Item 1.    Business

General

        Wilshire Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company offering a broad range of financial products and services primarily through our main subsidiary, Wilshire Bank, a California state-chartered commercial bank, which we sometimes refer to in this report as the "Bank." In October 2013, we changed the name of our subsidiary from Wilshire State Bank to Wilshire Bank. Our corporate headquarters and primary banking facilities are located at 3200 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90010. In addition, the Bank has 38 full-service branch offices in Southern California, Texas, New Jersey, and the greater New York City metropolitan area. We also have 9 loan production offices, or "LPOs", utilized primarily for the origination of loans under our Small Business Administration, or "SBA", lending program in California, Colorado, Georgia, Texas (2 offices), New Jersey, Washington, and Virginia.

        Deposits in Wilshire Bank are insured up to the maximum limits authorized under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended, or the "FDIA." Like most state-chartered banks of our size in California, we are not a member of the Federal Reserve System, but we are a member of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, a congressionally chartered Federal Home Loan Bank. At December 31,

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2013, we had approximately $3.62 billion in assets, $2.86 billion in total loans (net of deferred fees and including loans held-for-sale), and $2.87 billion in deposits.

        We operate a community bank focused on the general commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing the multi-ethnic populations of Southern California, Texas, New Jersey, and the New York metropolitan area. Our client base reflects the ethnic diversity of these communities.

        To address the needs of our multi-ethnic customer base, we have many multilingual employees who are able to converse with our clientele in their native languages. We believe that the ability to speak the native language and understand the different traditions of our customers assists us in tailoring products and services for our customers' needs.

Recent Transactions

        During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company completed its acquisitions of BankAsiana, previously headquartered in Palisades Park, New Jersey, and Saehan Bancorp ("Saehan"), previously headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The acquisition of BankAsiana was completed on October 1, 2013 and the acquisition of Saehan was completed on November 20, 2013. With the completion of the acquisitions, three branches in the New York/New Jersey area and ten branches in Southern California were added to the Company's existing branch network, which now consists of 38 branches within the United States.

        The acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the assets and liabilities of BankAsiana and Saehan were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition dates. Goodwill recorded from the acquisitions for the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $60.8 million in the aggregate, $10.8 million from the acquisition of BankAsiana and $50.0 million from the acquisition of Saehan. After all acquisition accounting adjustments, total assets acquired from BankAsiana were $204.1 million and total assets acquired from Saehan were $589.1 million at the time of the acquisitions.

Available Information

        We maintain an Internet website at www.wilshirebank.com. We post our filings with the SEC on the Investor Relations portion of our website, where such filings are available free of charge, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, our proxy and information statements, and any amendments to those reports or statements as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed or furnished under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or "Exchange Act". In addition to our SEC filings, our Code of Professional Conduct, and our Personal and Business Code of Conduct can be found on the Investor Relations page of our website. In addition, we post separately on our website all filings made by persons pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. You may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0220. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Future Growth

        As part of our efforts to achieve stable and long-term profitability and respond to the changing economic environment in Southern California and our other primary markets, we constantly evaluate a variety of options to augment our traditional focus by broadening the services and products we provide. Possible avenues of growth include more branch locations, expanded days and hours of operation, and new types of lending and deposit products. To date, we have not expanded into areas of brokerage or similar investment products and services but rather, we have concentrated primarily on the core businesses of accepting deposits, making loans, and extending credit.

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        In 2014, we plan to continue to closely monitor and review the loan production levels of our branches and LPOs, while increasing our marketing efforts in our primary markets. During 2013, we acquired BankAsiana in an effort to expand our presence in the East Coast markets. We also opened a branch office in Palisades Park, New Jersey during the first half of 2013. We also acquired Saehan in 2013 as a means to expand our network in our main market of Southern California. We previously underwent efforts to improve and enhance our loan origination and underwriting procedures, including the segregation of personnel and responsibilities related to loan sales from personnel and responsibilities related to loan underwriting processes. This separation resulted in a renewed focus on the underwriting of loans. We will continue to act with prudence in our lending practices and closely follow our improved underwriting policies and procedures as we seek to grow our loan portfolio.

Business Segments

        We operate in three primary business segments: Banking Operations, Trade Finance Services, and Small Business Administration Lending Services. We determine operating results of each segment based on an internal management system that allocates certain expenses to each segment. These segments are described in additional detail below:

        Banking Operations —The Company raises funds from deposits and borrowings for loans and investments, and provides lending products, including commercial, consumer, and real estate loans to its customers.

        Small Business Administration ("SBA") Lending Services —The SBA department mainly provides customers with access to the U.S. SBA guaranteed lending program. Through the SBA loan program, we are able to offer customers with small businesses a variety of loans to meet their needs. A portion of SBA loans are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, with the backing of the U.S. government, making them attractive to both the Company and our customers. A significant portion of our business entails selling the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that we originate in the secondary market for a premium.

        Trade Finance Services ("TFS") —Our TFS primarily deals in letters of credit issued to customers whose businesses involve the international sale of goods. A letter of credit is an arrangement (usually expressed in letter form) whereby the Company, at the request of and in accordance with customers instructions, undertakes to reimburse or cause to reimburse a third party, provided that77 certain documents are presented in strict compliance with its terms and conditions. Simply put, a bank is pledging its credit on behalf of the customer. The Company's TFS offers the following types of letters of credit to customers:

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Commercial—An undertaking by the issuing bank to pay for a commercial transaction.



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Standby—An undertaking by the issuing bank to pay for the non-performance of applicant.



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Documentary Collections—A means of channeling payment for goods through a bank in order to facilitate passing of funds. The bank involved acts as a conduit through which the funds and documents are transferred between the buyer and seller of goods.

        Our TFS services include the issuance and negotiation of letters of credit, as well as the handling of documentary collections. On the export side, we provide advice on and negotiation of commercial letters of credit, and we transfer and issue back-to-back letters of credit. We also provide importers with trade finance lines of credit, which allow for issuance of commercial letters of credit and financing of documents received under such letters of credit, as well as documents received under documentary collections. Exporters are assisted through export lines of credit as well as through immediate financing of clean documents presented under export letters of credit.

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Lending Activities

General

        Our loan policies set forth the basic guidelines and procedures by which we conduct our lending operations. These policies address the types of loans available, underwriting and collateral requirements, loan terms, interest rate and yield considerations, compliance with laws and regulations, and our internal lending limits. Our Bank Board of Directors reviews and approves our loan policies on an annual basis. We supplement our own supervision of the loan underwriting and approval process with periodic loan audits by experienced external loan specialists who review credit quality, loan documentation, and compliance with laws and regulations. We engage in a full complement of lending activities, including:

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commercial real estate and home mortgage lending,



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commercial business lending and trade finance,



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SBA lending,



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consumer loans, and



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construction lending

Loan Procedures

        Loan applications may be approved by the Directors Loan Committee of our Bank Board of Directors, by our management, or lending officers to the extent of their lending authority. Our Bank Board of Directors authorizes our lending limits. The President and the Chief Credit Officer of the Bank are responsible for evaluating the lending authority limits for individual credit officers and recommending lending limits for all other officers to the Bank Board of Directors for approval.

        We grant individual lending authority to the President, Chief Credit Officer, and select department managers of the Bank. Loans for which direct and indirect borrower liability exceeds an individual's lending authority are referred to the Management Loan Committee of the Bank (a five-member committee comprised of the President, Chief Credit Officer, Chief CRE Lending Officer, Chief Commercial Banking Officer and alternating between one of the two Senior Credit Managers) or our Bank Directors Loan Committee.

        At December 31, 2013, our authorized legal lending limit was $79.8 million for unsecured loans, plus an additional $53.2 million for specifically secured loans. Legal lending limits are calculated in conformance with California law, which prohibits a bank from lending to any one individual or entity or its related interests in an aggregate amount which exceeds 15% of shareholders' equity, plus the allowance for loan losses, and capital notes and debentures, on an unsecured basis, plus an additional 10% on a secured basis. The Bank's shareholders' equity plus allowance for loan losses, and capital notes and debentures at December 31, 2013 totaled $532.1 million.

        In 2012 and 2013, we experienced the first increase in overall gross loan balance since early 2010 with new originations focusing primarily on commercial real estate as well as residential mortgage, including warehouse lines of credit and SBA loans. In order to gain market shares in a highly competitive environment, we offered new and refinanced loans at current pricing trends which included low fixed rates for terms of 5 to 7 years. In 2013, the acquisitions of BankAsiana and Saehan also contributed to in an increase in total loans.

        We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio by adhering to our underwriting policies. The review of each loan application includes analysis of the applicant's prior credit history, income level, cash flow and financial condition, analysis of tax returns, cash flow projections, the value of any collateral used to secure the loan, and also based upon reports of independent appraisers and audits of accounts receivable or inventory pledged as security. In the case of real estate loans over a specified amount, the

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review of the collateral value includes an appraisal report prepared by an independent Bank-approved appraiser. From time to time, we purchase participation interests in loans made by other financial institutions. These loans are generally subject to the same underwriting criteria and approval process as loans made directly by us.

        In 2011, the loan underwriting and monitoring procedures were changed in response to the deficiency in the operating effectiveness of loan underwriting, approval, and renewal processes for certain loan originations and asset sales associated with the Company's former senior marketing officer. In response, three main changes were implemented to help remediate the deficiencies in the operating effectiveness of loan underwriting, approval, and renewal processes for certain loan originations and asset sales as well as to reduce our overall problem loan levels.

