Company ‘banks on’ boosting the community

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For more than 90 years, American Savings Bank (ASB) has proven itself as more than just an exceptional financial institution — its dedication to serving Hawaii families, schools and nonprofit organizations has made the company an integral part of the local community.

ASB’s roots in Hawaii date back to 1925, and today, the bank provides a range of financial products and services, including business and consumer banking, home loans, insurance and investments. ASB also offers e-banking (electronic banking) services, along with 51 branch locations throughout the state offering evening, weekend and holiday hours.

The bank prioritizes its relationship with the local community through volunteer programs such as Seeds of Service, where ASB teammates have donated more than 29,000 hours of their time and talents to local schools and nonprofits throughout Hawaii. Past projects have included community cleanups at neighborhood parks and schools, packing school supplies for keiki and teaching financial literacy classes to students and community groups.

Other programs include Bank for Education, which supports Hawaii’s K-12 schools through grant awards, financial literacy education, volunteer projects, scholarships and internships; and the Kahiau Giving Program, which encourages employees to donate funds directly to local nonprofits and includes an ASB match of up to $100,000. The Hawaii Curling Club Tournament is ASB’s signature fundraising event that raises money for a local nonprofit while giving participants the unique opportunity to experience curling alongside Olympic athletes.

American Savings Bank employees paint the wall of a new home earlier this month.

Michael Nagamine, branch manager of the ASB Kailua-Kona branch on Hawaii Island, first joined the company six years ago as a bank teller. “From the time I started, I was impressed with the feeling of community here,” Nagamine said. The company appreciates its employees through programs and events like the Leadership Academy, designed to groom ASB’s future leaders; a Toastmasters Club to develop public speaking and presentation skills; an annual Leadership Forum; and much more. There also are fun internal contests, challenges and even an annual bank-wide party.

Nagamine is especially excited about the upcoming ASB Campus, currently under construction at 300 N. Beretania Street. “The campus will bring together approximately 600 teammates from five locations on Oahu in what I think will be one of the most collaborative and fun worksites in the state,” he said. ASB anticipates completing construction toward the end of 2018, with the campus slated to open in early 2019.

Nagamine added, “I really appreciate how the work culture is all about everyone constantly striving towards making the workplace even better. There’s constant training from day one, and all the leadership programs helped me advance in my career from bank teller, personal banker and now, branch manager.”

As branch manager, Nagamine is participating in Leadership Labs — learning sessions offered to the leadership team, focusing on hot topics in management and leadership. He’s learning that building relationships is key to being a good branch manager. “The better your relationships are with the people you work with, then they’re going to come and help you when you need help,” he explained.

“I truly believe that the best part about working at American Savings Bank is the people on your team — we become really close. The managers and employees around me all helped me get to where I am today.”

Contact Patrick Klein at pklein@staradvertiser.com if you desire to have your company featured in this section.

THE 411

COMPANY: American Savings Bank

LOCATION: Various locations statewide

PHONE: 538-2000

WEBSITE: asbhawaii.com

EMPLOYEES: 1,151

BENEFITS: American Savings Bank offers a host of benefits to its employees, including: medical, dental and vision; paid time-off, birthdays and holidays off, keiki leave, on-site fitness classes, casual dress code, weekly paydays and pet insurance.