Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Parent and its subsidiaries. The Parent's principal subsidiary is Bank of Hawaii (the "Bank"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable interests are defined as contractual ownership or other interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in an entity's net asset value. The primary beneficiary consolidates the variable interest entity ("VIE"). The primary beneficiary is defined as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

The Company has a limited partnership interest in several low-income housing partnerships. These partnerships provide funds for the construction and operation of apartment complexes that provide affordable housing to that segment of the population with lower family income. If these developments successfully attract a specified percentage of residents falling in that lower income range, state and/or federal income tax credits are made available to the partners. The tax credits are generally recognized over 10 years. In order to continue receiving the tax credits each year over the life of the partnership, the low-income residency targets must be maintained.

These entities meet the definition of a VIE; however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the entities, as the general partner has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities. While the partnership agreements allow the limited partners, through a majority vote, to remove the general partner, this right is not deemed to be substantive as the general partner can only be removed for cause.

The investment in these entities is initially recorded at cost, which approximates the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company's involvement with these unconsolidated entities. The balance of the Company's investments in these entities was $34.3 million and $29.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in other assets in the consolidated statements of condition. Under the effective yield method, the Company recognizes tax credits generally over 10 years and amortizes the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that tax credits are allocated to the Company.

Unfunded commitments to fund these low-income housing partnerships were $9.0 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These unfunded commitments are unconditional and legally binding and are recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of condition.

Investment Securities

Investment securities are accounted for according to their purpose and holding period. Trading securities are those that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. The Company held no trading securities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Available-for-sale investment securities, comprised of debt and mortgage-backed securities, are those that may be sold before maturity due to changes in the Company's interest rate risk profile or funding needs, and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income. Held-to-maturity investment securities, comprised of debt and mortgage-backed securities, are those that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost.

Realized gains and losses are recorded in noninterest income and are determined on a trade date basis using the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized in interest income on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income using the interest method over the expected lives of the individual securities.

Transfers of debt securities from the available-for-sale category to the held-to-maturity category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity investment security. Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted as an adjustment of yield using the interest method over the estimated life of the security. Unrealized holding gains or losses that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income are also amortized or accreted over the estimated life of the security as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments of Investment Securities

The Company conducts an other-than-temporary-impairment ("OTTI") analysis of investment securities on a quarterly basis or more often if a potential loss-triggering event occurs. A write-down of a debt security is recorded when fair value is below amortized cost in circumstances where: (1) the Company has the intent to sell a security; (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell a security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value. If the Company does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and an amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. To determine the amount related to credit loss on a debt security, the Company applies a methodology similar to that used for evaluating the impairment of loans. As of December 31, 2011, management determined that the Company did not own any investment securities that were other-than-temporarily-impaired.

Loans Held for Sale

Residential mortgage loans originated prior to October 1, 2011, with the intent to be sold in the secondary market, were valued on an aggregate basis at the lower-of-cost-or-fair value. Residential mortgage loans originated on or after October 1, 2011, with the intent to be sold in the secondary market, are accounted for under the fair value option. Non-refundable fees and direct loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans held for sale are recognized in noninterest income or noninterest expense as earned or incurred. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. Gains and losses on sales of residential mortgage loans (sales proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in the mortgage banking component of noninterest income.

Commercial loans that management has an active plan to sell are valued on an individual basis at the lower-of-cost-or fair value. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets or agreed upon sales prices. Any reduction in the loan's value, prior to being transferred to loans held for sale, is reflected as a charge-off of the recorded investment in the loan resulting in a new cost basis, with a corresponding reduction in the allowance for loan and lease losses. Further decreases in the fair value of the loan are recognized in noninterest expense.

Loans and Leases

Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income, cumulative charge-offs, and net unamortized deferred loan fees or costs. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Loan origination fees, certain direct costs, and unearned discounts and premiums, if any, are deferred and are generally amortized into interest income as yield adjustments using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan. Loan commitment fees are generally recognized into noninterest income. Other credit-related fees are recognized as fee income, a component of noninterest income, when earned.

