Key Features

• Charge card functionality: Transactions are due in full at the end of each billing cycle, promoting disciplined spending and simplifying month-end reconciliation.
• Centralized billing: Consolidated invoices provide a single monthly statement for review and payment, reducing administrative burden and improving cash flow visibility.
• Customizable controls: Set employee and department spending limits, merchant category restrictions, and single-transaction caps to align card use with company policy.
• Detailed reporting: Access transaction-level data, exportable reports, and customizable fields that integrate with accounting systems to accelerate reconciliation.
• Employee-level card issuance: Issue multiple cards to employees, contractors, or departments with specific authorities and tailored limits.
• Enhanced security: EMV chip technology, dynamic fraud monitoring, and real-time authorization controls help protect against unauthorized use.

Benefits for Businesses

A Corporate Charge Card from First Hawaiian Bank is engineered to deliver measurable benefits across procurement, finance, and operations:

• Improved cash management: Centralized invoicing and predictable payment cycles make it easier to manage working capital and forecast cash flows.
• Reduced paperwork: Digital transaction records and electronic statements minimize manual expense reports and paper receipts.
• Greater purchasing control: Policy-driven controls reduce maverick spending and ensure purchases are aligned with company guidelines.
• Time savings: Automated reconciliation tools and integrated reporting reduce manual accounting hours and speed month-end close.
• Scalable solution: The program can grow with your organization, supporting additional cardholders, new departments, and evolving policy needs.

How It Works

The Corporate Charge Card operates on a charge basis: the company is responsible for paying the full balance each billing cycle rather than carrying a revolving balance. Card administrators enroll their organization, establish billing profiles, and define user permissions. Cards are then issued to authorized employees with preset limits and merchant restrictions.

Transactions are routed through secure payment networks and appear on a consolidated monthly statement. Administrators receive access to an online portal where they can review activity, download transaction details, and approve charges. The monthly invoice is paid by the business, eliminating individual employee reimbursements for card purchases.

Expense Management and Reporting

First Hawaiian Bank provides a suite of reporting tools designed for finance teams:

• Real-time transaction feeds: Monitor spending as it occurs to detect anomalies and enforce policy.
• Custom reports: Build reports filtered by cardholder, department, merchant, or category to support budgeting and analysis.
• Export capabilities: Download data in common formats for import into accounting and ERP systems, simplifying reconciliation.
• Audit trails: Maintain a detailed record of approvals and changes to cardholder settings for compliance and review.

Security and Fraud Protection

Security is a priority for corporate payments. The First Hawaiian Bank Corporate Charge Card includes multiple layers of protection:

• Chip card technology: EMV-enabled cards reduce counterfeit fraud at point-of-sale terminals.
• Real-time monitoring: Automated systems analyze transaction patterns and flag suspicious activity for review.
• Custom alerts: Set notifications for transactions above thresholds, international purchases, or specific merchant types.
• Card controls: Instantly enable or disable cards from the administrative portal in case of loss, theft, or misuse.

Cardholder Experience

Cardholders benefit from a straightforward experience that supports business travel, procurement, and day-to-day expenses:

• Global acceptance: Use the card at merchants and online vendors worldwide wherever major cards are accepted.
• Support for travel and lodging: Book flights, hotels, and car rentals with corporate-level control over allowable purchases.
• Mobile-friendly access: View transactions and manage receipts through secure mobile-enabled platforms.
• No personal liability: Cards are issued to employees for business use; corporate payment responsibility helps avoid reimbursements and personal exposure.

Implementation and Support

Implementing a Corporate Charge Card program with First Hawaiian Bank is structured and supported:

• Program setup: Dedicated onboarding assistance helps configure card controls, billing cycles, and user roles to match your operational needs.
• Training resources: Administrative and cardholder training ensures smooth adoption and consistent policy enforcement.
• Ongoing support: Customer service and program management teams are available to help with account changes, dispute resolution, and reporting queries.
• Scalability: Programs can be scaled to add new cardholders, expand controls, or introduce additional features as requirements evolve.

Considerations and Best Practices

To maximize the value of a corporate charge card program, organizations should adopt clear policies and oversight:

• Define spending policies: Establish approved merchant categories, allowable expense types, and limits for different roles.
• Assign responsible administrators: Designate staff to manage card issuance, monitor activity, and handle exceptions.
• Reconcile regularly: Use the available reporting tools to reconcile transactions frequently to detect errors or unauthorized charges promptly.
• Educate cardholders: Communicate expectations, documentation requirements, and procedures for lost or compromised cards.