2006 Annual Report of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

“Customer needs and expectations are always changing. At American Savings Bank, we not only respond to those needs, but also offer customers new solutions that anticipate their future needs. That’s how you build long-term relationships.”

Gabe Lee
Senior Vice President, Commercial Markets
relationships

BUILDING BUSINESSES WITH BIG RESULTS

In banking, customer relationships aren’t given. They must be earned through responsive, proven performance and by delivering solutions that meet customer needs. At American Savings Bank, we consider ourselves advocates for our customers. In practice, that finds our commercial banking officers dedicating themselves to working cooperatively to construct business partnerships that are mutually beneficial to customers and the bank.

In 2006, American Savings Bank continued to build on its successful strategy of new commercial customer acquisition by offering strong relationship management and by getting the word out that the bank is a business specialist. Those efforts paid dividends in the form of a 9.3 percent year-over-year increase in commercial loan balances. Helping Hawaii’s businesses is the best way we know to support not only large and small businesses themselves, but also our island economy and our surrounding communities.

THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR BUSINESS

American Savings Bank is known for going the extra mile to learn the nuances of our customers’ businesses. It’s a philosophy that has helped make us the right choice as a financial partner for businesses in a host of industries, including wholesale and retail operations, food services, and healthcare, to name just a few.

One example of the bank’s experience in food services was its selection as lead bank in preparing a structured financing package for Scanlan Management LLC, which enabled the company to purchase 25 Jack in the Box stores in Hawaii as well as open a new store in Kunia. The franchise owner, who has extensive experience operating multiple quick service restaurants in Hawaii, knew the bank from its role in facilitating financing for a prior company.
Working with many of Hawaii’s leading businesses requires commercial banking officers of the highest caliber, and the bank continues to attract quality relationship officers, respected professionals who understand the needs of business owners and managers, and who prove their commitment through the comprehensive, personalized services they provide.

JACK IN THE ISLANDS

Gabe Lee, American Savings Bank senior vice president of commercial markets, worked with new Jack in the Box franchise owner Chris Scanlan to develop a structured financing plan to purchase the chain’s Hawaii restaurants and fund future expansion including airports and military retail establishments. “American Savings Bank took the time to understand our industry and address our growing needs, helping to simplify my life as a business owner,” said Scanlan.