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First, loan officers were separated from marketing officers and branch managers who are generally responsible for loan marketing. This was done by establishing three new underwriting centers. Initially we had three underwriting centers and subsequently we created another two, for a total of five underwriting centers as of December 31, 2013. The underwriting centers are overseen by credit individuals whose main job function is to objectively review and underwrite credit requests that are submitted by marketing officers or branch managers. The benefit of having independent underwriting centers is that underwriters can objectively underwrite loans with minimal influence from marketing individuals.



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Second, standard underwriting procedures were revised to include calculating business, property, and global cash flows, and to ascertain business/personal net worth, and provide uniform underwriting templates. Previously, the Company did not include global cash flows in standard underwriting memos. The Company also did not have standard cash flow analysis and underwriting templates. The benefit of standardized underwriting, especially cash flow analysis and inclusion of the global cash flow analysis, is that credit decision makers are better informed of the borrowers' financial performance and therefore are able to more soundly make credit decisions.



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Finally, an enhanced standard loan monitoring procedure was implemented. This loan monitoring procedure requires underwriters to manage their loans more rigorously by performing periodic assessment of credits. Depending on loan types and risk grades, monitoring is required quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. A standard condensed monitoring form called "Compliance Certificate Memo" (CCM) was also created to effectively monitor credits by focusing on the most essential credit elements such as cash flows, payment history, property tax delinquency status, credit scores, compliance of covenants and conditions, and proper allocation of loan risk grade. The new loan monitoring procedure encourages proactive loan monitoring, and is pivotal in the early identification of problem loans.



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In 2013, we further enhanced the loan monitoring procedure. We continued to encourage proactive monitoring of the portfolio, and the underwriters continue to rigorously assess all credits. They focus on cash flows, payment history, property tax delinquency status, credit scores, compliance of covenant and conditions, and proper allocation of loan risk grade on all accounts. We have a robust tickler system and reporting system. The new reporting allows management the ability to closely monitor the portfolio. As a result, we replaced the "Compliance Certificate Memo" (CCM) with the "Asset Review Memo" (ARM). The ARM is completed on criticized and classified credits.

        As a result of these measures, from 2012 to 2013, we experienced an improvement in the overall credit quality of our loan portfolio, including year over year decreases in delinquent and non-performing loans, as well as a decline in loan charge-offs.

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Real Estate Loans and Home Mortgages

        We offer commercial real estate loans to finance the acquisition of, or to refinance the existing mortgages on commercial properties, which include retail shopping centers, office buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses, hotels, automotive industry facilities, apartment buildings, and other commercial properties. Our commercial real estate loans are typically collateralized by first or junior deeds of trust on specific commercial properties, and, when possible, subject to corporate or individual guarantees from financially capable parties. The properties collateralizing real estate loans are principally located in the markets where our retail branches are located. These locations include Southern California, Texas, New Jersey, and the greater New York City metropolitan area. However, we also provide commercial real estate loans through our LPOs. Real estate loans typically bear an interest rate that floats with our base rate, the prime rate, or another established index. Many of our new real estate loan originations, however, bear fixed rather than floating rates due to the highly competitive market environment. As such, we have expanded the number of fixed rate commercial mortgages with maturities that generally do not exceed 7 years. Some refinances of existing real estate loans also had higher loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios because collateral values have decreased since initial origination five to seven years earlier. For these refinances, other factors including but not limited to good payment history, high credit scores, sufficient cash flow, and the guarantor's overall financial strength were considered to mitigate credit risks. At December 31, 2013, real estate loans, including construction loans constituted approximately 83.8% of our loan portfolio.

        Commercial real estate loans typically have 7-year maturities with up to 25-year amortization of principal and interest and loan-to-value ratios of 60-70% at origination of the appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower. We usually impose a prepayment penalty during the period within three to five years of the date of the loan, but typically waive the prepayment penalty if the property is sold to a third party.

        Construction loans are provided to build new structures, or to substantially improve the existing structure of commercial, residential, and other income-producing properties. These loans generally have one to two year terms, with an option to extend the loan for additional periods to complete construction and to accommodate the lease-up period. We usually require a 20-30% equity capital investment by the developer and loan-to-value ratios of not more than 60-70% of the anticipated completion value.

        Our total home mortgage loan portfolio outstanding at the end of 2013 and 2012 was $128.5 million and $111.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012 we had residential mortgage loans with interest only payments totaled $1.2 million. We did not have any residential loans with interest only payments at December 31, 2013.

        We consider subprime mortgages to be loans secured by real property made to a borrower (or borrowers) with a diminished or impaired credit rating or with a limited credit history. We are focused on producing loans with only prime rated borrowers which we consider borrowers with FICO scores of at least 660. As of result, our loan portfolio currently has no subprime exposure.

        Our real estate loan portfolio is subject to certain risks, including:

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a decline in the economies of our primary markets,



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interest rate increases,



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a reduction in real estate values in our primary markets,



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increased competition in pricing and loan structure, and



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environmental risks, including natural disasters.

        We strive to reduce the exposure to such risks by (a) reviewing each new loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature approval system for the approval of each loan request for loans over a certain dollar amount, (c) adherence to written loan policies, including, among other factors, minimum

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collateral requirements, maximum loan-to-value ratio requirements, cash flow requirements, and personal guarantees, (d) independent appraisals, (e) external independent credit review, and (f) conducting environmental reviews, where appropriate. We review each loan request on the basis of our ability to recover both principal and interest in view of the inherent risks.

Commercial Business Lending

        We offer commercial business loans to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. These loans include business lines of credit and business term loans to finance operations, to provide working capital, or for specific purposes, such as to finance the purchase of assets, equipment, or inventory. Since a borrower's cash flow from operations is generally the primary source of repayment, our policies provide specific guidelines regarding required debt coverage and other important financial ratios.

        Lines of credit are extended to businesses or individuals based on the financial strength and integrity of the borrower. These lines of credit are secured primarily by business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory, and have a maturity of one year or less. Such lines of credit bear an interest rate that floats with our base rate, the prime rate, or another established index. We also provide warehouse lines of credit to mortgage loan originators. The lines of credit are used by these originators to fund mortgages which are then pledged to the Bank as collateral until the mortgage loan is sold and the lines of credit are paid down. The typical duration of these lines of credit from the time of funding to pay-down ranges from 10-30 days. Although collateralized by mortgage loans, the structure of warehouse lending agreements, results in the commercial loan treatment for warehouse loans. Warehouse loans at December 31, 2013 totaled $45.2 million.

        Business term loans are typically made to finance the acquisition of fixed assets, refinance short-term debts, or to finance the purchase of businesses. Business term loans generally have terms from one to seven years. They may be collateralized by the assets being acquired or other available assets and bear interest rates, which either float with our base rate, prime rate, another established index, or is fixed for the term of the loan.

        We also provide other banking services tailored to the small business market. We have focused on diversifying our loan portfolio, which has led to an increase in commercial business loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

        Our portfolio of commercial loans is subject to certain risks, including:

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a decline in the economy in our primary markets,



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interest rate increases, and



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deterioration of a borrower's or guarantor's financial capabilities.

        We attempt to reduce the exposure to such risks by (a) reviewing each new loan request and renewal individually, (b) relying heavily on our committee approval system where inputs from experienced committee members with different types and levels of lending experience are fully utilized, (c) adherence to written loan policies, and (d) external independent credit review. In addition, loans based on short-term assets such as account receivables and inventories are monitored on a monthly or at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. In general, we receive and review financial statements of borrowing customers on an ongoing basis during the term of the relationship and respond to any deterioration noted.

Small Business Administration Lending Services

        SBA lending is an important part of our business. Our SBA lending business places an emphasis on minority-owned businesses. Our SBA market area includes the geographic areas encompassed by our full-service banking offices in Southern California, Texas, New Jersey, and the New York City metropolitan area, as well as the multi-ethnic population areas surrounding our LPOs in other states. We are an SBA

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Preferred Lender nationwide, which permits us to approve SBA guaranteed loans in all our lending areas without further approval from the SBA. As an SBA Preferred Lender, we provide quicker and more efficient service to our clientele, enabling them to obtain SBA loans in order to acquire new businesses, expand existing businesses, and acquire locations in which to do business, without having to go through the time-consuming SBA approval process that would be necessary if a prospective SBA borrower were to utilize a lender that is not an SBA Preferred Lender.

        SBA loans continue to remain an important component of our business. The net revenue from our SBA department represented 19.3%, 11.8%, and 27.1% of our total net revenue for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

        Although our participation in the SBA program is subject to the legislative power of Congress and the continued maintenance of our approved status by the SBA, we have no reason to believe that this program (and our participation therein) will not continue, particularly in view of the historic longevity of the SBA program nationally.

Consumer Loans

        Consumer loans include personal loans, auto loans, and other loans typically made by banks to individual borrowers. The majority of consumer loans are concentrated on personal lines of credit and installment loans to individuals. Since the second half of 2008, we have not made any new auto loans to new customers. However, on occasion, automobile loans are made to existing loan or deposit customers. Because consumer loans typically present a higher risk potential compared to our other loan products, especially given current economic conditions, we have reduced our efforts in consumer lending.

        Our consumer loan production has historically been comparatively small, and has always represented less than 1% of our total loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2013, our consumer loan portfolio represented 0.5% of the loan portfolio, down from 0.6% at December 31, 2012.

        Our consumer loan portfolio is subject to certain risks, including:

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general economic conditions of the markets we serve,



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interest rate increases, and



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consumer bankruptcy laws which allow consumers to discharge certain debts.

