Palmetto Banker Summer 2017

Page 1

PALMETTO BANKER SOUTH CAROLINA BANKERS ASSOCIATION SUMMER ISSUE 2017-3

COUNTYBANK’S DUNLAP TAKES OVER AS NEW SCBA CHAIRMAN

REMEMBERING SOUTH CAROLINA’S HOOTIE JOHNSON NBSC’S GRIGGS NAMED OUTSTANDING YOUNG BANKER SCBA AWARDS $56,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS


S ò T« D ã 2017 SCBA/NCBA WÊÃ Ä IÄ B Ä»®Ä¦ SùÃÖÊÝ®çà NÊò à ٠6Ͳ7, 2017, R Ä ®ÝÝ Ä HÊã ½, C« Ù½Êãã , N.C. The fourth annual SCBA/NCBA Women in Banking Symposium will be held Nov. 6Ͳ7, 2017, in CharloƩe. As always, the 2017 Women in Banking Symposium will feature a strong lineup of speakers, the chance to network and, again, the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about upͲtoͲdate happenings in the banking industry. Room rate: $199 for a standard room. Cost for the twoͲday event is $365 before Oct. 25 and $390 aŌer. Sponsorship opportuniƟes are available. For more informaƟon on aƩending or sponsoring the 2017 Women in Banking Symposium, contact SCBA Senior Vice President E. Anne Gillespie at 803.779.0850, or by email at agillespie@scbankers.org.

YOU CAN’T BE THAT KID AT THE TOP OF THE WATERSLIDE, OVERTHINKING IT. YOU HAVE TO GO DOWN THE CHUTE. - TINA FEY


Contents 2009 Park Street, Post Office Box 1483 Columbia, S.C., 29202-1483 Phone: 803.779.0850; Fax: 803.779.0890 Web: www.scbankers.org Chairman R. Thornwell Dunlap, III Countybank, Greenwood Chairman-Elect David L. Morrow CresCom Bank, Charleston First Vice Chairman Samuel L. “Sam” Erwin IberiaBank, Greenville Treasurer James A. Benne First Ci zens Bank, Columbia Immediate Past Chairman Robert R. Hill, Jr. South State Corp., Columbia SCBA Staff President and CEO Fred L. Green, III

Dunlap Takes Over as Chairman of Bankers Associa on, Page 6

NBSC’s Griggs Named SCBA Outstanding Young Banker, Page 13

Chairman’s Message

5

A Look Back at the 2017 Annual Conven on

8-9

Half-Century, 35-Year Club Honorees

10

In Memorium

11

SCBA Sees Busy 2017 Legisla ve Session

14

Prominent S.C. Banker Hoo e Johnson Dies at 86 15

Execu ve Vice President, CFO/BankPAC Treasurer Donna S. Taylor

Community Bankers Division Update

17

Senior Vice President, Conven ons/Conferences E. Anne Gillespie

Bank News

19

Senior Vice President, SCBA Services, Inc./ South Carolina Bankers School Carolyn E. Laffi e

Personal Transac ons

20-21

Palme o Bank Building was Premier S.C. Locale

22

Senior Vice President & Counsel A. O’Neil “Neil” Rashley, Jr., Esq.

Hill Tes fies on Capitol Hill

25

Director, Adver sing & IT M. Caroline Sheorn

SCBA Awards $56,000 in Scholarships

27

Administra ve Assistant Bonnie E. Nelson

Recapping the 2017 S.C. Bankers School

28-29

New Associate Members

30-31

Director, Marke ng and Communica ons; Editor, Palme o Banker R. Kevin Dietrich The Palme o Banker is a publica on of the South Carolina Bankers Associa on. The magazine exists to serve its members by communica ng news of interest, educa on and SCBA ac vi es. Items from members are welcome, however the editor reserves the right to refuse copy. With the excep on of official announcements, the SCBA disclaims responsibility for opinions expressed and statements made in ar cles published in the Palme o Banker.

BankTalentHQ.com Newest Preferred Vendor

31

SCBA Recognizes New, Old Board Members

32

Calendar

33

Good Samaritans

34

Cover: 2017-18 South Carolina Bankers AssociaƟon Chairman and Countybank President and CEO Thornwell Dunlap.


Four SC Banks Recognized for Excellent Participation with BDC and CDC Four South Carolina banks were recognized during the 2017 annual meetings of BDC and CDC for their excellent participation in 2016. BDC Greatest Number of Loans Approved in 2016 – CresCom Bank CDC Greatest Number of Loans Approved in 2016 – Countybank SC CAP Top Participating Lender Award – First Citizens Bank SC SSBCI Loan Participation Top Participating Lender Award – First Community Bank

Dustin Green, Countybank

Brandy Grim, First Citizens Bank

Michael Crapps, First Community Bank Awards presented by Edwin Lesley, CEO and Board Chairman, BDC

If your bank is in need of CRA Investment Credit, please contact Edwin Lesley at ELesley@BDCofSC.org. To learn more about how your bank can partner with BDC, give us a call today at 803.798.4064 or visit us online at BDCofSC.org.


