarter loan production without PPP was 4% higher than the same quarter a year-ago. Deposit gathering activities in the quarter were very successful as total deposits expanded 4.5% from the prior quarter and 20.2% from a year ago. We continue to benefit from our strategy emphasizing low-cost noninterest-bearing demand deposits, which were the primary driver of deposit growth and now comprise nearly 40% of total deposits. I was also pleased with our ability to tightly manage expenses, as noninterest expense, adjusted for the second draw cost capitalization, was nearly flat on both a sequential quarter and year-over-year basis. In addition, protecting the value of our loan portfolio has remained a top priority throughout the pandemic. We will continue to take the steps needed to manage down nonaccrual loans and we expect continued movement in and out of the criticized loan category in these later stages of the pandemic. Altogether, net income of $16.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, expanded significantly and was near an all-time single quarter record for Hanmi.”

Ms. Lee concluded, “As we look ahead in 2021, given our strong capital position, improving credit quality, ongoing expense management and solid loan origination pipeline, I believe Hanmi is well-positioned to generate profitable growth as we emerge from the pandemic and macro-economic conditions continue to improve.”

Quarterly Highlights
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  As of or for the Three Months Ended  Amount Change
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
  2021   2020   2020   2020   2020  vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
              
Net income$16,659  $14,326  $16,344  $9,175  $2,350  $2,333  $14,309
Net income per diluted common share$0.54  $0.47  $0.53  $0.30  $0.08  $0.07  $0.46
              
Assets$6,438,401  $6,201,888  $6,106,782  $6,218,163  $5,617,690  $236,513  $820,711
Loans receivable$4,817,151  $4,880,168  $4,834,137  $4,825,642  $4,543,636  $(63,017) $273,515
Deposits$5,509,823  $5,275,008  $5,194,292  $5,209,781  $4,582,068  $234,815  $927,755
              
Return on average assets 1.08%  0.92%  1.08%  0.63%  0.17%  0.16   0.91
Return on average stockholders' equity 11.63%  10.01%  11.74%  6.73%  1.69%  1.61   9.94
              
Net interest margin 3.09%  3.13%  3.13%  3.15%  3.36%  -0.04   -0.27
Efficiency ratio (1) 52.92%  55.53%  56.73%  41.51%  61.89%  -2.61   -8.97
              
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2) 8.87%  9.13%  9.05%  8.63%  9.65%  -0.26   -0.78
Tangible common equity per common share (2)$18.59  $18.41  $17.95  $17.47  $17.67  $0.18  $0.92

(1) Noninterest expense divided by net interest income plus noninterest income.
(2) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further details.

Results of Operations
Net interest income was $46.0 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $46.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 driven by two days less interest during the quarter. First quarter interest and fees on loans receivable decreased 3.4%, or $1.8 million, from the preceding quarter primarily due to a 10 basis point reduction in average yields. This was offset by a decrease in total interest expense of 19.1%, or $1.4 million, from the preceding quarter driven by a 15 basis point reduction in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits. First quarter loan prepayment penalties were $0.3 million compared with $0.8 million for the fourth quarter.

  As of or For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
Net Interest Income2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
              
Interest and fees on loans receivable(1)$50,614 $52,372 $52,586 $52,230 $54,648 -3.4% -7.4%
Interest on securities 1,140  1,684  1,972  3,225  3,655 -32.3% -68.8%
Dividends on FHLB stock 206  206  204  203  289 0.0% -28.7%
Interest on deposits in other banks 96  97  84  78  333 -1.7% -71.2%
Total interest and dividend income$52,056 $54,359 $54,846 $55,736 $58,925 -4.2% -11.7%
              
Interest on deposits 3,958  5,331  7,032  8,889  12,742 -25.8% -68.9%
Interest on borrowings 478  528  582  760  496 -9.4% -3.7%
Interest on subordinated debentures 1,619  1,623  1,627  1,645  1,712 -0.2% -5.4%
Total interest expense 6,055  7,482  9,240  11,295  14,950 -19.1% -59.5%
Net interest income$46,001 $46,877 $45,606 $44,441 $43,975 -1.9% 4.6%

(1) Includes loans held for sale.