Direct financing leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value of leased property, less unearned income. Leveraged leases, which are a form of direct financing leases, are carried net of non-recourse debt. Unearned income on direct financing and leveraged leases is amortized over the lease term by methods that approximate the interest method. Residual values on leased assets are periodically reviewed for impairment.

Portfolio segments are defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for loan and lease losses (the "Allowance"). Management has determined that the Company has two portfolio segments of loans and leases (commercial and consumer) in determining the Allowance. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are used by management at the portfolio segment level in determining the adequacy of the Allowance for the Company. Classes of loans and leases are a disaggregation of a Company's portfolio segments. Classes are defined as a group of loans and leases which share similar initial measurement attributes, risk characteristics, and methods for monitoring and assessing credit risk. Management has determined that the Company has eight classes of loans and leases (commercial and industrial, commercial mortgage, construction, lease financing, residential mortgage, home equity, automobile, and other). The "other" class of loans and leases is comprised of revolving credit, installment, and lease financing arrangements.

Non-Performing Loans and Leases

Generally, all classes of commercial loans and leases are placed on non-accrual status upon becoming contractually past due 90 days as to principal or interest (unless loans and leases are adequately secured by collateral, are in the process of collection, and are reasonably expected to result in repayment), when terms are renegotiated below market levels, or where substantial doubt about full repayment of principal or interest is evident. For residential mortgage and home equity loan classes, loans are placed on non-accrual status at the earlier of the loan becoming contractually past due 120 days as to principal or interest or upon taking of a partial charge-off on the loan. For automobile and other consumer loan classes, the entire outstanding balance on the loan is charged-off when the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest.

When a loan or lease is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable is reversed and the loan or lease is accounted for on the cash or cost recovery method until qualifying for return to accrual status. All payments received on non-accrual loans and leases are applied against the principal balance of the loan or lease. A loan or lease may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal become current in accordance with the terms of the loan or lease agreement and when doubt about repayment is resolved.

Generally, for all classes of loans and leases, a charge-off is recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and when it is possible to determine a reasonable estimate of the loss. For all classes of commercial loans and leases, a charge-off is determined on a judgmental basis after due consideration of the debtor's prospects for repayment and the fair value of collateral. For the pooled segment of the Company's commercial and industrial loan class, which consists of small business loans, the entire outstanding balance on the loan is charged-off during the month that the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest. For residential mortgage and home equity loan classes, a partial charge-off is recorded at 120 days past due as to principal or interest for the amount that the loan balance exceeds the fair value of the collateral. In the event that loans or lines in the home equity loan class is behind another financial institution's first mortgage, the entire outstanding balance on the loan is charged-off when the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest, unless the combined loan-to-value ratio is 60% or less. As noted above, loans in the automobile and other consumer loan classes are charged-off in its entirety upon the loan becoming 120 days past due as to principal or interest.

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled interest payments. Impaired loans include all classes of commercial non-accruing loans (except lease financing and small business loans), and all loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. Impaired loans exclude lease financing and smaller balance homogeneous loans (consumer and small business non-accruing loans) that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

For all classes of commercial loans, a quarterly evaluation of specific individual commercial borrowers is performed to identify impaired loans. The identification of specific borrowers for review is based on a review of non-accrual loans as well as those loans specifically identified by management as exhibiting above average levels of risk.

When a loan has been identified as being impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs, if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (including accrued interest, net of deferred loan fees or costs, and unamortized premiums or discounts), an impairment is recognized by establishing or adjusting an existing allocation of the Allowance, or by recording a partial charge-off of the loan to its fair value. Interest payments made on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest income may be accrued or recognized on a cash basis.

Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring

Loans are considered to have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring when, due to a borrower's financial difficulties, the Company makes certain concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a troubled debt restructuring remains on non-accrual status for a period of six months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower's ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

In January 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-01, "Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20." The provisions of ASU No. 2010-20, "Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses" include the required disclosure of qualitative information about how financing receivables were modified and quantitative information about the extent and financial effects of modifications made during the period. The Company is also required to disclose qualitative information about how such modifications are factored into the determination of the Allowance. Furthermore, the Company is also required to disclose information about modifications that meet the definition of a troubled debt restructuring within the previous 12 months for which there was a payment default in the current period. The provisions of ASU No. 2010-20 that related to troubled debt restructurings were to be effective for the Company's reporting period ended March 31, 2011. However, the amendments in ASU No. 2011-01 deferred the effective date related to these disclosures, enabling creditors to provide such disclosures after the FASB completed their project clarifying the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, "A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring." The provisions of ASU No. 2011-02 provide additional guidance related to determining whether a creditor has granted a concession, include factors and examples for creditors to consider in evaluating whether a restructuring results in a delay in payment that is insignificant, prohibit creditors from using the borrower's effective rate test to evaluate whether a concession has been granted to the borrower, and add factors for creditors to use in determining whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. ASU No. 2011-02 also ended the FASB's deferral of the additional disclosures related to troubled debt restructurings as required by ASU No. 2010-20. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2010-20 retrospectively to all modifications and restructuring activities that occurred from January 1, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the Company identified $0.5 million in loans that were newly considered troubled debt restructurings under the provisions of ASU No. 2011-02. These loans did not require an Allowance as each was either previously partially charged-off or was adequately secured by collateral. The adoption of the loan modification provisions of ASU No. 2010-20 and ASU No. 2011-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's statements of income and condition. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the disclosures required by ASU No. 2010-20.

Reserve for Credit Losses

The Company's reserve for credit losses is comprised of two components, the Allowance and the reserve for unfunded commitments (the "Unfunded Reserve").

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The Company maintains an Allowance adequate to cover management's estimate of probable credit losses as of the balance sheet date. Changes to the absolute level of the Allowance are recognized through charges or credits to the provision for credit losses (the "Provision"). Loans and leases that are charged-off reduce the Allowance while recoveries of loans and leases previously charged-off increase the Allowance.

The level of the Allowance related to the Company's commercial portfolio segment is generally based on analyses of individual borrowers and historical loss experience supplemented as necessary by credit judgment to address observed changes in trends and conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors that may affect the collectability of loans and leases. Excluding those loans and leases evaluated individually for impairment, the Company's remaining commercial loans and leases are pooled and collectively evaluated for impairment based on business unit and internal risk rating segmentation.

The level of the Allowance related to the Company's consumer portfolio segment is generally based on analyses of homogeneous pools of loans and leases. Loans and leases are pooled based on similar loan and lease risk characteristics for collective evaluation of impairment. Loss estimates are calculated based on historical rolling average loss rates and average delinquency flows to loss. Consumer loans that have been individually evaluated for impairment or modified in a troubled debt restructuring are excluded from the homogeneous pools. Impairment related to such loans is generally determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate.

The Allowance also includes an estimate for inherent losses not reflected in the historical analyses. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, concentrations of credit risk (geographic, large borrower, and industry), economic trends and conditions, changes in underwriting standards, experience and depth of lending staff, trends in delinquencies, and the level of net charge-offs. In addition, the Company uses a variety of other tools to estimate probable credit losses including, but not limited to, a rolling quarterly forecast of asset quality metrics; stress testing; and performance indicators based on the Company's own experience, peers, or other industry sources.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The Unfunded Reserve is a component of other liabilities and represents the estimate for probable credit losses inherent in unfunded commitments to extend credit. Unfunded commitments to extend credit include banker's acceptances, and standby and commercial letters of credit. The process used to determine the Unfunded Reserve is consistent with the process for determining the Allowance, as adjusted for estimated funding probabilities or loan and lease equivalency factors. The level of the Unfunded Reserve is adjusted by recording an expense or recovery in other noninterest expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing deposits, and funds sold. All amounts are readily convertible to cash and have maturities of less than 90 days.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capital leases are included in premises and equipment at the capitalized amount less accumulated amortization.

Premises and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Estimated useful lives generally range from five to 20 years for premises and from three to ten years for equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Capitalized leased assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements which extend the estimated useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the asset.