Chairman’s Message

Success the Result of Harnessing the Power of Many

I

t has been my dis nct pleasure to serve as chairman of the South Carolina Bankers Associa on this past year. We are fortunate to have talented bankers in our state who work hard to ensure we have the ability to serve our customers well, maintain a safe and sound industry, and establish a level playing field in which to compete. It has been a privilege to represent each of you this year. As members of the SCBA, we support the Bankers Associa on’s commitment to effec vely represent the common interest and welfare of the banking industry in South Carolina and to offer and promote professional development opportuni es. This year, significant sucHill cesses were accomplished in both of these areas and are highlighted below: •

In September, we approved a rebranding ini a ve, consolidating five brands for different SCBA func ons and divisions to the one SCBA brand. We also addressed and rewrote the member benefits descrip on, changing it from “how we are organized” to “why be a member.” In addi on, we reviewed and updated a number of strategic ini a ves. In January, we held our annual Legisla ve Recep on, and had a crowd of approximately 400. Held on the first day of the legisla ve session, it emphasized the importance we place on con nuing to build strong rela onships with our elected officials. And related to our legislature, we had another busy year. The credit unions introduced legisla on that would make

state-chartered credit unions’ field of membership even more liberal than that enjoyed by those under a federal charter. This became our primary legisla ve issue and through ac ve le er-wri ng, phone calls and tes mony from bankers, the legisla on never made it out of subcommi ee. Our annual Washington Trip proved a success once again. More than 30 bankers par cipated, and we asked for and received favorable support from our delega on on the Financial Choice Act. This represents the first me in eight years that we are op misc about a meaningful reduc on in the regulatory burden. Also, about mid-year, most, if not all of our community banks, received a threatening demand le er from a Pi sburgh law firm. The firm targeted the banking industry na onally on its interpreta on of the Americans with Disabili es Act. Our Associa on met with lawyers in the South Carolina A orney General’s Office and convinced them to issue a cease-anddesist order to the firm. As far as we know, there is only one other bankers associa on in the country that solved this issue for their community bank members. The savings from either figh ng or settling this issue by each individual bank was likely much greater than the annual dues for membership in the SCBA. Consistent with the past two years, this year we contributed $100,000 to the SCBA Educa on Founda on. The Founda on now has assets of more than $1 million and is used to help provide scholarships to children of employees of SCBA member banks. Another benefit of being a member of the SCBA, par cularly for community banks, is the

many educa on and professional development offerings we have each year. With nearly 2,000 parcipants this past year, it speaks to the high quality of our many programs. Finally, more than 330 individuals, including bankers, associate members, and family and friends a ended the SCBA annual meeting in Florida, making it one of the most successful to date.

We are fortunate to have talented bankers in our state who work hard to ensure we have the ability to serve our customers well, maintain a safe and sound industry, and establish a level playing field in which to compete. The above accomplishments were most assuredly a team effort. Thank you to the SCBA staff for their hard work and unwavering commitment to our members and the South Carolina banking industry. Thank you to all of our members for all that you do to make our communies a be er place to live and work and for making this the best banking associa on in the country. I appreciate the opportunity to have served as chairman and I know the SCBA is in good hands as we transi on to Thornwell Dunlap as our new chairman. (Robert Hill is the immediate pastchairman of the South Carolina Bankers Associa on.) 5


Cover Story

Dunlap Follows in Father’s Shoes as SCBA Chairman Kevin Dietrich Palme o Banker Editor

N

with Wachovia, three years each as a retail banker, a correspondent banker and a commercial banker. In late 1988, his father, then the president and CEO of Countybank, called him and asked if he had any interest in coming back to Greenwood and joining the bank. The younger Dunlap had a good career going at Wachovia and liked Charlo e but was willing to listen. However, if they were going to talk about a job he and his father agreed it should be like any other poten al hire. “If it works for the bank and for me, great; if not, you can look for someone else and I’ll con nue on in Charlo e,” Dunlap told his father. Dunlap ended up taking the job with Countybank in late 1988 and was appointed president and CEO when his father re red in 1994, exactly as they had agreed five years earlier. The elder

Dunlap, who served as SCBA chairman during the 1987-88 year, remained as chairman of the bank and came to be his son’s most trusted sounding board and mentor un l his death in 2009. In 1994, when Dunlap took over, Countybank had $90 million in assets and four local branches. Today it has nearly $400 million in assets and has expanded its footprint into Greenville, Anderson and Greer. In addi on, the company has diversified into wealth management, mortgage lending and insurance, giving it diversified revenues of nearly $30 million annually, making Countybank unique among community banks na onally. “I probably met Thornwell for the first me in the late 1980s, at the first SCBA annual conven on I a ended, and between then and 1996, when Thornwell was recognized as the SCBA’s Outstanding Young Banker – the associa on’s highest honor – we got to know each other very well,” said Fred Green, SCBA president and CEO, and a former execu ve with NBSC. “During my career I’ve been fortunate to have known his father, his mother and his children, and I know he comes from a great family,” Green added. “Thornwell is an outstanding banker, which is evident from the financial results of Countybank, he’s a great community supporter, and he’s a great friend to many in the industry.”

ew SCBA Chairman R. Thornwell Dunlap III grew up in banking but didn’t consider a career in the industry un l a er gradua ng college when a hometown mentor suggested he needed to give banking a closer look. Dunlap is president, chairman and CEO of Greenwood-based Countybank, an ins tu on co-founded by his grandfather and con nued on by his father. Dunlap can recall a ending banking conven ons as early as 10 years old. Yet, when it came me to look for work, banking wasn’t on his radar. “A er I graduated from college in 1980 I was interviewing for jobs, and it was for anything but banking,” he said. “I had spent some summers working for a gentleman who had an engineering firm in Greenwood and when I stopped in to ask for a reference he asked where I was interviewing. When I told him, he said that with all my family’s background in banking I needed to consider that. I respected his opinion, so I put out some résumés and ended up at Wachovia Bank in Charlo e.” The decision was a fortuitous one. Dunlap found himself in a posi on he could excel, not because of his family’s banking legacy, but because he embraced the industry, the leaders around him and the lessons they taught him. “I was at best an average college student,” he recalled. “But once I started working things just began to click for me. At Wachovia I had good mentors, which made a real difference. As I got into my career I found my stride.” Incoming SCBA Chairman Thornwell Dunlap at the 2017 SCBA Dunlap spent nine years Annual Mee ng.

