July 16 - Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Viability Ratings (VR) of Bank of the West (BOW) and First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) at 'a-'. The affirmation of BOW and FHB's VRs reflects the combined risk profile and operating performance of the two banks. Although the VR is a stand-alone rating, Fitch effectively analyzes the two banks as one combined entity due to the FDIC's cross guarantee authority. Cross guarantee authority allows the FDIC to assess liability across commonly controlled institutions. T