Hope Bancorp (HOPE) Stock Forecast & Price Target

Hope Bancorp is positioned favorably because higher rates and the MANUBANK acquisition are driving stronger core profitability, with net interest income rising to $135.4M and net interest margin expanding to 3.02%, helped by higher loan yields and lower deposit costs. Its deposit franchise is improving as core deposits rose 24% linked quarter annualized, CDs fell to 37% of the mix, and MANUBANK contributed $2.6B of deposits, supporting a lower-cost funding base and further margin expansion. Credit quality and expenses also look controlled, with net charge-offs at 19 bps, nonperforming assets at 0.72%, and expenses of $100.1M, suggesting disciplined risk management and room for earnings resilience.

Hope Bancorp is facing a weaker earnings trajectory because the recently completed MANUBANK acquisition is delivering benefits more slowly than expected, with the system conversion now pushed to 4Q27 and full cost saves not fully realized until 2028. That delay, combined with a higher than expected expense run rate on MANUBANK’s roughly $136M base and a smaller balance sheet impact, led to lower 2026E/2027E EPS estimates of $1.03/$1.27 and a subdued 2027 core ROA outlook of about 0.75% to 0.80%. The negative view is further supported by risks tied to asset quality, competitive pressure on loan and deposit pricing, and sluggish loan demand that could constrain growth and profitability.