        We attempt to reduce the exposure to such risks through (a) the direct approval of all consumer loans by reviewing each loan request and renewal individually, (b) using a dual signature system of approval, (c) adherence to written credit policies, (d) utilizing external independent credit review and (e) concentrating mostly on cash secured loans and lines of credits. .

Trade Finance Services

        Our Trade Finance Department assists our import/export customers with their international business needs. The department primarily deals in letters of credit issued to customers whose businesses involve the international sale of goods. A letter of credit is an arrangement (usually expressed in letter form) whereby the Company, at the request of and in accordance with customers instructions, undertakes to reimburse or cause to reimburse a third party, provided that certain documents are presented in strict compliance with its terms and conditions. Simply put, a bank is pledging its credit on behalf of the customer. The Company's TFS offers the following types of letters of credit to customers:

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Commercial—An undertaking by the issuing bank to pay for a commercial transaction.



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Standby—An undertaking by the issuing bank to pay for the non-performance of applicant.

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Revocable—Letter of credit that can be modified or cancelled by the issuing bank at any time with notice to the beneficiary (does not provide beneficiary with a firm promise of payment).



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Irrevocable—Letters of credit that cannot be altered or cancelled without mutual consent of all parties.



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Sight—Letter of credit requiring payment upon presentation of conforming shipping documents.



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Usance—Letter of credit which allows the buyer to delay payment up to a designated number of days after presentation of shipping documents.



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Import—Letter of credit issued to assist customers in purchasing goods from overseas.



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Export—Letter of credit issued to assist customers selling goods to overseas.



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Transferable—Letter of credit which allows the beneficiary to transfer their right, in part or full, to another party.



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Non-transferable—Letter of credit which does not allows the beneficiary to transfer their right, in part or full, to another party.



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Documentary Collections—A means of channeling payment for goods through a bank in order to facilitate passing of funds. The bank (banks) involved acts as a conduit through which the funds and documents are transferred between the buyer and seller of goods.

        Services offered by the Trade Finance Department include the issuance and negotiation of letters of credit, as well as the handling of documentary collections. On the export side, we provide advice on and negotiation of commercial letters of credit, and we transfer and issue back-to-back letters of credit. We also provide importers with trade finance lines of credit, which allow for issuance of commercial letters of credit and financing of documents received under such letters of credit, as well as documents received under documentary collections. Exporters are assisted through export lines of credit as well as through immediate financing of clean documents presented under export letters of credit.

        Most of our revenue from the Trade Finance Department consists of fee income from providing facilities to support import/export customers and interest income from extensions of credit. Our Trade Finance Department's fee income was $950,000, $933,000, and $954,000 in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Investing Activities

        Investments are one of our major sources of interest income and are acquired in accordance with a written comprehensive investment policy that addresses strategies, types, and levels of allowable investments. Management of our investment securities portfolio focuses on providing an adequate level of liquidity and establishing a balanced interest rate sensitive position, while earning an adequate level of investment income without taking undue risk. Our investment portfolio consists of securities of government sponsored enterprises, mortgage backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate securities, and municipal securities.

        We classify all our investment securities as "held-to-maturity" or "available-for-sale" pursuant to ASC 320-10. Investment securities that we intend to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity, and all other investment securities are classified as available-for-sale. At December 31, 2013 investment securities available-for-sale totaled $352.4 million and total investments held-to-maturity totaled $35,000.

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Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

        Our primary sources of funds are deposits and loan repayments. Scheduled loan repayments are a relatively predictable source of funds, whereas deposit inflows and outflows and unscheduled loan prepayments (which are influenced significantly by general interest rate levels, interest rates available on other investments, competition, economic conditions, and other factors) are less predictable. Customer deposits remain our primary source of funds, but these balances may be influenced by adverse market changes in the industry. Other borrowings may be used:

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on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in deposit inflows to less than projected levels, and



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on a longer-term basis to support expanded lending activities and to match the maturity of repricing intervals of assets.

        We offer a variety of accounts for depositors which are designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits. These accounts include certificates of deposit ("CDs"), regular savings accounts, money market accounts, checking and negotiable order of withdrawal ("NOW") accounts, installment savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts. These accounts generally earn interest at rates established by management based on competitive market factors and management's desire to increase or decrease certain types or maturities of deposits. As needed, we augment these customer deposits with brokered deposits. Types of deposit accounts offered by us and other sources of funds are described below:

Certificates of Deposit

        We offer several types of CDs with a maximum maturity of five years. The majority of our CDs all have maturities of one to twelve months and typically pay simple interest credited monthly or at maturity.

Regular Savings Accounts

        We offer savings accounts that allow for unlimited deposits and withdrawals, provided that depositors maintain a $100 minimum balance. Interest is compounded daily and credited quarterly.

Money Market Accounts

        Money market accounts pay a variable interest rate that is tiered depending on the balance maintained in the account. Minimum opening balances vary. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly.

Checking and NOW Account

        Checking and NOW accounts are generally non-interest and interest bearing accounts, respectively, and may include service fees based on activity and balances. NOW accounts pay interest, but require a higher minimum balance to avoid service charges.

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings

        To supplement our deposits as a source of funds for lending or other investment, we borrow funds in the form of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. We may use Federal Home Loan Bank advances as part of our interest rate risk management, primarily to extend the duration of funding to match the longer term fixed rate loans held in the loan portfolio.

        As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") system, we are required to invest in Federal Home Loan Bank stock based on a predetermined formula. Federal Home Loan Bank stock is a restricted investment that can only be sold to other Federal Home Loan Bank members or redeemed by the Federal Home Loan Bank. As of December 31, 2013, we owned $16.0 million in FHLB stock.

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        Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank are secured by the Federal Home Loan Bank stock. In addition to FHLB stock, under the FHLB's standard credit program, advances can be secured by blanket lien on loans in our portfolio or may be secured by securities which are obligations of or guaranteed by the U.S. government under the FHLB's securities backed program. At December 31, 2013, our borrowing capacity with the San Francisco Federal Home Loan Bank was approximately $830.1 million, with $180.0 million in borrowings outstanding and $650.1 million in capacity remaining. Through the acquisition of BankAsiana, we acquired $10.0 million in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the underlying capital stock that collateralized the advances. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of advances acquired from BankAsiana was $10.3 million and we owned FHLB of New York capital stock totaling $450,000. We had no borrowing capacities at the New York Federal Home Loan Bank at December 31, 2013.

Internet and Mobile Banking

        We offer internet banking, which allows our customers to access their deposit and loan accounts through the internet. We also offer mobile banking which allows our customer to access their deposit accounts through personal electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets. Through either Internet or mobile banking, customers are able to obtain transaction history and account information, transfer funds between accounts, make on-line bill payments, and open deposit accounts. We intend to improve and develop our Internet and mobile banking products and other delivery channels as the need arises and our resources permit.

Other Services

        We also offer ATMs located at selected branch offices, customer access to an ATM network, and armored carrier services.

Marketing

        Our marketing efforts rely principally upon local advertising, promotional activity, and upon the personal contacts of our directors, officers, and shareholders to attract business and to acquaint potential customers with our products and personalized services. We emphasize a high degree of personalized client service in order to be able to satisfy each customer's banking needs. Our marketing approach emphasizes our strength as an independent, locally-managed state chartered bank in meeting the particular needs of consumers, professionals, and business customers in the community. Our management team continually evaluates all of our banking services with regard to their profitability and makes conclusions based on these evaluations on whether to continue or modify our business plan, where appropriate.

Competition

Regional Branch Competition

        We currently operate 38 branch offices, 28 in California, 2 in Texas, 4 in New Jersey, and 4 in the greater New York City metropolitan area. We consider our Bank to be a community bank focused on the general commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing the multi-ethnic population of the Los Angeles County area. Our full-service branch offices are located primarily in areas where a majority of the businesses are owned by immigrants or minority groups. Our client base reflects the ethnic diversity of these communities.

        Our market has become increasingly competitive in recent years with respect to virtually all products and services that we offer. Although the general banking market is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with numerous offices covering a wide geographic area, we compete in our niche market directly with other community banks which focus on Korean-American and other minority consumers and businesses.

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        We continue to experience a high level of competition within the ethnic banking market. In the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, our primary competitors include seven locally-owned and operated Korean-American banks. These banks have branches located in many of the same neighborhoods in which we operate, provide similar types of products and services, and use the same Korean language publications and media for their marketing purposes. Unlike many other Korean-ethnic community banks, we also focus a significant portion of our marketing efforts on non-Korean customers as well.

        A less significant source of competition in our primary market includes branch offices of major national and international banks which maintain a limited but increase number of bilingual staff for Korean-speaking or other language customers. Although these banks have not traditionally focused their marketing efforts on the minority customer base in our market, their competitive influence could increase should they choose to focus on this market in the future. Large commercial bank competitors have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging and effective advertising campaigns and to allocate their investment resources to areas of highest yield and demand. Many of the major banks operating in our market area offer certain services that we do not offer directly (but some of which we offer through correspondent institutions). By virtue of their greater total capitalization, such banks likely also have substantially higher lending limits than we do. In order to compete effectively, we provide quality personalized service and fast local decision making which we feel distinguishes us from many of our major bank competitors. For customers whose loan demands exceed our internal lending limit, we attempt to arrange for such loans on a participation basis with our correspondent banks. Similarly, we assist customers requiring services that we do not currently offer in obtaining such services from our correspondent banks.

