EXHIBIT 99.1

Hanmi Reports 2024 Third Quarter Results

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC, or “Hanmi”), the parent company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”), today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024.

Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $14.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared with $14.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. The return on average assets for the third quarter of 2024 was 0.79% and the return on average equity was 7.55%, compared with a return on average assets of 0.77% and the return on average equity of 7.50% for the second quarter of 2024.

CEO Commentary
“Our third quarter results were strong, with solid performance across all key operating metrics in the third quarter,” said Bonnie Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanmi.  “Net interest margin increased five basis points to 2.74% driven by higher yields on interest-earning assets and lower funding costs. Loans grew by 2% driven by a 27% increase in loan production and total deposits were up led by 5% growth in noninterest-bearing demand deposits. These results reflect the continued success of our relationship banking model and our portfolio diversification strategy.”

“During the quarter, we remained focused on our disciplined credit administration practices and are pleased to report that we resolved several criticized and nonaccrual loans and recognized a recovery on a previously charged-off loan. We also proactively moved three loans to the special mention category to monitor them more closely. These loans are current, and we are confident they are well protected.”

“Hanmi is well-positioned for a strong close to 2024 with a robust balance sheet, ample liquidity, healthy capital ratios, and a solid loan pipeline. Our team remains committed to delivering the solutions our customers need and results our shareholders expect,” concluded Lee.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights: 

• Third quarter net income was $14.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared with $14.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2024. The increase reflects a $2.0 million, or 9.4%, increase in pretax, preprovision income, propelled by a 2.9% increase in net interest income.
• Loans receivable were $6.26 billion at September 30, 2024, up 1.3% from the end of the second quarter of 2024, driven by a 27% increase in loan production to $347.8 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.92%.
• Deposits were $6.40 billion at September 30, 2024, up 1.2% from the end of the second quarter of 2024; noninterest-bearing demand deposits were 32.0% of total deposits. During the quarter, noninterest bearing demand deposits grew 4.7%, while time deposits declined 3.2% from the prior quarter.
• Net interest income for the third quarter was $50.1 million, up 2.9% from the second quarter of 2024, driven by strong operational performance. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) expanded five basis points to 2.74%, as the average yield on loans increased to 6.00%, while the cost of interest-bearing deposits remained unchanged at 4.27%.

• Noninterest expense was $35.1 million for the third quarter, down 0.6% from the second quarter of 2024, primarily reflecting the absence of the second quarter $0.3 million branch consolidation charge.

• Credit loss expense for the third quarter was $2.3 million, compared with $1.0 million for the prior quarter. The allowance for credit losses increased $1.4 million to $69.2 million at September 30, 2024, or 1.11% of loans. For the third quarter, net loan charge-offs of $0.9 million included a $1.1 million charge-off on a nonaccrual loan transferred to held-for-sale and a $1.7 million recovery of a nonaccrual loan.
• Asset quality included several notable actions: nonaccrual loans fell 18.8% to $15.2 million and included pay-offs of $6.8 million while criticized assets increased, with downgrades to special mention of three loans totaling $129.8 million, offset by the move to the held-for-sale nonaccrual loan category of the previously identified $28.3 million completed construction loan, upgrades of $6.1 million, and additional loan pay-offs of $1.3 million. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Bank completed the sale of the nonaccrual loan.

For more information about Hanmi, please see the Q3 2024 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information), which is available on the Bank’s website at www.hanmi.com and via a current report on Form 8-K on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Also, please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for further details of the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures.

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

Results of Operations
Net interest income for the third quarter was $50.1 million, up 2.9% from $48.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in loan interest income. The increase in loan interest income was a result of increases in loan yields and average balances. The yield on average loans for the third quarter increased slightly to 6.00% from 5.99% for the second quarter of 2024. Average loans were $6.11 billion for the third quarter of 2024, up 0.4% from $6.09 billion for the second quarter. The cost of interest-bearing deposits was 4.27% for the third quarter of 2024, unchanged from the prior quarter. Average interest-bearing deposits were $4.40 billion for the third quarter, up 0.3%, from $4.38 billion for the prior quarter. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) for the third quarter was 2.74%, compared with 2.69% for the second quarter of 2024.