Net interest margin was 3.09% for the first quarter of 2021, down 4 basis points from the prior quarter, as a 13 basis point decline in the yield on earning assets was offset by a 14 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

The yield on average earning assets was 3.50% for the first quarter of 2021 compared with 3.63% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The 13 basis point decline was primarily due to a reduction in yields on loans and securities.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.69% for the first quarter of 2021 compared with 0.83% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The 15 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits drove the lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

  For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
Average Earning Assets and Interest-bearing Liabilities 2021   2020   2020   2020   2020  vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Loans receivable (1)$4,843,825  $4,803,238  $4,734,511  $4,680,048  $4,518,395  0.8% 7.2%
Securities 774,022   743,636   696,285   589,932   623,711  4.1% 24.1%
FHLB stock 16,385   16,385   16,385   16,385   16,385  0.0% 0.0%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks 395,602   392,949   340,486   386,956   104,513  0.7% 278.5%
Average interest-earning assets$6,029,834  $5,956,208  $5,787,667  $5,673,321  $5,263,004  1.2% 14.6%
              
Demand: interest-bearing$102,980  $101,758  $99,161  $92,676  $82,934  1.2% 24.2%
Money market and savings 1,967,012   1,895,830   1,771,615   1,677,081   1,687,013  3.8% 16.6%
Time deposits 1,238,513   1,315,227   1,357,167   1,458,351   1,522,745  -5.8% -18.7%
Average interest-bearing deposits 3,308,505   3,312,815   3,227,943   3,228,108   3,292,692  -0.1% 0.5%
Borrowings 150,000   150,000   163,364   342,437   130,659  0.0% 14.8%
Subordinated debentures 119,040   118,888   118,733   118,583   118,444  0.1% 0.5%
Average interest-bearing liabilities$3,577,545  $3,581,703  $3,510,040  $3,689,128  $3,541,795  -0.1% 1.0%
              
Average Noninterest Bearing Deposits             
Demand deposits - noninterest bearing$1,991,204  $1,935,564  $1,859,832  $1,589,668  $1,333,697  2.9% 49.3%
              
(1) Includes loans held for sale.
              
  For the Three Months Ended  Amount Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
Average Yields and Rates 2021   2020   2020   2020   2020  vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Loans receivable(1) 4.24%  4.34%  4.42%  4.49%  4.86% -0.10  -0.62 
Securities (2) 0.59%  0.91%  1.13%  2.19%  2.34% -0.32  -1.75 
FHLB stock 5.10%  5.00%  4.95%  5.00%  7.10% 0.10  -2.00 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks 0.10%  0.10%  0.10%  0.08%  1.28% 0.00  -1.18 
Interest-earning assets 3.50%  3.63%  3.77%  3.95%  4.50% -0.13  -1.00 
              
Interest-bearing deposits 0.49%  0.64%  0.87%  1.11%  1.56% -0.15  -1.07 
Borrowings 1.29%  1.40%  1.42%  0.89%  1.53% -0.11  -0.24 
Subordinated debentures 5.44%  5.46%  5.48%  5.55%  5.78% -0.02  -0.34 
Interest-bearing liabilities 0.69%  0.83%  1.05%  1.23%  1.70% -0.14  -1.01 
              
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis) 3.09%  3.13%  3.13%  3.15%  3.36% -0.04  -0.27 
              
Cost of deposits 0.30%  0.40%  0.55%  0.74%  1.11% -0.10  -0.81 
              
(1) Includes loans held for sale.
(2) Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal tax rate in effect for the periods presented.

For the first quarter of 2021, credit loss expense was $2.1 million, comprised of a $1.0 million provision for loan losses, a $2.1 million provision for an SBA guarantee repair loss, and a $1.0 million negative provision for losses on off-balance sheet items and accrued interest receivable for modified loans. Credit loss expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $5.1 million, comprised of a provision for loan losses of $5.7 million, a negative provision for off-balance sheet items of $2.9 million and a $2.3 million provision for losses on accrued interest receivable for modified loans. At March 31, 2021, accrued interest receivable on current and former modified loans was $6.4 million compared with $9.2 million at December 31, 2020 and the related allowance for estimated losses was $1.2 million and $1.7 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

First quarter of 2021 noninterest income increased to $9.8 million from $8.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily due to a $2.5 million gain on the sale of $108.6 million second draw PPP loans at a net premium to carrying value of 2.35%. This was partially offset by lower other operating income, which was higher in the prior quarter primarily due to a $1.0 million litigation settlement from a failed acquisition and $1.0 million from the disposition of a previously acquired loan. Gains on sales of non-PPP 7(a) SBA loans were $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2021, down from $1.8 million for the preceding quarter. The volume of non-PPP 7(a) SBA loans sold for the first quarter and previous quarter was $18.1 million and $21.6 million, respectively, while trade premiums were 10.66% and 10.09%, respectively.

