American Samoa courting Hawaii bankers

By Dave Segal

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 31, 2012

~~<p>An American Samoan delegation led by Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, oldest brother of the former Honolulu mayor, is hoping to persuade Hawaii bank officials to open a branch in the U.S. territory amid the pending departure of Bank of Hawaii early next year.</p>
<p>Bank of Hawaii said last month it will end its four-decade presence in American Samoa during the first quarter by closing its two branches there — in Tafuna and Utulei — and laying off 30 employees. Bank of Hawaii has been in American Samoa since 1969.</p>
~~

An American Samoan delegation led by Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, oldest brother of the former Honolulu mayor, is hoping to persuade Hawaii bank officials to open a branch in the U.S. territory amid the pending departure of Bank of Hawaii early next year.

Bank of Hawaii said last month it will end its four-decade presence in American Samoa during the first quarter by closing its two branches there — in Tafuna and Utulei — and laying off 30 employees. Bank of Hawaii has been in American Samoa since 1969. Login for more...