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BANK OF TRAVELERS REST It’s a busy spring for Bank of Travelers Rest as they celebrate 70 years serving the Upstate while simultaneously opening their 10th branch. “Our first branch opened March 18, 1946, in Travelers Rest,” said vice president and marketing director Eric Wall. “So as we started making plans for our 10th branch to open, we could think of no better way to celebrate our 70 years than by holding its Grand Opening on March 18, 2016.” With the bank opening its 10th branch at 1041 Verdae Blvd. (in the Verdae development), it now has two Travelers Rest locations, one in Greer, one in Marietta and six in Greenville. The bank has taken a conservative approach to growth that fits its philosophy, which is based on personal relationships and retaining its laid-back, small-town feel that is hard to come by these days. “Even our branches in downtown Greenville have that personal banking feel,” Wall said. “As we continue growing, our employees stay very connected to our customers in order to better understand their needs.” The bank was founded by John White along with eight others who saw the need to provide financial services to the people of Northern Greenville County. Opening with just over $36,000 in assets, the bank was already innovating in the 1940s to make life easier for customers: it is the first bank in Greenville County to offer Saturday banking. All customer accounts moved to a computer system in 1968. And while Bank of Travelers Rest embraces the modern technology in order to provide the services their customers expect, the bank has never allowed technology to diminish the personal service the bank is known to provide. Today, Bank of Travelers Rest offers all of the same services you’d find at a regional or national bank – mobile banking, ATMs, online bill pay – but with the Bank of Travelers Rest touch. “No matter how much my generation is technology-based, it’s still nice to call and have a person answer – usually a person with a Travelers Rest accent,” Wall remarked. Bank of Travelers Rest is proud to have carried its name for seven “As we continue growing, decades and to have remained headquartered in Greenville County our employees stay – the oldest bank still headquartered here. “We’re committed to the very connected to our communities we serve,” Wall said. “The fact that we’re celebrating 70 years customers in order to in our communities is a wonderful example of the local spirit, so prevalent, better understand where people like that connection to their local businesses. Their bank is their needs.” included and we’re honored to be.” To support the community, the bank and its employees have been committed to a variety of philanthropic causes. Their involvement includes gifts and services to educational and public service organizations as well as causes that raise money and awareness for health and social related issues. As the bank has expanded its reach to include more than the Northern Greenville County community, the leadership team has enjoyed watching Greenville and Travelers Rest grow while watching the hand that their customers have played in that progress. The bank is now managed by Bruce White, who continues his father’s commitment to convenience, innovation and small-town customer service. He also emphasizes the family-owned nature of the bank – even more evident since Bruce’s children Betsy Steifle, Kelley Moss and Bob White all work for the bank as well, bringing the family bank to the third generation. Pictured alongside their father are Betsy and Bob, relationship bankers, and Kelley, who works as corporate trainer. Bruce grew up in Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School before going on to Clemson University. He joined the bank as an employee in 1968. A proud local, he gives back personally by serving on the board of directors of organizations such as the Greenville Area Development Corporation and the South Carolina Bankers School Board. As an alumni who also sent three of his six children to Clemson, White is a staunch Tigers fan and supporter.
42 Plaza Dr., Travelers Rest (Main Office) 864.834.9031 Bankoftravelersrest.com