Hawaii First FCU

What Hawaii First FCU does

Hawaii First Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative credit union founded in 1956 in Kamuela, Hawaii. Originally established by 36 paniolo (cowboys) and farmers as Kamuela Community FCU, it rebranded to Hawaii First FCU in 2003 to reflect its expansion to serve the entire Hawaii Island. The credit union operates three branches (Kamuela, Hilo, and Waikoloa) plus a Hilo Community Resource Center, employing 51-100 people and holding a CDFI certification since 2007 that has enabled deployment of over $4.1M back into the island community through targeted lending programs.

The institution offers a full-service retail banking platform including share accounts, checking, share certificates, IRAs, auto loans, mortgage and construction loans (including specialized DHHL loans for Native Hawaiian families), personal loans, credit cards, and lines of credit. Digital channels are anchored by the It'sMe247 mobile banking app (launced in 2024), eMOCHI remote deposit capture, the eBento Box electronic services suite, and online banking via financial-net.com. Differentiated programs include Pot of Gold (second-chance banking for members with challenged credit), Pathways Financial Coaching, and the first-in-nation Financial Navigator Program deployed in 2019.

Hawaii First FCU's go-to-market is community-led and relationship-based, targeting underbanked and underserved Hawaii Island residents through grant-funded financial education, school partnerships, and a 501(c)(3) non-profit arm. Revenue is generated primarily through interest income on loans (auto, mortgage, construction, personal, credit cards) and fee income from late payments, wire transfers, and overdrafts. Membership requires a $1 fee and $50 minimum opening balance. The credit union holds NCUA federal insurance, NMLS mortgage licensing, and CDFI certification, with specialized expertise as an approved DHHL lender since 2000.

Name

Hawaii First FCU

Legal name

Hawaii First Federal Credit Union

Website

https://www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hawaii First FCU provides an array of financial products that includes loans, bank accounts, investments, and online banking services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamuela

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 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 - Loans: Primary revenue from interest charged on loans including auto loans, mortgages, construction loans, personal loans, credit cards, and lines of credit. Variable rate products and promotional rates offered.
2. Fee Income: Various service fees including late payment fees (5% of scheduled monthly payment or $25), wire transfer fees, overdraft fees, and other banking service charges.
3. Membership Fees: One-time $1 membership fee to open a Share Account. Minimum $50 opening balance required for accounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hawaii First FCU is a federally chartered community development credit union providing consumer banking products including share/savings accounts, checking accounts, IRAs, auto loans, mortgage and construction loans, personal loans, lines of credit, and Visa credit cards to members across Hawaii Island. It supplements standard banking with second-chance Pot of Gold products, DHHL construction loans for Native Hawaiian families, and financial coaching through Community Resource Centers.

Product overview

Hawaii First FCU offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through a community development credit union model serving the Hawaii Island community. The core banking platform includes share accounts, checking accounts (My First Checking for youth, Pot of Gold Second Chance Checking, and standard accounts), share certificates, and IRA programs. Loan products encompass auto loans with first-time buyer programs, mortgage and construction loans including Department of Hawaiian Home Lands programs, personal loans, credit cards (Visa Platinum with/without rewards), and various lines of credit including home equity and overdraft protection. The digital service ecosystem is anchored by the eBento Box platform featuring the It'sMe247 mobile banking app, eMOCHI remote mobile deposit, eStatements, eBanking, and eAlerts. Insurance products are offered through TruStage partnership. Youth programs include M3 Money Club and Elements of Money. The Community Resource Center and Pathways Financial Coaching provide financial education and counseling services. All products are designed to serve underbanked and underserved communities with accessible financial solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pot of Gold: A first-chance or second-chance savings and loan program designed for members who may have no credit, challenged credit history, or need emergency funds. Includes Pot of Gold Share Account, Pot of Gold Checking (Second Chance Checking), and Pot of Gold Loans.
• eMOCHI
• eBento Box
• M3 Money Club
• Elements of Money
• Save First Program