Regional Loan Production Office Competition

        We currently operate LPOs, in Newark, California; Bellevue, Washington; Aurora, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Palisades Park, New Jersey; New York, New York; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; and Annandale, Virginia. We opened our Palisades Park, New Jersey and New York, New York LPOs in 2013. In most of our LPO locations, we are competing with local lenders as well as Los Angeles-based Korean-American community lenders operating out-of-state LPOs. We anticipate more competition from Korean-American community lenders in most of our LPO locations in the future. In anticipation of stagnation in the U.S. economy and real estate market activity, we plan to maintain a balance of market coverage and operating costs. In 2014, with our expanded coverage from our newly opened LPOs, our focus will be to cautiously increase loan originations at these offices.

Other Competitive Factors

        In addition to other banks, our competitors include savings institutions, credit unions, and numerous non-banking institutions, such as finance companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and investment banking firms. In recent years, increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer money market and mutual funds, wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, including on-line banking services and personal finance software. Strong competition for deposit and loan products affects the rates of those products as well as the terms on which they are offered to customers.

        The more general competitive trends in the industry include increased consolidation and competition. Strong competitors, other than financial institutions, have entered banking markets with focused products targeted at highly profitable customer segments. Many of these competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries and provide customers increasing access to meaningful alternatives to banking services in nearly all significant products. Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to streamline their operations, reduce expenses, and increase revenues to remain competitive. Competition has also intensified due to the federal and state interstate banking laws, which permit banking organizations to expand geographically.

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        Technological innovations have also resulted in increased competition in the financial services industry. Such innovations have, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that were previously considered traditional banking products. In addition, many customers now expect a choice of several delivery systems and channels, including telephone, PDA or smartphones, tablets, mail, home computer, ATMs, self-service branches, and/or in store branches. To some extent, such competition has had limited effect on us to date because many recent technological advancements do not yet have Korean or other language capabilities. However, as the technology becomes widely available, the competitive pressure to be at the forefront of such advancements will be significant.

        The market for the origination of SBA loans, one of our primary revenue sources, is highly competitive. We compete with other small, mid-size and major banks which originate these loans in the geographic areas in which our full service branches are located, as well as in the areas where we maintain LPOs. In addition, because these loans are largely broker-driven, we compete to a large extent with banks that originate SBA loans outside of our immediate geographic area. Furthermore, because these loans may be originated out of LPOs specifically set up to originate SBA loans rather than out of full service branches, the barriers to entry in this area, after approval of a bank as an SBA lender, are relatively low. In order to succeed in this highly competitive market, we actively market our SBA loans to minority-owned businesses. However, the resale market for SBA loans may grow, decline or, maintain its current status.

Business Concentration

        No individual or single group of related accounts is considered material in relation to our total assets or deposits, or in relation to our overall business. However, approximately 83.8% of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2013 consisted of real estate-related loans, including construction loans, mini-perm loans, residential mortgage loans, and commercial loans secured by real estate. Moreover, our business activities are currently focused primarily in Southern California, with the majority of our business concentrated in Los Angeles and Orange County. Consequently, our results of operations and financial condition are dependent upon the general trends in the Southern California economies and, in particular, the commercial real estate markets. In addition, the concentration of our operations in Southern California exposes us to greater risk than other banking companies with a wider geographic base in the event of catastrophes, such as earthquakes, fires, and floods in this region.

Employees

        We had 545 full time equivalent employees (541 full-time employees and 6 part-time employees) as of December 31, 2013. None of our employees are currently represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Management believes that our employee relations are satisfactory.

Regulation and Supervision

        The following is a summary description of the relevant laws, rules, and regulations governing banks and bank holding companies. The descriptions of, and references to, the statutes and regulations below are brief summaries and do not purport to be complete. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the specific statutes and regulations discussed.

        Generally, the supervision and regulation of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the deposit insurance funds of the FDIC and the banking system as a whole, and not for the protection of the bank holding company shareholders or creditors. The banking agencies have broad enforcement power over bank holding companies and banks, including the power to impose substantial fines and other penalties for violations of laws and regulations.

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        Various legislation is from time to time introduced in Congress and California's legislature, including proposals to overhaul the bank regulatory system, expand the powers of depository institutions, and limit the investments that depository institutions may make with insured funds. Such legislation may change applicable statutes and the operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. We cannot determine the ultimate effect that future legislation or implementing regulations would have upon our financial condition or upon our results of operations or the results of operations of any of our subsidiaries.

Wilshire Bancorp

        Wilshire Bancorp is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, or "the Bank Holding Company Act", and is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"). The Bank Holding Company Act and other federal laws subject bank holding companies to particular restrictions on the types of activities in which they may engage, and to a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including regulatory enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations.

Regulatory Restrictions on Dividends; Source of Strength

        We are regarded as a legal entity separate and distinct from our subsidiaries. The principal source of our revenues will be dividends received from the Bank. Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval. In certain circumstances, Wilshire Bancorp may be required to obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve Board to make capital distributions to its shareholders. The Federal Reserve Board has the authority to prohibit dividends by bank holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board issued Supervisory Letter SR 09-4 on February 24, 2009 and revised such letter on March 27, 2009, which provides guidance on the declaration and payment of dividends, capital redemptions, and capital repurchases by bank holding company. Supervisory Letter SR 09-4 provides that, as a general matter, a bank holding company should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce its dividends if: (1) the company's net income for the past year is sufficient to cover the cash dividends, (2) the rate of earnings retention is consistent with the company's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition, and (3) the minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios are met. The policy also provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company's ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.

        Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its banking subsidiaries and commit resources to their support. Such support may be required at times when, absent this Federal Reserve Board policy, a holding company may not be in a financial position to provide such support. A bank holding company's failure to meet its source-of-strength obligations may constitute an unsafe and unsound practice or a violation of the Federal Reserve Board's regulations, or both. As discussed below, a bank holding company, in certain circumstances, could be required to guarantee the capital plan of an undercapitalized banking subsidiary. The source-of-strength doctrine most directly affects bank holding companies in situations where the bank holding company's subsidiary bank fails to maintain adequate capital levels. The Dodd-Frank Act (as defined below) codified this policy as a statutory requirement; however, the Federal Reserve Board has not yet adopted regulations to implement this requirement.

        In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the trustee will be deemed to have assumed, and is required to cure immediately, any deficit under any commitment by the debtor holding company to any of the federal banking agencies to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution, and any claim for breach of such obligation will generally have priority over most other unsecured claims.

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        As a California corporation, Wilshire Bancorp is restricted under the California General Corporation Law ("CGCL") from paying dividends under certain conditions. The shareholders of Wilshire Bancorp will be entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors, from funds legally available for the payment of dividends, as provided in the CGCL and, as mentioned above, consistent with Federal Reserve Board policy. The CGCL provides that a corporation may make a distribution to its shareholders if retained earnings immediately prior to the dividend payout, equals the amount of proposed distribution. In the event that sufficient retained earnings are not available for the proposed distribution, a corporation may, nevertheless, make a distribution, if it meets both the "quantitative solvency" and the "liquidity" tests. In general, the quantitative solvency test requires that the sum of the assets of the corporation equal at least 1 ¹ / 4 times its liabilities. The liquidity test generally requires that a corporation have current assets at least equal to current liabilities, or, if the average of the earnings of the corporation before taxes on income and before interest expenses for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of the interest expense of the corporation for such fiscal years, then current assets must equal to at least 1 ¹ / 4 times current liabilities. Further, the Bank's limitations on paying dividends could, in turn, affect our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

Activities "Closely Related" to Banking

        The Bank Holding Company Act prohibits a bank holding company, with certain limited exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or from engaging in any activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks and certain other subsidiaries, or furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries. One principal exception to these prohibitions allows the acquisition of interests in companies whose activities are found by the Federal Reserve Board, by order or regulation, to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks, as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the activities that have been determined by regulation to be closely related to banking are making or servicing loans, performing certain data processing services, acting as an investment or financial advisor to certain investment trusts and investment companies and providing securities brokerage services. Other activities approved by the Federal Reserve Board include consumer financial counseling, tax planning and tax preparation, futures and options advisory services, check guaranty services, collection agency and credit bureau services and personal property appraisals. In approving acquisitions by bank holding companies of companies engaged in banking-related activities, the Federal Reserve Board considers a number of factors, and weighs the expected benefits to the public (such as greater convenience and increased competition or gains in efficiency) against the risks of possible adverse effects (such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or unsound banking practices). The Federal Reserve Board is also empowered to differentiate between activities commenced de novo and activities commenced through acquisition of a going concern.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; Financial Holding Companies

        The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act, or GLBA, signed into law on November 12, 1999, revised and expanded the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act by including a new section that permits a bank holding company to elect to become a financial holding company to engage in a full range of activities that are "financial in nature." The qualification requirements and the process for a bank holding company that elects to be treated as a financial holding company require that all of the subsidiary banks controlled by the bank holding company at the time of election to become a financial holding company must be and remain at all times "well-capitalized" and "well managed" and must have a Community Reinvestment Act rating of at least "satisfactory." We have not yet made an election to become a financial holding company, but we may do so at some time in the future.

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        GLBA specifically provides that the following activities have been determined to be "financial in nature":

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lending, trust and other banking activities;



•

insurance activities;



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financial or economic advisory services;



•

securitization of assets;



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securities underwriting and dealing;



•

existing bank holding company domestic activities;



•

existing bank holding company foreign activities; and



•

merchant banking activities.

