Steven Nakahara
EVP & Chief Credit Officer
American Savings Bank
Steven Nakahara is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 10 mentor. Learn more about the program here.
About Steven
Steven Nakahara is Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer. He oversees ASB’s credit risk management functions, including commercial and retail credit approval, fulfillment, servicing, collections, policies and procedures, and appraisal services. His teams support lending objectives and ensure the quality of the bank’s loan portfolio.
Steven has more than 30 years of banking experience. Over his career, he has served in senior management at several of Hawaii’s financial institutions. Steven’s extensive experience includes managing commercial underwriting and loan approval functions, improving processes and technology, and building high value business client relationships.
He serves as a board member and finance committee chair at HiCentral MLS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Honolulu Board of REALTORS® and an ex-officio director at Oahu Country Club.
Steven received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated with honors from the Pacific Coast Banking School.
Question and Answer with Steven
What is your preferred communication style when mentoring (in-person, video conference, phone, informal check-ins, structured meetings, etc.)?
In-Person Meeting, Informal Check-In, Meal, Activity
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
This is an excellent program to help develop the next generation of Hawaii’s business leaders, something I’m passionate about.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
I’d like to share my career journey, and how grit, risk-taking, luck, and relationships shaped it.
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
Open and honest communication, an opportunity to learn from each other, and hopefully, a long-term professional relationship.
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
With curiosity, humility, and empathy.
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
I would love to have my mentee have multiple “a-ha” moments, that help positively shape their career arc. I’d measure it by having them articulate what they’ve learned, and what, if anything, they plan to change as a result.