Premises and equipment are periodically evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the expected undiscounted future cash flows of premises and equipment are less than its carrying amount. In that event, the Company records a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset based on quoted market prices, if applicable, or a discounted cash flow analysis. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.6 million, a component of net occupancy expense, related to several of the Company's branch premises. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, there was no impairment of the Company's premises and equipment.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate consists of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. These properties are recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. If the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the property's fair value at the time of acquisition, a charge-off is recorded against the Allowance. If the fair value of the property at the time of acquisition exceeds the carrying amount of the loan, the excess is recorded either as a recovery to the Allowance if a charge-off had previously been recorded, or as a gain on initial transfer in other noninterest income. Subsequent decreases in the property's fair value and operating expenses of the property are recognized through charges to other noninterest expense. The fair value of the property acquired is based on third party appraisals, broker price opinions, recent sales activity, or a combination thereof, subject to management judgment.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets when mortgage loans are sold and the rights to service those loans are retained. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income.

The Company's mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the amortization method are initially recorded at fair value. However, these mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. An impairment analysis is prepared on a quarterly basis by estimating the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights and comparing that value to the carrying amount. A valuation allowance is established when the carrying amount of these mortgage servicing rights exceeds fair value.

The Company's mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the fair value method are carried on the statements of condition at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in mortgage banking income in the period in which the change occurs. Changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are primarily due to changes in valuation inputs, assumptions, and the collection and realization of expected cash flows.

Written Loan Commitments

The Company includes the fair value associated with the expected net future cash flows related to the servicing of the loan in the measurement of interest rate lock commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. The expected net future cash flows from servicing the loan that are to be included in measuring the fair value of the interest rate lock commitment is determined in the same manner that the fair value of a recognized servicing asset is measured. However, a separate and distinct servicing asset is not recognized for accounting purposes until the servicing rights have been contractually separated from the underlying loan by sale or securitization of the loan with servicing rights retained. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on written loan commitments.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below an operating segment. Goodwill is assigned to the Company's reporting units that are expected to benefit from the business combination. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. Adverse changes in the economic environment, declining operations, unanticipated competition, loss of key personnel, or other factors could result in a decline in the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, a loss would be recognized in other noninterest expense to reduce the carrying amount to the implied fair value of goodwill. A goodwill impairment analysis is comprised of two steps. Step 1, used to identify instances of potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that reporting unit's goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, "When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts." The provisions of ASU No. 2010-28 modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The Company adopted ASU No. 2010-28 in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2011, the Company had no reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts or reporting units where there was a reasonable possibility of failing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, the adoption of ASU No. 2010-28 had no impact on the Company's statements of income and condition.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment." The provisions of ASU No. 2011-08 permit an entity an option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Step 1 quantitative impairment analysis described above is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. ASU No. 2011-08 includes examples of events and circumstances that may indicate that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU No. 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU No. 2011-08. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company performed the annual evaluation for goodwill impairment. This evaluation indicated no impairment of the Company's goodwill.

Non-Marketable Equity Securities

The Company is required to hold non-marketable equity securities, comprised of Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle ("FHLB") and Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock, as a condition of membership. These securities are accounted for at cost which equals par or redemption value. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value as their ownership is restricted and there is no market for these securities. These securities can only be redeemed or sold at their par value and only to the respective issuing government supported institution or to another member institution. The Company records these non-marketable equity securities as a component of other assets which are periodically evaluated for impairment. Management considers these non-marketable equity securities to be long-term investments. Accordingly, when evaluating these securities for impairment, management considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. Under these arrangements, the Company may transfer legal control over the assets but still retain effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Company to repurchase the assets. As a result, securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing arrangements and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities. The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability in the Company's consolidated statements of condition, while the securities underlying the securities sold under agreements to repurchase remain in the respective asset accounts and are delivered to and held in collateral by third party trustees.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company incurs certain employment-related expenses associated with its two pension plans and a postretirement benefit plan (the "Plans"). In order to measure the expense associated with the Plans, various assumptions are made including the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, anticipated mortality rates, and expected future healthcare costs. The assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Plans. As of the measurement date, plan assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices. The projected benefit obligation is primarily determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate.

