UP 8.05% IN THE SECOND QUARTER
For the first six months, transactions overall are up 9.27%

(Honolulu, Hawaii, July 8, 2012) – The second quarter First Hawaiian Bank Business Activity Report (BAR) showed an increase of 8.05 percent in "same store sales" over the comparable period of 2011, according to Keith Nagata, senior vice president and Business Services Division manager. For the first six months of 2012, overall card sales transaction for debit and credit cards are up 9.27 percent over the first half of 2011.

"We're pleased to see positive growth overall in every quarter since 2010 which is further validation that the economy is improving," said Nagata. "This is the third consecutive quarter in which 15 out of 16 sectors in the Hawaii Bar showed positive growth over prior year."

The BAR tracks sales activity in 16 different economic sectors including automobile, retail, hotels, home improvement, restaurants, shipping and travel, among others. First Hawaiian Bank has over 7,500 merchant locations throughout Hawaii, Guam CNMI and the U.S. Mainland and therefore is able to provide a broad measure of economic activity.

First Hawaiian is the largest local processor of merchant services. In 2011, the bank processed over 4.1 billion worth of credit and debit card sales transactions, an increase of 8.0 percent over 2010 and more than any other local financial institution.

First Hawaiian Bank, with assets of some $16 billion, was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii's oldest and largest financial institution. The bank processes all major U.S. credit cards as well as JCB, China Union Pay and BC Global.