Hawaii Banks Secure $1.6 Billion For More Than 7,500 Local Businesses Through SBA Paycheck Protection Program

The Hawaii Bankers Association is a trade organization made up of FDIC insured depository institutions in Hawaii, including Central Pacific Bank. The announcement “Hawaii Banks Secure $1.6 Billion For More Than 7,500 Local Businesses Through SBA Paycheck Protection Program” was prepared in collaboration with all HBA member banks.

HONOLULU, April 13 – The Hawaii Bankers Association (HBA) today announced that in just over a week since the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application became available, Hawaii banks have successfully secured SBA approval for loans to more than 7,500 companies totaling $1.6 billion. The HBA estimates this funding will help to preserve more than 100,000 jobs statewide.

The SBA PPP is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Trump on Mar. 27, which provides financial relief for American workers and small businesses affected by COVID-19. The program is designed to help small businesses keep employees on payroll and off unemployment assistance for as much as eight weeks and requires applicants to use SBA-approved lenders (in Hawaii this includes HBA members American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, Ohana Pacific Bank and Territorial Savings Bank).

“Once the Paycheck Protection Program was announced, our lender banks worked swiftly to make the application available to customers and staff up immediately to accommodate the high volume we anticipated,” said Rich Wacker, President of the Hawaii Bankers Association. “Despite this being a brand new program with changes and conditions communicated on almost a daily basis, Hawaii bankers have worked around the clock to secure essential funding for more than 7,500 Hawaii businesses in just eight days.”

No state is allocated a portion of the loan amounts to be provided to small businesses meaning that the PPP loans are “first come, first served.” In total, HBA lender banks received nearly 20,000 applications since the program started accepting applications on Apr. 3.

“The good news is Hawaii banks are stepping up to help local businesses and workers and we are on track to get our fair share of the $349 billion national program,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Banking Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. “But many more people still need help and time is of the essence. That’s why I’m fighting to make sure SBA moves quickly and that this program gets more money.”

The SBA PPP is just one of the many ways HBA members are taking care of customers and the community during this crisis. While the PPP is an excellent option for many businesses, it may not be the best solution for all companies as the SBA has several new temporary programs available during the COVID-19 outbreak. Small business owners are encouraged to contact their primary bank or any of the HBA banks for assistance with financial hardship due to the pandemic. Banks are offering accommodations for individual and business customers suffering financial hardship, including forbearance, payment deferment and extensions.

HBA member banks are also keeping branches open throughout Hawaii to serve essential customer needs, waiving fees when using any local bank’s ATMs, providing kupuna hours and more. Dedicated to serving the community, HBA banks are also supporting a wide range of local nonprofit and community COVID-19-response initiatives.

The Hawaii Bankers Association is a trade organization made up of FDIC insured depository institutions in Hawaii, including: American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of the Orient, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, HomeStreet Bank, Ohana Pacific Bank, and Territorial Savings Bank.

About the Hawaii Bankers Association
The Hawaii Bankers Association (HBA) membership is open to FDIC insured depository institutions doing business in Hawaii. Current members include banks, thrifts and a depository financial services company. Hawaii's first bank was established in 1858 and over the many decades Hawaii financial institutions have played an important role in transforming Hawaii's economy by serving the needs of consumers and businesses. HBA members continue to offer innovative products/services and loans to consumers and businesses to fuel Hawaii's economic growth. Many members of the financial services industry spend countless of hours volunteering their time with non-profit and charitable organizations. These bankers have been instrumental in providing the leadership and fundraising support to help organizations continue serving Hawaii residents. For more information, visit http://hawaiiba.org/.