** Shares of regional lender Hanmi Financial HAFC.O fall as much as 3.7%; last down 0.8% at $25.41
** KBW downgrades HAFC to "market perform" from "outperform" due to valuation after a strong run in stock performance
** Brokerage says HAFC has been the best performing small- and mid-cap bank stock QTD, with its shares now trading in line with its closest peers
** Prior positive call on HAFC was informed by valuation that was highly discounted to its peer group — KBW
** Still, brokerage says the strength of HAFC's fundamentals remains fully intact
** Two of six brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and four "hold"; median PT is $25.50 — LSEG
** As of last close, HAFC shares up 32% YTD
(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)
((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com))
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