  For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
Noninterest Income2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Service charges on deposit accounts$2,357 $2,051 $2,002 $2,032 $2,400 14.9% -1.8%
Trade finance and other service charges and fees 1,034  1,113  972  961  986 -7.1% 4.8%
Servicing income 846  361  704  855  561 134.3% 50.8%
Bank-owned life insurance income 256  271  289  276  277 -5.5% -7.6%
All other operating income 841  1,879  806  1,095  845 -55.2% -0.5%
Service charges, fees & other 5,334  5,675  4,773  5,219  5,069 -6.0% 5.2%
              
Gain on sale of SBA loans 4,125  1,769  2,324  -  1,154 133.2% 257.6%
Net gain on sales of securities 99  -  -  15,712  - 0.0% 0.0%
Gain on sale of bank premises -  365  43  -  - -100.0% 0.0%
Legal settlement 250  1,000  -  -  - -75.0% 0.0%
Total noninterest income$9,808 $8,809 $7,140 $20,931 $6,223 11.3% 57.6%

During the first quarter of 2021, noninterest expense decreased 4.5% to $29.5 million from $30.9 million for the fourth quarter primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits, a $0.5 million reduction in advertising and promotion fees and a $0.4 million reduction in professional fees, offset partially by $0.2 million decrease from prior quarter net expenses for impairments of bank properties, other real estate owned and repossessed personal property. The decrease in salaries and benefits reflects $1.4 million in capitalized costs from second draw PPP originations, offset partially by higher incentive compensation expense. The efficiency ratio improved to 52.92% in the first quarter from 55.53% in the prior quarter. Excluding the gains and capitalized costs for second draw PPP loan originations, the efficiency ratio was 58.07%.

  For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
 2021 2020  2020   2020  2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Noninterest Expense             
Salaries and employee benefits$16,820 $17,344  $17,194  $14,701  $17,749 -3.0% -5.2%
Occupancy and equipment 4,595  4,651   4,650   4,508   4,475 -1.2% 2.7%
Data processing 2,926  2,989   2,761   2,804   2,669 -2.1% 9.6%
Professional fees 1,447  1,846   1,794   1,545   1,915 -21.6% -24.4%
Supplies and communication 757  759   698   858   781 -0.3% -3.1%
Advertising and promotion 359  888   594   456   734 -59.6% -51.1%
All other operating expenses 2,378  2,006   2,553   2,655   2,722 18.6% -12.6%
subtotal 29,282  30,483   30,244   27,527   31,045 -3.9% -5.7%
              
Other real estate owned expense (income) 221  310   (116)  (191)  2 -28.7% 10950.0%
Repossessed personal property expense (income) 32  (71)  (204)  (198)  21 145.1% 52.4%
Impairment loss on bank premises -  201   -   -   - -100.0% 0.0%
Total noninterest expense$29,535 $30,923  $29,924  $27,138  $31,068 -4.5% -4.9%

Financial Position
Total assets were $6.44 billion at March 31, 2021, a 3.8% increase from $6.20 billion at December 31, 2020 driven by higher cash balances associated with the continued influx of additional customer noninterest-bearing deposits.

Loans receivable, before the allowance for credit losses, were $4.82 billion at March 31, 2021, down 1.3% from $4.88 billion at December 31, 2020. Loans held for sale representing the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans were $10.9 million at the end of the first quarter, compared with $8.6 million at the end of the fourth quarter. Loans held for sale also included $21.7 million in second draw PPP loans.

  As of (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
 2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Loan Portfolio             
Commercial real estate loans$3,372,287 $3,353,818 $3,264,447 $3,266,242 $3,187,189 0.6% 5.8%
Residential/consumer loans 328,229  345,831  370,883  366,190  391,206 -5.1% -16.1%
Commercial and industrial loans 707,073  757,255  765,484  730,399  472,714 -6.6% 49.6%
Leases 409,562  423,264  433,323  462,811  492,527 -3.2% -16.8%
Loans receivable 4,817,151  4,880,168  4,834,137  4,825,642  4,543,636 -1.3% 6.0%
Loans held for sale 32,674  8,568  12,834  17,942  - 281.3% NM
Total$4,849,825 $4,888,736 $4,846,971 $4,843,584 $4,543,636 -0.8% 6.7%

Commercial and industrial loans, which included $256.5 million of SBA guaranteed first draw PPP loans comprised 14.7% of the portfolio at March 31, 2021, up from 10.4% a year ago.

Hanmi generated solid loan production volume with approximately $131.5 million of second draw PPP loans originated during the quarter. New loan production totaled $348.0 million at an average rate of 2.90% (4.05% excluding second draw PPP loan production), partially offset by $303.3 million of loans paid-off or sold during the quarter at an average rate of 2.66% (4.73% excluding PPP loan sales and pay-offs).

