Bank of Hope Launches K-pop Culture Inspired Campaign Encompassing Sponsorship to Increase Brand Visibility, Strengthen Customer Connections

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bank of Hope, subsidiary of Hope Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOPE), is expanding the ways it connects with customers and community members through a creative branding campaign centered on a sponsorship of 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK'.

Celebrating ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK’ as people from around the world gather in New York City, this campaign serves as a unique activation targeted at today's consumers who seek meaningful relationships with the brands with which they engage. Bank of Hope designed this campaign to connect with customers through a shared interest in music, entertainment, and Korean community experiences.

"Relationships are strengthened through interests and experiences that inspire people," said Kevin Kim, Chairman and CEO, Bank of Hope. "With this campaign, we're creating new opportunities for our brand to engage with our communities in authentic and memorable ways. Inspired by the power of music and culture to transcend boundaries, we aspire to connect with diverse audiences while staying true to our roots and values."

The Bank of Hope campaign comprises several creative elements, including a premier Times Square digital billboard designed to capture foot traffic and drive a new set of eyes to the brand. Additional campaign elements include:

• ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK’ Stamp Rally event experience on Weverse. The Manhattan flagship Bank of Hope branch will be included as a designated landmark location within the ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK’ Stamp Rally event experience on Weverse. Participants can check in for the rally at the Manhattan branch by scanning a QR code and will be invited inside to enjoy a themed photo zone experience and receive a scratch card for a chance to win an exclusive co-branded gift, while supplies last.
• Branch experiences. Customers and community members can visit any of Bank of Hope’s nine New York and New Jersey branch locations from July 29, 2026 through July 31, 2026 to receive scratch cards while supplies last. Scratch cards include opportunities to win co-branded Bank of Hope and ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK’ promotional items.
• Sweepstakes and giveaways. Bank of Hope launched a sweepstakes in celebration of ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK’, giving participants the opportunity to win an iPad^® and other exciting prizes from July 27, 2026 through August 3, 2026. To enter the sweepstakes and view the Official Rules, please visit www.bankofhope.com/sweepstakes-btsthecityarirang.
• Customer and community engagement. As part of the company’s effort to transform traditional sponsorship into a community experience, Bank of Hope is contributing $1 for every Stamp Rally participant at the Manhattan branch weekdays from July 28, 2026 through August 3, 2026 through its Hope Delivered™ program. This program supports financial literacy education initiatives and reflects an ongoing commitment to support innovative community engagement and connections beyond traditional banking interactions.
• Limited-time promotional product offers. Bank of Hope is also offering a special promotion for those opening an eligible new deposit account between July 24, 2026 to August 9, 2026. New customers who open an eligible new deposit account will have the opportunity to receive an exclusive, co-branded item while supplies last. To learn more about the promotion and Bank of Hope products and services, please visit https://www.bankofhope.com/deposits-btsthecityarirang.
• Social media activations. To participate and learn more about the campaign, follow Bank of Hope on social media by visiting:
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/bankofhope.official
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/bankofhope.official
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bankofhope

About Bank of Hope

Bank of Hope is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Los Angeles, California and is a subsidiary of Hope Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOPE) with total assets of $18.99 billion as of June 30, 2026. Following the addition of Territorial Savings as a division of Bank of Hope, Bank of Hope became the largest regional bank serving multicultural customers across the continental United States and Hawaii. Bank of Hope offers a comprehensive range of commercial, corporate, and consumer banking products and services, including commercial and commercial real estate lending, SBA lending, residential mortgage and consumer lending, treasury management, foreign exchange solutions, interest rate derivatives, and international trade finance. Bank of Hope operates 45 full-service branches in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Texas, Illinois, Alabama and Georgia under the Bank of Hope banner, and 28 branches in Hawaii under the Territorial Savings banner. Bank of Hope also operates SBA loan production offices, commercial loan production offices, and residential mortgage loan production offices throughout the United States, and a representative office in Seoul, South Korea. Bank of Hope deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law and Bank of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For additional information, please go to www.bankofhope.com for Bank of Hope and www.tsbhawaii.bank for Territorial Savings, a division of Bank of Hope. By including the foregoing website address links, Bank of Hope does not intend to and shall not be deemed to incorporate by reference any material contained or accessible therein.

About BTS

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a South Korean band that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and their deep connection with fans, the band has established a legacy as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), earned six No.1 Billboard Hot 100 singles since 2020, and performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. BTS have earned numerous prestigious honors throughout their career, including TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020, 12 Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards Artist of the Year in 2021 and 2026, 16 MTV Video Music Awards, and five GRAMMY Award nominations. Released in March, 2026, BTS’ massively successful fifth studio album ARIRANG debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while its lead single “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2026, BTS returned to the global stage with the record-breaking “BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG'' and made history by headlining the first-ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show, further reinforcing their status as one of the defining cultural acts of their generation.

Sweepstakes Official Rules

No purchase necessary to enter or win the sweepstakes or scratch card promotions. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older and a legal US resident to be eligible. For complete Official Rules, visit www.bankofhope.com/sweepstakes-btsthecityarirang.

Scratch Card Official Rules

Exclusive BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK special gifts are available while supplies last. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Limit one scratch card and one special gift per branch visitor, unless otherwise stated. Gifts may be claimed only at participating Bank of Hope New York and New Jersey branches upon presentation and surrender of a valid scratch card. Gift selection and availability may vary by branch. Gifts have no cash value and may not be substituted, transferred, exchanged or redeemed for cash. By participating, participants agree to release and hold harmless Bank of Hope, its promotion agencies, affiliates, and subsidiaries from any liability related to participation in this promotion or use of any gift. Bank of Hope’s decisions are final. For participating New York and New Jersey locations, visit our website at https://www.bankofhope.com/branch-atm-locator.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Nick Leasure / Hugh Burns / Luc Herbowy
Reevemark
212-433-4600
HopeBancorpTeam@reevemark.com

Jennifer Tan
SVP, Managing Director, Head of Marketing
jennifer.tan@bankofhope.com

In Young Park
SVP, Marketing Manager
inyoung.park@bankofhope.com