Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union

What Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union does

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union (HIFICU), formerly Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union and originally chartered in 1936 as Mutelco Oahu Employees Federal Credit Union by Mutual Telephone Company employees, is a federally chartered, NCUA-regulated, member-owned cooperative serving Oahu and Maui County residents, their immediate relatives, and select employee groups. The institution operates ten physical branches across Oahu (Kalihi headquarters, Airport, Kaimuki, Kapolei/Walmart, Kuakini, Kunia, Pearl City, Sheraton Waikiki) and Maui (Kahului), supplemented by the HomeBranching online banking platform, MyMobile app for iOS/Android, and Anytime Teller voice/phone banking. Membership totals approximately 53,000 with total assets above $964 million, placing HIFICU as the fourth-largest credit union in Hawaii. The credit union rebranded from Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union to Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union on August 31, 2018, to reflect its diversified community-based charter rather than its single-employer origins.

Core products span deposit accounts (Share, VIP Money Market, Kids Club for ages 12 and under, Advantage Savings for ages 13-22, Pioneers Club for ages 55+, Share Certificates, IRAs, Christmas Savings), checking options (Preferred, Value, Advantage, plus a $500 Courtesy Overdraft program), and lending products (auto, personal, secured, mortgage, HELOC, VISA credit cards powered by PSCU). Digital infrastructure is delivered through partnerships with Fiserv (TransferNow, payment rails), MailerLite (email campaigns and seminar registration), Formstack (secure file upload), Google Analytics, and Co-op Credit Unions/HICUSO for shared branching, including surcharge-free ATM access through the Bank of Hawaii network. The platform supports mobile remote deposit with same-business-day posting for deposits made before 1:00 PM Hawaii time, eStatements with up to 18 months of history, and Quicken/Microsoft Money integration.

HIFICU operates a not-for-profit cooperative model: revenue is generated primarily from net interest income on loans (auto, personal, mortgage, HELOC, secured), fee-based income (NSF/overdraft at $20 per presentment, $1 non-network ATM fees, $35 domestic and $40 international wire fees, $15/hour account research fees), and a one-time $5 membership share. As a cooperative, profits are returned to members through higher dividends and lower loan rates rather than distributed to shareholders. Community engagement extends beyond banking through Good360 charitable giving (capped at $10,000 annually), INPAC Wealth financial-wellness seminars, free financial-planning services, twenty annual $2,000 scholarships to member dependents, and annual school-supply drives via Helping Hands Hawaii. Digital channels include Google Analytics-instrumented website, Facebook and Instagram social presence, a monthly "Belonging" newsletter (printed and digital), and a WordPress blog.

Name

Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union

Legal name

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union

Website

https://hificu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, NCUA-insured cooperative serving 53,000+ members across Oahu and Maui County with $964M+ in assets. It delivers full-service retail banking through ten branches and digital channels, with profits returned to members as higher dividends and lower loan rates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Card Issuing (522210), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC), Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending
• Community banking
• Savings accounts
• Credit union services

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: Primary revenue stream from interest charged on loans including auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and secured loans. The credit union offers competitive rates as a member-owned cooperative, with profits returned to members in the form of higher dividends and lower loan rates.
2. Fee-Based Income: Various service fees including Courtesy Overdraft/NSF fees ($20/presentment), ATM fees for non-network ATMs ($1), wire transfer fees ($35 domestic, $40 international), account research fees ($15/hour), and other transaction-based fees as outlined in the Rate & Fee Schedule.
3. Membership Shares: $5 membership share par value required to open an account, establishing the member's ownership stake in the credit union cooperative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative credit union providing comprehensive retail banking products and services to Oahu and Maui County residents in Hawaii. The institution offers savings accounts, checking accounts, share certificates, IRAs, consumer loans (auto, personal, secured), mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and VISA credit cards, supported by a digital banking platform with online, mobile, and phone banking channels across 10 physical branch locations.