        In addition, GLBA specifically gives the Federal Reserve Board the authority, by regulation or order, to expand the list of "financial" or "incidental" activities, but requires consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, and gives the Federal Reserve Board authority to allow a financial holding company to engage in any activity that is "complementary" to a financial activity and does not "pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally."

Safe and Sound Banking Practices

        The Federal Reserve Board also has the power to order a bank holding company to terminate any activity or investment, or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary, when it has reasonable cause to believe that the continuation of such activity or investment or such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any subsidiary bank of the bank holding company. The Federal Reserve Board's Regulation Y, for example, generally requires a holding company to give the Federal Reserve Board prior notice of any redemption or repurchase of its own equity securities, if the consideration to be paid, together with the consideration paid for any repurchases or redemptions in the preceding year, is equal to 10% or more of the company's consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may oppose the transaction if it believes that the transaction would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or would violate any law or regulation. Depending upon the circumstances, the Federal Reserve Board could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

        The Federal Reserve Board has broad authority to prohibit activities of bank holding companies and their nonbanking subsidiaries which represent unsafe and unsound banking practices or which constitute violations of laws or regulations, and can assess civil money penalties for certain activities conducted on a knowing and reckless basis, if those activities caused a substantial loss to a depository institution. The penalties can be as high as $1 million for each day the activity continues.

Annual Reporting; Examinations

        We are required to file annual reports with the Federal Reserve Board, and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act. The Federal Reserve Board may examine a bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries, and charge the company for the cost of such examination. Furthermore, the Bank is subjected to compliance examinations by the FDIC and the California Department of Business Oversight, or "DBO".

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Capital Adequacy Requirements

        The Federal Reserve Board has adopted a system using risk-based capital guidelines to evaluate the capital adequacy of certain large bank holding companies. Prior to March 30, 2006, these capital guidelines were applicable to all bank holding companies having $150 million or more in assets on a consolidated basis. However, effective March 30, 2006, the Federal Reserve Board amended the asset size threshold to $500 million for purposes of determining whether a bank holding company is subject to the capital adequacy guidelines. We currently have consolidated assets in excess of $500 million, and are therefore subject to the Federal Reserve Board's capital adequacy guidelines.

        Under the guidelines, specific categories of assets are assigned different risk weights, based generally on the perceived credit risk of the asset. These risk weights are multiplied by corresponding asset balances to determine a "risk-weighted" asset base. The guidelines require a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% (of which at least 4.0% is required to consist of Tier 1 capital elements). Total risk-based capital is the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. To be considered "well-capitalized," a bank holding company must maintain, on a consolidated basis, (i) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0%, and (ii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater. As of December 31, 2013, our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.79% and our total risk-based capital ratio was 16.05%. Thus, we are considered "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes.

        In addition to the risk-based capital guidelines, the Federal Reserve Board uses a leverage ratio as an additional tool to evaluate the capital adequacy of bank holding companies. The leverage ratio is a company's Tier 1 capital divided by its average total consolidated assets. Certain highly-rated bank holding companies may maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 3.0%, but other bank holding companies are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 4.0%. To be considered well-capitalized, a bank holding company must maintain a leverage ratio of at least 5%. As of December 31, 2013, our leverage ratio was 13.44%.

        The federal banking agencies' risk-based and leverage ratios are minimum supervisory ratios generally applicable to banking organizations that meet certain specified criteria. The federal bank regulatory agencies may set capital requirements for a particular banking organization that are higher than the minimum ratios when circumstances warrant. Federal Reserve Board guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions, substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. Capital requirements are discussed further with respect to the Company and the Bank below under "Capital Requirements (Holding Company and Bank)," in addition, the new capital requirements under Basel III are discussed below under "New Capital Requirements Under Basel III."

Imposition of Liability for Undercapitalized Subsidiaries

        Bank regulators are required to take "prompt corrective action" to resolve problems associated with insured depository institutions whose capital declines below certain levels. In the event an institution becomes "undercapitalized," it must submit a capital restoration plan. The capital restoration plan will not be accepted by the regulators unless each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary's compliance with the capital restoration plan up to a certain specified amount. Any such guarantee from a depository institution's holding company is entitled to a priority of payment in bankruptcy.

        The aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized bank is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution's assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be "adequately capitalized." The bank regulators have greater power in situations where an institution becomes "significantly" or "critically" undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan. For example, a bank holding company controlling such an institution can be required to obtain prior

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Federal Reserve Board approval of proposed dividends, or might be required to consent to a consolidation or to divest itself of the troubled institution or other affiliates.

Anti-tying Restrictions

        Bank holding companies and affiliates are prohibited from tying the provision of services, such as extensions of credit, to other services offered by a holding company or its affiliates.

Acquisitions by Bank Holding Companies

        The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if after such acquisition it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank. In approving bank acquisitions by bank holding companies, the Federal Reserve Board is required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding company and the bank concerned, the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and various competitive factors.

Control Acquisitions

        The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring "control" of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more, but less than 25% of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control.

        In addition, any company is required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of the outstanding common stock of the a bank holding company, or otherwise obtaining control or a "controlling influence" over a bank holding company.

FIRREA

        The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, or FIRREA, includes various provisions that affect or may affect the Company and the Bank. Among other matters, FIRREA generally permits bank holding companies to acquire healthy thrifts as well as failed or failing thrifts. FIRREA removed certain cross-marketing prohibitions previously applicable to thrift and bank subsidiaries of a common holding company. Furthermore, a multi-bank holding company may now be required to indemnify the federal Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF") against losses it incurs with respect to such company's affiliated banks, which in effect makes a bank holding company's equity investments in healthy bank subsidiaries available to the FDIC to assist such company's failing or failed bank subsidiaries.

        FIRREA also expanded and increased civil and criminal penalties available for use by the appropriate regulatory agency against certain "institution-affiliated parties" primarily including (i) management, employees and agents of a financial institution, as well as (ii) independent contractors, such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution's affairs and who caused or are likely to cause more than minimum financial loss to or a significant adverse effect on the institution, who knowingly or recklessly violate a law or regulation, breach a fiduciary duty or engage in unsafe or unsound practices. Such practices can include the failure of an institution to timely file required reports or the submission of inaccurate reports. Furthermore, FIRREA authorizes the appropriate banking agency to issue cease and desist orders that may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including restitution, reimbursement, indemnifications or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its

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growth, dispose of certain assets or take other action as determined by the ordering agency to be appropriate.

USA PATRIOT Act

        On October 26, 2001, The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Is Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act or USA PATRIOT Act, a comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation was enacted. Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to help prevent, detect and prosecute international money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The effectiveness of a financial institution in combating money laundering activities is a factor to be considered in any application submitted by the financial institution under the Bank Merger Act, which applies to the Bank, or the Bank Holding Company Act, which applies to Wilshire Bancorp. We, and our subsidiaries, including the Bank, have adopted systems and procedures to comply with the USA PATRIOT Act and regulations adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

        On July 30, 2002, The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or "Sarbanes-Oxley Act" was enacted. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses accounting oversight and corporate governance matters relating to the operations of public companies. During 2003, the SEC issued a number of regulations under the directive of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act significantly increasing public company governance-related obligations and filing requirements, including:

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the establishment of an independent public oversight of public company accounting firms by a board that will set auditing, quality and ethical standards for and have investigative and disciplinary powers over such accounting firms,



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the enhanced regulation of the independence, responsibilities and conduct of accounting firms which provide auditing services to public companies,



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the increase of penalties for fraud related crimes,



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the enhanced disclosure, certification, and monitoring of financial statements, internal financial controls and the audit process, and



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the enhanced and accelerated reporting of corporate disclosures and internal governance.

        Furthermore, in November 2003, in response to the directives of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, NASDAQ adopted substantially expanded corporate governance criteria for the issuers of securities quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (the market on which our common stock is listed for trading). The new NASDAQ rules govern, among other things, the enhancement and regulation of corporate disclosure and internal governance of listed companies and of the authority, role and responsibilities of their boards of directors and, in particular, of "independent" members of such boards of directors, in the areas of nominations, corporate governance, compensation and the monitoring of the audit and internal financial control processes.

Dodd-Frank Act

        On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act has and may continue to result in dramatic changes across the financial regulatory system, some of which become effective and some of which will not become effective until various future dates. Implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act requires many new rules to be made by various federal regulatory agencies over the next several years. Uncertainty remains until final rulemaking is complete as to the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, which could have a material adverse impact either on the financial services industry as a whole or on ours and the Bank's

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business, results of operations, and financial condition. Provisions in the legislation that affect deposit insurance assessments, payment of interest on demand deposits, and interchange fees could increase the costs associated with deposits and place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate. The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions that, among other things, will or already has:

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Centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), responsible for implementing, examining, and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are stricter than those regulations promulgated by the CFPB.



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Create the Financial Stability Oversight Council that will recommend to the Federal Reserve Board increasingly strict rules for capital, leverage, liquidity, risk management and other requirements as companies grow in size and complexity.



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Provide mortgage reform provisions regarding a customer's ability to repay, restricting variable-rate lending by requiring that the ability to repay variable-rate loans be determined by using the maximum rate that will apply during the first five years of a variable-rate loan term, and making more loans subject to provisions for higher cost loans, new disclosures, and certain other revisions.



•

Change the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminate the ceiling on the size of the DIF, and increase the floor on the size of the DIF, which generally will require an increase in the level of assessments for institutions with assets in excess of $10 billion.



•

Make permanent the $250 thousand limit for federal deposit insurance



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Restrict the preemption of state law by federal law and disallow subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks, such as the Bank, from availing themselves of such preemption.



