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We use Bank of Hawaii. We set up accounts with them long before we moved here, to make transfers easier. We've stayed with them through a mortgage, home equity line of credit, etc.
We've had some amusing interactions with BOH (read: hair on fire, running and screaming) but they always straightened things out and came through for us in the end.
And they are one of the most highly rated banks in the country. Quite a coup for a Hawaiian company.
And they are one of the most highly rated banks in the country. Quite a coup for a Hawaiian company.
Or, perhaps not. Considering the lofty standard set by the other banks, simply remembering to unlock the doors and not insult your customers when they walk in the door would elevate you to the top of the list...
I'd go w/ one of the smaller banks rather than BOH. We had nothing but trouble w/ them when we lived on the Big Island. Sure, you may be able to open an account online (like any bank), but they required our son to travel from the mainland to close his account!!! They are the epitome of unreasonable and unlistening people. If I was Marty I would have hired an attorney and gone to the FCC, but he was going there for a visit so he closed it there. All during his mainland college days, getting anything from BOH for his student loans was a disaster.
I had BOH when I lived in Honolulu and they were TERRIBLE! I had a million problems with them. I was just about getting ready to switch over to First Hawaiian, but then I ended up moving. I also had several friends with similar issues that I had with BOH.
Both Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank are good. I'd not choose B of Am if you paid me to!
First Hawaiian Bank services their own charge cards. My Bank of Hawaii card is now serviced on the mainland (they made the switch a few years ago). For that reason, I'd go with FHB for charge cards.
Bank of Hawai'i has been ranked best bank in the country last two years running, which matches my own experience with them.
First Hawaiian, on the other hand, had several endemic issues, many related to the fact that all their processing takes place on Oahu. For instance, on the Big Island, deposits go to Hawai'i for processing, then notices about any problems are printed on Oahu, sent as air cargo to the BI, then reviewed and mailed from Hilo, causing a 5 day lag. And they issued separate account cards (debit cards) for savings and checking accounts, and could not link them, as opposed to the convenience of having a single card to access all accounts. And their online services were crude.
As far as closing an account with any bank, I've found that withdrawing all the money from the account to be pretty effective.
I chose American Savings Bank...couldn't open the account online, so I had to wait until I got here. But everything has been effortless, quick, and friendly - I'm happy with them, so far at least!
I would not bank remotely total pain in the butt! Bank of Hawaii was just fine when I lived there years ago and now we are going back and they just re-opened all of our accounts.
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