Net periodic pension benefit costs include interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on actuarially derived market-related values, and the amortization of net actuarial losses. Net periodic postretirement benefit costs include service costs, interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains. Differences between expected and actual results in each year are included in the net actuarial gain or loss amount, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The net actuarial gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized in net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service period of active participants in the Plans. The prior service credit is amortized over the average remaining service period to full eligibility for participating employees expected to receive benefits.

The Company recognizes in its statement of condition an asset for a plan's overfunded status or a liability for a plan's underfunded status. The Company also measures the Plans' assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the fiscal year and recognizes those changes in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Income Taxes

The Parent files a consolidated federal income tax return with the Bank and its subsidiaries. Calculation of the Company's provision for income taxes requires the interpretation of income tax laws and regulations and the use of estimates and judgments in its determination. The Company is subject to examination by governmental authorities that may give rise to income tax issues due to differing interpretations. Changes to the liability for income taxes also occur due to changes in income tax rates, implementation of new business strategies, resolution of issues with taxing authorities, and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance.

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the corresponding tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are calculated by applying enacted statutory tax rates and tax laws to future years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. The impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the tax rate change is enacted. A deferred tax valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company's tax sharing policy provides for the settlement of income taxes between each relevant subsidiary as if the subsidiary had filed a separate return. Payments are made to the Parent by subsidiaries with tax liabilities and subsidiaries that generate tax benefits receive payments for those benefits as used.

The Company maintains reserves for certain tax positions that arise in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2011, these positions were evaluated based on an assessment of probabilities as to the likelihood of whether a liability had been incurred. Such assessments are reviewed as events occur and adjustments to the reserves are made as appropriate.

In evaluating a tax position for recognition, the Company judgmentally evaluates whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If the tax position meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, the tax position is measured and recognized in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements as the largest amount of tax benefit that, in management's judgment, is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Treasury Stock

Shares of the Parent's common stock that are repurchased are recorded in treasury stock at cost. On the date of subsequent re-issuance, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on a first-in, first-out basis.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments as an end-user in connection with its risk management activities and to accommodate the needs of its customers. The Company has elected not to qualify for hedge accounting methods addressed under current provisions of GAAP. Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value on the consolidated statements of condition with changes in fair value reported in current period earnings.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company may grant share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in the form of restricted stock and stock options. Share-based compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant and is recognized in the statement of income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for service-based awards. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Parent's common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for service-based awards, plus additional recognition of costs associated with accelerated vesting based on the projected attainment of Company performance measures. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and related assumptions. The Company uses historical data to predict option exercise and employee termination behavior. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Parent's common stock. The expected term of options granted is derived from actual historical exercise activity and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant based on the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is equal to the dividend yield of the Parent's common stock at the time of grant. The amortization of share-based compensation reflects estimated forfeitures, adjusted for actual forfeiture experience. Share-based compensation is recorded in the statements of income as a component of salaries and benefits for employees and as a component of other noninterest expense for non-employee directors, with a corresponding increase to capital surplus in shareholders' equity. As share-based compensation expense is recognized, a deferred tax asset is established that represents an estimate of future income tax deductions from the release of restrictions or the exercise of stock options.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

International Operations

The Bank has operations that are conducted in certain Pacific Islands that are denominated in U.S. dollars. These operations are classified as domestic.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements apply whenever GAAP requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value either on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions that management believes market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurement and disclosure guidance established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies. Management maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value measurements. Management reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications of the Company's assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis. The three-level fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1:	Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available. A contractually binding sales price also provides reliable evidence of fair value.
Level 2:	Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that utilize model-based techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3:	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement; inputs to the valuation methodology that utilize model-based techniques for which significant assumptions are not observable in the market; or inputs to the valuation methodology that requires significant management judgment or estimation, some of which may be internally developed.

In determining fair value measurements, management assesses whether the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. In such instances, management determines whether recent quoted prices are associated with illiquid or inactive markets. If management concludes that quoted prices are associated with illiquid or inactive markets, adjustments to quoted prices may be necessary or management may conclude that a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate to estimate an asset or liability's fair value. See Note 14 and Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the required fair value measurement disclosures.