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Require bank holding companies and banks to be well capitalized and well managed in order to acquire banks located outside their home state.



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Mandate certain corporate governance and executive compensation matters be implemented, including (i) an advisory vote on executive compensation by a public company's stockholders; (ii) enhancement of independence requirements for compensation committee members; (iii) adoption of incentive-based compensation claw-back policies for executive officers; and (iv) adoption of proxy access rules allowing stockholders of publicly traded companies to nominate candidates for election as a director and have those nominees included in a company's proxy materials.



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Repeal the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transactions accounts.



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Amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to, among other things, give the Federal Reserve the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and to enforce a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer.

        Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry more generally. Some of the rules that have been proposed and, in some cases, adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act's mandates are discussed below.

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Volcker Rule

        The final rules adopted on December 10, 2013 to implement a part of the Dodd-Frank Act commonly referred to as the "Volcker Rule," prohibit insured depository institutions and companies affiliated with insured depository institutions ("banking entities") from engaging in short-term proprietary trading of certain securities, derivatives, commodity futures and options on these instruments, for their own account. The final rules also impose limits on banking entities' investments in, and other relationships with, hedge funds or private equity funds. These rules will become effective on April 1, 2014. Certain collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), securities backed by trust preferred securities which were initially defined as covered funds subject to the investment prohibitions, have been exempted to address the concern that many community banks holding such CDOs securities may have been required to recognize significant losses on those securities.

        Like the Dodd-Frank Act, the final rules provide exemptions for certain activities, including market making, underwriting, hedging, trading in government obligations, insurance company activities, and organizing and offering hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rules also clarify that certain activities are not prohibited, including acting as agent, broker, or custodian. The compliance requirements under the final rules vary based on the size of the banking entity and the scope of activities conducted. Banking entities with significant trading operations will be required to establish a detailed compliance program and their CEOs will be required to attest that the program is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the final rule. Independent testing and analysis of an institution's compliance program will also be required. The final rules reduce the burden on smaller, less-complex institutions by limiting their compliance and reporting requirements. Additionally, a banking entity that does not engage in covered trading activities will not need to establish a compliance program. The Company and the Bank held no investment positions at December 31, 2013 that were subject to the final rule. Therefore, while these new rules may require us to conduct certain internal analysis and reporting, we believe that they will not require any material changes in our operations or business.

Wilshire Bank

        In October 2013, we changed the name of our subsidiary from Wilshire State Bank to Wilshire Bank. Wilshire Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by the California Department of Business Oversight, or the DBO, and the FDIC, which insures its deposits to the maximum extent permitted by law, and is subject to certain Federal Reserve Board regulations of transactions with its affiliates. The federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to the Bank regulate, among other things, the scope of its business, its investments, its reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds and the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans. In addition to the impact of such regulations, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve Board as it attempts to control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence the economy.

Transactions with Affiliates

        There are various statutory and regulatory limitations, including those set forth in sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and the related Regulation W implemented by the Federal Reserve Board, governing the extent to which the Bank will be able to purchase assets from or securities of or otherwise finance or transfer funds to us or our nonbanking affiliates. Among other restrictions, such transactions between the Bank and any one affiliate (including the Company) generally will be limited to 10% of the Bank's capital and surplus, and transactions between the Bank and all affiliates will be limited to 20% of the Bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore, loans and extensions of credit are required to be secured in specified amounts and are required to be on terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

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        In addition, any transaction by a bank with an affiliate and any sale of assets or provision of services to an affiliate generally must be on terms that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the bank as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.

Loans to Insiders

        Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulation, Regulation O, place restrictions on loans by a bank to executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer and to a greater than 10% shareholder of a bank and certain of their related interests, or insiders, and insiders of affiliates, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and related interests, the bank's loans-to-one-borrower limit (generally equal to 25% of the institution's unimpaired capital and surplus). Section 22(h) also requires that loans to insiders and to insiders of affiliates be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that (i) is widely available to employees of the bank, and (ii) does not give preference to insiders over other employees of the bank. Section 22(h) also requires prior Board of Directors approval for certain loans, and the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a bank to all insiders cannot exceed the institution's unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers.

        The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhances the restrictions on transactions with affiliates under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, including an expansion of the definition of "covered transactions" and an increase in the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered credit transactions must be satisfied. Insider transaction limitations are expanded through the strengthening of loan restrictions to insiders and the expansion of the types of transactions subject to the various limits, including derivatives transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions. Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution's Board of Directors.

Dividends

        The ability of the Bank to pay dividends on its common stock is restricted by the California Financial Code, the FDIA and FDIC regulations. In general terms, California law provides that the Bank may declare a cash dividend out of net profits up to the lesser of retained earnings or net income for the last three fiscal years (less any distributions made to shareholders during such period), or, with the prior written approval of the Commissioner of Department of Business Oversight, in an amount not exceeding the greatest of:

•

retained earnings,



•

net income for the prior fiscal year, or



•

net income for the current fiscal year.

        The Bank's ability to pay any cash dividends will depend not only upon its earnings during a specified period, but also on its meeting certain capital requirements. The FDIA and FDIC regulations restrict the payment of dividends when a bank is undercapitalized, when a bank has failed to pay insurance assessments, or when there are safety and soundness concerns regarding a bank.

        The payment of dividends by the Bank may also be affected by other regulatory requirements and policies, such as maintenance of adequate capital. If, in the opinion of the regulatory authority, a depository institution under its jurisdiction is engaged in, or is about to engage in, an unsafe or unsound practice (that, depending on the financial condition of the depository institution, could include the payment of dividends), such authority may require, after notice and hearing, that such depository

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institution cease and desist from such practice. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement providing that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of operating earnings for the current and preceding two years. In addition, all insured depository institutions are subject to the capital-based limitations required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991.

Cross-guarantees

        Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, or FDIA, a depository institution (which definition includes both banks and savings associations), the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC, can be held liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution, or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to any commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution "in danger of default." "Default" is defined generally as the appointment of a conservator or a receiver and "in danger of default" is defined generally as the existence of certain conditions indicating that default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory assistance. In some circumstances (depending upon the amount of the loss or anticipated loss suffered by the FDIC), cross-guarantee liability may result in the ultimate failure or insolvency of one or more insured depository institutions in a holding company structure. Any obligation or liability owed by a subsidiary bank to its parent company is subordinated to the subsidiary bank's cross-guarantee liability with respect to commonly controlled insured depository institutions. The Bank is currently our only FDIC-insured depository institution subsidiary.

        Because we are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors. In the event of a liquidation or other dissolution of the Bank, the claims of depositors and other general or subordinated creditors of the Bank would be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of holders of any obligation of the Bank to its shareholders, including any depository institution holding company (such as Wilshire Bancorp) or any shareholder or creditor of such holding company.

The FDIC Improvement Act

        The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, or FDICIA, made a number of reforms addressing the safety and soundness of the deposit insurance system, supervision of domestic and foreign depository institutions, and improvement of accounting standards. This statute also limited deposit insurance coverage, implemented changes in consumer protection laws and provided for least costly resolution and prompt regulatory action with regard to troubled institutions.

        FDICIA requires every bank with total assets in excess of $1 billion to have an annual independent audit made of the bank's financial statements by a certified public accountant to verify that the financial statements of the bank are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and comply with such other disclosure requirements as prescribed by the FDIC.

        FDICIA also establishes a prompt corrective action (PCA) framework that divides banks into five different categories, depending on their level of capital. Under regulations adopted by the FDIC, a bank is deemed to be "well-capitalized" if it has a total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 10.00% or more, a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 6.00% or more and a Leverage Ratio of 5.00% or more, and the bank is not subject to an order or capital directive to meet and maintain a certain capital level. Under such regulations, a bank is deemed to be "adequately capitalized" if it has a total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 8.00% or more, a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 4.00% or more and a Leverage Ratio of 4.00% or more (unless it receives the highest composite rating at its most recent examination and is not experiencing or anticipating significant growth, in which instance it must maintain a Leverage Ratio of 3.00% or more). Under such regulations, a bank is deemed to be "undercapitalized" if it has a total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 8.00%, a Tier 1

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Capital Ratio of less than 4.00% or a Leverage Ratio of less than 4.00%. Under such regulations, a bank is deemed to be "significantly undercapitalized" if it has a total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 6.00%, a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of less than 3.00% and a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00%. Under such regulations, a bank is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized" if it has a Leverage Ratio of less than or equal to 2.00%. In addition, the FDIC has the ability to downgrade a bank's classification (but not to "critically undercapitalized") based on other considerations even if the bank meets the capital guidelines. According to these guidelines the Bank's capital ratios were above the requirements for a "well-capitalized" institution as of December 31, 2013. These PCA guidelines are revised by Basel III. See "New Capital Requirements Under Basel III" below.

        In addition, FDICIA also places certain restrictions on activities of banks depending on their level of capital. If a bank is classified as undercapitalized, the bank is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the federal banking regulators. Pursuant to FDICIA, an undercapitalized bank is prohibited from increasing its assets, engaging in a new line of business, acquiring any interest in any company or insured depository institution, or opening or acquiring a new branch office, except under certain circumstances, including the acceptance by the federal banking regulators of a capital restoration plan for the bank.

