Bank of Hope is a full-service, California-chartered bank and direct mortgage lender headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in the 1980s to serve the Korean American community, it has grown into one of the 100 largest banks in the U.S., with a strong focus on multicultural and multi-ethnic communities across the country.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Bank of Hope compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Website | bankofhope.com |
| Rate | 0.34% less than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $1,495 (median) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $1,444 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $11,093 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Bank of Hope’s rates and lender fees result in high odds of substantial savings of $1,444 in the first year and over $11,000 over 10 years compared to the median lender. Bank of Hope is likely to pass on meaningful savings. However, homebuyers should consider customer reviews and multiple low cost lenders to find the most competitive mortgage option.
What customers are saying
Mortgage reviews for Bank of Hope are limited, but the ones that exist paint a mixed picture. On Yelp, some borrowers share frustrating experiences with slow communication, unclear answers, and issues managing payments or escrow accounts—especially after closing. These hiccups often led to confusion or delays during what’s already a stressful process.
SmartAsset points out that Bank of Hope is a solid option for borrowers looking for multilingual service or a lender that understands diverse communities. But they also flag customer service and digital tools as areas where the bank falls short compared to others.
All in all, it may be a good fit if you value cultural alignment—but expect some bumps in the process.
How to compare mortgage lenders
Interest rates. Comparing rates between lenders isn’t always straightforward. Many promote low headline rates that require paying “points” upfront to buy down the interest rate. To make a true comparison, focus on the par rate (0 points) and the APR, which reflects both the interest rate and any lender fees. Even small differences can translate into significant savings over the life of the loan.
Lender fees or loan origination fees. Many lenders charge fees that add thousands to the cost of a loan. It’s important to look at both the rate and the fees together to understand the true cost of borrowing. For a $400,000 mortgage, avoiding even a $1,000 fee could contribute to meaningful savings in the first year and over the long term.
On-time close rate. Most lenders do not publicly share their on-time close rates. However, it’s a critical factor—especially if your home contract has tight deadlines. Asking about their process for meeting close dates, including underwriting and document review timelines, can give you more confidence when choosing a lender.
Pre-approval and offer letters. Some lenders offer fast pre-qualifications that may not be fully underwritten, which can weaken your offer in competitive markets. It’s important to ask whether a lender’s pre-approvals are fully underwritten and how credible their letters are when presented with an offer.
Customer satisfaction. If detailed customer review data isn’t readily available, check third-party review sites or ask the lender for references. It’s important to understand how they handle communication, responsiveness, and issue resolution throughout the loan process.
Employee reviews. Company culture often influences how clients are treated. A lender with strong employee satisfaction typically delivers better service, more organized processing, and a smoother overall experience for borrowers.
To better understand how we compare mortgage rates fairly, see our TrueRate Methodology.
If you’re ready to start your journey to homeownership, get pre-approved with Tomo Mortgage today.