 For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31,
  2021   2020   2020   2020   2020 
New Loan Production         
Commercial real estate loans$103,051  $187,050  $99,618  $129,432  $109,433 
Commercial and industrial loans 42,255   71,412   78,594   61,114   18,237 
SBA loans 155,908   27,516   31,335   328,274   23,422 
Leases receivable 34,055   39,830   21,271   15,279   56,849 
Residential/consumer loans 12,722   2,011   25,766   10   714 
subtotal 347,991   327,819   256,584   534,109   208,655 
          
          
Payoffs (166,730)  (160,006)  (139,797)  (67,537)  (122,686)
Amortization (94,852)  (78,632)  (66,907)  (90,678)  (95,414)
Loan sales (136,590)  (21,580)  (36,068)  -   (18,352)
Net line utilization (9,331)  (18,815)  (2,199)  (92,230)  (11,242)
Charge-offs & OREO (3,505)  (2,755)  (3,118)  (1,658)  (27,473)
          
Loans receivable-beginning balance 4,880,168   4,834,137   4,825,642   4,543,636   4,610,148 
Loans receivable-ending balance$4,817,151  $4,880,168  $4,834,137  $4,825,642  $4,543,636 

Deposits totaled $5.51 billion at the end of the first quarter, compared with $5.28 billion at the end of the preceding quarter. Growth was primarily driven by an increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and to a lesser extent increases in money market and savings deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by a reduction in time deposits. At March 31, 2021, the loan-to-deposit ratio was 87.4% compared with 92.5% at the end of the previous quarter. The increase in noninterest-bearing deposits reflects growth from new and existing customer relationships as well as increases from second draw PPP loans and similar economic stimulus activities.

  As of (in thousands)  Percentage Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
 2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Deposit Portfolio             
Demand: noninterest-bearing$2,174,624 $1,898,766 $1,961,006 $1,865,213 $1,366,270 14.5% 59.2%
Demand: interest-bearing 111,362  100,617  100,155  96,941  87,313 10.7% 27.5%
Money market and savings 2,029,824  1,991,926  1,794,627  1,812,612  1,648,022 1.9% 23.2%
Time deposits 1,194,013  1,283,699  1,338,504  1,435,015  1,480,463 -7.0% -19.3%
Total deposits$5,509,823 $5,275,008 $5,194,292 $5,209,781 $4,582,068 4.5% 20.2%

At March 31, 2021, stockholders’ equity was $581.8 million, compared with $577.0 million at December 31, 2020. During the first quarter Hanmi purchased 55,000 shares of common stock under the previously authorized stock repurchase program at an average price of $17.20 per share. Tangible common stockholders’ equity was $570.3 million, or 8.87% of tangible assets, at March 31, 2021 compared with $565.4 million, or 9.13% of tangible assets at the end of the fourth quarter. The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets excluding the $278.2 million of first and second draw PPP loans was 9.27% at March 31, 2021. Tangible book value per share increased to $18.59 at March 31, 2021 from $18.41 at the end of the prior quarter.

Hanmi continues to be well capitalized for regulatory purposes, with a preliminary Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.76% and a Total risk-based capital ratio of 14.96% at March 31, 2021, versus 11.93% and 15.21%, respectively, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.

  As of  Amount Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
 2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Regulatory Capital ratios (1)             
Hanmi Financial             
Total risk-based capital14.96% 15.21% 15.16% 14.85% 14.77% -0.25 0.19
Tier 1 risk-based capital11.76% 11.93% 11.85% 11.55% 11.52% -0.17 0.24
Common equity tier 1 capital11.36% 11.52% 11.43% 11.12% 11.09% -0.16 0.27
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio9.60% 9.49% 9.53% 9.69% 9.91% 0.11 -0.31
Hanmi Bank             
Total risk-based capital14.70% 14.86% 14.77% 14.41% 14.29% -0.16 0.41
Tier 1 risk-based capital13.45% 13.60% 13.51% 13.15% 13.12% -0.15 0.33
Common equity tier 1 capital13.45% 13.60% 13.51% 13.15% 13.12% -0.15 0.33
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio10.99% 10.83% 10.88% 11.04% 11.35% 0.16 -0.36
              
(1) Preliminary ratios for March 31, 2021             

Asset Quality
Loans and leases 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing were 0.14% of loans and leases at the end of the first quarter of 2021, compared with 0.19% at the end of the fourth quarter.

Special mention loans were $96.1 million at the end of the first quarter compared with $77.0 million at December 31, 2020. The quarter over quarter change reflects additions of $33.8 million and reductions (comprising upgrades, downgrades and payments) of $14.7 million. The March 31, 2021 balance of special mention loans included $72.0 million of loans adversely affected by the pandemic.