Credit loss expense for the third quarter was $2.3 million, compared with $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. Third quarter credit loss expense included a $2.3 million credit loss expense for loan losses. Third quarter net loan charge-offs were $0.9 million, compared with second quarter net loan charge-offs of $1.8 million. Third quarter net loan charge-offs included a $1.1 million charge-off on a nonaccrual loan transferred to held-for-sale and a $1.7 million recovery on a nonaccrual loan.

Noninterest income for the third quarter increased $0.3 million to $8.4 million, or 4.7%, from $8.1 million for the second quarter of 2024. Third quarter noninterest income included a $0.9 million gain from the sale and leaseback of a branch property, while second quarter noninterest income included a $0.3 million death benefit on bank-owned life insurance. Gains on sales of SBA loans were $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared with $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. The volume of SBA loans sold in the third quarter decreased to $23.0 million, from $23.5 million for the second quarter of 2024, while trade premiums were 8.54% for the third quarter of 2024, unchanged from the second quarter. Mortgage loans sold in the third quarter were $20.9 million, with a premium of 2.32%, compared with $19.5 million and 2.00% for the second quarter, resulting in income of $0.3 million for the third quarter, compared with $0.4 million for the prior quarter.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter decreased by $0.2 million to $35.1 million from $35.3 million for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease reflects primarily the absence of the $0.3 million branch consolidation expense recognized in the second quarter of 2024. The efficiency ratio for the third quarter was 60.0%, compared with 62.2% for the second quarter of 2024.

Hanmi recorded a provision for income taxes of $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared with $6.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, representing an effective tax rate of 29.5% and 29.3%, respectively.

Financial Position
Total assets at September 30, 2024 increased 1.7%, or $126.0 million, to $7.71 billion from $7.59 billion at June 30, 2024. The sequential quarter increase was due to a $125.3 million increase in loans and loans held-for-sale, and a $31.3 million increase in securities, offset partially by a $25.3 million decrease in cash and due from banks.

Loans receivable, before allowance for credit losses, were $6.26 billion at September 30, 2024, up from $6.18 billion at June 30, 2024.

Loans held-for-sale were $54.3 million at September 30, 2024, up from $10.5 million at June 30, 2024. At the end of the third quarter, loans held-for-sale consisted of $8.8 million of the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans, $18.3 million of residential mortgage loans and the $27.2 million nonaccrual loan. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Bank completed the sale of this nonaccrual loan.

New loan production was $347.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 at an average rate of 7.92%, while payoffs were $77.6 million during the quarter at an average rate of 6.63%.

Commercial real estate loan production for the third quarter of 2024 was $110.2 million. Commercial and industrial loan production was $105.1 million, SBA loan production was $51.6 million, equipment finance production was $40.1 million, and residential mortgage loan production was $40.8 million.

Deposits were $6.40 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024, up $73.9 million, or 1.2%, from $6.33 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Driving the change was a $91.8 million increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and a $64.0 million increase in money market and savings deposits, partially offset by a $78.3 million decrease in time deposits. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits represented 32.0% of total deposits at September 30, 2024 and the loan-to-deposit ratio was 97.7%.

Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2024 was $736.7 million, up $29.6 million from $707.1 million at June 30, 2024. The increase was due to third quarter net income, net of dividends paid, adding $7.3 million to stockholders’ equity for the period. Additionally, there was a $20.7 million decrease in unrealized after-tax losses on securities available for sale and a $2.2 million decrease in unrealized after-tax losses on cash flow hedges, all due to changes in interest rates during the third quarter of 2024. Hanmi also repurchased 75,000 shares of common stock, or $1.4 million, during the quarter at an average share price of $19.10. At September 30, 2024, 1,255,000 shares remain under Hanmi’s share repurchase program. Tangible common stockholders’ equity was $725.7 million, or 9.42% of tangible assets, at September 30, 2024, compared with $696.0 million, or 9.19% of tangible assets at the end of the prior quarter. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for more information.

Hanmi and the Bank exceeded minimum regulatory capital requirements, and the Bank continues to exceed the minimum for the “well capitalized” category. At September 30, 2024, Hanmi’s preliminary common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 11.95% and its total risk-based capital ratio was 15.04%, compared with 12.11% and 15.24%, respectively, at the end of the prior quarter.

Asset Quality
Loans 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing were 0.24% of loans at the end of the third quarter of 2024, compared with 0.22% at the end of the prior quarter.

Criticized loans totaled $160.0 million at September 30, 2024, up from $70.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024.