6

Value of Leadership Dunlap, who succeeds South State Corp. CEO Robert Hill as SCBA chairman, describes himself as a facilitator. He understands he can’t possibly be an expert in every area of the bank, so he employees people in areas such as investments, insurance, trust and mort-


it. It would be something gage who are experts and that I would think about listens to what they have and mull over. He had a to say. very effec ve way of get“We develop strategies ng me to consider other and budgets together and op ons without pressing run our businesses achis point.” cordingly,“ Dunlap said. Dunlap said his dad was Leadership is crucial diploma c and a good to the well-being of any listener. organiza on and iden fy“Whenever I wanted to ing and cul va ng people implement something at is an ongoing process, he the bank he would ask me said. a few choice ques ons, Dunlap believes evebut he would never tell ryone can be a leader me what to do or how to and coach to others. He do it,” he said. “He let me also believes one of his learn from my mistakes.” primary responsibili es The pair complemented is assuring strong leadereach other well in the ship ini a ves are part of the culture at County- Thornwell Dunlap, right, with outgoing SCBA Chairman Robert Hill at the 20 years they worked together at the bank. “His bank. 2017 SCBA Annual Conven on. role for me was that of “A er 37 years in banka sounding board, mentor and adviing it’s very apparent to me that it all lives. He said he learned a great deal sor,” Dunlap said. “Without him, I think comes down to leadership and the from his father, who didn’t employ a we s ll would have made many of the ability to develop great leaders in an heavy hand. same decisions, I just don’t know if they organiza on,” Dunlap said. “My father and I didn’t always see eye would have been as well designed or as One of the first lessons he was taught to eye on everything, but he had a way well thought through.” in banking was “one of the fastest ways of influencing me that was subtle but Today, nearly 50 years a er a ending to sink a bank is to make bad loans. would resonate,” Dunlap said. “I would That said, the way to a sure death,” he have an idea I was sharing and he would his first banking conven on, Dunlap said his exposure to bankers and banking in added, “is through poor leadership. The bring up something, asking, ‘Well, have his early years had a profound influence end result is the same.” you thought about this?’ And that was on his life. Countybank is focused on developing R. Thornwell Dunlap III “The social skills I learned – shaking leadership throughout its organiza on. Title: President, Chairman and Chief hands, looking people in the eye – are “We actually have a manual on how to Execu ve Officer, Countybank. lessons I learned as a youngster from be a great leader and coach. For exammy parents and from other bankers, and ple, we survey the employees and ask Hometown: Greenwood. I’ve passed on to my children,” he said. them how their par cular coaches are Age: 59. Among the many bankers who have doing and use the results to coach our Educa on: Bachelor’s Degree, coaches,” Dunlap said. “We also hold known Dunlap over the years is Blake Oglethorpe University. small-group leadership sessions to disGibbons, president of The Ci zens Bank Family: Two sons, one daughter. cuss how we can be be er leaders and in Olanta and chairman of the Bankers Community Involvement: Curlearn from one another. We’re building Associa on in 2014-15. rently serves on the board of the a strong leadership culture similar to “I’ve known Thornwell for more than Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, the way a bank builds a strong credit 30 years and have long admired the the Greenwood Partnership Alliance culture. We are commi ed to developway he has run Countybank,” Gibbons and the Piedmont Technical College ing great leaders.” said. “I know that his unique leadership Founda on. He is a member and past Dunlap added that he believes a lot skills make him very qualified to serve chairman of the Greenwood Rotary of what passes for good management as incoming chairman of the Bankers Club, and an elder at First Presbyteis common sense, o en passed on by Associa on and I’m sure he’ll do an rian Church. people who have had an impact on our excep onal job.” 7


SCBA Annual Conven on

More than 300 on hand for 2017 Annual Convention More than 330 bankers, associate members, family and friends a ended the 2017 SCBA Annual Conven on, held June 8-10 in Naples, Fla. The 117th annual conven on featured a strong lineup of speakers, excellent accommoda ons and the usual warm and hearty fellowship. “For more than 115 years the SCBA has gathered annually and each year our conven on seems to get be er and better,” said Bankers Associa on President and CEO Fred Green. Speakers at this year’s event included

ABA immediate-past Chairman Dan Blanton; Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group; Major Dan Rooney, a decorated Air Force pilot and the founder of Folds of Honor; and Rev. Brad Smith, pastor at Columbia’s Eastminster Presbyterian Church and founder of the Souper Bowl of Caring. There were nearly 30 exhibitors at the conven on, as every exhibitor booth was filled. The grand prize, a return trip to the Ritz-Carlton Naples, was won by Sara Fisher of the South Carolina Student

