Fitch Reinstates The Ratings Of BancWest Corporation.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2001

Fitch is reinstating its' ratings on BancWest Corporation and its subsidiary banks, Bank of the West and First Hawaiian Bank. The ratings are being reinstated at the request of BancWest's management.

Ratings Reinstated:

BancWest Corporation:

-- Individual rating `B/C';

-- Senior short-term `F1';

-- Senior long-term `A-';

-- Support `5'.

Bank of the West

-- Individual rating `B/C';

-- Senior short-term `F1';

-- Senior long-term `A-';

-- Uninsured deposits long-term `A';

-- Uninsured deposits short-term `F1';

-- Support `5'.

First Hawaiian Bank

-- Individual rating `B/C';

-- Senior short-term `F1';

-- Senior long-term `A-';

-- Uninsured deposits long-term `A';

-- Uninsured deposits short-term `F1';

-- Support `5'.