A former employee of a New York-based bank has filed a lawsuit alleging workplace discrimination and retaliation. On February 16, 2026, Hyunsun Bae filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Shinhan Bank’s New York Branch.
Hyunsun Bae, a resident of Durham, North Carolina, accuses Shinhan Bank’s New York Branch of discriminatory practices under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to Bae, she began her employment with the bank on April 28, 2025, as an Assistant Manager in the Credit Assessment Department. Despite her extensive experience and qualifications, including nine years at international financial institutions and passing all sections of the CPA examination, Bae claims she was treated less favorably than male colleagues who were hired as Managers with comparable or lesser experience. The plaintiff highlights that one male colleague lacked prior U.S. work experience altogether.
Bae recounts how her initial inquiries about job title criteria led to adverse actions from her employer. After seeking clarification from Human Resources on June 2, 2025, regarding title assignments, she experienced what she describes as an adversarial meeting rather than receiving clarity. Subsequent communications from HR emphasized that decisions were made “fairly and carefully” while cautioning against relying on “limited information or rumor.” Following these events, Bae noticed a significant reduction in her credit assessment assignments and opportunities to demonstrate her professional capabilities.
The situation escalated when Bae received a pre-signed letter extending her probationary period by ninety days without any formal performance evaluation—a move she perceived as retaliatory. In addition to facing hostility from senior management, including remarks suggesting she should not have accepted the job offer if dissatisfied with conditions, Bae experienced stress-induced hair loss documented medically during this period.
Bae’s resignation on July 29, 2025—citing unfair and intolerable working conditions—constitutes what she argues is constructive discharge due to escalating hostility following her protected inquiry about job titles. Her lawsuit seeks declaratory relief acknowledging violations of federal and state anti-discrimination laws by Shinhan Bank’s New York Branch. She also demands compensatory damages along with back pay and front pay for lost earnings due to alleged discriminatory practices.
Representing herself pro se in this case is Hyunsun Bae; no attorneys are listed for either party involved thus far. The case is presided over by Judge Unassigned under Case ID: 1:26-cv-01343-UA.
Source: 126cv01343_Hyunsun_Bae_v_Shinghan_Bank_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
