NEWS RELEASE

FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK DEBUTS NEW CONTACTLESS DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS

First Hawaiian Bank to offer “tap & go” technology for easy, fast, and secure everyday purchases.

HONOLULU, July 29, 2020 – First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) today announced the launch of its new contactless credit cards. FHB is the first financial institution in Hawaii to unveil “tap & go” contactless debit and credit technology that provides speed, convenience and the ability to “tap & go” without the card leaving the customer’s hand or touching the terminal.

These new contactless cards provide both customers and businesses a convenient, fast, and secure way to make everyday purchases at many point-of-sale (POS) terminals statewide. As Hawaii’s local economy continues its reopening and small businesses look for ways to ensure success, contactless cards allow for a speedier checkout experience and increased customer loyalty. For businesses like coffee shops, fast casual restaurants and grocery stores, the elimination of hand-to-hand transactions enables faster transactions and a safer environment for employees.

The new cards use near-field communication wireless connectivity and customers simply “tap” by hovering any FHB debit or credit card over the contactless symbol on merchant terminals to make a payment. Customers may need to enter a pin number for transactions over $50.

“With consumers returning to their daily activities of shopping and dining, our new contactless payment cards offer our customers  the ability to make their purchases quickly with their card never leaving their hand,” said Gregg Hirano, First Hawaiian Bank Senior Vice President, Card Services Division Manager. “Using the latest advances in digital, chip-enhanced technology, we’re able to quickly respond to changing consumer preferences with cards that enhance convenience, speed, security and safety.”

According to a report by Mastercard, eight of ten transactions are still frequent, face-to-face purchases—and half are transactions under $25. Contactless cards are another example of FHB’s dedication to providing digital first solutions and the tools customers need for frictionless banking and shopping. 

Convenient
Contactless “tap & go” technology is a convenient alternative to cash and is already available for use anywhere that Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay is accepted. 

Fast
Contactless cards can process transactions nearly 10 times faster than a regular chip-enabled card. Businesses can  complete transactions more quickly, reducing the amount of time customers must wait in line to make a purchase.


Safe and Secure
Transactions are secure since the card never leaves the hand of the customer and the built-in chip technology generates a unique code for each transaction, as it does with regular chip-enabled cards. For added security, Mastercard’s Zero Liability still protects users from unauthorized transactions. 

Contactless debit and credit cards will be distributed starting June 29, 2020. For more information, visit www.fhb.com/contactless.

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