Bank of Hawaii logo

Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu, HI

4.3/5

Bank of Hawaii is a 125-year-old regional bank serving Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan with FDIC-insured deposits, checking/savings accounts, credit cards, and investment services.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

Bank of Hawaii Review

Bank of Hawaii has been operating for 125 years and serves as a regional financial institution primarily focused on Hawaii and the Pacific (Guam/Saipan). S. Government, providing deposit security for customers.

Bank of Hawaii positions itself as a community-focused lender, with particular emphasis on residential lending—marketing itself as Hawaii's #1 residential lender. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of consumer and business banking products. 05% APY on 6-month terms), Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), credit cards with rewards programs (Atmos Rewards), investment advisory services through Bankoh Advisors, and trust services.

Business customers can access business credit cards, payment processing tools (TXPress, iCapture), and lending products. The bank also offers mobile and online banking with a newly redesigned app, Zelle money transfers, and 24/7 account self-service. Bank of Hawaii differentiates itself through localized community focus and relationships rather than national scale.

The company emphasizes partnerships with local businesses (Mana Up partnership), financial wellness education, and personalized relationship banking. Their marketing highlights customer stories and local connection. They offer specialized deposit products like "Bankohana" branded accounts (targeting local/Hawaiian customer base) and exclusive partnerships like complimentary Greenlight subscriptions for families.

m. m. HST.

Bank of Hawaii operates as a traditional regional bank with strong local market presence but limited geographic footprint outside Hawaii/Pacific territories. Customers should expect traditional banking services and relationship-based banking rather than fintech innovation. The institution appears financially stable with FDIC insurance and established market presence, suitable for customers prioritizing community connection and local banking relationships over digital-first experiences.

Services & Features

24/7 account self-service and specialist support 7 days a week
6-month CD accounts at 3.05% APY with $5,000 minimum
Business payment processing (TXPress, iCapture)
Electronic statements and check ordering
FDIC-insured checking accounts with promotional bonuses up to $400
Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) for residential borrowers
Investment advisory services through Bankoh Advisors
Mobile and online banking with newly redesigned app
Personal and business credit cards with Atmos Rewards program
Savings accounts with competitive rates and Bankohana special rates
Trust and estate services
Zelle online money transfers

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • FDIC-insured deposits backed by U.S. Government guarantee, providing deposit security up to $250K
  • Savings accounts advertised at rates 5x higher than national average, with additional Bankohana 90-day special rates
  • Up to $400 promotional bonuses available for new checking accounts meeting requirements
  • Hawaii's #1 residential lender with specialized HELOC products for home equity access
  • 7-day customer service availability (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. HST) plus 24/7 account self-service
  • Comprehensive product suite including checking, savings, CDs, credit cards, investment advisory, and trusts
  • New mobile app with enhanced features, plus Zelle money transfer integration
  • Local partnership focus (Mana Up) and community-oriented banking approach with financial wellness education

Cons

  • Geographic limitation: Only serves Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan—cannot serve mainland U.S. customers
  • Limited information on specific APR rates for credit cards, loan terms, or HELOC pricing on website
  • No mention of digital-first features or fintech capabilities compared to neobanks
  • Customer service phone lines may experience high volume given regional concentration of customer base
  • Minimum deposit requirements mentioned for some products ($5,000 for Bankohana CD) may exclude some savers

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.7
Customer Service
4.1
Transparency
4.3
Ease of Use
4.5

Consumer Complaint Record

Bank of Hawaii received 50 consumer complaints in the past 12 months. All complaints received a timely response from the company.

50

Complaints (12 months)

13.9%

Resolved with relief

Declining

Complaint trend

Most Common Complaint Categories

Managing an account
32.9%
Problem caused by your funds being low
13.9%
Opening an account
10.1%

51 FDIC-insured branch locations nationwide.

SBA Lending Record

Ranked #5 in HI for SBA 7A lending in FY2021.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · SBA · FDIC BankFind

Mortgage Lending Transparency

Bank of Hawaii processed 3,004 mortgage applications in 2023, approving 62.5% of applicants across 3 states.

3,004

Applications

62.5%

Approval Rate

$565K

Avg Loan

3

States Served

Approval Rate by Applicant Income

Under $50K
26.3%
$50K–$100K
50.2%
$100K–$200K
65.2%
Over $200K
74.4%

Based on 3,004 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).

Top Lending States

Hawaii 3,002 apps · 60.2%
Colorado 1 apps · 0%
Virginia 1 apps · 0%

Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bank of Hawaii respond to consumer complaints?

According to CFPB data (2023-present), Bank of Hawaii has a 99.7% response rate to consumer complaints, with 98.5% of those responses delivered within the CFPB's 15-day window. Response rate measures whether the company replied — not whether the consumer's issue was resolved in their favor.

What services does Bank of Hawaii offer?

Bank of Hawaii offers 12 services including FDIC-insured checking accounts with promotional bonuses up to $400, Savings accounts with competitive rates and Bankohana special rates, 6-month CD accounts at 3.05% APY with $5,000 minimum, Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) for residential borrowers, Personal and business credit cards with Atmos Rewards program, and 7 more.

Who is Bank of Hawaii best suited for?

Bank of Hawaii is best suited for Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan residents seeking comprehensive local banking with community relationship focus, Homeowners looking for residential lending products and HELOCs with a local Hawaii lender, Savers prioritizing FDIC-insured accounts with above-average rates and promotional bonuses, Business owners in Hawaii seeking local business banking, payment processing, and lending relationships.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Bank of Hawaii?

Key strengths: FDIC-insured deposits backed by U.S. Government guarantee, providing deposit security up to $250K; Savings accounts advertised at rates 5x higher than national average, with additional Bankohana 90-day special rates; Up to $400 promotional bonuses available for new checking accounts meeting requirements. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation: Only serves Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan—cannot serve mainland U.S. customers; Limited information on specific APR rates for credit cards, loan terms, or HELOC pricing on website.

How does Bank of Hawaii compare to similar companies?

In the Banks category, comparable providers include American Savings Bank, National Association, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, Ltd.. Each company has different strengths — compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records to find the best fit.

Quick Facts

Founded
1897
Headquarters
Honolulu, HI
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
FDIC Insured FDIC Cert #18053
Visit Bank of Hawaii

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Bank of Hawaii

Bank of Hawaii is best for individuals and businesses in Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan who prioritize relationship-based banking with a locally-focused institution and competitive deposit rates. The critical caveat is strict geographic limitation—this bank only serves Pacific territories and cannot help mainland U.S. customers, making it unsuitable for anyone outside these regions.

CFPB Transparency Report

Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Response Rate*
99.7%
On-Time Response**
98.5%

* Percentage of consumer complaints that received a company response (does not indicate the complaint was resolved in the consumer's favor)

** Percentage of responses delivered within the CFPB's 15-day window

Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-03-30

Best For

  • Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan residents seeking comprehensive local banking with community relationship focus
  • Homeowners looking for residential lending products and HELOCs with a local Hawaii lender
  • Savers prioritizing FDIC-insured accounts with above-average rates and promotional bonuses
  • Business owners in Hawaii seeking local business banking, payment processing, and lending relationships
Updated 2026-05-08

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Finance Factors, Ltd. logo

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Is Bank of Hawaii Right for You?

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