First Hawaiian, other lenders win awards from isle SBA

First Hawaiian Bank swept the top two awards for large lenders at the U.S. Small Business Administration Hawaii District’s 19th annual awards breakfast Thursday at the Oahu Country Club’s Nuuanu Ballroom.

The state’s largest bank won Lender of the Year in Category 1 (large-size lenders) for approving 52 7(a) guaranteed loans throughout the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The bank also was recognized as the Hawaii Economic Development Corp.’s 504 Lender of the Year for approving the most HEDCO 504 loans of any local bank for fixed- asset capital expenditures, including equipment and real estate. Thirteen out of a total of 38 HEDCO 504 loans came from First Hawaiian.

Central Pacific Bank was named Lender of the Year in Category 2 (medium-size lenders) for approving 100 7(a) loans. American Savings Bank was named HEDCO 504 Lender of the Year in Category 2 for approving two HEDCO loans.

Kauai Community FCU received Lender of the Year in Category 3 (small-size lenders) for approving 12 7(a) loans and HawaiiUSA FCU won HEDCO 504 Lender of the Year in Category 3 for approving three HEDCO loans.