Small-business helpers honored
Hawaii National Bank was one of the local banks honored at the recent U.S. Small Business Administration Lender of the Year awards, which recognized the state's top SBA program lenders and lending officers. Gary Kobashigawa, left, Hawaii National Bank vice president, was honored as a top lender in the "honorably recognized for Oahu" category, while fellow employee Donn Mende, Hawaii National Bank assistant vice president and Puainako branch manager, was the East Hawaii silver award winner for top lending officers.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Lender of the Year awards honored Hawaii banks, loan officers and organizations for work during the fiscal year.
The top awards recognize achievements of participating banks and other lenders by the number of SBA-guaranteed, 7(a) loans made. First Hawaiian Bank made 47 loans for the top award in Category 1 (lenders with more than $9 billion in assets). Central Pacific Bank was named the top lender in Category 2 (lenders with between $2 billion and $9 billion in assets), and Honolulu Federal Credit Union was the awardee in Category 3 (lenders with less than $2 billion in assets).
Lenders who participate in the SBA’s 504 Fixed Asset Loan program were also recognized and were, with the number of loans in parentheses: Category 1, First Hawaiian Bank (22); Category 2, American Savings Bank (8); Category 3, Hawaii National Bank (3).
Community Express honors were presented to the Oahu, Kauai and Kona offices of the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, while a special award was presented to HSF Federal Credit Union for producing the most American Recovery Capital loans to assist small businesses recover from revenue lost due to economic conditions.
Lending officers are recognized for the number of loans produced in a year, but this year, extra points were earned by accessing capital for veteran-owned small businesses or participating in SBA-hosted activities for prospective borrowers.
The bronze and honorable-mention awards are offered only to loan officers in the City and County of Honolulu.
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KAUAI
Gold — Justin Ganaden, Kauai Community FCU
Silver — Kathy Miyake, Central Pacific Bank
Silver — Nora Shepherd, Kauai Community FCU
MAUI
Gold — Craig Bode, American Savings Bank
Silver — Lolita Feliciano, Bank of Hawaii
EAST HAWAII
Gold — Manly Kanoa, HFS Federal Credit Union
Silver — Donn Mende, Hawaii National Bank
Silver — Cheryl Octavio, Bank of Hawaii
WEST HAWAII
Gold — Tim Ashcraft, Hawaii Community FCU
Silver — Joycelyn Binney, Bank of Hawaii
OAHU
Gold — Ruth Tanaka, Honolulu Federal Credit Union
Silver — Naomi Masuno, First Hawaiian Bank
Bronze — David Chen, Central Pacific Bank
HONORABLY RECOGNIZED
Greg Idemoto — Central Pacific Bank
Richard Manungas — American Savings Bank
Gary Kobashigawa — Hawaii National Bank
Kellan Briones — American Savings Bank
Lori Honda — Bank of Hawaii
Greg Sokolowski — Central Pacific Bank
Joe Sung — American Savings Bank
Warren Altona — Bank of Hawaii
Lea Park — Central Pacific Bank
Debra Tangonan — Central Pacific Bank
Evan Watarida — Central Pacific Bank
Taylor Kirihara — American Savings Bank
Jason Koyanagi — Bank of Hawaii
Randi Tsushima — American Savings Bank
