LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:HAFC), the holding company for Hanmi Bank, today announced that it is starting to implement its business alliance programs with Woori Finance Holdings ("Woori"), the holding company for Woori Bank, in the areas of VIP customer services, private banking, personnel training and benchmark studies.
"We have identified a number of programs to implement that will enhance and expand services for both banks' top-tier customers," said Jay S. Yoo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe taking these first steps to establish programs under the formal business alliance we initiated this summer will bring excellent benefits to both of our institutions." The strategic business alliance was signed June 15, 2011, between Hanmi Financial Corporation and Woori Finance Holdings.
The four specific programs that Hanmi Bank and Woori Bank have agreed to launch are as follows:
- VIP customer services where Hanmi Bank and Woori Bank will provide investment consulting, free safe deposit boxes and favorable foreign exchange rate and international remittance fees on a reciprocal basis for VIP customers;
- Woori Bank's private banking team will host an annual seminar for Hanmi Bank's VIP customers and provide private consulting services following the event;
- Woori Bank will allow Hanmi Bank personnel to participate in professional technical training and service training programs that are regularly offered to Woori Bank's frontline personnel;
- Woori Bank will facilitate Hanmi in performing benchmark studies in a variety of disciplines including private banking, enterprise risk management, performance measurements for profit and cost centers and incentive programs.
"As one of Korea's largest financial institutions, Woori brings substantial resources, deep banking expertise and an expansive branch network to our alliance," said Yoo. "We firmly believe launching these programs will open even more opportunities for collaborative initiatives. We are very pleased to take this important first step towards building a true business partnership between Hanmi Bank and Woori Bank, and look forward to implementing future alliance programs in the next two quarters."
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 27 full-service offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Diego counties, and a loan production office in Washington State. 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.hanmi.com.