\nBank of Hawai\u2018i announces today that Peter S. Ho<\/b>, who has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2010, will retire effective March 31, 2026. This decision is the culmination of the bank\u2019s long-term succession plan for its CEO designed to ensure stability and continuity for the 128-year-old financial institution. To further support the transition, Ho plans to serve as a consultant to the company following his retirement through the end of 2027.<\/p>\n
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260203990703\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n Peter S. Ho<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nThe Board of Directors unanimously selected current BOHC President and Chief Banking Officer James C. Polk<\/b> to succeed Ho as President and Chief Executive Officer, upon Ho\u2019s retirement. Polk will also join its Board of Directors. Additionally, Hawai\u2018i Pacific Health President and CEO Raymond P. Vara, Jr.<\/b>, currently BOHC\u2019s Lead Independent Director, will assume the new role of Non-Executive Chairman of BOHC\u2019s Board of Directors on April 1.<\/p>\n \n\u201cTo serve as CEO at Bank of Hawai\u2018i has been the greatest honor of my professional life,\u201d said Bank of Hawai\u2018i Chairman and CEO Peter Ho. \u201cI\u2019ve had the privilege of leading this wonderful organization with a vision of serving our employees, customers and communities to the fullest. Our success is built on a shared commitment to the values that unite us, and a legacy of trust and service that continues to guide us forward. I\u2019ll depart confident that Bank of Hawai\u2018i is in exceptional hands under Jim\u2019s leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n \nHo began his banking career at Manufacturers Hanover in New York City, and in 1993, he returned home to join Bank of Hawai\u2018i, where he advanced through senior leadership roles. In 1999, he was promoted to Senior Vice President overseeing Corporate Banking, becoming the bank\u2019s youngest SVP. In 2001, Ho was named Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking and Commercial Real Estate Lending. And in 2003, he was promoted to EVP leading the entire Hawai\u2018i Commercial Banking Group and joining BOH\u2019s Executive Committee. One year later, he became Vice Chair of Investment Services. In 2006, Ho was named Chief Banking Officer. In 2008, he was named president; and in 2010, Ho was appointed Chairman and CEO. He holds a bachelor\u2019s degree and an MBA in business administration from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.<\/p>\n \nHo is the third-longest tenured CEO in Bank of Hawai\u2018i history (after Clarence Hyde Cooke, CEO from 1909-1937, and Edward Carden, CEO from 1937-1955). Under Ho\u2019s leadership, Bank of Hawai\u2018i consistently delivered solid results, receiving multiple accolades for its financial performance, including being named one of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Banks\u201d by Forbes<\/i> magazine for 15 consecutive years, and listed among \u201cAmerica\u2019s Most Trustworthy Companies\u201d by Newsweek<\/i> magazine for the last four years in a row, and is the only company selected in the state.<\/p>\n \nHo championed a culture of innovation at Bank of Hawai\u2018i that embraced transformation initiatives, including its signature Branch of Tomorrow concept, modernization of its mobile and online banking platforms, and enhancements to its Call Center.<\/p>\n \nOver the years, Ho has been chosen to provide leadership in a variety of capacities, including serving as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2018. He also served as vice chair of the state of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness, and as Chair of the APEC Hawai\u2018i Host Committee in 2011.<\/p>\n \nA champion for community involvement and civic duty, Ho serves on the boards of many local nonprofits, including Hawai\u2018i Community Foundation and Mental Health America of Hawai\u2018i. He has spearheaded initiatives that strengthen communities. For example, he launched the bank\u2019s annual Live K\u014dkua Giving Campaign in 2010, which has raised more than $9.4 million since its inception to support nonprofit organizations across Hawai\u2018i and the West Pacific region. For employees, Ho established the Bank of Hawai\u2018i College Assistance Program that covers 100% tuition for employees seeking a first degree. And during the pandemic, \u201cBankoh Meals-To-Go\u201d was Ho\u2019s brainchild, keeping the company\u2019s two caf\u00e9 restaurants in business while providing food donations to Aloha Harvest and free weekly meals for employees and their families for nearly 100 consecutive weeks.<\/p>\n \nIn recognition for his service, Ho was named 2003 Young Businessperson of the Year by Pacific Business News<\/i>, was recognized as the state\u2019s Distinguished Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America\u2013Aloha Council in 2012, and was the recipient of the Naval Heritage Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation in 2016.