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Beloved heritage, slipping relevance with younger customers

For more than a century, Bank of Hawai’i was trusted across the islands, but its equity skewed older while digital natives looked elsewhere. The team needed a way to evolve without eroding the cultural heritage and community trust at the core of the brand.

Honor legacy, unify a fresh digital promise

We reframed the brand around a purpose that bridges generations: unlocking exceptional lives for customers and communities. That purpose became the north star to carry heritage forward while elevating digital experiences that feel fresh, human, and distinctly Hawai‘i.

Extend SimpliFi from mortgage tool to brand experience

We sharpened SimpliFi—from a successful mortgage application platform—into a relatable sub‑brand and experience system. We defined positioning and messaging that connect across lines of business, then activated SimpliFi in customer journeys, campaigns, and sponsorships. Detailed guidelines translated purpose into voice, imagery, photography, and graphic style so every touchpoint felt simple, modern, and familiar.

A modern, cohesive brand energizing growth

Bank of Hawai’i now shows up with renewed relevance and momentum, balancing trusted heritage with contemporary digital ease. SimpliFi operates as the branded expression of that promise, giving teams clarity and customers confidence across channels.

Services

  • Customer Empathy & Insight
  • Brand Strategy & Positioning
  • Portfolio Strategy & Brand Architecture
  • Messaging Strategy & Frameworks
  • Brand Narrative & Brand Idea
  • Brand Voice & Verbal Identity
  • Visual Identity & Logos
  • Brand Guidelines

Customer testimonial

“The new brand is the result of Northbound’s strategic vision—of what the next 100 years can be for us.”

Colleen Nakamura

VP Brand and Creative Studio, BANK OF HAWAI’I