We provide banking and financial services to customers primarily in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. Our financial performance generally, and the ability of our borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans in particular, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets in which we operate. Economic conditions in our markets depend mainly on tourism, U.S. military and defense products and services, real estate, government and other service-based industries. In addition, Hawaii's economy depends significantly on conditions of the U.S. economy and key international economies, particularly Japan. Declines in the economic conditions in these markets, tourism, fluctuations in the strength of currencies such as the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, the inability of the Hawaii economy to absorb continuing construction expansion, increases in levels of underemployment, increases in energy costs, and other inflationary conditions, high interest rates, the availability of affordable air transportation, supply chain disruptions, pandemics or other widespread health emergency (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), real or threatened acts of war or terrorism, adverse weather, natural disasters, such as wildfires, and local or national budget issues, among other factors, may impact consumer and corporate spending. As a result, these events may contribute to a deterioration in Hawaii's general economic condition, which, as a result of our geographic concentration, could adversely impact us and our borrowers.
Commercial lending represents approximately 56% of our total loan and lease portfolio as of December 31, 2025, and we generally make loans to small to mid-sized businesses whose financial performance depends on the regional economy. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and may expose us to greater credit risks. We also engage in mortgage lending and automobile financing, as well as other forms of consumer lending. Adverse economic and business conditions in our market areas could reduce our growth rate, affect our borrowers' ability to repay their loans or the value of the collateral underlying their loans and consequently, adversely affect our financial condition and performance.
The U.S. military has a major presence in Hawaii and Guam and, as a result, is an important aspect of the economies in which we operate. The funding of the U.S. military occurs as part of the overall U.S. government budget and appropriation process which is driven by numerous factors, including geopolitical events, macroeconomic conditions and the ability of the U.S. government to enact legislation such as appropriations bills. Cuts to defense and other security spending could have an adverse impact on the economy in our markets.
Other economic conditions that affect our financial performance include short-term and long-term interest rates, the prevailing yield curve, inflation and price levels (particularly for real estate), monetary policy, unemployment and the strength of the domestic economy as a whole. Unfavorable market conditions can result in a deterioration in the credit quality of our borrowers and the demand for our products and services, an increase in the number of loan delinquencies, defaults and charge-offs, additional provisions for loan losses, adverse asset values and an overall material adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence, limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital, inflation, interest rate volatility, high unemployment, natural disasters or a combination of these or other factors. Evolving responses from federal and state governments and other regulators, and our customers or our third-party partners or vendors, to challenges such as climate change have impacted and could continue to impact the economic and political conditions under which we operate.
U.S. global trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and uncertainty surrounding the resolution of trade disputes, or renewal of trade agreements, with various countries, may cause inflation to rise and ultimately affect interest rates. In addition, federal budget deficit concerns and the potential for political conflict over legislation to fund U.S. government operations and raise the U.S. government's debt limit may increase the possibility of a default by the U.S. government on its debt obligations, related credit-rating downgrades, or an economic recession in the United States. Many of our investment securities are issued by the U.S. government and government agencies and sponsored entities. A prolonged or repeated shutdown of the U.S. federal government could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations. A U.S. federal government shutdown may also impair the financial capacity of borrowers who depend on federal salaries, contracts, reimbursements, or benefit programs, including government employees, federal contractors, and recipients of government-funded services. Reduced or delayed income to these borrowers could increase delinquencies, reduce loan demand, negatively affect deposit inflows, and increase our credit risk exposure. In addition, disruptions to federal economic data releases or fiscal operations may create volatility in financial markets, affecting interest rates, liquidity conditions, and the valuation of securities in our investment portfolio.
Downgrades in sovereign credit ratings by other rating agencies, as well as sovereign debt issues facing the governments of other countries, could have a material adverse impact on financial markets and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. Unfavorable changes related to these national economic and political conditions may also result in increased delinquencies and defaults among borrowers in light of economic uncertainty, which could require us to charge off a higher percentage of loans and increase the provision for credit losses, ultimately reducing our net income.