Bank of Hawai‘i Elevates James C. Polk to President, Names Matthew K.M. Emerson Chief Retail Banking Officer
Bank of Hawai‘i Chairman and CEO Peter S. Ho has announced the promotion of James C. Polk to President of Bank of Hawai‘i Corporation and its primary operating subsidiary, Bank of Hawai‘i. In addition, Vice Chair Matthew K.M. Emerson has been appointed Chief Retail Banking Officer.
“Matt has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, expertise, and guidance throughout his tenure, with a proven ability to drive business growth,” said Ho.
As President, Polk will continue to oversee Commercial Banking, Merchant Services, Cash Management, and Wealth Management. In his expanded role, he will also manage Retail Banking, encompassing all of the bank’s revenue-generating activities. Polk will continue to report directly to Ho.
“Jim has shown remarkable dedication and insight throughout his 25-year career with Bank of Hawai‘i. His exceptional leadership and strategic vision will be instrumental in guiding our continued growth and success,” stated Ho, who will maintain his roles as Chairman and CEO.
Polk, with over 35 years of experience in financial services, joined Bank of Hawai‘i in 1999. He became a member of the bank’s Executive Committee in 2009 and has held various leadership roles, including overseeing Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, Retail Lending & Deposit Products, and the bank’s West Pacific Region. Polk was promoted to Vice Chair in 2016 and Chief Banking Officer in 2021.
He also serves on the boards of Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and After-School All-Stars Hawaii, and is the executive sponsor of Nā ‘Ōiwi Aloha, an employee resource group focused on opportunities for Native Hawaiians and allies.
Polk holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and has completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
In his new role as Chief Retail Banking Officer, Matthew K.M. Emerson will manage Consumer Banking products, Branch Banking, and the Contact Center, reporting to Polk.
Emerson, who joined Bank of Hawai‘i in 2010, has served in various leadership positions, including Vice President and Internet Banking Manager, and roles in eCommerce and Digital Channels, Product Management, and Retail Lending. He has been part of the Executive Committee since 2018 and was promoted to Vice Chair in 2022, most recently serving as Chief Strategy Officer.
“Matt’s consistent leadership and success in growing the bank’s business demonstrate his capability,” said Ho. “Consolidating our retail operations under his leadership underscores our commitment to prioritizing the consumer.”
Emerson graduated from ‘Iolani School, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematical methods in the social sciences from Northwestern University, and earned his MBA in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management. He is a board member of Kapiolani Health Foundation, a trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, and a member of the ‘Iolani School Board of Governors.
