---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001128361-23-000019"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "HOPE"
cik: "0001128361"
company_name: "HOPE BANCORP INC"
filed_at: "2023-04-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-16T22:14:10.584234+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Hope Bancorp appoints Julianna Balicka EVP & CFO, effective April 17, 2023

## Summary
- Balicka, 45, previously SVP Director of IR at East West Bank; began her career at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.
- Base salary of $450,000/yr; 25,000 RSUs vesting over 5 years; sign-on bonus of $50,000 subject to clawback if terminated before April 17, 2024.
- Eligible for annual cash bonus up to 40% of base and LTIP target of 35% starting Q1 2024.
- David P. Malone stepped down as interim CFO; remains as advisor through April 30, 2023 at $46,396/month.
- Balicka's appointment is effective immediately; no family relationships or material interests disclosed.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001128361-23-000019
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: HOPE
- cik: 0001128361
- company_name: HOPE BANCORP INC
- filed_at: 2023-04-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128361/000112836123000019/0001128361-23-000019-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128361/000112836123000019/hope-20230417.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001128361-23-000019
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001128361-23-000019.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001128361-23-000019.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Julianna Balicka was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at HOPE BANCORP INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On April 17, 2023, Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of Julianna Balicka, age 45, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Hope (the “Bank”), effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128361/000112836123000019/0001128361-23-000019-index.htm
- Executive change
  David P. Malone departed as Interim Chief Financial Officer at HOPE BANCORP INC.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Interim Chief Financial Officer
  source text: David P. Malone, who was serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since January 6, 2023, stepped down from these positions on April 17, 2023 and will serve as an advisor through April 30, 2023, at a rate of $46,396 per month, to assist with the transition process.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128361/000112836123000019/0001128361-23-000019-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.