<\/p>\n \n\u201cOn behalf of the Bank of Hawai\u2018i Board of Directors, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Peter for decades of unwavering leadership and dedication,\u201d said Raymond Vara. \u201cHis remarkable career, spanning more than 30 years, has been defined by progressive roles that strengthened the company and a steadfast commitment to community causes that have touched countless lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \nVara continued, \u201cAs we look ahead, we are thrilled to welcome Jim as the next CEO. He brings a strong foundation of continuity and strategic execution, coupled with deep institutional knowledge of the bank as well as the business landscape here in Hawai\u2018i. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to build on the bank\u2019s legacy of excellence and service to our customers and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n \nOn April 1,President James C. Polk<\/b> will add the role of Chief Executive Officer to his title, and will join the Board of Directors of Bank of Hawai\u2018i Corporation. With over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, Polk will become the 16th<\/sup> CEO in Bank of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s 128-year history.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019m deeply grateful to assume the role of CEO in April, and I\u2019m immensely appreciative of the trust placed in me by Peter and the Board,\u201d said James Polk. \u201cI look forward to building upon the strategy that has served this company well for decades, and driving forward a culture of innovation, trust and commitment to the communities who rely upon us.\u201d<\/p>\n \nPolk joined the bank in 1999, and has since served in multiple leadership roles, overseeing many major areas, including Commercial Banking, Retail Lending, Deposits, Mortgage Banking, The Private Bank and Branch Banking. In 2006, Polk was promoted to EVP and Pacific Islands Division Manager, overseeing the bank\u2019s West Pacific region. In 2009, he advanced to Senior Executive Vice President and Manager of the bank\u2019s Hawai\u2018i Commercial Banking Division, and was also named a member of the bank\u2019s Executive Committee. In 2016, Polk was promoted to vice chair, and in 2021 to chief banking officer.<\/p>\n \nAs part of the company\u2019s considered succession plan, Polk was named President in July 2024, becoming responsible for all of the bank\u2019s revenue-generating businesses: Commercial Banking, Merchant Services, Cash Management, Wealth Management and Retail Banking (including Branch Banking and the Contact Center).<\/p>\n \nA strong community and employee advocate, Polk serves on the boards of the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and AfterSchool AllStars Hawai\u2018i, and he is the executive sponsor of the bank\u2019s employee-resource group, N\u0101 \u2018\u014ciwi Aloha, which strives to create opportunities for Native Hawaiians and allies to engage in dialogue and culture.<\/p>\n \nPolk earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of Harvard Business School\u2019s Advanced Management Program, as well as a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.<\/p>\n About Bank of Hawai\u2018i<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Bank of Hawai\u2018i Corporation is a regional financial services company serving businesses, consumers and governments in Hawai\u2018i and the West Pacific. The Company\u2019s principal subsidiary, Bank of Hawai\u2018i, was founded in 1897 and offers customers branch, ATM network, convenient 24-hour telephone, internet and mobile banking services. Bank of Hawai\u2018i Corporation and its subsidiaries offer a wide range of financial products and services, including deposit and lending services, investments, trust services, private banking, leasing, mortgage, insurance. Bank of Hawai\u2018i also remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the communities it serves. Additional information about the bank can be found at <\/i>www.boh.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260203990703\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Media Inquiries KEYWORDS:<\/b> United States North America Hawaii<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Banking Professional Services Finance<\/p>\n![\"Peter](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260203990703\/en\/2709592\/4\/BOH_Peter_S_Ho.jpg\")
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Melissa Torres-Laing
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Email: Melissa.Torres-Laing@boh.com
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Phone: 808-694-8384
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Mobile: 808-859-1703<\/p>\n
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