Loan Corp. New officers were sworn in, including 2017-18 Chairman Thornwell Dunlap of Countybank; Chairman-elect David L. Morrow, CresCom Bank; First Vice Chairman Sam Erwin, IberiaBank; and Treasurer James Benne , First Ci zens Bank. For a complete list of the 2017-18 South Carolina Bankers Associa on Board of Directors, see page 32. Next year’s annual conven on will be held June 10-13 at The Cloister at Sea Island, Sea Island, Ga. From top le , clockwise: ABA immediate-past Chairman Dan Blanton; Bob and Beverly McKinney, South Atlan c Bank. Bo om, right: Robert Hill addresses conven on. Bo om, middle: Exhibitors gather for group photo. Bo om, le : SCBA Senior Vice President Anne Gillespie a er being given a bouquet by Robert Hill in recogni on of her 40 years of service to the SCBA. Middle, le : Montague Laffi e, South State Bank, Blake and Kieley Taylor, Southern First Bank, David and Courtney Lominack, TD Bank, and John Griggs, NBSC. Middle: John and Catherine Griggs a er John was named the Outstanding Young Banker.

8


SCBA Annual Conven on

Top, le : Richard Sturm, Ameris Bank, (arms raised) a er winning the BankPAC grand prize during the dinner dance. Top, middle: Robert and Carol Hill. Top, right: Gene Varn, Enterprise Bank of S.C., and Gwen Bunton, Bank of Walterboro. Upper middle, right: 35-Year Club recipients: Charlie Rivers, BNC Bank; Kevin Short, TD Bank; Al Carter, Kingstreet Federal. Lower middle, right: Joey Bos ck and Tommy Bouche e, The CI zens Bank. Bo om, from le : David Anderson, Anderson Brothers Bank, Michael Boozer, Integrated Financial Soluons; Fred Antley, Integrated Financial Solu ons; Wayne Wicker, South Atlan c Bank; Pam Anderson; Dick Burch, South Atlan c Bank; Alex Shuford, South State Bank; Liz and Jan Malinowski, Palme o State Bank. Bo om, le : Major Dan Rooney reacts a er Robert Hill presents $3,000 check to Rooney’s organiza on, Folds of Honor. Middle, le : 2017-18 SCBA execu ve oďŹƒcers: incoming Chairman Thornwell Dunlap, Countybank; First Vice Chairman Sam

Erwin, IberiaBank; Chairman-elect David L. Morrow, CresCom Bank; Treasurer James Benne , First Ci zens Bank. Middle: Blake Taylor, Southern First, speaks at Graduate Schools of Banking Reunion. 9


SCBA Annual Conven on

SCBA Recognizes Half-Century, 35-Year Club Honorees The South Carolina Bankers Associa on paid tribute during the 2016 Annual Conven on to those individuals who have served the banking industry for 35 and 50 years.

More than four dozens individuals were honored for 35 years in banking, while two individuals were recognized for a half century of service to our industry. They are:

The Half Century Club J. Thomas Johnson, Ci zens Building and Loan, Consultant - Recently Re red President and CEO, Greer Lenne e Asher Meeks, Horry County State Bank, Teller, Loris

The 35-Year Club Frances Anderson, Horry County State Bank, Compliance Officer, Loris Pamela A. Anderson, First Reliance Bank, Chief Culture Officer, Florence Kimberly Assemany, Bank of America, Assistant Vice President, Trust Administra on Officer, Columbia David G. Barne , Carolina Alliance Bank, S.C. Western Market President, Greenville Camille Gail Berry, First Reliance Bank, Branch Manager Laverne Brown, Bank of America, Assistant Vice President, Financial Center Opera ons Manager, Goose Creek Jesse F. Bullard, BB&T, Senior Vice President, Charleston Allan Carter, Kingstree Federal Savings & Loan, President/CEO, Kingstree Robert Mark Chapman, NBSC, a division of Synovus, Senior Vice President – Commercial Lending Laura Coleman, Bank of America, Financial Center Client Services Representa ve, Columbia Lynn M. Cook, BB&T, Community Banking Branch Banker, Yemassee Debbie Dorriety, Bank of America, Vice President, Rela onship Manager, Greenville Cynthia L. Fowler, Ci zens Building and Loan, Assistant Vice President, Greer Candy Fowler, First Reliance Bank, Branch Specialist, Florence Pamela S. Gilliam, Carolina Alliance Bank, Senior Vice President, Loan Compliance Officer, Spartanburg Sherry M. Goude, BB&T, Community Banking Branch Banker, Summerville Tricia Harrington, Kingstree Federal Savings & Loan, Teller, Kingstree Kathryn L. Harris, NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank, Execu ve Assistant, Summerville Diantha S. Hill, BB&T, Banking Officer & Community Banking Commercial Sales Assistant, Myrtle Beach Wendy Johnson, First Reliance Bank, Branch Specialist Robertson Kibler, Bank of America, Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager, Columbia Gwendolyn D. Kirby, First Ci zens Bank, Sales and Service Representa ve, Kingstree Gayle L. Lee, Carolina Alliance Bank, Administra ve Assistant/ Lending, Greenville 10

