October 30, 2006

FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK POSTS RECORD 2006 THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS

(Honolulu, Hawaii, October 30, 2006) – First Hawaiian Bank today reported record 2006 third quarter earnings of $49.8 million, an increase of 10.7% over the third quarter of 2005, according to an announcement today by Don Horner, president and chief executive officer.

For the nine months ending September 30, 2006 the bank earned a record $150.4 million, an increase of 20.4% over the comparable year-earlier period.,/p>

“Our solid earnings and asset growth was largely the result of the continued successful implementation of our customer-relationship strategy. I am especially proud of the performance of our dedicated employees,” Horner stated.

Compared to the previous year, for the first nine months ending September 30, 2006, First Hawaiian achieved the following:

  • Total Assets: reached $11.9 billion, an increase of 5.1%.
  • Loans and Leases: were $6.2 billion, a 7.0% increase.
  • Deposits: were $8.6 billion, up 4.3%.
  • Non-Interest Income: increased by 3.6% to $110.8 million.
  • Non-Performing Assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.01%.

During the quarter, First Hawaiian launched two new and expanded investment advisory programs: PrivateInvest for Private Banking clients and PriorityInvest for Personal Banking clients. Additionally, the bank began offering a new Aloha AirAwards card in Hawaii and a Continental Airlines credit card on Guam and Saipan.

First Hawaiian Bank ($11.9 billion assets) was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii's oldest and largest bank. It has 57 branches in Hawaii, three on Guam and two on Saipan. It is a subsidiary of BancWest Corporation (www.bancwestcorp.com), a financial holding company with assets of $67.8 billion.

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