        Furthermore, if a bank is classified as undercapitalized, the federal banking regulators may take certain actions to correct the capital position of the bank; if a bank is classified as significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, the federal banking regulators would be required to take one or more prompt corrective actions. These actions would include, among other things, requiring: sales of new securities to bolster capital, improvements in management, limits on interest rates paid, prohibitions on transactions with affiliates, termination of certain risky activities and restrictions on compensation paid to executive officers. If a bank is classified as critically undercapitalized, FDICIA requires the bank to be placed into conservatorship or receivership within 90 days, unless the federal banking regulators determines that other action would better achieve the purposes of FDICIA regarding prompt corrective action with respect to undercapitalized banks.

        The capital classification of a bank affects the frequency of examinations of the bank and impacts the ability of the bank to engage in certain activities and affects the deposit insurance premiums paid by such bank. Under FDICIA, the federal banking regulators are required to conduct a full-scope, on-site examination of every bank at least once every 12 months. There is an exception to this rule, however, that provides that banks (i) with assets of less than $100 million, (ii) that are categorized as "well-capitalized," (iii) were found to be well managed and its composite rating was outstanding, and (iv) have not been subject to a change in control during the last 12 months, need only be examined once every 18 months.

Brokered Deposits

        Under FDICIA, banks may be restricted in their ability to accept brokered deposits, depending on their capital classification. "Well-capitalized" banks are permitted to accept brokered deposits, but all banks that are not well-capitalized are not permitted to accept such deposits. The FDIC may, on a case-by-case basis, permit banks that are adequately capitalized to accept brokered deposits if the FDIC determines that acceptance of such deposits would not constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice with respect to the bank. The Bank is currently well-capitalized and therefore is not subject to any limitations with respect to its brokered deposits.

Federal Limitations on Activities and Investments

        The equity investments and activities as a principal of FDIC-insured state-chartered banks, such as the Bank, are generally limited to those that are permissible for national banks. Under regulations dealing with equity investments, an insured state bank generally may not directly or indirectly acquire or retain any equity investment of a type, or in an amount, that is not permissible for a national bank.

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FDIC Deposit Insurance Assessments

        Banks must pay assessments to the FDIC for federal deposit insurance protection. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system as required by FDICIA. Under this system, FDIC-insured depository institutions pay insurance premiums at rates based on their risk classification. Institutions assigned to higher risk classifications (that is, institutions that pose a higher risk of loss to the DIF) pay assessments at higher rates than institutions that pose a lower risk. An institution's risk classification is assigned based on its capital levels and the level of supervisory concern the institution poses to the regulators. In addition, the FDIC can impose special assessments in certain instances. The FDIC may terminate its insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC. The Bank's deposit insurance assessments may increase or decrease depending on the risk assessment classification to which it are assigned by the FDIC. Any increase in insurance assessments could have an adverse effect on the Bank's earnings.

        Funds in non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts held by FDIC-insured banks are 100 percent insured. All other FDIC-insured depository accounts are insured up to $250,000 per owner. The Dodd-Frank Act made permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance.

        In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new Restoration Plan for the DIF to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the Restoration Plan, the FDIC did not institute the uniform three-basis point increase in assessment rates scheduled to take place on January 1, 2011 and maintained the current schedule of assessment rates for all depository institutions. At least semi-annually, the FDIC will update its loss and income projections for the DIF and, if needed, will increase or decrease assessment rates, following notice-and-comment rulemaking, if required.

        As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC also revised the deposit insurance assessment system, effective April 1, 2011, to base assessments on the average total consolidated assets of insured depository institutions during the assessment period, less the average tangible equity of the institution during the assessment period. Currently, only deposits are included in determining the premium paid by an institution. This base assessment change necessitated that the FDIC adjust the assessment rates to ensure that the revenue collected under the new assessment system, will approximately equal that under the existing assessment system.

        Pursuant to this new rule, the assessment base is larger than the current assessment base, but the new rates are lower than current rates, ranging from approximately 2.5 basis points to 45 basis points (depending on applicable adjustments for unsecured debt and brokered deposits) until such time as the FDIC's reserve ratio equals 1.15%. Once the FDIC's reserve ratio equals or exceeds 1.15%, the applicable assessment rates may range from 1.5 basis points to 40 basis points. The Bank's deposit insurance expense has decreased as a result of the changes to the Bank's deposit insurance premium assessment base implemented by the FDIC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act.

Community Reinvestment Act

        Under the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, as implemented by the Congress in 1977, a financial institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with CRA. CRA requires federal examiners, in connection with the examination of a financial institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution. CRA also requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA

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ratings. The Bank has a Compliance Committee, which oversees the planning of products and services offered to the community, especially those aimed to serve low and moderate income communities. The FDIC rated the Bank as "satisfactory" in meeting community credit needs under CRA at its latest completed examination for CRA performance.

Consumer Laws and Regulations

        In addition to the laws and regulations discussed herein, the Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks. While the list set forth herein is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, among others. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers. The—Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of its ongoing customer relations.

Permissible Activities and Subsidiaries

        California law permits state-chartered commercial banks to engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Therefore, the Bank may form subsidiaries to engage in the many so-called "closely related to banking" or "non-banking" activities commonly conducted by national banks in operating subsidiaries, and further, pursuant to GLBA, the Bank may conduct certain "financial activities in a subsidiary to the same extent as may a national bank, provided the Bank is and remains "well-capitalized," "well-managed" and in satisfactory compliance with CRA. Presently, the Bank does not have any financial subsidiaries.

Interstate Branching

        Under current law, California state banks are permitted to establish branch offices throughout California with prior regulatory approval. In addition, with prior regulatory approval, banks are permitted to acquire branches of existing banks located in California. Finally, California state banks generally may branch across state lines by merging with banks in other states if allowed by the applicable states' laws. With limited exceptions, California law currently permits branching across state lines through interstate mergers resulting in the acquisition of a whole California bank that has been in existence for at least five years. The Bank currently has branches located in the States of California, Texas, New Jersey and New York. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, branching requirements have been relaxed so that state banks have the ability to establish branches in any state if that state would permit the establishment of the branch by a state bank chartered in that state.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

        The Federal Home Loan Bank system, or the "FHLB," of which the Bank is a member, consists of 12 regional FHLB's governed and regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Board, or the FHFB. The FHLB's serve as reserve or credit facilities for member institutions within their assigned regions. They are funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. They make loans (i.e., advances) to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHLB and the boards of directors of each regional FHLB.

        As a system member, the Bank is entitled to borrow from the FHLB of San Francisco, or FHLB-SF, and is required to own capital stock in the FHLB-SF in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of the membership asset value, not exceeding $25 million, or 4.7% of outstanding FHLB-SF advance borrowings. The Bank is in compliance with the stock ownership rules described above with respect to such advances,

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commitments and letters of credit and home mortgage loans and similar obligations. All loans, advances and other extensions of credit made by the FHLB-SF to the Bank are secured by portions of the Bank's loan portfolio, certain other investments, and the capital stock of the FHLB-SF held by the Bank.

        With the acquisition of BankAsiana, we acquired $10.0 million in advances from the FHLB of New York. The advances were recorded at a fair value of $10.4 million, or a premium of $357,000. We also own capital stock of FHLB New York as collateral for the outstanding advances. We are not member of the FHLB of New York and nor do we have any borrowing capacities from them.

Mortgage Banking Operations

        The Bank is subject to the rules and regulations of FNMA with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans and the issuance and sale of mortgage-backed securities. Those rules and regulations, among other things, prohibit discrimination and establish underwriting guidelines which include provisions for inspections and appraisals, require credit reports on prospective borrowers and fix maximum loan amounts. Mortgage origination activities are subject to, among others, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Federal Truth-in-Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the regulations promulgated there-under which, among other things, prohibit discrimination and require the disclosure of certain basic information to mortgagors concerning credit terms and settlement costs. The Bank is also subject to regulation by the California DBO, with respect to, among other things, the establishment of maximum origination fees on certain types of mortgage loan products. Wilshire Bank is an approved Housing and Urban Development or ("HUD") lender or mortgagee and as such we must report to HUD. On an annual basis we are required to report our annual, audited financial and non-financial information necessary for HUD to evaluate compliance with the Fair Housing Act or ("FHA") requirements.

Future Legislation and Economic Policy

        We cannot predict what other legislation or economic and monetary policies of the various regulatory authorities might be enacted or adopted or what other regulations might be adopted or the effects thereof. Future legislation and policies and the effects thereof might have a significant influence on overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits and affect interest rates charged on loans or paid from time and savings deposits. Such legislation and policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue.

Capital Requirements (Holding Company and Bank)

        At December 31, 2013, the Company's and the Bank's capital ratios exceed the minimum percentage requirements for "well capitalized" institutions. See note 17 and Item 7 " Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources and Capital Adequacy Requirements " for further information regarding the regulatory capital guidelines as well as the Company's and the Bank's actual capitalization as of December 31, 2013.

        The federal banking agencies have adopted risk-based minimum capital guidelines for bank holding companies and banks which are intended to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization's operations for both transactions reported on the statement of financial condition as assets and transactions which are recorded as off-balance sheet items. The risk-based capital ratio is determined by classifying assets and certain off-balance sheet financial instruments into weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for those categories perceived as representing greater risk. Under the capital guidelines, a banking organization's total capital is divided into three tiers. The first, "Tier 1 capital" includes common equity, our Series A Preferred Stock, and trust-preferred securities subject to certain criteria and quantitative limits. The second, "Tier 2 capital" includes hybrid capital instruments, other qualifying debt instruments, a limited amount of the allowance for loan

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and lease losses, and a limited amount of unrealized holding gains on equity securities. Lastly, "Tier 3 capital" consists of qualifying unsecured debt. The sum of Tier 2 and Tier 3 capital may not exceed the amount of Tier 1 capital. The risk-based capital guidelines require a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.00% and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.00%.

