# First Hawaiian, Inc.: AI strategy

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/first-hawaiian
Last updated: Oct 25, 2026

*Hawaii's oldest bank has put its AI programme under a newly promoted digital-banking executive and is about to add 68 California branches through the $2 billion TriCo acquisition, its first mainland network since splitting from Bank of the West.*

## How is First Hawaiian using AI?

First Hawaiian, Inc., the Honolulu parent of First Hawaiian Bank with about $24 billion of assets, made its AI ownership explicit in January 2026 when chairman, president and CEO Bob Harrison promoted Jason Dang to executive vice president and manager of the Digital Banking and Services Division, responsible for enterprise digital transformation across digital banking, servicing and acquisition platforms and for leading the bank's artificial intelligence programme, establishing both its strategy and governance; the same release gave its eMarketing manager the job of integrating AI into email marketing, and by July 2026 Dang was billed as manager of the 'Digital Banking, AI and Services Division' on a Hawaii Leadership Conference panel about the human side of AI and automation. The deployment on record is in lending: in June 2025 Celent named First Hawaiian Bank a 2025 Model Bank for AI-augmented retail lending, for AI-based automated underwriting whose custom credit model, coupled with process redesign, expanded approvals in 'previously unscorable/credit invisible populations' and improved risk management. The underwriting vendor is identified by the vendor itself: Zest AI's case study says First Hawaiian launched a customised Zest AI underwriting model for credit cards in six months and reports that automated decisions rose from 4% to 55% of applications and instant approvals from 4% to 40% in the first year (vendor-reported figures). The bank itself has disclosed no AI vendor or budget, and its customer-facing AI content is defensive: deepfake awareness for work and home, AI voice-cloning scam warnings, malware and job-scam warnings. The filings add detail. The 2025 10-K carries a stand-alone risk factor stating that the bank and/or its vendors, clients or counterparties 'have in the past developed or incorporated' AI in certain business processes, services or products, and lists AI among the subjects of the bank's technology usage policies; in the TriCo merger agreement First Hawaiian represented that it maintains 'reasonable technical safeguards and written policies governing the use of Generative AI Tools' by its employees and contractors and has received no written notice or complaint about its generative-AI use since January 2024. AI did not come up on the last four earnings calls, and the bank is recruiting an AI automation analyst in Honolulu. The strategic story of 2026 is the mainland. On 13 July First Hawaiian agreed to buy TriCo Bancshares, parent of Tri Counties Bank in Chico, California, for about $2 billion in stock, gaining 68 branches in Northern and Central California and $8.4 billion of deposits, keeping the Tri Counties brand and CEO Rick Smith as a board member and adviser; the combined company will have $34 billion of assets, $29 billion of deposits and 113 branches, with 25% cost savings projected and closing expected near year-end. Harrison said the bank has lent in California since the mid-1990s but 'what we've lacked since our separation from Bank of the West is a branch network', while insisting 'Hawaii is still home'. Second-quarter 2026 net income was $73.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, with the net interest margin up six basis points to 3.25%. First Hawaiian Bank is a Hawaii state nonmember bank supervised by the FDIC; integrating TriCo's systems will be the technology organisation's main task through 2027.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Lead bank | First Hawaiian Bank |
| Ticker | FHB |
| Headquarters | Honolulu, HI |
| Consolidated assets | $23,649 million |
| Federal Reserve rank | 83 |
| Charter | Hawaii state nonmember bank (FDIC) |

## What AI partnerships and patents does First Hawaiian have?

First Hawaiian's public AI partner record is one vendor, Zest AI, which supplied the customised credit-card underwriting model, plus Q2 as the digital banking and pricing platform provider. The bank has disclosed no AI lab, cloud, GPU or data-vendor partnership, and no investment in an AI fintech. A search of Google Patents for patents or published applications assigned to First Hawaiian returned no AI-related filings, but the patent database blocked direct assignee queries during research, so the absence of AI patents is not confirmed. ([Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/), [Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending), [Q2 Holdings (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20230727795551/en/First-Hawaiian-Bank-Selects-Q2-to-Transform-its-Commercial-Lending-Business))

| Item | What it is | Status | Date | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zest AI | Customised machine-learning underwriting model for credit cards, built on bank and bureau data and integrated with the loan origination system; launched in six months | In production | 2025-06-05 | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/), [Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending) |
| Zest AI expansion | Possible extension to auto, consumer, line-of-credit and small-business portfolios, the LuLu GenAI companion and Zest Protect fraud detection (vendor-reported intentions) | Announced | 2025-06-05 | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| Q2 PrecisionLender | Relationship pricing and profitability tool with the Andi virtual analyst (vendor description), added to the Q2 digital banking platform in use since 2015 | In production | 2023-07-27 | [Q2 Holdings (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20230727795551/en/First-Hawaiian-Bank-Selects-Q2-to-Transform-its-Commercial-Lending-Business) |

