Bank of Hawai‘i Promotes James C. Polk to President; Appoints Matthew K.M. Emerson Chief Retail Banking Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Bank of Hawai'i (BOH) has announced key leadership changes. James C. Polk has been promoted to President of Bank of Hawai'i and its primary operating subsidiary. Polk, with 25 years at BOH and over 35 years in financial services, will oversee all revenue-generating businesses, including Commercial Banking, Merchant Services, Cash Management, Wealth Management, and now Retail Banking.

Additionally, Matthew K.M. Emerson has been appointed Chief Retail Banking Officer. Emerson, who joined BOH in 2010, will be responsible for Consumer Banking products, Branch Banking, and the Contact Center. Both executives will report to Peter S. Ho, who continues as Chairman and CEO.

Positive

• James C. Polk's promotion to President consolidates leadership over all revenue-generating businesses
• Matthew K.M. Emerson's appointment as Chief Retail Banking Officer centralizes consumer-focused operations
• Both executives have extensive experience within Bank of Hawai'i, ensuring continuity and deep understanding of the business

Negative

• None.

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Bank of Hawai‘i Chairman and CEO Peter S. Ho announced that Vice Chair and Chief Banking Officer James C. Polk has been promoted to President of Bank of Hawai‘i Corporation and its primary operating subsidiary Bank of Hawai‘i (together, the “Company”), and Vice Chair Matthew K.M. Emerson has been appointed Chief Retail Banking Officer.

Bank of Hawai‘i Vice Chair and Chief Retail Banking Officer Matthew K.M. Emerson (Photo: Business Wire)

As president of the Company, Polk will continue to oversee Commercial Banking, Merchant Services, Cash Management, and Wealth Management. In addition, as part of Polk’s expanded role he will also oversee Retail Banking, putting him in charge of all the bank’s revenue-generating businesses. Polk will continue to report directly to Ho.

“Throughout his 25-year career with Bank of Hawai‘i, Jim has demonstrated a deep understanding of our business and an impressive commitment to serving our customers and community. I appreciate Jim’s exceptional leadership, vision and expertise, which will certainly guide our company toward continued growth and success,” said Peter S. Ho, who will continue to serve as chairman and CEO of the Company.

Polk, who has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, joined Bank of Hawai‘i in 1999. A decade later, he joined the bank’s Executive Committee (fka Managing Committee) and has taken on a variety of leadership roles over the years, including overseeing Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, Retail Lending & Deposit Products, and the bank’s West Pacific Region. In 2016, Polk was promoted to vice chair, and in 2021 to chief banking officer.

Polk currently serves as a board member for Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and After-School All-Stars Hawaii. He is also the executive sponsor of one of the bank’s employee resource groups, Nā ‘Ōiwi Aloha, which strives to create opportunities for Native Hawaiians and allies to engage in dialogue and culture.

Polk earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, as well as a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

As Bank of Hawai‘i’s newly appointed chief retail banking officer, Vice Chair Matthew K.M. Emerson will be responsible for the bank’s Consumer Banking products, Branch Banking and Contact Center, and will report to James Polk.

Emerson joined Bank of Hawai‘i in 2010 as vice president and internet banking manager in the Online and Mobile Banking Department. Since then, he has held various leadership roles across the bank, including in eCommerce and Digital Channels, Product Management, Investment Services, Retail Lending, Consumer Deposits and Digital Banking. He has been a member of the bank’s Executive Committee since 2018 and was promoted to vice chair in 2022. Most recently, Emerson served as chief strategy officer.

“Matt has consistently provided solid leadership, expertise and guidance in each of his positions, and has a proven track record for growing the businesses under his purview,” said Peter S. Ho, chairman and CEO of Bank of Hawai‘i. “Bringing together our retail businesses under Matt demonstrates the bank’s commitment to putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do.”

A graduate of ‘Iolani School, Emerson earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematical methods in the social sciences from Northwestern University and his Master in Business Administration degree in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management. He serves as a board member for Kapiolani Health Foundation, is a trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, and a member of the ‘Iolani School Board of Governors.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240718875567/en/

Melissa Torres-Laing

Email: Melissa.Torres-Laing@boh.com

Phone: 808-694-8384

Mobile: 808-859-1703

Source: Bank of Hawai‘i

FAQ

Who is the new President of Bank of Hawai'i (BOH)?

James C. Polk has been promoted to President of Bank of Hawai'i and its primary operating subsidiary.

What are James C. Polk's responsibilities as the new President of BOH?

As President, James C. Polk will oversee Commercial Banking, Merchant Services, Cash Management, Wealth Management, and Retail Banking, effectively managing all of the bank's revenue-generating businesses.

Who has been appointed as the Chief Retail Banking Officer at Bank of Hawai'i?

Matthew K.M. Emerson has been appointed as the new Chief Retail Banking Officer at Bank of Hawai'i.

What are Matthew K.M. Emerson's responsibilities in his new role at BOH?

As Chief Retail Banking Officer, Matthew K.M. Emerson will be responsible for Consumer Banking products, Branch Banking, and the Contact Center at Bank of Hawai'i.