        An institution's risk-based capital, leverage capital, and tangible capital ratios together determine the institution's capital classification. An institution is treated as well capitalized if its total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 10.00% or more; its core capital to risk-weighted assets ratio is 6.00% or more; and its core capital to adjusted average assets ratio is 5.00% or more. In addition to the risk-based guidelines, the federal bank regulatory agencies require banking organizations to maintain a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets, referred to as the leverage ratio. For a banking organization rated "well-capitalized," the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets must be 3.00%.

        The FDIA gives the federal banking agencies the additional broad authority to take "prompt corrective action" to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions that fall within any undercapitalized category, including requiring the submission of an acceptable capital restoration plan. The federal banking agencies have also adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards to assist examiners in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, (ii) loan documentation, (iii) credit underwriting, (iv) asset quality and growth, (v) earnings, (vi) risk management, and (vii) compensation and benefits.

New Capital Adequacy Requirements Under Basel III

        On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, and on July 9, 2013, the FDIC and OCC, adopted a final rule that implements the Basel III changes to the international regulatory capital framework, referred to as the "Basel III Rules." The Basel III Rules apply to both depository institutions and (subject to certain exceptions not applicable to the Company) their holding companies. Although parts of the Basel III Rules apply only to large, complex financial institutions, substantial portions of the Basel III Rules apply to the Company and our subsidiary bank. The Basel III Rules include requirements contemplated by the Dodd-Frank Act as well as certain standards initially adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010.

        The Basel III Rules include new risk-based and leverage capital ratio requirements refine the definition of what constitutes "capital" for purposes of calculating those ratios. The minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Company and our subsidiary bank under the Basel III Rules are: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4%); (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all institutions. Common equity Tier 1 capital will consist of retained earnings and common stock instruments, subject to certain adjustments.

        The Basel III Rules will also establish a "capital conservation buffer" of 2.5% above the new regulatory minimum risk-based capital requirements. The conservation buffer, when added to the capital requirements, will result in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.5%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement is to be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase by that amount each year until fully implemented in January 2019. An institution would be subject to limitations on certain activities including payment of dividends, share repurchases and discretionary bonuses to executive officers if its capital level is below the buffer amount.

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        The Basel III Rules also revise the PCA framework, which is designed to place restrictions on insured depository institutions, including our subsidiary bank, if their capital levels do not meet certain thresholds. These revisions are to be effective January 1, 2015. The prompt correction action rules will be modified to include a common equity Tier 1 capital component and to increase certain other capital requirements for the various thresholds. For example, under the proposed prompt corrective action rules, insured depository institutions will be required to meet the following capital levels in order to qualify as "well capitalized:" (i) a new common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% (increased from 6%); (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% (unchanged from current rules).

        The Basel III Rules set forth certain changes in the methods of calculating certain risk-weighted assets, which in turn will affect the calculation of risk based ratios. Under the Basel III Rules, higher or more sensitive risk weights would be assigned to various categories of assets, including, certain credit facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property, certain exposures or credits that are 90 days past due or on nonaccrual, foreign exposures and certain corporate exposures. In addition, the Basel III Rules include (i) alternative standards of credit worthiness consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act; (ii) greater recognition of collateral and guarantees; and (iii) revised capital treatment for derivatives and repo-style transactions.

        In addition, the final rule includes certain exemptions to address concerns about the regulatory burden on community banks. For example, banking organizations with less than $15 billion in consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 are permitted to include in Tier 1 capital trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock issued and included in Tier 1 capital prior to May 19, 2010 on a permanent basis, without any phase out. Community banks may also elect on a one time basis in their March 31, 2015 quarterly filings to opt-out out of the onerous requirement to include most accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") components in the calculation of CET1 capital and, in effect, retain the AOCI treatment under the current capital rules. Under the Final Capital Rule, the Company may make a one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from capital. If the Company does not make this election, unrealized gains and losses would be included in the calculation of its regulatory capital. Overall, the rule provides some important concessions for smaller, less complex financial institutions.

        The Basel III Rules generally become effective beginning January 1, 2015. The conservation buffer will be phased in beginning in 2016 and will take full effect on January 1, 2019. Certain calculations under the Basel III Rules will have also have phase-in periods. The Company must comply with the final Basel III Rules beginning on January 1, 2015.

Concentrated Commercial Real Estate Lending Regulations

        The Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the OCC promulgated guidance governing financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance provides that a bank has a concentration in commercial real estate lending if (i) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of total capital or (ii) total reported loans secured by multifamily and non-farm residential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 300% or more of total capital and the Bank's commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. If a concentration is present, management must employ heightened risk management practices including board and management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing, and increasing capital requirements.

        At December 31, 2013, the concentration of loans secured by multifamily and non-farm residential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land represented approximately 334%, over the threshold of 300% stated in the interagency guidance on concentrations in commercial real estate.

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The increase of this threshold to over 300% in 2013 was primarily due to the acquisition of Saehan Bancorp which held high concentrations of commercial real estate loans. As a result of the increase in concentration of commercial real estate loans from the acquisition, management has developed a plan to monitor and reduce our concentration of commercial real estate loans. We cannot guarantee that any risk management practices we implement will be effective to prevent losses relating to our commercial real estate portfolio. Management will continue to undertake controls to monitor the Bank's commercial real estate lending, but we cannot predict the extent to which this guidance will continue to impact our operations or capital requirements.

Regulation Z

        On April 5, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board's Final Rule on Loan Originator Compensation and Steering (Regulation Z) became final. Regulation Z is more commonly known as regulation that implements the Truth in Lending Act. Regulation Z addresses two components of mortgage lending, i.e., loans secured by a dwelling, and implements restrictions and guidelines for: (a) prohibited payments to loan originators and (b) prohibitions on steering. Under Regulation Z, a creditor is prohibited from paying, directly or indirectly, compensation to a mortgage broker or any other loan originator that is based on a mortgage transaction's terms or conditions, except the amount of credit extended, which is deemed not to be a transaction term or condition. In addition, Regulation Z prohibits a loan originator from "steering" a consumer to a lender or a loan that offers less favorable terms in order to increase the loan originator's compensation, unless the loan is in the consumer's interest. Regulation Z also contains a record-retention provision requiring that, for each transaction subject to Regulation Z, the financial institution must maintain records of the compensation it provided to the loan originator for that transaction as well as the compensation agreement in effect on the date the interest rate was set for the transaction. These records must be maintained for two years.

UDAP and UDAAP

        Recently, banking regulatory agencies have increasingly used a general consumer protection statute to address "unethical" or otherwise "bad" business practices that may not necessarily fall directly under the purview of a specific banking or consumer finance law. The law of choice for enforcement against such business practices has been Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act—the primary federal law that prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce ("UDAP" or "FTC Act"). "Unjustified consumer injury" is the principal focus of the FTC Act. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, there was little formal guidance to provide insight to the parameters for compliance with the UDAP law. However, the UDAP provisions have been expanded under the Dodd-Frank Act to apply to "unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices" ("UDAAP"), which has been delegated to the CFPB for supervision. The CFPB has published its first Supervision and Examination Manual that addresses compliance with and the examination of UDAAP.

Incentive Compensation

        In June 2010, the Federal Reserve Board, OCC and FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors.

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        The Federal Reserve Board will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not "large, complex banking organizations." The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization's safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

        In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation at least every three years and on so-called "golden parachute" payments in connection with approvals of mergers and acquisitions unless previously voted on by shareholders. The Dodd-Frank Act also directs the federal banking regulators to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to executives of depository institutions and their holding companies with assets in excess of $1.0 billion, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not. Finally, the Dodd-Frank Act gives the SEC authority to prohibit broker discretionary voting on elections of directors and executive compensation matters.

Technology Risk Management and Consumer Privacy

        State and federal banking regulators have issued various policy statements emphasizing the importance of technology risk management and supervision in evaluating the safety and soundness of depository institutions with respect to banks that contract with outside vendors to provide data processing and core banking functions. The use of technology-related products, services, delivery channels and processes exposes a bank to various risks, particularly operational, privacy, security, strategic, reputation and compliance risk. Banks are generally expected to prudently manage technology-related risks as part of their comprehensive risk management policies by identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling risks associated with the use of technology.

        Under Section 501 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the federal banking agencies have established appropriate standards for financial institutions regarding the implementation of safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protection against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and protection against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information in a way that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to a customer. Among other matters, the rules require each bank to implement a comprehensive written information security program that includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards relating to customer information.

        Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, a financial institution must also provide its customers with a notice of privacy policies and practices. Section 502 prohibits a financial institution from disclosing nonpublic personal information about a customer to nonaffiliated third parties unless the institution satisfies various notice and opt-out requirements and the customer has not elected to opt out of the disclosure. Under Section 504, the agencies are authorized to issue regulations as necessary to implement notice requirements and restrictions on a financial institution's ability to disclose nonpublic personal information about customers to nonaffiliated third parties. Under the final rule the regulators adopted, all banks must develop initial and annual privacy notices which describe in general terms the bank's information sharing practices. Banks that share nonpublic personal information about customers with nonaffiliated third parties must also provide customers with an opt-out notice and a reasonable period of time for the customer to opt out of any such disclosure (with certain exceptions). Limitations are placed on the extent to which a bank can disclose an account number or access code for credit card, deposit or transaction accounts to any nonaffiliated third party for use in marketing.

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