## Key points

- AI programme owned by EVP Jason Dang, Digital Banking and Services Division, promoted January 2026 with responsibility for AI strategy and governance.
- AI in production: AI-based automated underwriting in consumer lending, recognised with Celent's 2025 Model Bank award for AI-augmented retail lending (June 2025); vendor Zest AI reports automated credit-card decisions rose from 4% to 55% of applications; no AI budget disclosed.
- Filings: a stand-alone AI risk factor in the 2025 10-K (the bank or its vendors have developed or incorporated AI in business processes); written generative-AI usage policies and safeguards represented in the July 2026 TriCo merger agreement.
- AI also reaches marketing: the eMarketing manager promoted in January 2026 is integrating AI to use customer behavioural data in email marketing.
- Customer content covers deepfakes, AI voice-cloning scams, malware and job scams; AI was not raised on the last four earnings calls.
- TriCo Bancshares acquisition (announced 13 July 2026): about $2 billion in stock, 68 California branches, $8.4 billion of deposits, Tri Counties brand retained; close expected near year-end.
- Combined company: $34 billion of assets, $29 billion of deposits, 113 branches in Hawaii and California; 25% cost savings projected.
- Q2 2026 net income $73.4 million ($0.60 per share); NIM 3.25%; CET1 13.27%.
- First mainland branch network since separating from Bank of the West a decade ago.
- January 2024 earnings call: Bob Harrison said the bank had 'already incorporated AI into our consumer lending', had built 'a pretty sophisticated data and analytics platform', a new in-house engineering team and a new CRM, with a digital account-opening platform due by mid-2024; AI did not come up on the four calls from Q3 2025 to Q2 2026.
- Technology ownership sits with a consolidated structure: Mark Troske, promoted in February 2024 to EVP and chief technology officer, leads the merged enterprise technology and cybersecurity divisions; since March 2025 Vice Chair and chief administrative officer Gina Woo Anonuevo oversees Digital Banking and Services, Enterprise Technology Management and Enterprise Data and Analytics.
- 10-K trail: the first stand-alone AI risk factor is in the 2023 10-K filed 28 February 2024 ('may develop or incorporate AI'); the 2024 and 2025 10-Ks reword it to 'have in the past developed or incorporated'; the Q2 2026 10-Q mentions AI only in its forward-looking-statements list.
- January 2026 call: Harrison credited earlier technology investment with letting the bank exit higher-cost ways of working and 'terminate expensive vendor relationships' by taking the work in-house; no AI or vendor was named.
- Core systems: the bank uses third-party core banking, card and internet-banking providers (10-K); on the TriCo call Harrison said the bank 'did do a core conversion not that many years ago' and that its core provider scales well beyond a $34 billion bank, so integration would be 'more of a mapping over rather than converting over'. The filings do not name the core vendor.
- Zest AI-hosted summary of the Celent award reports approval rates raised to 65% and automated decisions of 55% after one year (from 10% in that summary; the Zest case study gives 4%); the case study says over 90% of credit-card applications needed manual review before the model and that the model was built on tens of millions of data points from almost half a million borrowers.