Carrie Livingston, NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank, Senior Teller, North Myrtle Beach Karen Sue Lowrance, Bank of America, Vice President, Tech Project Solu ons Consultant, Columbia Richard N. McIntyre, First Reliance Bank, Market President – Midlands, Lexington Lisa K. McLean, BB&T, Community Banking Branch Banker, Sumter Jane Moody, Anderson Brothers Bank, Loan Administra on Supervisor, Mullins Regina Moore, Bank of America, Assistant Vice President, Tes ng Specialist, Anderson Cheryl A. O’Donald, BB&T, Community Banking Commercial Sales Assistant, Charleston Richard Pascal, First Ci zens Bank, Financial Sales Manager, Irmo Charles F. Rivers, III, BNC Bank, Execu ve Vice President, S.C. Coastal Region, Charleston Brenda H. Sessions, Anderson Brothers Bank, Customer Service Representa ve, Johnsonville Angela J. Shelley, First Ci zens Bank, Financial Services Representa ve, Mullins Kevin Michael Short, TD Bank, Senior Vice President/Regional Group Director, Greenville Pam Shuler, First Ci zens Bank, Sales and Service Representa ve, St. George Jeff P. Spears, First Community Bank, Regional Market President, Augusta, Ga. Kwanchai Srisuwan, First Ci zens Bank, Float Sales and Service Representa ve, Columbia Marilyn Stallings, First Ci zens Bank, Sales and Service Representa ve, Columbia Mark Tracy, Bank of America, Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor, Charleston Diane B. Watson, First Community Bank, Retail Banker, Aiken David W. Weaver, Carolina Alliance Bank, Execu ve Vice President/Senior Credit Officer, Greenville Rita W. Wilson, First Ci zens Bank, Sales and Service Representa ve, Columbia Evelyn Young-Jenkins, Bank of America, Rela onship Banker, Columbia Janet Lea Zeiler, BB&T, Community Banking Branch Banker Team Leader, Conway


SCBA Annual Conven on

Taking Time to Remember Those Who have Passed On Each year a endees at the SCBA Annual Conven on take me to remember members of the banking community who have passed away recently. One of the ways we do this is with the Silver Loving Cup, displayed during the conven on. The February 2016 Samuel Tracy Ferguson, Jr., Director Emeritus, Bank of York, York October 2016 S. Ann Finch, Vice President and Staffing Manager of the IT/Opera ons Division, TD Bank, Lexington November 2016 John R. Folsom, President and Chief

Cup, filled with white roses, is placed on the Speaker’s table in memory of those who have passed on. A short presentaon during the conven on iden fied recently departed bankers. Below is a list of those remembered:

In Memoriam

Execu ve Officer, South Carolina Federal, Columbia; Past Chairman, Community Financial Ins tu ons of South Carolina, Columbia Keith M. Kinard, Chairman, President and Chief Execu ve Officer, First Federal of S.C., FSB, Walterboro

March 2017 Edna Pressley, Commercial Sales Assistant, Florence April 2017 Pelham Moss, Vice President, Appraisal Review Specialist, Columbia May 2017 Robert Phillip Wilkerson, Advisory Board, The Palme o Bank, Blacksburg

Save the Date 118th SCBA Annual Convention June 10-13, 2018 The Cloister, Sea Island, Georiga Call Anne Gillespie at 803.779.0850 or email agillespie@scbankers.org. 11


Initial Public Offering


SCBA Annual Conven on

Griggs Named 2017 SCBA Outstanding Young Banker John C. Griggs III, is also a graduate. Columbia market In addi on, he is president for NBSC, a product of the a division of Synovus Graduate School of Bank, was named Banking at LSU. the South Carolina Griggs said he has Bankers Associa on’s a straigh orward Outstanding Young approach to bankBanker for 2017 at ing. the SCBA Annual “First, I’ve always Mee ng, held June tried my best to 8-10. take care of our The Outstanding customers,” he said. Young Banker Award “I’d also like to think is chosen by the that I help create an SCBA Past Chairman’s environment where Club and has been coworkers not only given to one deservthrive in their jobs ing banker each year but have fun while Recent SCBA Outstanding Young Banker Award recipients gather at the 2017 since 1970. Past they’re working. annual mee ng: 2017 honoree John Griggs of NBSC, with plaque; 2015 honoree recipients include We spend a lot of Montague Laffi e, South State Bank, le ; 2012 honoree Holt Chetwood, Wells Fargo; me together so it’s many prominent and 2016 honoree Jennifer Jones, CBL State Savings Bank. South Carolina bankimportant that we ers. like each other! “John joins an elite group of individuals the community and to the Associa on,” “Lastly, I believe as bankers that it’s said NBSC President and CEO Chuck by being recognized with the Outstandvery important to give our me and Garne . “John is not only an outstanding Young Banker award” said Fred talents back to the local community,” ing young leader in our industry, he is a Green, president and CEO of the S.C. he added. “It’s also one of the most great person and we’re proud to have Bankers Associa on. “I’m certain that rewarding aspects of being in our indushim on our team.” like all past recipients, he’ll con nue to try.” In addi on to his role with NBSC, play an important role in his ins tu on, Griggs added that his parents have Griggs is a past chairman of the South the banking industry and his commualways been a great influence on him. Carolina Bankers School, of which he nity.” Both are hard workers and ins lled in Griggs, 39, succeeds last year’s honohim the importance of helping others. ‘I’ve always tried my best In addi on, he said he’s had great menree, Jennifer T. Jones, president and CEO of CBL State Savings Bank, who presenttors at NBSC. to take care of our ed the award. Griggs is ac ve in the Columbia comcustomers. I’d also like to munity. He is the chairman of the PalGriggs said he was caught completely off guard by the presenta on. o Health Children’s Hospital board, think that I help create an me “I had no idea I was receiving the serves on the board of The Carolina award un l about half way through JenAlumni Club of Richland and Lexington environment where nifer’s presenta on,” he said. es and is a member of University coworkers not only thrive Coun Griggs is a 2000 graduate of the UniAssociates. versity of South Carolina. in their jobs but have fun Griggs also serves on the Fes val of commi ee, volunteers for Harvest He joined NBSC, which is a division of while they’re working, as Trees Hope and recently served as lead for Synovus, the following year and quickly the 2016 March of Dimes campaign at began to make a name for himself well.’ NBSC. within the statewide banking company. Griggs and his wife Catherine have a “We are very proud of John and we are –John C. Griggs III son and daughter. excited about this well-deserved recogni on of his achievements with our NBSC –Kevin Dietrich company as well as his contribu ons to 13


