8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 26, 2008

Hanmi Financial Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation) 000-30421
(Commission File Number) 95-4788120
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

3660 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 90010
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (213) 382-2200

Not applicable
(Former name of former address, if changed since last report)

     Check the appreciate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02(a) and (d). Departure of Directors or Certain Officers, Election of Directors, Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 26, 2008, Mr. Mark Mason tendered his resignation from the Board of Directors of Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank, effective the same day. Mr. Mason tendered his resignation as a result of fundamental differences between himself and a majority of the Board of Directors with respect to corporate governance. A copy of Mr. Mason’s resignation letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 17.1. Mr. Mason served on Hanmi’s Audit Committee, Nominating, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee, and Planning Committee.

On November 26, 2008, the Board of Directors of Hanmi Financial Corporation (“HFC”) nominated Mr. Paul Seon Kim to the HFC and Hanmi Bank Boards. Mr. Kim’s appointment is subject to receipt of a notice of non disapproval from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the California Department of Financial Institutions. Subject to receipt of the proper regulatory notices, Mr. Kim will be appointed as a Class III director. Mr. Kim, who began his career in 1971, was most recently president and CEO of Uniti Financial Corporation in Buena Park; prior to that he spent nine years as president and CEO of Center Financial Corporation; and from 1986 to 1998 he served at Hanmi Financial in various capacities, including chief marketing officer, chief credit officer, and chief financial officer. The Board has not yet determined what committees Mr. Kim will be appointed to. At such time as the committee assignments have been determined, HFC will file an amendment to this Form 8-K.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Kim and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Kim was appointed as director. There are no transactions in which Mr. Kim had an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The Board is in process of considering various Director candidates for appointment to the Board of Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Kim’s nomination and Mr. Mason’s resignation is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

17.1	Letter of Resignation from Mr. Mason, dated November 26, 2008
99.1	Press Release dated December 3, 2008, issued by Hanmi Financial Corporation

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 8-K report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: December 3, 2008	Hanmi Financial Corporation
	By:	/s/ Jay S. Yoo
		Jay S. Yoo
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-17.1

EXHIBIT 17.1

November 26, 2008

Board of Directors of Hanmi Financial Corporation
Board of Directors of Hanmi Bank
3660 Wilshire Blvd. Penthouse A
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Dear Sirs:

Effective today November 26, 2008 I am resigning as a member of the Board of Directors of Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank. My decision is a result of fundamental differences of opinion on appropriate corporate governance between myself and a majority of Directors. Due to these differences, I believe that I can no longer effectively represent the interests of shareholders.

I remain disappointed that during my short tenure as a Director I was not able to effect more positive change in the corporate governance of Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank.

Sincerely,  

 

Mark K. Mason 

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Hanmi Financial Corp. Nominates New Director,
Announces Resignation of Another

LOS ANGELES — December 3, 2008 — Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: HAFC), the holding company of Hanmi Bank, announced that Paul (Seon-Hong) Kim has been nominated to the Company’s Board of Directors and to the Board of Directors of Hanmi Bank.

“Subject to regulatory approval, we look forward to welcoming Mr. Kim to the Board,” said Jay S. Yoo, president and chief executive officer. “He possesses a wealth of experience in commercial banking and is thoroughly familiar with the Southern California marketplace, notably the Korean-American community. Mr. Kim, who began his banking career in 1971, was most recently president and CEO of Uniti Financial Corporation in Buena Park; prior to that he spent nine years as president and CEO of Center Financial Corporation; and from 1986 to 1998 he served at Hanmi Financial in various capacities, including chief marketing officer, chief credit officer, and chief financial officer.”

The Company further announced that on November 26, 2008, Mark K. Mason resigned as a member of its Board of Directors; Mr. Mason also resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of Hanmi Bank. “We thank Mr. Mason for his counsel during time he served on the Board, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Mr. Yoo.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation:

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Hanmi Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanmi Financial Corporation, provides services to the multi-ethnic communities of California, with 26 full-service offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Diego counties, and six loan production offices in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Hanmi Bank specializes in commercial, SBA and trade finance lending, and is a recognized community leader. Hanmi Bank’s mission is to provide a full range of quality products and premier services to its customers and to maximize shareholder value. Additional information is available at www.hanmifinancial.com.

Contact:
Stephanie Yoon
Investor Relations
213-427-5631

# # #