In the United States, the Retail Banking Business is conducted through BancWest Corporation, a company formed out of the 1998 merger between Bank of the West and First Hawaiian Bank, wholly-owned by BNP Paribas since the end of 2001.

The Merger of Two Banks

Bank of the West is the second largest commercial bank based in California and among the top 25 commercial banks in the U.S. Founded in 1874, San Francisco-headquartered Bank of the West has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas since 2001.

It operates 664 branches as well as 79 commercial banking office locations in 19 American States. Bank of the West has representative offices in New York, Taipei (Taiwan) and Tokyo (Japan). Bank of the West is the nation’s third largest agricultural lender and the number one indirect financing lender to nearly 6,600 auto and recreational vehicles/marine dealers throughout the U.S.

First Hawaiian Bank is the oldest and largest financial institution in Hawaii with some $13.7 billion in total assets and 63 branches throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. It has nearly 40 percent market share in terms of deposits.

First Hawaiian offers its individual and business customers a range of retail, estate planning, investment and insurance services.

 

Key Figures

(30 September 2011)

  • 11,400 employees
  • 750 branches in 20 states
  • Total assets of USD 74 billion as at 31/12/2009
  • 4 million households and companies served
  • The 7th-largest bank in the western United States (SNL Financial)