First Hawaiian Bank logo

First Hawaiian Bank in Honolulu, HI

4.2/5

First Hawaiian Bank is a full-service bank offering checking, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, and online banking with FDIC insurance and locations across Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

First Hawaiian Bank Review

First Hawaiian Bank has been serving Hawaii's communities for 165 years, establishing itself as a deeply rooted financial institution with strong local presence and commitment to the regions it serves. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of consumer and business banking products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgage and refinance options, investment services, and insurance products. Customers can access services through multiple channels: physical branches, FHB Online, FHB Mobile app, and FHB Commercial Online (formerly OBC) for business customers in Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI.

The bank emphasizes relationship banking and personalized service, with executive leadership highlighting tailored solutions and community-focused lending practices. What distinguishes First Hawaiian Bank is its deep integration into Hawaiian culture and community values, reflected in its branch architecture inspired by Hawaii's history and culture, 165-year legacy of community involvement, and focus on supporting local small businesses. The bank offers Priority Banking with promotional benefits ($350 statement credit for new accounts with direct deposits), current mortgage rates advertised on their site, fraud protection and security education, and specialized services like private banking and mortgage lending with dedicated loan officers.

Multi-language support (English and Japanese) is available. S. banking.

The bank maintains a robust security posture with explicit fraud warnings and commitment to never requesting sensitive information via unsolicited contact. However, at the time of the website content capture, both FHB Online and FHB Commercial Online services were unavailable with no specified resolution time, and business online banking was undergoing maintenance (scheduled for May 27-31, 2022), indicating potential service disruption issues. The website emphasizes hiring and career development, suggesting organizational investment in staff.

First Hawaiian Bank is best suited for Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI residents seeking full-service banking with local community roots, relationship-based lending, and integrated financial solutions. S. customers.

Service availability issues documented on the website suggest potential operational reliability concerns worth monitoring before account opening.

Services & Features

Business checking and savings accounts
Debit cards
FHB Commercial Online banking system for businesses
FHB Mastercard credit cards with rewards and benefits
Fraud protection and security education tools
Insurance products
Investment services
Mortgage loans and refinancing
Online and mobile banking (FHB Online and FHB Mobile)
Personal checking accounts
Personal loans
Private banking services
Savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)

Feature Checklist

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

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • FDIC-insured deposits backed by full faith and credit of U.S. Government
  • 165-year operational history with deep community roots and local presence across Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI
  • Comprehensive product suite: checking, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, investments, and insurance
  • Priority Banking promotional offer with $350 statement credit plus deposit incentive
  • Multi-channel access: physical branches, FHB Online, FHB Mobile app, and commercial online banking
  • Dedicated relationship managers and specialized loan officers (private banking, mortgage lending, business banking)
  • Equal Housing Lender with explicit fraud protection education and commitment to never request sensitive info via phone/email

Cons

  • Geographic limitation: services only available in Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI—not suitable for mainland U.S. customers
  • Website documented both personal and commercial online banking unavailable at time of content capture with unclear resolution timelines
  • Scheduled commercial online banking maintenance periods (e.g., May 27-31, 2022 in Hawaii) may disrupt business access
  • Limited information on specific APR/interest rates, fee structures, and product terms available on homepage
  • No mention of digital-only account opening or neobank features—appears traditional branch-dependent for account establishment

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.7
Customer Service
3.8
Transparency
4.0
Ease of Use
4.5

Consumer Complaint Record

First Hawaiian Bank received 41 consumer complaints in the past 12 months. All complaints received a timely response from the company.

41

Complaints (12 months)

11.1%

Resolved with relief

Increasing

Complaint trend

Most Common Complaint Categories

Managing an account
30.6%
Incorrect information on your report
9.7%
Closing an account
8.3%

49 FDIC-insured branch locations nationwide.

SBA Lending Record

Ranked #5 in HI for SBA 7A lending in FY2022.

Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · SBA · FDIC BankFind

Mortgage Lending Transparency

First Hawaiian Bank processed 2,230 mortgage applications in 2023, approving 74.4% of applicants across 3 states.

2,230

Applications

74.4%

Approval Rate

$401K

Avg Loan

3

States Served

Approval Rate by Applicant Income

Under $50K
31.4%
$50K–$100K
64.2%
$100K–$200K
77.6%
Over $200K
85%

Based on 2,230 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).

Top Lending States

Hawaii 2,227 apps · 71.5%
California 1 apps · 100%
Washington 1 apps · 0%

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does First Hawaiian Bank offer?

First Hawaiian Bank offers 13 services including Personal checking accounts, Savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), FHB Mastercard credit cards with rewards and benefits, Debit cards, Personal loans, and 8 more.

Who is First Hawaiian Bank best suited for?

First Hawaiian Bank is best suited for Hawaii residents seeking full-service banking with local community commitment and relationship-based lending, Small business owners in Hawaii, Guam, or CNMI needing integrated commercial banking and dedicated business managers, Customers prioritizing FDIC insurance, fraud protection, and personalized service over fintech convenience, Mortgage borrowers in Pacific regions looking for local loan officers and relationship-based home lending.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of First Hawaiian Bank?

Key strengths: FDIC-insured deposits backed by full faith and credit of U.S. Government; 165-year operational history with deep community roots and local presence across Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI; Comprehensive product suite: checking, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, investments, and insurance. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation: services only available in Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI—not suitable for mainland U.S. customers; Website documented both personal and commercial online banking unavailable at time of content capture with unclear resolution timelines.

How does First Hawaiian Bank compare to similar companies?

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

Quick Facts

Founded
1858
Headquarters
Honolulu, HI
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
FDIC Insured FDIC Cert #17985
Visit First Hawaiian Bank

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on First Hawaiian Bank

First Hawaiian Bank is best for Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI residents who value local community banking relationships, personalized service, and integrated financial solutions from an established institution with deep regional roots. The primary caveat is strict geographic limitation to Pacific territories—mainland U.S. customers cannot access services—and documented online banking service disruptions suggest reliability concerns worth investigating before account opening.

Best For

  • Hawaii residents seeking full-service banking with local community commitment and relationship-based lending
  • Small business owners in Hawaii, Guam, or CNMI needing integrated commercial banking and dedicated business managers
  • Customers prioritizing FDIC insurance, fraud protection, and personalized service over fintech convenience
  • Mortgage borrowers in Pacific regions looking for local loan officers and relationship-based home lending
Updated 2026-05-08

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Bank of Hawaii logo

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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.

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Central Pacific Bank logo

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Central Pacific Bank is a full-service bank offering personal checking, savings, loans, mortgages, credit cards, and wealth management services through digital and branch channels.

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