First Hawaiian Bank Review: Trusted Local Bank With a Range of Account Options

First Hawaiian Bank pairs its deep community roots with a diverse range of financial services.

First Hawaiian Bank offers various financial products, including checking and savings options, certificates of deposit (CDs), business banking and wealth management. With convenient branch access across Hawaii, it’s a practical choice for local customers looking for full-service banking.

Founded in 1858 and headquartered in Honolulu, First Hawaiian Bank is the state’s oldest and largest financial institution. It operates 49 branches throughout the Hawaiian Islands, along with locations in Guam and Saipan, and provides everything from everyday deposit accounts to loans, credit cards, investments and wealth management services.

First Hawaiian Bank Checking Account

Each of First Hawaiian’s three checking accounts targets a specific type of customer. It’s important to understand what you need when you’re comparing the best checking accounts on the market. Pure, Priority Banking Gold and Priority Banking Platinum come with their own benefits. 

• A low minimum deposit is required for all of the checking accounts.
• You’ll get free checks and online bill pay with Priority Gold Checking.
• Priority Banking Platinum comes with preferred CD rates and waived annual fees on lines of credit.

First Hawaiian Bank Checking Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Banking in Hawaii

Loan Options

Low Minimum Deposit

Convenient Options for Everyday Banking

First Hawaiian Bank offers versatile checking accounts with low minimum opening deposits and options to waive monthly fees. With features like free checks and preferred rates on CDs, these accounts provide flexible and convenient banking solutions.

Fees

Up to $22

APY

N/A

Min Opening

$20

Pros

• Open an account with just $20
• Monthly maintenance fees are easily waived
• Can get loan administration fee discounts with Priority Gold or Platinum

Cons

• Monthly maintenance fees
• Higher rates found elsewhere

Quick Take

First Hawaiian Bank offers several checking accounts but access to in-person banking is concentrated in one region. Although the minimum deposit to open an account is low, customers may want options that have higher APYs.

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First Hawaiian Savings Accounts

First Hawaiian Bank offers savings accounts with low minimum deposit requirements and the security of FDIC insurance. While all accounts have maintenance fees, they can be waived by maintaining minimum balances.

Additional benefits include overdraft protection for linked checking accounts and bonus interest opportunities with the Yes Savings account, making these options both accessible and flexible for savers.

• A low minimum deposit is required for two of the savings accounts.
• All accounts are FDIC insured for added security.
• Waivable maintenance fees for some of the savings accounts.
• Maximizer Savings account provides tiered interest rates for savers.

First Hawaiian Bank Savings Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Banking in Hawaii

Loan Options

Low Minimum Deposit

Secure and Flexible Options

First Hawaiian Bank’s savings accounts are FDIC insured and most require a low minimum deposit to open. With waivable maintenance fees and tiered interest rates through the Maximizer Savings account, they offer secure and flexible options for growing your savings.

Fees

Up to $10

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$20 to $10,000

Pros

• Low minimum deposits 
• Overdraft protection for checking accounts when linked

Cons

• Low APYs compared to other banks
• Monthly maintenance fees

Quick Take

First Hawaiian Bank offers choices with their savings accounts. The minimum deposit of $20 is attainable for most customers. However, the monthly maintenance fees — if they aren’t waived — and the low APY may not make it the best savings option.

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First Hawaiian CD Accounts

First Hawaiian Bank offers a variety of CDs — from three to 12-month terms. You can open a new account online to get the top rates. Here are some key points to know:

• You’ll need a minimum deposit of $500 to $100,000, depending on the type of CD chosen and where you’re opening it.
• These accounts have no monthly maintenance fees.
• There are various options for in-person and online CDs.

First Hawaiian Bank CD Accounts

Start Banking

Best For

Mobile App

Low Monthly Fees

Banking in Hawaii

Loan Options

Low Minimum Deposit

Secure Savings With Competitive Options

First Hawaiian Bank offers a range of CDs with competitive rates, including special options for online CDs and in-person shorter-term CDs, providing a secure way to grow your savings.

Fees

No monthly maintenance fees

APY

Up to

Min Opening

$500 to $100,000

Pros

• Options for eCDs and in-person CDs
• Varying deposits and lengths
• FDIC insured

Cons

• Interest rates may be lower than competitors
• Early withdrawal penalties
• Limited online CD options

Quick Take

First Hawaiian Bank offers flexible, fee-free CD options with secure returns and both online and branch access. Rates are modest, but the variety of terms adds value.