## Timeline

- Aug 14, 2026 — **TriCo Integration Management Office established** CFO Jamie Moses and chief administrative officer Gina Anonuevo set up the IMO; planning is aimed at Legal Day One. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926097140/tm2620283d10_425.htm))
- Aug 3, 2026 — **Q2 2026 10-Q mentions AI only as a forward-looking factor** The development and use of AI appears in the list of risks behind forward-looking statements; no AI discussion in the filing body. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926089785/fhb-20260630x10q.htm))
- Jul 24, 2026 — **Q2 2026 call: no AI discussion** AI does not appear in prepared remarks or questions on the second-quarter call, as on the three before it. ([Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-bank-tops-q2-2026-estimates-as-margin-improves-93CH-4812353))
- Jul 24, 2026 — **Second-quarter 2026 results** Net income $73.4 million; EPS $0.60; NIM 3.25%. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html))
- Jul 17, 2026 — **AI programme lead on the 'Human Side of AI & Automation' panel** Jason Dang, listed as manager of the Digital Banking, AI and Services Division, speaks at the Hawaii Leadership Conference. ([Hawaii Business Magazine](https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/events/leadership-conference-2026/))
- Jul 15, 2026 — **TriCo merger agreement: generative-AI representations** Both banks represent written policies and technical safeguards for employees' generative-AI use and no complaints about it since January 2024. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083898/tm2620283d5_ex2-1.htm))
- Jul 13, 2026 — **TriCo call: core conversion and technology integration** Harrison cites a recent core conversion and says the core provider scales beyond a $34 billion bank; conversion date to be set with technology partners. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083886/tm2620283d7_425.htm))
- Jul 13, 2026 — **Preliminary second-quarter results released with the TriCo announcement** Deal and results disclosed together. ([First Hawaiian, Inc.](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-release/news-release/071326))
- Jul 13, 2026 — **Agreement to acquire TriCo Bancshares** About $2 billion in stock; 68 California branches; $34 billion combined assets. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland), [First Hawaiian, Inc.](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-release/news-release/071326))
- Feb 27, 2026 — **2025 10-K: stand-alone AI risk factor** The bank or its vendors have developed or incorporated AI in business processes; generative-AI output, bias, opacity, third-party models and AI-enabled fraud named as risks; AI covered by technology usage policies. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm))
- Feb 11, 2026 — **AI voice-cloning scam guidance** Customer guidance on scams that clone relatives' voices from a few seconds of audio. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/defend-yourself-against-ai-voice-scams))
- Jan 30, 2026 — **Q4 2025 call: technology investment lets the bank drop vendors** Harrison says the bank has terminated expensive vendor relationships and taken the work in-house; AI is not discussed. ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-q4-2025-beats-eps-forecast-stock-rises-93CH-4477031))
- Jan 30, 2026 — **Four promotions: Jason Dang to lead digital banking and the AI programme** AI strategy and governance placed under the Digital Banking and Services Division. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026))
- Oct 3, 2025 — **Deepfake awareness guidance for customers** Protection at work and home. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/deepfake-awareness-protecting-yourself-at-work-and-home))
- Aug 25, 2025 — **CEO backs deposit-insurance reform** Harrison cites mainland depositors' reactions during 2023 stress. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/bankers-demand-deposit-fix-while-fighting-over-price-tag))
- Aug 8, 2025 — **Zest AI publishes Celent award summary for First Hawaiian** Reports approval rates raised to 65% and automated decisions up from 10% to 55% in one year. ([Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending))
- Jul 17, 2025 — **New mobile app launched** Release lists an in-app chatbot, a budgeting tool, in-app account opening and integrated alerts; it makes no AI claim. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/071725))
- Jun 18, 2025 — **Celent Model Bank award for AI-augmented retail lending** AI-based automated underwriting with a custom credit model expanded approvals in previously unscorable populations and improved risk management. ([Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending))
- Jun 5, 2025 — **Zest AI case study: automated credit-card decisions up from 4% to 55%** Vendor-reported results for the customised Zest AI underwriting model First Hawaiian launched for credit cards in six months: automated decisions 55% of applications (from 4%) and instant approvals 40% (from 4%) in the first year; expansion to auto, consumer, lines of credit and small-business portfolios being considered. ([Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/))
- Mar 10, 2025 — **Gina Woo Anonuevo takes technology, data and digital divisions** Promoted to Vice Chair and chief administrative officer, leading HR, Digital Banking and Services, Enterprise Technology Management and Enterprise Data and Analytics. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/031025))
- Feb 28, 2025 — **2024 10-K rewords AI risk factor to past tense** Now says the bank and/or its vendors, clients or counterparties have in the past developed or incorporated AI. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837025001943/fhb-20241231x10k.htm))
- Dec 26, 2024 — **Chief operating officer resignation announced** Chris Dods, COO since 2021 with oversight of technology, operations, data and analytics and strategy and transformation, leaves effective 31 March 2025. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/26/3002042/0/en/First-Hawaiian-Inc-COO-to-Leave-the-Company-in-March-2025.html))
- Jul 30, 2024 — **Engineering team leaders promoted** George Lee (API and Integrations) and Van Nguyen (Emerging Technology) named VPs and team managers. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/073024))
- Feb 28, 2024 — **2023 10-K: first stand-alone AI risk factor** The bank or its vendors, clients or counterparties may develop or incorporate AI; cybercriminals using AI named as a cyber risk. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837024001995/fhb-20231231x10k.htm))
- Feb 8, 2024 — **Mark Troske promoted to chief technology officer** Leads the newly consolidated enterprise technology and cybersecurity divisions. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/020824))
- Jan 26, 2024 — **Q4 2023 call: AI already in consumer lending** Harrison lists data and analytics, in-house engineering, a new CRM and a digital account-opening platform due mid-2024 as the investments behind higher expenses. ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658))
- Oct 19, 2023 — **Data architect hired from AWS** Aaron Dodd joins the Enterprise Data & Analytics Division as senior principal architect, previously at Amazon Web Services. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/10192023))
- Jul 27, 2023 — **Q2 PrecisionLender selected for commercial pricing** Q2 says its digital banking platform has powered the bank since 2015; PrecisionLender adds relationship pricing and the Andi virtual analyst (vendor description) for commercial bankers. ([Q2 Holdings (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20230727795551/en/First-Hawaiian-Bank-Selects-Q2-to-Transform-its-Commercial-Lending-Business))
- Jun 29, 2023 — **Chief risk officer succession announced** Deputy chief risk officer Lea Nakamura succeeds retiring vice chairman Ralph Mesick as chief risk officer from 1 July 2023. ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://ir.fhb.com/node/13111/pdf))
- Apr 28, 2021 — **Mobile app with AI-driven financial insights** Billed as the first Hawaii bank app with artificial-intelligence-driven insights across aggregated accounts, with automated notifications such as duplicate-payment alerts, subscription management and monthly spending comparisons. ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://fhb.com/en/news-release/04282021))

