The number of employees at Korean-American banks has resumed an upward trend. Analysts attribute this to increased hiring as these banks expand their networks to other states amid fierce competition. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on October 16, the 11 Korean-American banks operating in the Western U.S. reported a total of 3,649 full-time employees in the second quarter of 2025.

This marks a 6.5% increase from 3,425 employees in Q2 2024 and a 6.5% rise from 3,427 employees in the previous quarter. (See chart)Breaking it down by bank, six of the 11 banks—Bank of Hope, PCB Bank, Open Bank, US Metro Bank, Woori America Bank, and Hana Bank USA—saw employee growth in Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024.

Conversely, Hanmi Bank, CBB Bank, First IC Bank, UniBank, and Shinhan Bank America reported a decrease in staff numbers over the same period. Notably, Bank of Hope saw a significant 15.3% increase, growing from 1,251 employees in Q2 2024 to 1,442 in Q2 2025, largely due to absorbing approximately 200 employees following its acquisition of Territorial Bank in Hawaii.US Metro Bank, one of the most aggressive in expanding its network among Southern California-based Korean-American banks, saw its workforce grow by 14.7%, from 156 employees in Q2 2024 to 179 in Q2 2025. The bank opened a new branch in Washington state and has been increasing staff in its SBA and lending departments.

Open Bank also expanded its network with new branches in Garden Grove and Las Vegas, increasing its employee count from 224 in Q2 2024 to 237 in Q2 2025.Woori America Bank, operating 22 branches across eight states, including recent additions in Texas, saw its staff rise from 276 in Q2 2024 to 291 in Q2 2025.This survey reaffirms that the Korean-American banking sector, with nearly 3,700 employees, remains one of the largest employers within the Korean-American community for a single industry. The 11 banks are expected to maintain at least 3,600 employees moving forward.

Additionally, Korean-American banks have resumed Saturday operations for the first time in over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic and are continuing to compete fiercely through branch network expansions. This has led to projections that employee numbers may continue to rise modestly, depending on this year’s performance.

The increase in employment at Korean-American banks is good news for the Korean-American economy. These banks offer some of the highest salaries and benefits in the community, and the increased workforce is expected to boost consumer spending.