Hanmi Hires BBCN's Former Operating Chief as Its Own

Hanmi Financial (HAFC) in Los Angeles has hired a recently departed executive from BBCN Bancorp (BBCN) as its chief operating officer.

Bonita Lee will be responsible for all loan and deposit generation, marketing and advertising, the $2.8 billion-asset company said in a press release Monday.

Lee, once BBCN's chief operating officer, left BBCN last month during a management transition. Lee also served as BBCN's acting president before the Los Angeles company hired former Wilshire Bancorp (WIBC) head Soo Bong Min as its permanent president and CEO.

"Lee has deep roots in our community, and is one of the most respected bankers in our market," C.G. Kum, Hanmi's president and chief executive, said in a press release. Lee "brings 27 years of extensive and broad experience in banking. Her reputation as a successful, hard-working executive has been key to attracting talent and leading growth initiatives"