Classified loans were $147.4 million at March 31, 2021 compared with $140.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter. The quarter-over-quarter change reflects additions of $28.5 million and reductions (comprising upgrades, payments, sales, and charge-offs) of $21.3 million. At March 31, 2021, classified loans included $69.5 million of loans adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonperforming loans were $55.1 million at the end of the first quarter of 2021, or 1.14% of loans, compared with $83.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter, or 1.70% of the portfolio. The quarter-over-quarter change reflects additions of $2.7 million and reductions (comprising upgrades, payments, sales, and charge-offs) of $30.6 million. At March 31, 2021, nonperforming loans included $21.0 million of loans and leases adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonperforming assets were $56.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2021, or 0.88% of total assets, compared with $85.4 million, or 1.38% of assets, at the end of the prior quarter.

Loans modified under the CARES Act declined 25% to $116.4 million at March 31, 2021 from $155.6 million at December 31, 2020. Approximately 10.6%, or $12.3 million, of modified loans are currently under deferred payment arrangements, with the remainder making payments that are less than the contractually required amount. Of the modified loan portfolio, 43.6% were special mention and 15.6% were classified. In addition, 7.1% were on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2021.

Gross charge-offs for the first quarter of 2021 were $3.5 million compared with $2.8 million for the preceding quarter. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans for the first quarter of 2021 were $0.5 million compared with $0.8 million for the preceding quarter. As a result, there were net charge-offs of $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with net charge-offs of $1.9 million for the preceding quarter. For the first quarter of 2021, net charge-offs represented an annualized 0.25% of average loans compared with 0.16% of average loans for the fourth quarter.

The allowance for credit losses was $88.4 million as of March 31, 2021 generating an allowance for credit losses to loans of 1.83% (1.94% excluding the PPP loans) compared with 1.85% (1.97% excluding the PPP loans) at the end of the prior quarter. Although macroeconomic assumptions continue to improve, the risk factors associated with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bank’s loan portfolio continue to be considered in establishing the allowance for credit losses.

  As of or for the Three Months Ended (in thousands)  Amount Change
 Mar 31, Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Q1-21 Q1-21
  2021   2020   2020   2020   2020  vs. Q4-20 vs. Q1-20
Asset Quality Data and Ratios             
              
Delinquent loans:             
Loans, 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing$6,926  $9,473  $9,428  $9,984  $10,001  $(2,547) $(3,075)
Delinquent loans to total loans 0.14%  0.19%  0.20%  0.21%  0.22%  -0.05   -0.08 
              
Criticized loans:             
Special mention$96,057  $76,978  $57,105  $21,134  $20,945  $19,079  $75,112 
Classified 147,426   140,168   106,211   93,922   88,225   7,258   59,201 
Total criticized loans$243,483  $217,146  $163,316  $115,056  $109,170  $26,337  $134,313 
              
Nonperforming assets:             
Nonaccrual loans$55,058  $83,032  $64,333  $58,264  $46,383  $(27,974) $8,675 
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing -   -   -   -   5,843   -   (5,843)
Nonperforming loans 55,058   83,032   64,333   58,264   52,226   (27,974)  2,832 
Other real estate owned, net 1,545   2,360   1,052   148   63   (815)  1,482 
Nonperforming assets$56,603  $85,392  $65,385  $58,412  $52,289  $(28,789) $4,314 
              
Nonperforming loans to total loans 1.14%  1.70%  1.33%  1.21%  1.15%    
Nonperforming assets to assets 0.88%  1.38%  1.07%  0.94%  0.93%    
              
Allowance for credit losses:             
Balance at beginning of period$90,426  $86,620  $86,330  $66,500  $61,408     
Impact of CECL adoption -   -   -   -   17,433     
Credit loss expense on loans 964   5,731   696   21,131   14,916     
Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries (2,998)  (1,925)  (406)  (1,301)  (27,257)    
Balance at end of period$88,392  $90,426  $86,620  $86,330  $66,500     
              
Net loan charge-offs to average loans (1) 0.25%  0.16%  0.03%  0.11%  2.41%    
Allowance for credit losses to loans 1.83%  1.85%  1.79%  1.79%  1.46%    
              
Allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet items:             
Balance at beginning of period$2,791  $5,689  $6,347  $2,885  $2,397     
Impact of CECL adoption -   -   -   -   (335)    
Credit loss expense on off-balance sheet items (450)  (2,898)  (658)  3,462   823     
Balance at end of period$2,341  $2,791  $5,689  $6,347  $2,885     
              
Allowance for Losses on Accrued Interest Receivable:             
Balance at beginning of period$1,666  $-  $-  $-  $-     
Interest reversal for loans placed on nonaccrual -   (584)  -   -   -     
Credit loss expense on interest accrued on CARES Act modifications (470)  2,250   -   -   -     
Balance at end of period$1,196  $1,666  $-  $-  $-     
              
Commitments to extend credit$463,841  $453,899  $444,782  $486,852  $375,233     
              
(1) Annualized             

Corporate Developments
On January 28, 2021 Hanmi’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2021 first quarter of $0.10 per share. The dividend was paid on February 24, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 8, 2021.