News

SCBA Involved in Several Key Legislative Issues in ‘17 Neil Rashley SCBA General Counsel

T

he South Carolina General Assembly adjourned on May 11 to finish the first year of the twoyear session. Overall, rela vely li le legisla on was enacted but even so there were big changes in leadership as well as legisla on that significantly affected South Carolina’s banks. Elec on Year Changes The new session began in January with significant leadership changes Rashley due to the results of the 2016 elec on. With the elec on of Donald Trump as president, Governor Haley soon resigned as she was appointed United States Ambassador to the United Na ons. Her resignaon immediately made Lt. Governor McMaster the governor for the two remaining years of Haley’s term. With the Lt. Governor’s Office vacant the Senate president pro tempore, Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) became the new Lt. Governor. McMaster will be eligible to serve two more terms if elected; however, Bryant cannot run for Lt. Governor separately as that office will now be part of a joint cket with the governor beginning in 2018. Within the General Assembly the biggest changes were in the Senate as nine new senators were elected, including five that defeated incumbent senators. For banking the commi ee chairmen of the Senate Banking and Senate Judiciary commi ees were defeated which gave banks two new chairmen that would handle the bulk of banking related legisla on – Sen. Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) as the new Banking chairman and Sen. Luke Rankin (R-Horry) as the new Senate Judiciary chairman. The final significant change in state

14

government for banks was the appointment of a new Commissioner of Banking. In January, Bob Davis, formerly General Counsel to First Federal of Charleston, became South Carolina’s new Banking Commissioner overseeing the state regula on and examina on of state chartered banks.

Board approval from 250 to 3000. Many thanks to the bankers that took the me to contact their senators and even a end subcommi ee hearings and tes fy. These ac ons made a significant difference in slowing this bill down and will assist SCBA even more as we connue to fight to stop S337 next year.

Legisla on Credit Union Membership Expansion Ini ally it appeared the General Assembly would not be as ac ve as the last few years, par cularly with legisla on that would affect banking. However, no sooner had the session begun than SCBA learned that the credit unions were dra ing a bill that would drama cally increase field of membership for state chartered credit unions. On February 1, 2017 S337 was introduced and SCBA immediately worked to defeat the bill. SCBA’s lobbying efforts as well as le ers, emails and phone calls from community bankers have resulted in the credit unions abandoning S337’s original language that, among other things, allowed state-chartered credit unions to expand membership simply with internet access as well as removing any regulatory approval for expansion. The credit unions then offered an amendment that reestablishes the Board of Financial Ins tu on’s power to approve field of membership changes; however the amendment s ll sought to give credit unions greater ability to expand and SCBA remains heavily opposed to the amendment as a whole. S337’s proposed amendment s ll allows state credit unions to offer membership if the credit union has the “ability to serve” a community, group or associa on, which would s ll mean having an “electronic banking presence” such as a website or mobile banking to enable membership instead of a physical presence. The amendment also seeks to increases the threshold number of poten al members where a credit union must get

Taxa on The House Special Joint Commi ee on Taxa on met once during the session to con nue the work it did in 2016 to address inequi es in property, sales and income taxa on. The commi ee’s focus so far has been on personal income tax, sales tax exemp ons and Act 388, the 2006 law that capped residen al property taxes and is nega vely affec ng local school district revenue. No recommenda ons have been made yet but the commi ee plans to meet again later this year. Economic Development A er years of debate, the General Assembly overrode Governor McMaster’s veto and enacted H3516, the Transporta on Infrastructure Funding bill. The bill increased the state’s motor fuel user fee of 12 cents per gallon by phasing in an increase of two cents each year over the course of six years. This will lead to an es mated $177 million in the first year and $625 million per year upon full implementa on to fix South Carolina’s roads and bridges. H3516 also includes a number of restructuring changes to the DOT commission and some tax relief measures, including lowering the property tax assessment ra o for manufacturing property from 10.5 percent to 9 percent, a refundable income tax credit for the increase in the user fee as well as an increase in the tui on tax credit. Other Enacted and Pending Bills Affecting Banking The governor signed into law S279 See Legislature, page 25


Remembrance

Prominent S.C. Banker Hootie Johnson Dies at Age 86 W.W. “Hoo e” Johnson, 86, one of the architects of interstate banking who developed dozens of talented bankers at Bankers Trust of S.C. before helping fellow South Carolinian Hugh McColl build what would become Bank of America into one of the world’s largest financial services companies, died July 14. Johnson’s accomplishments went far beyond the bank boardroom, as well. He served as chairman of Augusta Na onal Golf Course, served in the S.C. General Assembly and directed the S.C. Ports Authority for 16 years. Johnson’s father, Dewey, le C&S Bank of Georgia in the early 1940s to buy controlling interest in the ny Bank of Greenwood, later State Bank & Trust. Eventually Hoo e and his brother, Wellsman Johnson, would join the bank. Dewey Johnson’s goal was to bring statewide banking to South Carolina, and he expanded into Columbia in 1957. Dewey Johnson died in 1961 and Wellsman took over and ran the bank un l