Product overview

Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union (formerly Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union) is a community-chartered credit union serving Oahu and Maui County with over $964 million in assets and 53,000+ members. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of banking products centered around its digital banking platform (HomeBranching), mobile app (MyMobile), and telephone banking (AnyTime Teller). Core deposit products include Share Account, VIP Money Market, Kids Club, Christmas Savings, Share Certificates, and IRAs. Checking options span Preferred Checking, Value Checking, and Advantage Checking. Loan offerings cover auto loans, personal loans, secured loans, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and VISA credit cards. Electronic services include online/mobile banking, bill payment, eStatements, and card management. The credit union also provides financial wellness programs through INPAC seminars, Get Your House in Order initiative, charitable giving partnerships, and community scholarship opportunities. All deposits are federally insured by NCUA up to $250,000.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Share Account Basic savings account earning interest with $100 minimum average daily balance to avoid monthly charges, serving as the foundation account for credit union membership.
• Kids Club Savings account for children ages 12 and under with $25 minimum opening deposit, earning dividends and offering rewards such as stickers, tokens, and merchandise for deposits; requires parent/guardian joint account.
• Advantage Savings Savings account for members ages 13-22 transitioning from Kids Club with enhanced features and savings benefits, paired with Advantage Checking for ages 16-22.
• VIP Money Market Tiered savings account offering higher yields on larger balances while maintaining liquidity for access to funds.
• Pioneers Club Savings program for adults ages 55 and over providing enhanced benefits and services for senior members.
• Christmas Savings Account Dedicated savings account helping members set aside funds throughout the year for holiday expenses.
• Share Certificates Certificate of deposit products with terms from 6 to 60 months requiring $500 minimum investment for guaranteed returns; promotional rates available (e.g., 9-month at 3.70% APY).
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts with potential deductibility of contributions from taxable income.
• Preferred Checking Primary checking account with no monthly fee when maintaining $400 average daily balance or qualifying via $200+ direct deposit, age 55+, or $50,000+ on deposit; comprehensive banking services.
• Value Checking Basic checking account with no monthly service fee regardless of balance, targeting members seeking simple no-frills banking.
• Advantage Checking Checking account designed for members ages 16-22 with one free order of HIFICU Custom Checks per year.
• Courtesy Overdraft Program Discretionary overdraft protection service with $500 limit for eligible checking accounts in good standing, covering insufficient fund situations; $20 fee per presentment applies.
• Auto Loan Financing for new and used vehicle purchases with competitive rates for both new and pre-owned cars.
• Personal Loan Unsecured loans for various personal purposes including vacations, major purchases, or debt consolidation with flexible terms; rates as low as 6.99% APR for 12-month term.
• Secured Loan Loans secured by savings or certificate collateral, often offering lower rates than unsecured options.
• Mortgage Loan Home financing including first and second mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), and VA loans.
• Home Equity Line of Credit Revolving credit line using home equity as collateral for flexible access to funds for major expenses.
• VISA Credit Card Credit card with rewards program (CU Rewards) providing purchasing power with flexible repayment options.
• MasterCard Check Card Debit card combining ATM access and check-writing capabilities for purchases and cash withdrawals.
• Overdraft Protection Linked account protection transferring funds from savings or line of credit to prevent overdrafts on checking.
• HomeBranching Online Banking 24/7 online banking platform providing account access, balance checking, fund transfers, bill payment, eStatements, check reordering, and Quicken/Microsoft Money integration through web browser.
• MyMobile Mobile banking application for iOS and Android smartphones enabling account access, mobile check deposits (with same-business-day posting before 1:00 PM Hawaii time), transfers, bill payments, and transaction monitoring from anywhere.
• MyFinancial Financial management tool providing account overview, spending insights, and money management features through online banking.
• AnyTime Teller 24/7 voice response telephone banking system (800-442-1739) allowing account transactions, balance inquiries, and transfers via touch-tone phone without internet access.
• VISA Online Online portal for managing VISA credit card accounts, viewing transactions, and making payments.
• Cashier's Checks & Money Orders Secure payment instruments for large transactions with first cashier's check free and money orders at $2 each.
• Foreign Currency Exchange Currency exchange services for international travel and business needs with competitive rates.
• Safe Deposit Boxes Secure storage for valuables and important documents available in various sizes at branch locations.
• Free Financial Planning Complimentary access to professional financial planners for creating financial roadmaps and retirement planning.
• Life Insurance Insurance products for members providing financial protection for families and beneficiaries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Insured deposits up to $250,000 per member by NCUA, backed by full faith and credit of US Government