Conference Call
Management will host a conference call today, April 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) to discuss these results. This call will also be broadcast live via the internet. Investment professionals and all current and prospective stockholders are invited to access the live call by dialing 1-877- 407-9039 before 2:00 p.m. PT, using access code HANMI. To listen to the call online, either live or archived, visit the Investor Relations page of Hanmi’s website at www.hanmi.com.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 35 full-service branches and 9 loan production offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington and Georgia. Hanmi Bank specializes in real estate, commercial, SBA and trade finance lending to small and middle market businesses. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward–looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, business strategies, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, capital and financing needs and availability, plans and objectives of management for future operations, developments regarding our capital and strategic plans, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Although we believe that our forward-looking statements to be reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include the following:

Further, given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and whether the continued reopening of businesses will result in a meaningful increase in economic activity. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:

In addition, we set forth certain risks in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we will file hereafter, which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:
Romolo (Ron) Santarosa
Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
213-427-5636

Lasse Glassen
Investor Relations / Addo Investor Relations
310-829-5400

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 March 31, December 31, Percentage March 31, Percentage
  2021   2020  Change  2020  Change
Assets         
Cash and due from banks$646,445  $391,849  65.0% $290,546  122.5%
Securities available for sale, at fair value 780,114   753,781  3.5%  622,206  25.4%
Loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value 32,674   8,568  281.3%  -  - 
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses 4,728,759   4,789,742  -1.3%  4,477,137  5.6%
Accrued interest receivable 14,806   16,363  -9.5%  11,536  28.4%
Premises and equipment, net 26,398   26,431  -0.1%  26,374  0.1%
Customers' liability on acceptances 735   1,319  -44.3%  102  620.2%
Servicing assets 6,150   6,212  -1.0%  6,727  -8.6%
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 11,558   11,612  -0.5%  11,808  -2.1%
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock, at cost 16,385   16,385  0.0%  16,385  0.0%
Bank-owned life insurance 54,150   53,894  0.5%  53,058  2.1%
Prepaid expenses and other assets 120,227   125,732  -4.4%  101,813  18.1%
Total assets$ 6,438,401   $ 6,201,888   3.8% $ 5,617,690   14.6%
          
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity         
Liabilities:         
Deposits:         
Noninterest-bearing$2,174,624  $1,898,766  14.5% $1,366,270  59.2%
Interest-bearing 3,335,199   3,376,242  -1.2%  3,215,797  3.7%
Total deposits 5,509,823   5,275,008  4.5%  4,582,068  20.2%
Accrued interest payable 2,352   4,564  -48.5%  9,693  -75.7%
Bank's liability on acceptances 735   1,319  -44.3%  102  621.0%
Borrowings 150,000   150,000  0.0%  300,000  -50.0%
Subordinated debentures 119,124   118,972  0.1%  118,523  0.5%
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 74,545   74,981  -0.6%  54,347  37.2%
Total liabilities  5,856,579     5,624,844   4.1%   5,064,732   15.6%
          
Stockholders' equity:         
Common stock 33   33  0.0%  33  0.0%
Additional paid-in capital 578,958   578,360  0.1%  576,585  0.4%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (5,293)  3,076  -272.1%  11,867  -144.6%
Retained earnings 128,211   114,621  11.9%  83,355  53.8%
Less treasury stock (120,087)  (119,046) -0.9%  (118,882) -1.0%
Total stockholders' equity  581,822     577,044   0.8%   552,958   5.2%
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ 6,438,401   $ 6,201,888   3.8% $ 5,617,690   14.6%

