Bonita Lee

Chief Executive

Hanmi Financial Corp.

THE LATEST: Since taking over as chief executive of Hanmi Bank in May 2019, Lee has focused on strengthening the company's infrastructure by increasing operational efficiency and IT investment while maintaining healthy growth of the bank&s core business. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Lee has ensured that the bank is communicating with the community to provide timely information on SBA disaster loan programs as well as assistance to eligible borrowers through the Paycheck Protection Program.

BACKGROUND: Since Lee joined Hanmi in 2013, its total assets have grown to more than $5.5 billion as of year-end 2019. Hanmi has 35 full-service branches and nine loan production offices across several states, including California, New York, Washington, Colorado, Texas and Illinois. The bank specializes in commercial real estate, health care, equipment leasing and trade finance lending to small- and middle-market companies and focuses on Korean American customers.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 2

Return to the 2020 edition of the LA500.

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