## Where AI runs

| Use case | What | Status | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | AI programme strategy and governance | In production | Owned by the Digital Banking and Services Division under Jason Dang. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Enterprise digital transformation | Rolling out | Digital banking, servicing and customer-acquisition platforms. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | Deepfake and scam awareness for customers | In production | Deepfake protection at work and home; malware and job-scam warnings. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/deepfake-awareness-protecting-yourself-at-work-and-home) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | AI voice-cloning scam education | In production | How voice-cloning scams work and how families can protect themselves. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/defend-yourself-against-ai-voice-scams) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | TriCo integration | Announced | Systems and brand integration of a $9.95 billion California bank. | [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland) |
| [Credit scoring & underwriting](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#credit-underwriting) | AI-based automated underwriting in consumer lending (Zest AI) | In production | Custom credit model plus process redesign; expanded approvals in previously unscorable/credit-invisible populations; Celent 2025 Model Bank award. Vendor Zest AI reports the credit-card model lifted automated decisions from 4% to 55% of applications. | [Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending), [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | AI risk-factor disclosure | In production | Stand-alone 10-K risk factor covering evolving AI regulation, incorrect or biased generative-AI output, model opacity, reliance on third-party models and AI-enabled fraud. | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Generative-AI usage policies | In production | Written policies and technical safeguards for employees' and contractors' use of generative-AI tools; enterprise tools only for confidential inputs (merger-agreement representations). | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083898/tm2620283d5_ex2-1.htm) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | AI in email marketing | Rolling out | Integrating AI to draw on customer behavioural data in email marketing content. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | AI-driven financial insights in the mobile app | In production | Account aggregation, budgeting and AI-driven notifications (duplicate payments, spending comparisons) launched in 2021. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://fhb.com/en/news-release/04282021) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Core, card and internet-banking providers | In production | 10-K: the bank relies on third-party core banking, credit and debit card and internet-banking services that would be hard to replace; the core vendor is not named. Harrison (July 2026) cites a recent core conversion and a core provider that scales beyond $34 billion. | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083886/tm2620283d7_425.htm) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Enterprise data and analytics platform | In production | Harrison (January 2024): a sophisticated data and analytics platform and an in-house engineering team built over the preceding two years, run under the Enterprise Data and Analytics and Enterprise Technology divisions. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658), [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/031025) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | In-app chatbot in the July 2025 mobile app | In production | The launch release lists an in-app chatbot, help guides and secure messaging; it does not say whether the chatbot uses AI. | [First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/071725) |
| [Cybersecurity](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#cybersecurity) | Cyber and technology risk governance | In production | The Board Risk Committee takes briefings from the chief risk officer, chief administrative officer, enterprise information security and technology risk heads; the CTO, CISO and CIO own the cybersecurity and third-party programmes; the 10-K names AI-assisted attacks as a risk. | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | Zest AI model documentation and compliance claims | In production | Zest says the bank received SR 11-7 model-risk documentation and a model compliant with FCRA, CFPB and ECOA rules, and that accounts approved on passable scores outperform score exceptions fourfold (vendor-reported). | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | Planned Zest Protect fraud detection | Announced | Zest says the bank is considering adding its AI fraud-detection product to the lending process and a GenAI lending companion (LuLu); the bank has not confirmed either. | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |