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

  Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, Percentage March 31, Percentage
 2021 2020 Change 2020 Change
Interest and dividend income:         
Interest and fees on loans receivable$50,614 $52,372 -3.4% $54,648 -7.4%
Interest on securities 1,140  1,684 -32.3%  3,655 -68.8%
Dividends on FHLB stock 206  206 0.0%  289 -28.7%
Interest on deposits in other banks 96  97 -1.7%  333 -71.2%
Total interest and dividend income 52,056  54,359 -4.2%  58,925 -11.7%
Interest expense:         
Interest on deposits 3,958  5,331 -25.8%  12,742 -68.9%
Interest on borrowings 478  528 -9.4%  496 -3.7%
Interest on subordinated debentures 1,619  1,623 -0.2%  1,712 -5.4%
Total interest expense 6,055  7,482 -19.1%  14,950 -59.5%
Net interest income before credit loss expense 46,001  46,877 -1.9%  43,975 4.6%
Credit loss expense 2,109  5,083 -58.5%  15,739 -86.6%
Net interest income after credit loss expense 43,892  41,794 5.0%  28,235 55.4%
Noninterest income:         
Service charges on deposit accounts 2,357  2,051 14.9%  2,400 -1.8%
Trade finance and other service charges and fees 1,034  1,113 -7.1%  986 4.8%
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans 4,125  1,769 133.2%  1,154 257.6%
Net gain on sales of securities 99  - -   - - 
Other operating income 2,193  3,876 -43.4%  1,684 30.2%
Total noninterest income 9,808  8,809 11.3%  6,224 57.6%
Noninterest expense:         
Salaries and employee benefits 16,820  17,344 -3.0%  17,749 -5.2%
Occupancy and equipment 4,595  4,651 -1.2%  4,475 2.7%
Data processing 2,926  2,989 -2.1%  2,669 9.6%
Professional fees 1,447  1,846 -21.6%  1,915 -24.5%
Supplies and communications 757  759 -0.3%  781 -3.1%
Advertising and promotion 359  888 -59.6%  734 -51.1%
Other operating expenses 2,631  2,446 7.6%  2,745 -4.1%
Total noninterest expense 29,535  30,923 -4.5%  31,068 -4.9%
Income before tax 24,165  19,680 22.8%  3,391 612.6%
Income tax expense 7,506  5,354 40.2%  1,041 621.0%
Net income$ 16,659  $ 14,326  16.3% $ 2,350  608.8%
           
Basic earnings per share:$0.54 $0.47   $0.08  
Diluted earnings per share:$0.54 $0.47   $0.08  
          
Weighted-average shares outstanding:         
Basic 30,461,681  30,466,723    30,469,022  
Diluted 30,464,389  30,466,723    30,472,899  
Common shares outstanding 30,682,533  30,717,835    30,622,741  

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Average Balance, Average Yield Earned, and Average Rate Paid (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except ratios)

 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 March 31, 2020
   InterestAverage   InterestAverage   InterestAverage
 Average Income /Yield / Average Income /Yield / Average Income /Yield /
 Balance ExpenseRate Balance ExpenseRate Balance ExpenseRate
Assets              
Interest-earning assets:              
Loans receivable (1)$4,843,825  $50,6144.24% $4,803,238  $52,3724.34% $4,518,395  $54,6484.86%
Securities 774,022   1,1400.59%  743,636   1,6840.91%  623,711   3,6552.34%
FHLB stock 16,385   2065.10%  16,385   2065.00%  16,385   2897.10%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks 395,602   960.10%  392,949   970.10%  104,513   3331.28%
Total interest-earning assets 6,029,834   52,0563.50%  5,956,208   54,3593.63%  5,263,004   58,9254.50%
               
Noninterest-earning assets:              
Cash and due from banks 56,666      58,541      97,896    
Allowance for credit losses (89,681)     (86,160)     (61,054)   
Other assets 233,146      241,405      204,807    
               
Total assets$ 6,229,965      $ 6,169,994      $ 5,504,653     
               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity              
Interest-bearing liabilities:              
Deposits:              
Demand: interest-bearing$102,980  $140.05% $101,758  $140.05% $82,934  $210.10%
Money market and savings 1,967,012   1,4790.30%  1,895,830   1,7370.36%  1,687,013   4,7801.14%
Time deposits 1,238,513   2,4650.81%  1,315,227   3,5811.08%  1,522,745   7,9422.10%
Total interest-bearing deposits 3,308,505   3,9580.49%  3,312,815   5,3320.64%  3,292,692   12,7431.56%
Borrowings 150,000   4781.29%  150,000   5291.40%  130,659   4961.53%
Subordinated debentures 119,040   1,6195.44%  118,888   1,6235.46%  118,444   1,7125.78%
Total interest-bearing liabilities 3,577,545   6,0550.69%  3,581,703   7,4840.83%  3,541,795   14,9511.70%
               
Noninterest-bearing liabilities and equity:              
Demand deposits: noninterest-bearing 1,991,204      1,935,564      1,333,697    
Other liabilities 80,060      83,414      69,205    
Stockholders' equity 581,156      569,313      559,956    
               
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ 6,229,965      $ 6,169,994      $ 5,504,653     
               
