New CUSO to serve members of Hawaii's largest credit union

<p>HONOLULU – Hawaii State FCU is hoping its new CUSO will woo members who need help planning for the long term. Hawaii State Financial Services, LLC (HSFS) recently became incorporated and plans to open its door by August, said Mark Tit Mun Chun, chairman of the CUSO and vice chairman of the credit union’s board. Initially, members will have access to mutual funds, stocks, bonds and insurance via financial advisors with product offerings evolving depending on the individual needs, Chun said. “It’s always been our goal to enrich the lives of our members,” Chun said. “This is one way to extend that mission.” Forming the CUSO took almost a year and the credit union’s board is hoping that members will be more willing to rely on financial advisors that are familiar with the mission of the credit union, rather than relying on external relationships, Chun added. Because HSFS will not target members within a specific income bracket, the opportunity to provide a variety of niche offerings may be more feasible. “Some of our members may have millions of dollars to invest, young members just starting out may have different needs,” Chun said. “What we offer will vary with each member depending on their goals and the degree of risk they want to take.” HSFS’s board is in the final stages of hiring the CUSO’s president, and Chun said an administrative secretary and financial advisors will be hired by the time doors open in August. HSFS’s office will be housed on the third floor at the credit union’s main branch. HSFCU has 52,000 members and $540 million in assets.</p>