There’s mobile banking and then there’s MOBILE banking.

Twenty-one years after it was introduced, the Bankoh BankMobile is somewhat of a novelty in the age of mobile banking via smartphone apps. But the specially equipped Ford Econoline Van—which appears at fairs, community functions, military events and the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet—is keeping up with the times.

The two ATMs embedded in the van’s passenger side are connected to the bank network through a secure, digital wireless connection rather than a land line used by the original BankMobile that required the bank to connect to a telephone line and electrical outlet. The new BankMobile, introduced in 2010, also is smaller than the original one, which used a reconfigured Ford RV Motorhome.

And instead of being painted gold like its predecessor, the present BankMobile is covered with a blue wrap that prominently displays the bank’s name and logo and displays a large image of ocean paddlers as a tribute to the local culture. There also is an awning above the ATMs that can be pulled out to protect users from the rain and sun.

Security has evolved as well to make it virtually theft-proof. It now has a GPS tracking system to go along with the previous security features of silent and audible alarms, and an ignition kill switch that is a secondary form of security beyond the physical keys.

Eric Chen, ATM department manager for Bank of Hawaii, said there’s never been an attempted vanjacking or burglary of the BankMobile. And to make sure no one is tempted, he will not say how much money the van carries.

"We don’t have anyone inside the truck, but we do ensure there’s security available for the BankMobile," he said. "We typically have it manned by our security or other security related to the event. We’ve added security so a person can’t drive off in the BankMobile, and we can monitor it and receive text notifications any time it’s on the move."

The original BankMobile was the brainchild of the bank’s ATM department manager at the time. It was unveiled in 1992 at the bank’s first major ATM promotion — the Triple Game Sweepstakes — which offered prizes such as cash, cars and trips to Las Vegas. People could enter by performing an ATM transaction at a Bank of Hawaii ATM or the BankMobile ATMs or sending in an entry form.

"The idea behind it was as the convenience of ATMs was growing, the thought was we could provide added convenience by bringing ATM services to customers at each different event whether it was a fair or festival," Chen said. "There was a lot of excitement about that."

Land lines were used until the time the BankMobile was taken out of service in 2005 due to age and increased maintenance requirements. The bank didn’t use another BankMobile until 2010 when the more compact, upgraded version hit the road with its reduced size allowing it to be placed into smaller spaces at events.

Today the BankMobile appears at 30 to 40 events a year. It was recently at country singer Toby Keith’s USO concerts at three Oahu military bases and at the ‘Iolani Fair. The BankMobile’s next stop will be at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival next weekend at Hono­lulu Hale.

"We like to bring it to a lot of community-based events to support the local community," said Chen, citing such other examples as the Okinawan Festival and Korean Festival.

"We also like to support the local military community, so we supply the BankMobile ATM services to different events that are sponsored by the military."

Bankoh provides the BankMobile for free to groups with large attendance. Requests can be made through the bank’s website.

Use of the BankMobile’s ATMs is similar to any of the bank’s other ATMs in that it is free to customers of Bankoh or credit unions that have a relationship with the bank. For others there is a surcharge fee of $2.50 and any other fee that the user’s financial institution would charge.

"It is open to the larger events so we can provide services to more people and where there’s a cash need," Chen said. "We have found it also helps the vendors because it gives them another avenue for customers to make transactions and purchase goods or services."