## Disclosed numbers

| Measure | Value | As of | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TriCo Bancshares acquisition | ≈ $2 billion in stock; 68 branches; $8.4 billion deposits | Jul 13, 2026 | [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland) |
| Combined company | $34 billion assets; $29 billion deposits; 113 branches | Jul 13, 2026 | [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland) |
| Automated credit-card decisions (vendor-reported, Zest AI) | 55% of applications, from 4%; instant approvals 40%, from 4% | Jun 5, 2025 | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| Q2 2026 net income / diluted EPS | $73.4 million / $0.60 | Jul 24, 2026 | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html) |
| Net interest margin, Q2 2026 | 3.25% | Jul 24, 2026 | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html) |
| Share of credit-card applications decided automatically after one year (Zest-hosted Celent summary) | 55%, from 10% in that summary (the Zest case study gives 4%) | Aug 8, 2025 | [Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending), [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| Approval rate after one year of AI underwriting (Zest-hosted Celent summary) | 65% | Aug 8, 2025 | [Zest AI (vendor page)](https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending) |
| Credit-card applications needing manual review before the Zest model (vendor-reported) | Over 90% | Jun 5, 2025 | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| Zest model training data (vendor-reported) | Tens of millions of data points from almost half a million borrowers | Jun 5, 2025 | [Zest AI (vendor case study)](https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/) |
| Earnings calls with AI discussion, Q3 2025 to Q2 2026 | 0 of 4 (AI was discussed on the January 2024 call) | Jul 24, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-inc-beats-q3-2025-earnings-forecast-93CH-4308474), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-q4-2025-beats-eps-forecast-stock-rises-93CH-4477031), [The Motley Fool](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/04/24/first-hawaiian-fhb-q1-2026-earnings-transcript/), [Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-bank-tops-q2-2026-estimates-as-margin-improves-93CH-4812353), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658) |
| Consecutive 10-Ks with a stand-alone AI risk factor | 3 (FY2023, FY2024, FY2025) | Feb 27, 2026 | [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837024001995/fhb-20231231x10k.htm), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837025001943/fhb-20241231x10k.htm), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm) |

## Quotes

> "What we've lacked since our separation from Bank of the West is a branch network to expand client relationships and offer a full suite of product offerings." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jul 13, 2026 ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland))

> "The second quarter was another strong quarter, reflecting the strength of our business model, the disciplined execution by our team and the trust our customers place in us." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jul 24, 2026 ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html))

> "we've already incorporated AI into our consumer lending, and that's been very positive for us." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jan 26, 2024 ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658))

> "we've built out a pretty sophisticated data and analytics platform." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jan 26, 2024 ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658))

> "we've terminated expensive vendor relationships and been able to take that in-house." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jan 30, 2026 ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-q4-2025-beats-eps-forecast-stock-rises-93CH-4477031))

> "we did do a core conversion not that many years ago, and we learned a lot about ourselves and our technology in that process." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jul 13, 2026 ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083886/tm2620283d7_425.htm))

> "there's nothing on the surface that says we have to do something dramatic to be able to combine the 2 banks from a technology perspective." — Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO, Jul 13, 2026 ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083886/tm2620283d7_425.htm))

