Arriving October 6th, looking for a bank

[tlboyles1]

Any suggestions on the best local Big Island bank to open an account with? Just for normal banking, not for big investment counseling or whatever, just a normal checking and savings account. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Will be living in Fern Forest but I am assuming the bank would be in Hilo. Aloha!

[Royall]

I've been very pleased with Bank of Hawaii for the last 6 years. VERY professional but always have a smile on there face. I tried a credit union when I first got here, and the first time I tried to cash a check from another bank, they refused. My friend took me to BofH and they cashed it on the spot! I changed right there and then. When I closed the CU account the manager only shrugged his shoulders and walked away! BTW... BofH has been said to be "America's best bank" two years in a row. Very stable and solvent. You can google that information.

Royall

Hale O Na Mea Pa`ani

[macuu222]

One alternative is to just keep your mainland back open like we did. No need to open one here since most people don't use checks anymore. Everything is debit and credit no matter where your bank is located. And even if by chance you just need to deposit or withdraw funds...Shared Banking lets you use banks here to deposit or withdrawl funds from/to your mainland bank.

[Carey]

When we moved we were going to keep our mainland bank... the week after we moved was one of the large credit card info leaks... our debit/credit cards were involved... so the cards were sent from the mainland to our POBox...only hitch, they used FedEx... Then "corrected" the mistake & sent USPS express to our physical address... we opened local accounts with both the credit union that blocks from our house & Bank of Hawaii...
The local accounts seem to work better than the one mainland account we still have ( the time lag if you have a question, or do transactions, plus a couple of early morning return calls...."sorry..we didn't realize it is only 4am there"....)

[missydog1]

I like Bank of Hawai'i. That said, First Hawaiian Bank is fine too.
I like the main Kaiko'o Branch, the one next to Longs across from the DMV/Building Dept, but the branch on Kawili and Hwy 11 is convenient too. (Sorry, I don't know where the branches are south of Hilo.)

Not that makuu doesn't have a good point, especially if you like your current bank.

A lot of people swear by credit unions, and I've tried one or two over the years here, but I guess I am just a bank person. Also if you go to Oahu at all, it is nice to have your bank available. I don't like paying ATM fees.

One nice feature BOH has is the new branch in Safeway that is open until 6 on weekdays, and it is open with full service on Saturdays (and maybe Sundays). KTA Puainako has an in store branch as well.

The people at my branch always smile and say hi, they know me. I don't find it impersonal.

[Lin W]

And, then there’s always Ally Bank - online only, no brick-and-mortar anywhere. All services are free, no fees, and there is live customer service 24/7 that is USA-based, not India, etc. They offer no-minimum interest checking and no-penalty CDs. I’ve had an account with Ally for just about a year now and have been pleased…another option to consider.


blessed are the cracked for they let in the light

[rmelzig]

A year ago chose First Hawaiian as it is a corporate cousin of CA-based Bank of the West with which I banked for 30 years and was really happy with its consumer and small business focus (small line of credit for my business, etc.). Kept the personal account and can get $$ from First Hawaiian ATM w/o fees. Perfectly content with First Hawaiian and its Pahoa branch. That said, our mortgage ended up with Central Pacific Bank last spring. /Very/ impressed with their phone support; the person I got on every call was able to complete the request/transaction. Was able to find in their system a branch deposit I had made in Hilo 2 hours earlier and reverse a double payment overnight. I suggest looking into them although they don't seem to have as many branches around here as BoH or FHB.

Rick Melzig

[mikewj]

I can recommend Central Pacific Bank. Opened my account when I started construction and I've found their customer service to be really helpful.
I was mailing checks from the mainland to pay contractors, and one check was lost in the mail. CP Bank's customer service issued a cashiers check to the contractor and stopped payment on the lost check simply as a result of a phone conversation with me! Try that with any of the big mainland banks.

[Alex]

We have both BOH and FHB. Good customer service in Pahoa.But none of them has an option to pay a mortgage or other loan on line or over the phone for free.In FHB you have to request your loan statements or they will not sent it to you.As in most local services ,a lot of nickel and diming .Check what's important to you.If you like your mainland bank,keep it.

[Mr.Natural]

I too, will be moving to the Puna area in Nov and one thing I dread is dropping my Union Bank, who, by the way never took a single penny during the Federal baiout! Depending on what you need Credit Unions are very good. It is eaiser to get a home loan from them, they are typically local owned and it is a good thing to promote local business,,,try em,,you will like them! Sayeth Mr. Natural