Banks on the Big Island - suggestions (Hilo, Pahoa: credit, loan)

[Hawaii Bound]

I am looking to open an account with a bank on the Big Island. I have seen and talked to several banks. Can anyone recommend one based on personal experience. I.E. service, types of accounts, good/bad experiences, branch locations, etc. If you cannot list anything specific then DM with your recommendations on who and why or why not choose them. Many thanks!

[KoaKine]

Bank of Hawaii

First Hawaiian Bank

Central Pacific Bank

The big 3.

Bank of Hawaii you get Hawaiian airlines miles for using your debit card so thats a plus. Iʻm in Hilo and the people in the bank are great no bad experiences.

[mdand3boys]

Bank of Hawaii even lets you open an account on-line, which may help you if you are not here yet.

[Balad1]

Banks are banks, especially after the financial crisis. Hawaii's banks have always tended to be more conservative than on the mainland. Even during the crazy times when banks were giving money away.

I would go with a credit union.

[dwedeking]

I second the credit union recommendation.

I set up an account at Bank of Hawaii because you could do so online. The people that work the Hilo branches are really nice and helpful. But, there are little fees for things (such as ATM useage) etc. and I will be switching to a credit union shortly.

[Balad1]

I believe some of us are under the false impression that if you do all your business with one bank that they will look favorably on you when it's time for that loan or a better interest rate. I have had this treatment with a credit union and maybe one might at a small town bank but never at a larger one. At larger institutions I've found them to be more impersonal and what they offer you the customer is strictly based on your credit history or your net worth, period.

Bank employees are all smiles when you’re putting money in but they put on that banker's face when you want that loan or a low interest rate...

[Hawaii Bound]

One of the banks that I was looking at was CU Hawaii. They actually have a branch in Pahoa and they are a credit union. I will look into them a little more closely. As always, thank you everyone for your valued input.

[Koale]

Stay away from Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union...they are morons!
We banked w/them for only three months and finally closed our account. One rediculous error after another.
Koale

[KonaKat]

What kind of problems did you have? We have banked w/them for over 6 years and never any problems except once when they wanted to put an 8 day hold on a certified check! (hellooo this is why we have certified checks,so they're good right away.........) I was buying a jeep from an individual, got a certified check for a certain amount from our 401K, went to put in the bank and pay the people as they were leaving for the mainland in a couple of days. THis is a Friday afternoon, too. Long story short, they loaned me the money instead of clearing the check. I had a loan for a substantial amount of money in less than an hour, but they would not cash that check from our 401K! never did figure that one out.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by dwedeking

I second the credit union recommendation.

I set up an account at Bank of Hawaii because you could do so online. The people that work the Hilo branches are really nice and helpful. But, there are little fees for things (such as ATM useage) etc. and I will be switching to a credit union shortly.

I have zero fees for anything at BOH. Yes, the folks at all of the branches I have been to so far are extremely polite and friendly and helpful. Makes you want to look around to see if something is wrong.