FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK POSTS 9.2% INCREASE
IN FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS

(Honolulu, Hawaii, April 30, 2008) - First Hawaiian Bank today reported 2008 first quarter net income of $56.2 million, an increase of 9.2% over the first quarter of 2007, according to an announcement today by Don Horner, president and chief executive officer.

“Despite a slowing local economy and a challenged national economy, the bank continued to perform well overall,” Horner said.

• Compared to the previous year, for the first three months ending March 31, 2008, First Hawaiian achieved the following:
• Total Assets: grew to $13.0 billion, an increase of 5.7%.
• Deposits: were $9.0 billion, up 1.0%.
• Loans and Leases: were $6.8 billion, an 8.6% increase.
• Total Revenue: increased by 14.6% to $177.7 million.
• Non-Performing Assets to total assets remained low at 0.06%.

During the quarter, First Hawaiian launched FHB Direct and became the first bank in Hawaii to offer the convenience of opening a checking account online. In March the bank launched its Priority Rewards Debit and Credit Card with enhanced Anytime Travel benefits, gift cards and cash awards earned by redeeming CashPoints.

First Hawaiian Bank ($13.0 billion assets) was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii's oldest and largest bank. It has 58 branches in Hawaii, three on Guam and two on Saipan. First Hawaiian Bank's holding company, BancWest Corporation (www.bancwestcorp.com), with $74.8 billion in total assets, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, a leading global financial services company.

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