Products and services

• Auto Loans Vehicle financing for new and used automobiles with promotional rates including first-time buyer programs and GAP Plus deductible assistance coverage, available to members.
• Mortgage Loans Home financing products including purchase mortgages, construction loans, vacant land loans, and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands construction loans for Native Hawaiian families.
• Personal Loans Unsecured loans for various personal needs including debt consolidation, vacation travel, and appliance purchases with fixed low rates, plus share-secured and mixed-collateral variants.
• Lines of Credit Revolving credit access including Personal Lines of Credit and Overdraft Lines of Credit to help members avoid overdraft fees, transferred in $50 increments as needed.
• Visa Credit Cards Credit cards with options for platinum with rewards (8.95% APR) or platinum without rewards (12.95% APR), featuring no annual fee, fixed APR, and ScoreCard Rewards program access.
• Checking Accounts Share draft accounts with EMV chip Mastercard debit cards, including My First Checking for ages 13-17, Pot of Gold Second Chance Checking, and standard checking with overdraft privilege options.
• Share Account Primary savings account required for credit union membership with $50 minimum opening balance and a one-time $1 membership fee, offering competitive dividend rates.
• Share Certificate Accounts Term savings deposits with higher rates of return for funds not requiring immediate access.
• IRA Program Individual Retirement Accounts including Traditional and Roth IRAs with different tax advantages, plus IRA Share Certificates.
• Kid's Club Savings Savings accounts for members 17 years and younger with $25 minimum opening balance and automatic conversion to Share Account at age 18.
• Pot of Gold Program First-chance or second-chance financial program offering savings accounts, checking accounts, auto loans, and savings loans designed to help members build credit and emergency funds, with monthly $100 prize drawings.
• Home Equity Line of Credit Revolving credit line using home equity as collateral with competitive limits and rates for home improvements or major expenses.
• Pay Day Loan Small dollar loan product offered at 16.00% APR as a non-predatory alternative to commercial payday lenders.
• Green Energy First Loan Specialty loan product for energy/Star rated appliances, solar, and water energy systems, available at promotional rates as low as 5.00% APR.
• Credit Union Owned Vehicles Affordable pre-owned vehicles sold directly by the credit union including Ford Ranger and Kia Forte models at competitive prices.
• Community Resource Center Services Financial empowerment services including community development certified financial counseling, money management tools, job assistance, homeownership counseling, and financial education workshops at no cost to members and the community.
• Pathways Financial Coaching One-on-one financial wellness program partnering with TrustPlus to provide coaching that empowers members to achieve financial goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $4.1M deployed back into Hawaii Island through CDFI lending activities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• TruStage InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTruStage Insurance Program provides affordable protection products exclusively for credit union members including accidental death and dismemberment, property, life, and auto insurance. Offers discounted rates and 24/7 claims service.
• Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved lender of DHHL since 2000. Specializes in construction loans for Native Hawaiian families who are Lessees of Hawaiian Home Lands. Mission to help Native Hawaiian families access affordable housing.
• Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit selected Hawaii First to deploy the Financial Navigator Program - first in the nation in 2019. Public program helping residents with financial navigation services.
• InclusivcoreOthersNational organization supporting community development credit unions. Hawaii First is featured in their resources on building financial inclusion for ANHPI communities.
• Liberty MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for auto insurance offerings through TruStage program. Members can save up to $665 on car insurance through this partnership.
• CUNA Mutual GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides GAP PLUS with Deductible Assistance and Credit Insurance products for loan protection.
• BALANCE ProTechnology or IntegrationFinancial wellness tools platform integrated as a resource for members to access financial counseling and budgeting tools.
• Hawaii Island United WayminorOthersCommunity partner supporting local initiatives and community development efforts on Hawaii Island.
• Hawaii Community FoundationminorOthersLocal foundation supporting community development and financial empowerment initiatives.
• Kamehameha Schools HawaiiminorOthersEducational institution partner for Save First Program and financial education outreach to youth.
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)minorOthersState agency partner supporting Native Hawaiian community initiatives and programs.
• Blue Zones ProjectminorOthersFirst approved worksite on Hawaii Island for workplace wellness certification.
• Parenting in the Workplace InstituteminorOthersNationally recognized mentor for Babies at Work program supporting work-life balance for employees.
• Corporate America Credit UnioncoreTechnology or IntegrationCorporate credit union used as correspondent for wire transfer services. Routing Number 262090120, located in Irondale, AL.
• Alu LikeminorOthersOrganization supporting Native Hawaiian community development and education.
• Hui 'Oihana: Hawaii Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of CommerceminorOthersLocal chamber supporting Native Hawaiian businesses and economic development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hawaii State Federal Credit Union: Largest credit union in Hawaii serving state employees and the broader community. Comparable as a Hawaii-based federally chartered credit union offering full-service consumer banking, though substantially larger in scale than Hawaii First FCU.
• Self-Help Federal Credit Union: Community development credit union and CDFI headquartered in Durham, NC. Highly comparable as a mission-driven CDFI serving underbanked populations with a focus on affordable homeownership and financial inclusion.
• Hope Credit Union: Mississippi-based CDFI credit union serving underbanked communities in the Deep South. Comparable as a community development credit union focused on financial inclusion, racial equity lending, and serving low-income populations.
• Credit Human: San Antonio-based CDFI credit union serving underserved communities across Texas. Comparable as a large community development credit union with similar focus on financial inclusion, affordable lending, and community impact.
• Alternatives Federal Credit Union: Ithaca, NY-based CDFI credit union serving the local community. Comparable as a community development credit union with a focus on financial inclusion and serving underbanked populations.

Regional players

• Maui Federal Credit Union: Maui-based federal credit union serving Maui County. Comparable as a Hawaii-based community credit union, though operating on a different island (Maui vs. Hawaii Island) and therefore not directly competing for members.
• HFS Federal Credit Union: Hawaii-based federal credit union serving select employee groups on Oahu. Comparable as a small Hawaii-based credit union though serving different geographic and employment niches.

Broad incumbents

• Bank of Hawaii: Largest Hawaii-based bank with statewide branch network. Comparable as a Hawaii-based financial institution serving consumers and businesses, though substantially larger and offering broader commercial banking services.
• First Hawaiian Bank: Major Hawaii-based bank with statewide presence. Comparable as a Hawaii financial services provider with full-service consumer and commercial banking capabilities.

Others

• Inclusiv: National CDFI support organization representing community development credit unions. Hawaii First is featured in Inclusiv's resources on building financial inclusion for ANHPI communities, making it a key industry peer and ecosystem partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hawaiifirstfcu
• Facebookfacebook.com/HawaiiFirstFCU
• Instagraminstagram.com/hawaiifirstfcu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaii-first-federal-credit-union

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Hawaii First FCU