## Who runs AI

- **Bob Harrison** — Chairman, President and CEO ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html))
- **Jason Dang** — EVP and Manager, Digital Banking and Services Division; leads the AI programme ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondang-)) ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026), [Hawaii Business Magazine](https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/events/leadership-conference-2026/))
- **Mark Troske** — EVP and Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Technology Management Division; leads the consolidated technology and cybersecurity divisions ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/020824), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm))
- **Gina Woo Anonuevo** — Vice Chair and Chief Administrative Officer; oversees Digital Banking and Services, Enterprise Technology Management and Enterprise Data and Analytics; co-leads the TriCo Integration Management Office ([First Hawaiian Bank](https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/031025), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926097140/tm2620283d10_425.htm))
- **Rosemary Peh** — SVP and Head of Data and Analytics (hired November 2022 to build enterprise data and analytics capabilities) ([Pacific Business News](https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2022/11/17/first-hawaiian-bank-announces-hire-and-promotions.html))
- **Lea Nakamura** — Chief Risk Officer since July 2023; the CRO and her team hold primary responsibility for assessing and managing cybersecurity risk ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://ir.fhb.com/node/13111/pdf), [First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm))
- **Christopher Dods** — Former Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2021 to March 2025); oversaw Enterprise Technology Management, Enterprise Operations Services, Data and Analytics, and Strategy and Transformation ([First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire)](https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/26/3002042/0/en/First-Hawaiian-Inc-COO-to-Leave-the-Company-in-March-2025.html))

## Open AI roles

Data as of Oct 25, 2026 (2026-10-25) · read from the bank's own careers site, re-checked weekly.

No open AI-titled postings on [the careers site](https://ibfhqy.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/FHBCareers/jobs) as of Oct 25, 2026. A snapshot of current openings, not a source: postings close.

## Which AI vendors and fintechs does First Hawaiian work with?

| Company | What First Hawaiian uses it for | Status | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Zest AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/vendors/zest-ai) | Custom AI underwriting model for credit cards | In production | [Credit decisioning](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools/credit-decisioning) |

Each vendor and fintech page cites the source for the relationship. [AI tools for banks](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools) · [fintech and neobank AI dossiers](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/fintech).

## Regulators it answers to

- [FDIC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/fdic) — First Hawaiian Bank is a state nonmember bank; FDIC model-risk and third-party guidance govern the AI programme and the TriCo integration. See [FDIC FIL-29-2023](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fdic-fil-29-2023), [FDIC FIL-15-2026](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fdic-fil-15-2026).
- [State of California](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/california) — Acquiring 68 California branches brings the state's privacy and automated-decision rules to consumer-facing AI. See [CPPA ADMT, risk-assessment and cybersecurity-audit regulations](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/ca-cppa-admt-risk-cyber-regulations-2025).
- [CFPB](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/cfpb) — Consumer products across two states carry adverse-action and UDAAP duties for any automated decisioning. See [ECOA / Regulation B adverse action (15 U.S.C. 1691(d); 12 CFR 1002.9)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cfpb-ecoa-regulation-b-adverse-action).

## What the record suggests

### Naming an AI owner is the first disclosure most peers skip

Putting AI strategy and governance under a named executive gives examiners and investors a point of accountability before any use case ships.

### The merger will set the AI timetable

A year of TriCo systems integration will consume the technology organisation; AI deployments are realistically a 2027 story.

### California changes the rulebook

Mainland consumer banking brings the CPPA's automated-decision rules into scope for the first time.

### Fraud awareness should become fraud tooling

Deepfake education for customers points to voice and identity verification as the natural first AI use case in a two-state contact centre.

## FAQ

### Does First Hawaiian Bank use AI?

Yes. First Hawaiian has an AI programme whose strategy and governance are led by Jason Dang, promoted in January 2026 to run the Digital Banking and Services Division. Its AI-based automated underwriting in consumer lending won Celent's 2025 Model Bank award for AI-augmented retail lending, its 2025 10-K says the bank or its vendors have developed or incorporated AI in business processes, and in the 2026 TriCo merger agreement it represented that it has written policies governing employees' use of generative-AI tools. Its underwriting vendor, Zest AI, reports that automated credit-card decisions rose from 4% to 55% of applications; the bank has not disclosed an AI budget, and AI did not come up on its last four earnings calls.

