How are you and CPB helping support women in business?
Susan Utsugi has always been a small business advocate. She recognizes that women-owned small businesses often have unique challenges because they are responsible for managing their households as well as their business, and they don’t easily have access to networking and support. Knowing that successful women-owned businesses contribute to a diverse economy, Susan happily supports programs such as the Hawai‘i Women’s Business Center, now known as The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership. A huge accomplishment was helping develop women-owned business programs at CPB such as Women’s Business Central, and in 2021 Susan took the lead on the “WE by Rising Tide” program. The program fulfilled the needs of women business owners by helping them enhance their skills and take their business to the next level. Through the inaugural program, the 20 women business owners created a community of support, helping each other with common challenges and celebrating successes. They were able to network with other women business leaders in Hawai‘i who provided inspiration, guidance, and support. The program was particularly meaningful during the pandemic when businesses needed operational help.

What support did the bank provide for businesses during the pandemic?
CPB is a leader in providing Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance to small businesses in Hawai‘i evidenced by its leadership in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). CPB was the first financial institution in Hawai‘i to host a webinar providing information on PPP just before the applications opened in 2020. Susan was a key member of CPB’s PPP team and facilitated the webinar with SBA, for which more than 2,000 people attended. CPB originated more than 7,200 PPP loans totaling more than $550 million, representing more than 28% of PPP loans to small businesses in Hawai‘i and the highest market share made by any bank in the state.

How has business grown under your leadership?
Under Susan’s guidance, the Business Banking Division has seen strong growth in market share and reach. Susan oversees business officers in Honolulu, the Big Island and Kaua‘i. She is instrumental in keeping the bank focused on growing the small business market as this has been a pillar of CPB since its founding in 1954. This growth was attributed to major initiatives Susan implemented in 2021.

How important is thinking outside the box and finding new forms of communication?
Susan helped launch CPB Currents for Business which is an online newsletter to CPB’s customers that shares business information including topics on various local and government programs as well as CPB partnerships. Susan is innovative, thoughtful and capable of utilizing the digital technological tools at her disposal to reach customers and prospective clients. Susan was on the project team to assist in launching a new CPB website portal called Rising Tide, a resource any small business can join. In 2021, under Susan’s leadership, she enhanced the Rising Tide membership benefits and website. This included creating a newsletter, providing opportunity for visibility for Rising Tide members, collaborating with ShopSmallHawaii, and improving the onboarding process. As a result, growth in the Rising Tide membership program was up 18 percent.

Tell us about your background and where you found your passion?
Susan is a graduate of Seattle University and Pacific Coast Banking School. Susan has flourished within the banking industry for more than 30 years, most of which is with Central Pacific Bank. In addition, Susan lends her support and advocacy for women-owned business in her prestigious role as Advisory Board Chair for the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership (MCBL), the only women’s business center in Hawai‘i where she has been involved since its inception. Susan also served on the board for Hawai‘i Women’s Business Center, the predecessor to MCBL. She was a 2017 PBN Women Who Mean Business – Women to Watch and the 2008 SBA’s Small Business Advocate of the Year for City & County of Honolulu. She was awarded CPB’s Leadership Award in 2016.

Susan is happily married and has two daughters, which is also a motivating factor for helping women succeed.