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May 6, 2025

Money hacks to increase productivity

If you’ve been using Digital Banking for a while, you already know how it can help simplify money management. But did you know there are powerful ways to customize your HawaiiUSA experience to save even more time and stay on top of your financial goals? We invite members to use this digital trio to make day-to-day money management more efficient.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit can save you a trip to the branch. But, that’s only the beginning. You can also use it to:
  • Make saving intentional. Authorize a portion of each paycheck for deposit into different sub-accounts, like a vacation fund and emergency savings, to build multiple goals automatically.
  • Leverage early access. Direct deposit lets you get funds up to two days early. Set up push notifications in your mobile app to know exactly when deposits arrive so you can schedule bill payments or transfer money right away. 
  • Automate more than paychecks. Government benefits and tax refunds can also be deposited straight into your account. The more income streams you automate, the easier it is to track and grow your money.

Debit Cards

Your HawaiiUSA Debit Card is more than a quick way to pay if you use these advanced settings:
  • Enable card controls for spending limits. Some users set per-transaction or daily limits to prevent overspending. This helps you stay under budget and spot unusual account activity quickly.
  • Go mobile. Adding your debit card to a mobile wallet (like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay) hides your actual card details behind secure tokenization.
  • Maximize rewards. If you have Kasasa Cash Back® Checking or eLife Checking, use your debit card for everyday expenses and pocket the rewards which are deposited automatically into your account.

Digital Banking

Even if you already manage balances, pay bills, and deposit checks through the HawaiiUSA Mobile App, there are other ways to enhance your experience:
  • Automate bill pay. Set up recurring payments for rent, utilities, or subscription services without juggling multiple logins or manual entries each month.
  • Set real-time alerts. Get push notifications when large transactions occur or when your balance drops below a certain level. You’ll always know what’s happening in your account.
  • Monitor your credit score. Keep an eye on your credit through our no-cost score monitoring. Watch how your spending patterns and on-time payments nudge your score upward.
  • Tag transactions. Some budgeting tools within the app allow you to categorize each purchase. You can see where you spend most and make necessary adjustments.

Take This Digital Trio to the Next Level

Use this checklist to maximize the benefits of using these tools:
  • Automate all eligible deposits. Go beyond paycheck direct deposits by setting up automatic deposits for government benefits, tax refunds, and side-hustle income.
  • Refine alerts & controls. Customize push notifications for unusual transactions, spending limits, and overdraft warnings so you can act instantly if something’s off.
  • Boost rewards. Use Rewards Tracker in Digital Banking to ensure you meet the qualifications for your Kasasa Cash Back® Checking or eLife rewards. 
  • Track your credit score. Enroll or log into Digital Banking to use our no-cost credit monitoring tools. You’ll be able to monitor your score and catch potential identity theft early.
  • Skip fees. Use your debit card for surcharge-free withdrawals at any HawaiiUSA branch or over 290 Bank of Hawaii ATMs statewide to experience convenience without extra costs.

Direct deposit, debit cards, and digital banking features work in harmony to simplify daily spending, saving, and tracking. Log in and activate new settings, or tweak existing ones to discover the next level of convenience available with your HawaiiUSA checking account.