HB20: Tricia Fujikawa Lee, First Hawaiian Bank

Under her leadership, FHB has earned the highest possible CRA rating through 11 consecutive examinations, the only Hawai‘i bank to do so.

Tricia Fujikawa Lee learned a lot at her first job – lessons she applies every day in her work at First Hawaiian Bank, in her extensive community service and in raising four children with her husband.

“When I was a teenager, I got a working permit to work at my dad’s construction company as a janitor,” she says. “On Saturdays, I cleaned urinals with a pumice stone, vacuumed and did other cleaning. It taught me humility, empathy, respect for others and for all types of work.”

Today, Fujikawa Lee has multiple roles at FHB, most prominently as chief compliance officer, where she leads a department that has far more responsibilities than most people might imagine.

“We help the bank comply with laws and regulations, but it goes beyond that. We are trying to establish a culture of compliance, which is really to do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.”

The work includes analysis, risk assessment, monitoring, testing, training and communicating key elements to the bank’s customers, management and board.

“We have to do right, be trustworthy, build trust and have integrity,” she says.

Bob Harrison, the bank’s chairman, president and CEO, says Fujikawa Lee is the ideal person for the job because her career “is defined by integrity, empathy and service … helping others within the bank and across the Aloha State.”

Fujikawa Lee also ensures FHB fulfills its responsibilities under the federal Community Reinvestment Act, which obligates banks to meet the lending and banking needs of the whole community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

With her guidance, FHB says it has maintained an “outstanding” rating – the highest possible – through 11 consecutive examinations since 1995, making it the only Hawaiʻi bank to do so.

“It shows our deep commitment to the community and being part of that was super special personally,” Fujikawa Lee says.

Public service is a big part of her life. She serves as a board member and secretary for the Hawaiʻi HomeOwnership Center, as an advisory board member for Teach For America Hawaiʻi and as a board member and treasurer for Make-A-Wish Hawaii.

Fujikawa Lee also serves as a board member and treasurer of the Athletic Booster Club at Moanalua High School, her alma mater and now where two of her children go.

Her biggest challenge has also been her biggest reward. “I ended up with four children – growing my career in a leadership role while making sure my children felt like they were prioritized. That’s challenging, but it helped define who I am.”