CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Steven Comes says he always had an interest in finance. He now is applying his enthusiasm for the business to his new role as branch manager for First Hawaiian Bank in Ewa, where he posed Friday with his fellow employees. Pictured clockwise from center are Janet Leybag, Magnolia Schmidt, Rachelle Shim, J'lynn Kim, Joycelyn Rodrigues and Pearl Alconcel.

Banker comes with
a good attitude

First Hawaiian Bank's new Ewa branch
chief enjoys getting involved

Steven Comes » First Hawaiian Bank has promoted Steve Comes, 41, to Ewa Beach branch manager. He moved to the branch last month. » A former restaurant supervisor in Pearl Harbor, Comes started with the bank in 1993 as a management trainee, then progressed to loan representative, personal banker, then personal banking officer by 1999.

Question: Why did you pick banking as a career?

Answer: I always had an interest in banking.

The funny thing was back in high school -- it was one of those career kind of things -- they asked, what is Steve going to be, and everybody thought I'd be a banker. It's funny that it became true.

I got my degree from the University of Hawaii and thought about pursuing my career further in the food-service industry. I always had an interest in finance. I wanted to help people through the bank, so I applied.

What happened was, I had done a research project at UH. I interviewed a First Hawaiian branch manager and employees. What struck me was the employees felt valuable working for the bank. They really enjoy working here and thought they were being treated well, and I thought, this is a company worth working for.

Q: What are your plans for the branch?

A: What I'd like to do is get more involved with the community to let them know that we're here. And another thing is to actually get more involved with the employees that are here, so they will be trained up to opportunities, and see what it is that the customer needs.

We're all about trying to meet customers' needs. We don't want to just sell anything. We want to make sure we have what the community wants. I want to get to know the customers better and the community leaders.

I'd like to get more involved with the Ewa Beach Community Association, find out where we can help out. First Hawaiian has invested so much back into the community. Employees have a team that has employees sign up for the March of Dimes walk and other charities.

Q: What's your next goal?

A: I was always taught to set short-term, medium-term goals. I had goals of making branch manager within my 10th year but I just missed it. September will be 12 years for me.

I'm also looking to be vice president. That's my next goal. I'm starting out with this branch, but my goals are to get to a more commercial-oriented branch. I have a commercial loan background.