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Banking Experience

A First Hawaiian Bank review wouldn’t be complete without a look at how day-to-day banking works. Here’s what you need to know.

Customer Service

General customer service inquiries are available by phone at 888-844-4444 or 808-844-4444 if on Oahu. You can also log in to FHB online and send a secure message.

Mobile and Digital Experience

First Hawaiian’s mobile banking app provides a full-featured banking experience so you can check balances, contact customer service, find branches, pay bills and more. Your information is safe because the app is compatible with fingerprint and face recognition and uses 128-bit Secure Socket Layer or SSL encryption.

You can download the app on Google Play or the App Store. Customers give the First Hawaiian mobile banking app a good review overall:

• Google Play: 3.2 out of 5 stars
• Apple Store: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Convenience and Ease of Use

First Hawaiian Bank’s app and website let you handle most of your banking needs quickly and easily. For other services, you can visit a local branch, call for support or send a secure message through the online portal.

Comparable Bank Options 

Checking

Savings

CDs

SELECTED BANK

First Hawaiian Bank Checking Accounts

Start Banking

MOST COMPARABLE

Central Pacific Bank Checking Accounts

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

American Savings Bank Checking Account

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

Up to $22

$0 to $25, waivable

$5 to $25 monthly, can be waived

APY

APY

APY

N/A

Up to with Shaka Checking

Up to

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$20

$25 to $500

$20

SELECTED BANK

First Hawaiian Bank Savings Accounts

Start Banking

MOST COMPARABLE

Central Pacific Bank Savings Accounts

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

American Savings Bank Savings Account

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

Up to $10

$0 to $6, waivable

$0 to $10 monthly fee, waivable

APY

APY

APY

Up to

Up to

Up to

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$20 to $10,000

$10 to $500

$5 to $20

SELECTED BANK

First Hawaiian Bank CD Accounts

Start Banking

MOST COMPARABLE

Central Pacific Bank CD Accounts

Read Review

MOST COMPARABLE

American Savings Bank CD Account

Read Review

Fees

Fees

Fees

No monthly maintenance fees

No monthly service fee

Early withdrawal penalties may apply

APY

APY

APY

Up to

Up to

Up to

Min Opening

Min Opening

Min Opening

$500 to $100,000

$500 to $20,000

$1,000 to $50,000

First Hawaiian Bank vs. Bank of Hawaii

Both banks have a strong presence in Hawaii and emphasize community-oriented service with wide product ranges. However, Bank of Hawaii stands out with three interest-bearing checking account options, compared to First Hawaiian’s single offering.

First Hawaiian Bank vs. Central Pacific Bank

Central Pacific Bank is a better option for those looking to maximize savings, as some of its accounts offer higher interest rates. However, First Hawaiian Bank provides a broader selection of checking account options to meet varied needs.

First Hawaiian Bank vs. American Savings Bank

American Savings Bank differentiates itself with a focus on financial education, offering tools and resources to help customers build savings and manage their finances. It also provides a money market account, which its competitors lack. That said, First Hawaiian Bank is a better choice if you prefer personalized banking services and maintain high combined deposits.

Final Take 

First Hawaiian’s status as the state’s first — and largest — bank makes it a good choice for customers who want a wide branch network and access to a variety of financial products. If First Hawaiian ticks most of your boxes, you can open an account online or stop by a local branch to get started.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 2, 2025. 

This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

To determine rankings for the Best CD Accounts of 2026, GOBankingRates considered the following factors (excluding neobanks): (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) number of branch locations as sourced from the FDIC; (3) minimum deposit to open an account; (4) 12-month CD APY rate; (5) 60-month CD APY rate, and (6) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1) and (2) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (3) was weighed 2 times, and factors (4) and (5) were weighed 4 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Oct. 4, 2025, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 2, 2025.

To determine the Best Money Market Accounts of 2026, GOBankingRates analyzed the following factors from all banks (excluding neobanks): (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) number of branch locations as sourced from the FDIC; (3) minimum deposit to open an account; (4) APY on the money market account; (5) the minimum balance needed to earn the APY; (6) monthly money market fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); and (7) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1) and (2) were weighed 0.5 times, and factor (4) was weighed 4 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Oct. 2, 2025, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 2, 2025.

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