During the third quarter, the Bank moved the previously identified $28.3 million completed construction loan for a memory-care and assisted-living facility from the special mention category to the held-for-sale nonaccrual category. In addition, the Bank recognized a $1.1 million charge-off on this loan. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Bank completed the sale of this nonaccrual loan.

Also, during the third quarter, the Bank downgraded to special mention two commercial real estate loans in the hospitality industry for $109.7 million and a commercial and industrial loan in the health care industry for $20.1 million.  Pay-offs of $8.1 million decreased criticized loans (and classified loans), while upgrades of $6.1 million also decreased criticized loans (and special mention loans). Offsetting the decrease in classified loans were additions of $2.5 million.

Nonperforming loans were $15.5 million at September 30, 2024, down from $19.2 million at the end of the prior quarter. The decrease primarily reflects pay-offs of $6.8 million, where the pay-off of a previously identified $3.9 million nonperforming loan resulted in a $1.7 million recovery.  Offsetting the decrease were additions of $3.1 million.

Nonperforming assets were $16.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024, down from $20.0 million at the end of the prior quarter. As a percentage of total assets, nonperforming assets were 0.21% at September 30, 2024, and 0.26% at the end of the prior quarter.

Gross charge-offs for the third quarter of 2024 were $3.8 million, compared with $2.3 million for the preceding quarter. Charge-offs included $1.1 million on the previously identified $28.3 million completed construction loan. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans were $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, and included a $1.7 million recovery on a previously identified $3.9 million commercial loan in the health care industry. As a result, net charge-offs were $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared with net charge-offs of $1.8 million for the prior quarter.

The allowance for credit losses was $69.2 million at September 30, 2024, compared with $67.7 million at June 30, 2024. Specific allowances for loans decreased $1.6 million, while the allowance for quantitative and qualitative considerations increased $3.1 million. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to loans was 1.11% at September 30, 2024 and 1.10% at June 30, 2024.

Corporate Developments
On July 25, 2024, Hanmi’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2024 third quarter of $0.25 per share. Hanmi paid the dividend on August 21, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 5, 2024.

Earnings Conference Call
Hanmi Bank will host its third quarter 2024 earnings conference call today, October 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) to discuss these results. This call will also be webcast. To access the call, please dial 1-877-407-9039 before 2:00 p.m. PT, using access code Hanmi Bank. To listen to the call online, either live or archived, please visit Hanmi’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.hanmi.com/ where it will also be available for replay approximately one hour following the call.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 32 full-service branches and eight 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 our 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:

• a failure to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to support our operations;
• general economic and business conditions internationally, nationally and in those areas in which we operate, including any potential recessionary conditions;
• volatility and deterioration in the credit and equity markets;
• changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
• availability of capital from private and government sources;
• demographic changes;
• competition for loans and deposits and failure to attract or retain loans and deposits;
• inflation and fluctuations in interest rates that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments, the level of loan originations or prepayments on loans we have made and make, the level of loan sales and the cost we pay to retain and attract deposits and secure other types of funding;
• our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
• the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events;
• the effect of potential future supervisory action against us or Hanmi Bank and our ability to address any issues raised in our regulatory exams;
• risks of natural disasters;
• legal proceedings and litigation brought against us;
• a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks;
• the failure to maintain current technologies;
• risks associated with Small Business Administration loans;
• failure to attract or retain key employees;
• our ability to access cost-effective funding;
• changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio;
• fluctuations in real estate values;
• changes in accounting policies and practices;
• changes in governmental regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums and changes in the monetary policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
• the ability of Hanmi Bank to make distributions to Hanmi Financial Corporation, which is restricted by certain factors, including Hanmi Bank’s retained earnings, net income, prior distributions made, and certain other financial tests;
• strategic transactions we may enter into;
• the adequacy of and changes in the methodology for computing our allowance for credit losses;
• our credit quality and the effect of credit quality on our credit losses expense and allowance for credit losses;
• changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers and the ability of our borrowers to perform under the terms of their loans and other terms of credit agreements;
• our ability to control expenses; and
• cyber security and fraud risks against our information technology and those of our third-party providers and vendors.

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, 2023, 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

Lisa Fortuna
Investor Relations
Financial Profiles, Inc.
lfortuna@finprofiles.com
310-622-8251

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