First Hawaiian’s first quarter results aligned with Wall Street expectations, with management emphasizing the impact of steady loan and deposit growth, robust credit quality, and resilient funding costs. CEO Bob Harrison attributed the quarter’s stability to balanced commercial real estate and commercial loan expansion, while noting that residential and construction portfolios saw some runoff as projects transitioned to permanent financing. Strong deposit trends, particularly growth in public operating balances, contributed to funding cost improvements and underpinned the bank’s consistent performance.

Is now the time to buy FHB? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From First Hawaiian Bank’s Q1 Earnings Call

• Anthony Elian (JPMorgan) asked for detail on drivers of net interest margin improvement. CFO Jamie Moses attributed this to balance sheet repricing as fixed-rate assets are replaced at higher yields, with the caveat that a rate cut would temporarily reduce margin before resuming improvement.
• Jared Shaw (Barclays) inquired about C&I loan growth and potential Mainland expansion. CEO Bob Harrison noted broad-based growth, including new dealer relationships and increased utilization, and said hiring could come from both local and Mainland markets.
• David Feaster (Raymond James) questioned competitive dynamics in lending and funding. Harrison described stable competition in Hawaii, increased price pressure on the Mainland, and consistent efforts to grow market share through customer engagement.
• Kelly Motta (KBW) sought insight on capital impacts from proposed regulatory changes. Moses estimated a potential 1% increase in CET1 ratio if rules are implemented but said current strategy would not change preemptively.
• Andrew Terrell (Stephens) asked about opportunities to further lower deposit costs. Moses said some benefit remains, particularly in repricing CDs, though most opportunities have already been realized and are incorporated into current margin guidance.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Looking ahead, the StockStory analyst team will be watching (1) the pace and mix of loan growth between commercial, real estate, and consumer portfolios, (2) further improvements in net interest margin as fixed-rate assets reprice, and (3) hiring trends and their impact on both expense growth and revenue generation. Additionally, we will monitor any changes in credit quality, especially in areas affected by natural disasters and broader economic shifts.

First Hawaiian Bank currently trades at $27.66, up from $26.96 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Top 5 Momentum Stocks. The best time to own a great stock is when the market is finally noticing it. These aren't just high-quality businesses. Something is happening with them right now. Elite fundamentals meeting near-term momentum - both boxes checked at the same time.

Find out which stocks our AI platform is flagging this week. See this week's Strong Momentum stocks - FREE. Get Our Strong Momentum Stocks for Free HERE.

Stocks that have made our list include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,326% between June 2020 and June 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.