1965. Then, at age 34, Hoo e became the youngest bank president in South Carolina. Hoo e Johnson took the bank, which had less than $100 million in assets when he assumed control, and built it into one of the most dynamic ins tuons in the state, changing its name to Bankers Trust. Bankers Trust would become an incubator for bank talent, turning out scores of future execu ves, including a number of individuals who went onto serve as bank CEOs. But Johnson’s accomplishments weren’t limited to Bankers Trust. In the early 1960s Johnson became friends with McColl, a Benne sville nave who was then a young correspondent banker with NCNB in Charlo e. By the early 1970s, the two were discussing interstate banking, which would allow banks to operate freely in other states. “Hugh and I were thinking about creat-

ing a mul state bank in the early ‘70s because we knew interstate banking would eventually come along,” Johnson said in 2001, the year he re red from banking. “We started thinking about it probably 12 years before the Southern regional banking compact became law.” Among the first steps in what was to become Bank of America was NCNB’s acquisi on of Bankers Trust in early 1986, the first interstate bank merger in South Carolina history. Johnson eventually rose to serve as chairman of Bank of America’s execu ve commi ee. By the me he re red, he’d spent 50 years in banking. Johnson, who re red around the same me as McColl, was a key player in Bank of America’s growth, said Joel Smith, a former Bankers Trust execu ve who went on to serve as the dean of the University of South Carolina’s school of business. See Johnson, page 25

ONE INFECTIOUS LINK. ONE INVITING EMAIL. ONE INTRIGUING SITE.

That’s all it takes to set off a damaging cyber attack.

Cyber attacks come in all shapes and sizes. A massive data breach was set off by a malicious virus that wormed its way inside a company’s computer network. A bank’s weeklong loss of access to its email and electronic records most likely began with a click. Just think about the damaging consequences of this kind of intrusion. Since the average cost of a data breach has continued to rise, it’s something your business should take seriously. Fortunately, Travelers can help you understand the cyber risks your business faces – and how to protect against them. To learn more, talk to your independent insurance agent, your Travelers representative or visit travelers.com/cyber.

travelers.com Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its property casualty afliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. Coverage for all claims and losses depends on actual policy provisions. Availability of coverage can depend on our underwriting qualifications and state regulations. © 2017 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CP-9162 Rev. 6-17

15



Community Bankers Division

Education, Grassroots Focus of Community Bankers

A

s the SCBA’s Community Bankers Division nears its 25th anniversary it con nues to play a key role for financial ins tu ons throughout the state. Among the ways the Community Bankers Division stands out is by helping to shape SCBA educa onal opportuni es offered each year. As the head of an $88 million bank, I know that like many other community banks in S.C. we rely on the SCBA for many of our training needs; it would be impossible for all but the biggest banks to be able to adequately train staff and execu ves on their own. The division works with SCBA McKinney to ensure that educa onal opportuni es are disciplinespecific or per nent to current issues that pop up. As part of the SCBA’s effort to provide meaningful educa on and training opportuni es for member bank employees and understanding that the drive me to Columbia can be difficult for some, the associa on recently introduced professionally produced webinars to compliment the regular conferences, workshops and seminars it puts on. These ongoing webinars focus on a variety of issues community bankers find themselves facing. They serve to supplement the SCBA-sponsored events, rather than replace them. Finally, grassroots poli cal advocacy is becoming more and more important, as seen last year in the bid by state credit unions to further expand their compe ve advantage. The SCBA fought S337, the Credit Union Expansion bill, and also educated lawmakers regarding the true intent of the proposed legisla on. The bill sought to vastly change how state-chartered credit unions operate, including allowing them to accept membership from “communies” of any size, including en re counes.

The SCBA marshalled opposi on to the bill, spoke with lawmakers, tes fied at subcommi ee hearings and worked to see that the bill did not progress. This was an important defensive victory for community banks and its members because they’re the ones who would have been hurt had credit unions been allowed to further expand. However, it should be noted that almost every year issues cri cal to community banking arise. Five years ago it was the Department of Revenue data breach, in which the SCBA had to sue DOR to get informa on that allowed banks to monitor the accounts of those at risk. Last year, we were able to get legislaon passed cracking down on patent trolls, en es that have plagued banks and other businesses across the na on by sending demand le ers claiming ques onable viola ons of a patent and then threatening li ga on. In 2016, the SCBA’s bill concerning patent trolls was signed into law, giving South Carolina

banks the means to protect themselves in state court, saving member banks thousands of dollars in either se lement charges or legal defense costs. Also in 2016, many S.C. community banks received threatening le ers from a Pennsylvania law firm indica ng their websites were not ADA compliant and offering to se le. Members of the SCBA’s team met with the S.C. A orney General’s office, and the la er issued a cease-and-desist order. We live in a li gious me when some see banks, par cularly community banks which don’t have the resources to fund protracted legal ba les, as a poten al source for easy money. The SCBA, working with the Community Bankers Division, will remain focused on heading off these sorts of issues before they become major problems. (Robert L. McKinney is president and chief execu ve officer of Atlan c Community Bank, and the 2017-18 chairman of the Community Bankers Division.)