Net interest income (tax equivalent basis)  $ 46,001     $ 46,875     $ 43,974  
               
Cost of deposits   0.30%    0.40%    1.11%
Net interest spread (taxable equivalent basis)   2.81%    2.80%    2.80%
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis)   3.09%    3.13%    3.36%
               
               
               
(1) Includes average loans held for sale              

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio

Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is supplemental financial information determined by a method other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP measure is used by management in the analysis of Hanmi’s capital strength. Tangible common equity is calculated by subtracting goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity. Banking and financial institution regulators also exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity when assessing the capital adequacy of a financial institution. Management believes the presentation of this financial measure excluding the impact of these items provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the capital strength of Hanmi. This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitution for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

The following table reconciles this non-GAAP performance measure to the GAAP performance measure for the periods indicated:

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share, per share data and ratios)

 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,
Hanmi Financial Corporation 2021   2020   2020   2020   2020 
Assets$6,438,401  $6,201,888  $6,106,782  $6,218,163  $5,617,690 
Less goodwill and other intangible assets (11,558)  (11,612)  (11,677)  (11,742)  (11,808)
Tangible assets$6,426,843  $6,190,276  $6,095,105  $6,206,421  $5,605,882 
          
Stockholders' equity (1)$581,822  $577,044  $563,203  $547,436  $552,958 
Less goodwill and other intangible assets (11,558)  (11,612)  (11,677)  (11,742)  (11,808)
Tangible stockholders' equity (1)$570,264  $565,432  $551,526  $535,694  $541,150 
          
Stockholders' equity to assets 9.04%  9.30%  9.22%  8.80%  9.84%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) 8.87%  9.13%  9.05%  8.63%  9.65%
          
Common shares outstanding 30,682,533   30,717,835   30,719,591   30,657,629   30,622,741 
Tangible common equity per common share$18.59  $18.41  $17.95  $17.47  $17.67 
          
          
(1) There were no preferred shares outstanding at the periods indicated.        

Paycheck Protection Program

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was adopted, which included authorization for the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) to introduce a new program, entitled the “Paycheck Protection Program,” which provides loans for eligible businesses through the SBA’s 7(a) loan guaranty program. These loans are fully guaranteed and available for loan forgiveness of up to the full principal amount so long as certain employee and compensation levels of the business are maintained and the proceeds of the loan are used as required under the program. The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and loan forgiveness are intended to provide economic relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanmi participated in this program and the financial information for the 2021 first quarter reflects this participation. This table below shows financial information excluding the effect of the origination of the PPP loans, including the corresponding interest income earned on such loans, which constitutes a non-GAAP measure. Management believes the presentation of certain financial measures excluding the effect of PPP loans provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the financial condition and results of operations of Hanmi. This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitution for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be used by other companies.

PPP Non-GAAP Financial Data (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except ratios)

  As of March 31,
2021
  As of December 31,
2020
    
Tangible assets 6,426,843   6,190,276 
Less first and second draw PPP loans (278,200)  (295,702)
Tangible assets adjusted for PPP loans$6,148,643  $5,894,574 
    
Tangible stockholders' equity 570,264   565,432 
    
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) 8.87%  9.13%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets adjusted for PPP loans (1) 9.27%  9.59%
    
(1) There were no preferred shares outstanding at December 31, or September 30, 2020   
    
Allowance for credit losses 88,392   90,426 
    
Loans receivable 4,817,151   4,880,168 
Less first draw PPP loans (256,457)  (295,702)
Loans receivable adjusted for PPP loans$4,560,694  $4,584,466 
    
Allowance for credit losses to loans receivable 1.83%  1.85%
Allowance for credit losses to loans receivable adjusted for PPP loans 1.94%  1.97%
    
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021   
Net interest income$46,001   
Less PPP loan interest income (1,865)  
Net interest income adjusted for PPP loans$44,136   
    
Average interest-earning assets 6,029,834   
Less average PPP loans (308,543)  
Average interest-earning assets adjusted for PPP loans$5,721,291   
    
Net interest margin (1) 3.09%  
Net interest margin adjusted for PPP loans (1) 3.13%  
    
(1) net interest income (as applicable) divided by average interest-earning assets (as applicable), annualized  
    
Noninterest expense 29,535   
Less PPP deferred origination costs 1,390   
Noninterest expense adjusted for PPP loans$30,925   
    
Net interest income plus noninterest income$55,809   
Less securities and PPP gains (2,553)  
Net interest income plus noninterest income adjusted for securities and PPP gains$53,256   
    
Efficiency ratio (1) 52.92%  
Efficiency ratio adjusted for PPP loans and securities gains (1) 58.07%  
    
(1) noninterest expense (as applicable) divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income (as applicable)