First Hawaiian Bank said the removal was timely because the 30-day period has not passed.
First Hawaiian Bank is being represented by attorneys Richard L. Johnson and Thomas E. Clifford.
Flores sued First Hawaiian Bank and Union Bank of California in Superior Court for breach of contract, in connection with his $200,000 time deposit 18 years ago.
Flores, who is represented by attorney Juan T. Lizama, said he purchased and was issued a time certificate of deposit in the amount of $200,000 on Sept. 10, 1993, and it was supposed to mature on Oct. 12, 1993, earning an interest of 2.5 percent with annual percentage yield of 2.5 percent payable “at maturity.”
The Saipan branch of Union Bank issued the certificate, Flores said.
On Nov. 15, 2001, Flores said he learned that Union Bank sold all assets and liabilities of its Saipan branch to First Hawaiian Bank, and that the “defendants were heavily involved in the shredding of bank accounts.”
In 2008, Flores said he made a formal demand for payment three times. On Sept. 22, 2008, Flores said Union Bank responded, saying “it had no information to offer the plaintiff ‘because the [certificate of deposit] closed over 10 years ago.”
On Aug. 25, 2009, First Hawaiian Bank responded to Flores’ inquiries, saying “it had not purchased the [certificate of deposit] from…Union Bank.”