### What does First Hawaiian's 10-K say about AI?

The 2025 10-K has a stand-alone risk factor, 'The development and use of AI present risks and challenges that may adversely impact our business', covering uncertain AI regulation, generative-AI output that may be incorrect, biased or leak confidential data, the opacity of AI models, reliance on third-party models, and AI-enabled fraud and cyberattacks. It also lists AI among the subjects of the bank's technology usage policies.

### What is First Hawaiian buying in California?

On 13 July 2026 it agreed to acquire TriCo Bancshares, parent of Tri Counties Bank in Chico, for about $2 billion in stock, adding 68 branches in Northern and Central California and $8.4 billion of deposits. The combined bank will have $34 billion of assets and 113 branches; closing is expected near the end of 2026.

### Who leads AI at First Hawaiian?

Jason Dang, executive vice president and manager of the Digital Banking and Services Division, has led First Hawaiian's AI programme, including strategy and governance, since his promotion in January 2026. Around him: Mark Troske, EVP and chief technology officer since February 2024, runs the merged technology and cybersecurity divisions; Gina Woo Anonuevo, Vice Chair and chief administrative officer since March 2025, oversees digital banking, enterprise technology and enterprise data and analytics; Rosemary Peh is head of data and analytics; and Lea Nakamura has been chief risk officer since July 2023. No chief AI officer or chief data officer title is public.

### Which vendors sit behind First Hawaiian's AI and core systems?

The only named AI vendor is Zest AI, whose customised credit-card underwriting model went live within six months and, per Zest, lifted automated decisions to 55% of applications. Q2 has supplied the bank's digital banking platform since 2015 and added PrecisionLender in 2023. The 10-K says the bank uses third-party core banking, card and internet-banking services without naming them, and Harrison told analysts in July 2026 that a core conversion was done 'not that many years ago'. No cloud, model-lab or GPU provider is disclosed.

### Has First Hawaiian talked about AI on earnings calls?

Rarely. On the January 2024 call Bob Harrison said the bank had 'already incorporated AI into our consumer lending' and listed data, in-house engineering, a new CRM and digital account opening as investments. AI did not come up on the four calls from Q3 2025 to Q2 2026, including the 13 July 2026 TriCo call, where Harrison talked about the earlier core conversion and technology integration instead. The 10-K has carried a stand-alone AI risk factor since the 2023 report, filed in February 2024.

