Hope Bancorp to Buy SMBC Manubank Unit for $2.7B

Hope Bancorp has agreed to acquire SMBC Manubank’s U.S. commercial banking unit. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Hope will acquire eight Los Angeles-area branches, $2.5 billion of loans, and deposits totaling $2.7 billion. The SMBC Manubank commercial banking team serves Japanese-owned small to midsize businesses and offers SBA loans, franchise loans, and commercial real estate loans. Hope expects the deal to drive 20% earnings-per-share accretion in 2027 and views the unit as a natural extension of its franchise.

The planned sale supports SMBC’s intent to focus its U.S. operations on wholesale and institutional banking.