15 Jan 2013

American Samoa's governor will meet with bank officials in Hawai'i

11:19 am on 15 January 2013

The American Samoa governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga is holding meetings with bank officials in Hawai'i this month in a bid to attract another US financial institution once the Bank of Hawai'i withdraws from the territory in March.

The governor's executive assistant, Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, says meetings are planned with officials from the Bank of Hawai'i, First Hawaiian Bank and others.

Iulogologo said that due to funding constraints, the governor is already mulling over the best course of action.

The governor was approached by a group of local businessmen last week looking at setting up a locally privately owned bank in the territory.

Meanwhile, the governor's office says Lolo has received information from the Native Hawaiian Holding Company and its local entity, Community Investment Corporation of plans to set up in the territory a credit union.