## Sources (32)

1. Deepfake Awareness: Protecting Yourself at Work and Home — First Hawaiian Bank, Oct 3, 2025. https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/deepfake-awareness-protecting-yourself-at-work-and-home
2. Bankers demand deposit fix while fighting over price tag — American Banker, Aug 25, 2025. https://americanbanker.com/news/bankers-demand-deposit-fix-while-fighting-over-price-tag
3. First Hawaiian Bank Announces Four Promotions and One New Hire — First Hawaiian Bank, Jan 30, 2026. https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-releases/news-release/013026
4. First Hawaiian, Inc. to Acquire TriCo Bancshares and Provide Preliminary 2026 Second Quarter Results — First Hawaiian, Inc., Jul 13, 2026. https://www.fhb.com/en/about-us/newsroom/2026-press-release/news-release/071326
5. First Hawaiian strikes $2B deal to return to U.S. mainland — American Banker, Jul 13, 2026. https://americanbanker.com/news/first-hawaiian-strikes-2b-deal-to-return-to-u-s-mainland
6. First Hawaiian, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Declares Dividend — First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire), Jul 24, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/07/24/3332805/0/en/first-hawaiian-inc-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results-and-declares-dividend.html
7. First Hawaiian Bank's New Mobile App Provides Tools for Easy Money Management and Better Financial Decisions — First Hawaiian Bank, Apr 28, 2021. https://fhb.com/en/news-release/04282021
8. Defend Yourself Against AI Voice Scams — First Hawaiian Bank, Feb 11, 2026. https://www.fhb.com/en/resource-center/security-and-fraud-protection/defend-yourself-against-ai-voice-scams
9. First Hawaiian, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Feb 27, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926021544/fhb-20251231x10k.htm
10. Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger by and among First Hawaiian, Inc., TriCo Bancshares and Horizon Merger Sub, Inc. (Form 8-K, Exhibit 2.1) — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Jul 15, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083898/tm2620283d5_ex2-1.htm
11. First Hawaiian Bank says "yes" to AI-automated underwriting (customer success story) — Zest AI (vendor case study), Jun 5, 2025. https://www.zest.ai/learn/success_stories/first-hawaiian-bank/
12. Leadership Conference 2026 — Hawaii Business Magazine, Jul 17, 2026. https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/events/leadership-conference-2026/
13. First Hawaiian Bank Announces Two Promotions and Three New Hires — First Hawaiian Bank, Oct 19, 2023. https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/10192023
14. First Hawaiian Bank Announces Six Promotions (Mark Troske to chief technology officer) — First Hawaiian Bank, Feb 8, 2024. https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/020824
15. First Hawaiian Bank Announces Six Promotions (July 2024) — First Hawaiian Bank, Jul 30, 2024. https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/073024
16. Gina Woo Anonuevo Promoted to Vice Chair and Chief Administration Officer and Cameron Nekota Appointed to Senior Management Committee — First Hawaiian Bank, Mar 10, 2025. https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/031025
17. First Hawaiian Bank Launches New Mobile App — First Hawaiian Bank, Jul 17, 2025. https://www.fhb.com/en/news-release/071725
18. First Hawaiian Bank announces a new hire and executive promotions — Pacific Business News, Nov 17, 2022. https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2022/11/17/first-hawaiian-bank-announces-hire-and-promotions.html
19. First Hawaiian, Inc. Announces Senior Leadership Transitions — First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire), Jun 29, 2023. https://ir.fhb.com/node/13111/pdf
20. First Hawaiian, Inc. COO to Leave the Company in March 2025 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (GlobeNewswire), Dec 26, 2024. https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/26/3002042/0/en/First-Hawaiian-Inc-COO-to-Leave-the-Company-in-March-2025.html
21. First Hawaiian Bank Selects Q2 to Transform its Commercial Lending Business — Q2 Holdings (Business Wire), Jul 27, 2023. https://businesswire.com/news/home/20230727795551/en/First-Hawaiian-Bank-Selects-Q2-to-Transform-its-Commercial-Lending-Business
22. Celent: Report on the impact of AI in retail lending (First Hawaiian Bank, 2025 Model Bank winner) — Zest AI (vendor page), Aug 8, 2025. https://zest.ai/learn/resources/celent-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-in-retail-lending
23. Earnings call: First Hawaiian, Inc. Q4 2023 results show resilience — Investing.com, Jan 27, 2024. https://investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-first-hawaiian-inc-q4-2023-results-show-resilience-93CH-3284658
24. Earnings call transcript: First Hawaiian Inc. beats Q3 2025 earnings forecast — Investing.com, Oct 24, 2025. https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-inc-beats-q3-2025-earnings-forecast-93CH-4308474
25. Earnings call transcript: First Hawaiian Q4 2025 beats EPS forecast, stock rises — Investing.com, Jan 30, 2026. https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-q4-2025-beats-eps-forecast-stock-rises-93CH-4477031
26. First Hawaiian (FHB) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript (earnings call transcript, The Motley Fool) — The Motley Fool, Apr 24, 2026. https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/04/24/first-hawaiian-fhb-q1-2026-earnings-transcript/
27. Earnings call transcript: First Hawaiian Bank tops Q2 2026 estimates as margin improves — Investing.com, Jul 24, 2026. https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-hawaiian-bank-tops-q2-2026-estimates-as-margin-improves-93CH-4812353
28. First Hawaiian, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Feb 28, 2024. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837024001995/fhb-20231231x10k.htm
29. First Hawaiian, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Feb 28, 2025. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000155837025001943/fhb-20241231x10k.htm
30. First Hawaiian, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Aug 3, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926089785/fhb-20260630x10q.htm
31. Form 425: transcript of the First Hawaiian and TriCo investor call of 13 July 2026 — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Jul 15, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926083886/tm2620283d7_425.htm
32. Form 425: email from Robert Harrison to First Hawaiian Bank employees on TriCo integration — First Hawaiian, Inc. (SEC filings), Aug 14, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/36377/000110465926097140/tm2620283d10_425.htm

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