First Hawaiian Bank ranked first in the state in total value of loans to small businesses guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBA announced recently. For the 12 months ending September 30, 2001, First Hawaiian had $8.1 million
First Hawaiian Bank ranked first in the state in total value of loans to small businesses guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBA announced recently.
For the 12 months ending September 30, 2001, First Hawaiian had $8.1 million in 7(a), SBA-guaranteed loans to small businesses in Hawai’i and Guam, nearly $3 million ahead of the next closest financial institution.
The SBA Hawai’i district office announced the list of top performers among participating banks, and guaranteed 208 loans to small businesses for over $36.5 million last year.
“First Hawaiian Bank has been an outstanding support to small business in the community, and a great support to SBA financing,” said Andrew Poepoe, SBA district director.
“They are off to a good start for 2002, too,” he said.
Donald G. Horner, vice chairman of First Hawaiian Bank’s retail banking group, noted that the SBA figures reflect “First Hawaiian’s long-standing commitment to helping small businesses across the state.”
First Hawaiian Bank led in the SBA’s Category I loans, and Central Pacific Bank was tops in Category II, delivering 20 of the 7(a) guaranteed loans for $4,904,000, setting a new record for the midsize bank.
“The strong performance and increased participation with SBA clearly demonstrates Central Pacific Bank’s support for business in Hawai’i,” said Candice Naito, vice president and manager of CPB’s business banking division.
“We expect another record year in providing high-quality services for our business customers in the coming year,” said Naito.
The SBA Lender Awards recognize the highest levels of SBA loan production during the fiscal year by financing institutions and by individual lending officers.
Each loan earns a single point for the bank or loan officer, with bonus points awarded for each loan made in SBA new-market categories.
Banks were recognized as top Lender of the Year in two separate size categories based on total volume of their small business loan portfolio.
Category I includes those banks with total commercial loans of $1 billion or more, and Category II is comprised of those banks with a total commercial loan portfolio of less than $1 billion.
First Hawaiian Bank is a principal subsidiary of BancWest Corporation, the largest Hawai’i-based financial company, with total assets of $20 billion. It has seven Kaua’i branches, from Waimea to Princeville.
Central Pacific Bank is Hawai’i’s third-largest commercial bank and fourth-largest financial depository institution, with 24 branches statewide (including the Lihu’e location at Rice and ‘Umi streets), and $1.82 billion in assets.
For more information about SBA financial assistance, business development opportunities and technical assistance, please contact the Hawai’i district office, 1-808-541-2990, or see www.sbahawaii.org.
Even more information is available at the SBA answer desk, toll-free 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (827-5722), or www.sba.gov.
