Form 4: HOPE Bancorp Director Sells Shares Under 10b5-1 Plan

HOPE Bancorp Director Daisy Ha reported sales of common stock totaling 56,553.35 shares across two transactions in early February 2026 under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan.

Summary

• Director Daisy Ha sold 25,533.35 shares of HOPE Bancorp common stock on February 5, 2026, at a weighted average price of $12.57 per share, with prices ranging from $12.56 to $12.60.
• An additional 31,020 shares of common stock were sold on February 6, 2026, at a weighted average price of $12.48 per share, with prices ranging from $11.87 to $12.51.
• These transactions were made pursuant to a contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c).
• The sales on February 5, 2026, were made directly and indirectly through the Kim Ha Living Trust, while the sales on February 6, 2026, were made directly.
• Following these transactions, Daisy Ha directly owns 452,163 shares and indirectly owns 141,427 shares through the Kana Trust.
• Daisy Ha also holds non-qualified stock options for 20,000 shares with an exercise price of $17.18, granted on September 1, 2016, and fully vested as of September 1, 2018, expiring on September 1, 2026.
• Additionally, she holds non-qualified stock options for 4,404 shares with an exercise price of $14.65, received in exchange for Wilshire Bancorp, Inc. common stock during the merger with HOPE Bancorp, Inc., expiring on August 25, 2025.

Sentiment

Score: 4

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly negative signal. While the sales were likely pre-planned under a 10b5-1 plan, significant insider selling can sometimes be perceived as a lack of confidence, even if for personal financial planning.

Negatives

• Director Daisy Ha sold a total of 56,553.35 shares of common stock.
• The sales occurred at weighted average prices of $12.57 and $12.48, which are below the exercise prices of some of her outstanding options ($17.18 and $14.65), suggesting a sale of existing shares rather than exercising options for potential gains.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider selling, even when conducted under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan, is a routine disclosure for personal liquidity or portfolio rebalancing. While not necessarily indicative of a negative outlook for the company, significant insider sales can sometimes be interpreted by the market as a signal, warranting investor attention.

Related Party Transactions

• Sales of common stock on February 5, 2026, were made indirectly by Daisy Ha and her spouse as Trustees of the Kim Ha Living Trust.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders might interpret the insider selling as a negative signal, potentially impacting market sentiment, despite the transactions being pre-planned under a 10b5-1 plan.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing reports pre-planned insider sales by a director, which, while not inherently negative due to the 10b5-1 plan, does not provide new positive catalysts for the stock. Investors should monitor future filings and company performance for more comprehensive insights before making significant investment decisions.

Keywords

HOPE Bancorp, HOPE, insider trading, Form 4, stock sale, director, Daisy Ha, beneficial ownership, 10b5-1 plan