Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Hopes that Bank of Hawai’i will delay its pull out from American Samoa

Posted at 03:24 on 10 December, 2012 UTC

The Bank of Hawai’i is to be asked to delay its pull out from American Samoa.

A member of the executive committee for the incoming government says they will write to the Bank’s chief executive asking him to postpone the closure to give the territory time to find a replacement bank.

The Bank of Hawai’i has set March the 14th next year as its final trading day in American Samoa, ending more than 40 years of links.

The new administration has been trying to find a financially stable American bank that is willing and able to fill the void.

Bank of Hawai’i customers are concerned that the only remaining bank, ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank is not a US bank, and so they will not enjoy the same benefits.

Currently Bank of Hawai’i customers can access new deposits two days earlier than at the other bank.