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Good360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable giving partnership where Hawaiian Financial FCU donates $1 to Good360 for every qualifying transaction (bill pay, transfers, mobile banking) made by members, up to $10,000 maximum donation. Good360 bridges the gap between excess and need by partnering with responsible companies to source donated goods for people and communities facing disaster, hardship or urgent need. Good360 has distributed more than $25 billion in donated goods.
• INPAC Wealth SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial wellness seminar partnership hosting FREE educational seminars at Hawaiian Financial Music Hall. Topics include Estate Planning, Tax Preparation, Medicare & Social Security, and Budgeting. Sessions feature guest speakers like Karl Sadanaga and Mark Faildo of Premier Benefit Consultants. Multiple sessions available throughout the year with door prizes and refreshments.
• Get Away TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel discount partnership offering members savings on Disney vacations, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages. Members can call 855-GET-AWAY or use referral links from Hawaiian Financial FCU website to access money-saving deals and customized vacation planning.
• Consolidated TheatresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMovie ticket partnership selling Consolidated Theatres Screensaver Tickets at all HIFICU branches for $9.50 each. Tickets valid for bargain matinee shows (before 4pm) during restricted periods and may be used at NO PASS engagements. No minimum or maximum purchase limit.
• TurboTaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTax preparation discount partnership offering members savings of up to $15 on TurboTax federal products. Available during tax season with discounts on all TurboTax offerings including DIY, assisted, and full-service tax preparation.
• H&R BlockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTax preparation discount partnership offering new clients $25 savings on H&R Block in-office tax preparation services. Available during tax season to help members file taxes and ensure maximum refund.
• Helping Hands HawaiiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool supply donation partnership accepting new school supplies at all HIFICU branches through July 31st annually. Donations support Hawaii's keiki (children) in getting ready for school. Helping Hands Hawaii serves as the fiscal sponsor for online donations.
• Bank of HawaiicoreTechnology or IntegrationATM network partnership enabling free withdrawals, transfers, balance inquiries, and deposits at all Bank of Hawaii ATMs in addition to HIFICU's own ATMs. Members can access their accounts surcharge-free through the extensive Bank of Hawaii ATM network across Hawaii.
• Co-op Credit Unions (Shared Branching)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShared branching network partnership enabling members to conduct transactions at select credit unions nationwide through the Co-op Credit Unions locator. Hawaii-specific shared branching through HICUSO.com provides access at correspondent credit unions throughout Hawaii.
• Fiserv, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology infrastructure provider powering digital banking services including mobile app, online banking, and payment processing. Fiserv enables mobile banking transactions and is referenced in charitable giving program rules. TransferNow is a registered trademark of Fiserv, Inc.
• iHeart RadiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partnership for financial wellness seminars at Hawaiian Financial Music Hall located at iHeart Radio Station, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96817. Free parking available at rear of Dole Cannery building.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hawaii State Federal Credit Union: Hawaii-based community-chartered federal credit union serving state, city, and county employees plus their families. Direct competitor in the same Oahu and statewide market with overlapping membership eligibility and a similar suite of deposit and loan products.
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union: Large community-chartered Hawaii credit union offering full-service banking across multiple islands. Competitor for Oahu and Maui consumer deposits, mortgages, and auto loans, and one of the larger credit unions HIFICU benchmarks against locally.
• Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union: Hawaii-headquartered community credit union with statewide membership and a broad branch/ATM network. Competes head-to-head with HIFICU for Oahu consumer and small-business banking relationships, auto loans, and mortgages.
• Maui Federal Credit Union: Maui-based community credit union focused on Maui County residents, mirroring HIFICU's Maui branch strategy. Direct overlap on Maui membership eligibility, consumer loans, and deposit products.
• Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union: Community-chartered credit union serving Hawaii County (Big Island) with comparable product mix. While serving a different island, it operates a similar community-credit-union model and competes for statewide brand association in Hawaii.

Regional players

• Pearl Harbor Federal Credit Union: Military-affiliated Hawaii credit union serving military and civilian personnel in the Oahu area. Competes for many of the same Oahu consumer and military-affiliated families, though with a distinct occupational common-bond.

Broad incumbents

• First Hawaiian Bank: Hawaii's largest bank and a broad incumbent with the deepest branch and ATM network statewide. Competes with HIFICU for retail deposits, mortgages, and consumer lending but operates as a profit-focused, full-service commercial bank rather than a cooperative.
• Bank of Hawaii: Major Hawaii-headquartered commercial bank with statewide branch and ATM footprint. Already a technology/distribution partner of HIFICU via the ATM network, but also a direct competitor for consumer banking relationships across Oahu and Maui.
• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: Large California-based community credit union serving educators and their families with a comparable community-charter model, multi-decade member relationships, and a similar retirement and lending product mix. Useful scale and product-set benchmark for HIFICU's roadmap.
• BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union): One of the largest U.S. community credit unions, originally employer-affiliated and now broadly community chartered. Provides an external comparison point for member-growth strategy, digital banking investment, and product breadth at a credit union of significantly larger scale than HIFICU.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hificu
• Instagraminstagram.com/p/C8Dr-Egypgp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaiian-tel-federal-credit-union

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union