Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company - Statements of Operations of Parent Company (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Line Items]
Income Tax Benefit	$ (374)	$ 644	$ 47,177	$ (79)	$ (27)	$ 18	$ (605)	$ (119)	$ 47,368	$ (733)	$ 12
NET INCOME (LOSS)	13,979	13,279	55,775	7,341	5,506	4,203	8,001	10,437	90,374	28,147	(88,009)
Hanmi Financial [Member]
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Subsidiaries									96,350	35,654	(82,705)
Other Expenses, Net									(5,976)	(7,507)	(5,339)
Income Tax Benefit											35
NET INCOME (LOSS)									$ 90,374	$ 28,147	$ (88,009)