First Hawaiian Bank Rated 'Outstanding' for Community Reinvestment Performance
Also Named Leading Small Business Lender In Hawaii
First Hawaiian Bank received a rating of "Outstanding" in its 2006 evaluation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This is the fifth consecutive evaluation in which First Hawaiian Bank has received an "Outstanding" rating. Only 11% of the banks in the U.S. evaluated in 2006 by the federal bank regulatory agencies received an "Outstanding" rating.
The rating recognizes the bank's record and commitment to meet the credit and financial services needs of the entire community it serves. From January 2003 to June 2006, First Hawaiian Bank made loans totaling more than $987 million to support affordable housing projects, non-profit organizations serving low- and moderate-income areas. The FDIC's evaluation report also recognized First Hawaiian Bank as the "leading small business lender in Hawaii." The bank was ranked first in Hawaii in dollar volume of small business loans. The FDIC noted that the bank makes extensive use of innovative and flexible lending products and practices in order to serve the State's credit needs and to provide easy access to credit for underserved small businesses, small farms or individuals.
The FDIC noted that First Hawaiian "takes a leadership role in the development of long-term, innovative investment programs that benefit qualified charities." The bank contributed nearly $5.8 million to 85 non-profit and services organizations since the previous evaluation.
The FDIC found First Hawaiian's retail branch delivery system and its 24/7 online website to be readily accessible and convenient to the entire geographic area served. The FDIC praised First Hawaiian for its "excellent level of retail banking and community development services that are tailored to the convenience and needs of the low- and moderate-income individuals, geographies, and small businesses within Hawaii." First Hawaiian's commitment to community development organizations was demonstrated by the extent of the time and resources that the bank personnel devoted to a variety of community development organizations and programs that serve the needs of low- and moderate-income residents and small businesses.
The Community Reinvestment Act is a 1977 federal law which encourages federally insured deposit-taking institutions to serve the credit needs of all segments of the population of communities where they do business. Compliance with the act is monitored and enforced by the four federal bank regulatory agencies including the FDIC, FRB, OCC and OTS.