17



Bank News Anderson Brothers Bank Anderson Brothers Bank recently opened its first full-service branch in the Charleston area, with an office at 2139 N. Main St. in Summerville. Carolina Financial Corp. Carolina Financial Corp. has agreed to acquire Washington, N.C.-based First South Bancorp Inc. in an all-stock deal valued at more than $160 million, based on the buyer’s closing price when the transac on was announced on June 9. First South subsidiary First South Bank, with 28 branches across the Research Triangle and eastern North Carolina, has approximately $1 billion in assets. When the deal is completed, the combined company will have approximately $3.2 billion in assets. First South Bancorp President and CEO Bruce Elder will become president of Carolina Na onal subsidiary CresCom Bank’s North Carolina opera on. Two First South Bancorp directors will join Carolina Financial’s board. (MAP) Coastal Carolina Bancshares Inc. Coastal Carolina Bancshares Inc. has begun trading its stock on the OTC markets under the cker symbol CCNB, it announced in mid July. The company has also raised $16.5 million in a private offering of its common stock. Coastal Carolina subsidiary Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank opened a loan produc on office in Greenville in July.

CBL State Savings Bank Ci zens Building and Loan, one of the oldest ins tu ons in South Carolina, recently unveiled a new corporate iden ty and announced the addi on of two new products. The Greer-based bank has changed its name to CBL State Savings Bank and redesigned its logo to reflect the change, President and CEO Jennifer T. Jones said. In addi on, 110-yearold CBL has added online banking and account-to-account transfer. “These are simply two more ways of giving our customers more for their money,” Jones said.

Community First Bank Community First Bank recently opened its second loan produc on office in Charlo e, and third in the metropolitan area. The office is in the Midtown Centre Office Building at 1300 Baxter St. First Carolina Bancshares The Federal Reserve Board terminated an enforcement ac on against First Carolina Bancshares MHC in May. The Walterboro-based parent of First Federal of S.C. entered into a supervisory agreement with the Office of Thri Supervision in early 2011. First South Bancorp Inc. Spartanburg-based First South Bancorp Inc. recently closed a private offering of common shares and mandatorily conver ble preferred shares for gross proceeds of $16.5 million. The company issued a total of 22 million shares at 75 cents each, for net proceeds of $15.5 million. The offering was oversubscribed by ins tu onal investors. First South plans to use the money for general corporate purposes, including pursuing strategic alterna ves and suppor ng organic growth. GrandSouth Bank GrandSouth Bank in late spring announced it would move into the Charleston market. The Upstate-headquartered bank has hired Rob Phillips as its Charleston market president and added Alan Uram as senior vice president. GrandSouth plans to begin with a loan produc on office in the Charleston area. South Atlan c Bank Construc on on South Atlan c Bank’s office at 930 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard is expected to be completed shortly. The new building will serve as the bank’s regional headquarters for the Lowcountry. Southern First Bancshares Inc. Southern First Bancshares Inc. raised gross proceeds of $26.4 million from a common stock offering that was completed in the spring. Net proceeds

of around $24.7 million will be used to improve the company’s capital structure, to fund future organic growth and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Southern First Bancshares Inc. entered into a loan agreement with Floridabased CenterState Bank that allows for a revolving mul ple advances loan of up to an aggregate principal amount of $15 million. The loan agreement will mature a er 36 months from the closing date. Interest payments will be due quarterly, and Southern First has the op on to prepay the promissory note in full or in part at any me without penalty.

South State Corp. South State Corp. announced plans in late April to acquire Park Sterling Corp., crea ng a $14.5 billion en ty that would make South State the largest bank company ever headquartered in South Carolina. When the deal is done, Columbia-based South State will have offices throughout the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia. Charlo e-based Park Sterling has more than 50 branches across the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia, and approximately $3.3 billion in assets. The deal is an cipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2017. At closing, Park Sterling Corp. will be merged into South State Corp., and Park Sterling Bank will be merged into South State Bank. Park Sterling CEO Jim Cherry will join the South State board once the deal is complete. United Community Banks Inc. United Community Banks Inc. announced in late June plans to acquire Four Oaks Fincorp Inc., the parent of Four Oaks Bank. Georgia-based United Community has been on buying spree in the Carolinas of late. It purchased The Palme o Bank in 2015, Tidelands Bank last year and announced a deal for Horry County State Bank this spring. The deal with North Carolina-based Four Oaks will add 14 banking loca ons, giving United Community Banks a total of 33 offices in the Tarheel State. 19


Personal Transac ons

Moneymaker

Kimbell

Anderson Brothers Bank Linda Moneymaker has joined Anderson Brothers Bank as branch manager and loan officer for the bank’s new branch in Pope Plaza in Summerville. Micky Wa s of Anderson Brothers Bank was chosen to serve on the NAF/AFSA Annual Auto Financing Survey panel at the Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference annual mee ng in May in Dallas.

Carolina Alliance Bank Mark Spears has joined its Carolina Alliance Bank’s S.C. Leasing Division as vice president, South Carolina leasing execu ve. Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank Steve Hales has joined Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank as vice president, mortgage sales manager in Aiken. Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank has hired Andrew Howard to serve vice president/ commercial rela onship manager Jimmy Kimbell has been named senior vice president and Upstate market president for Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank. Kimbell will head Coastal’s new loan produc on office in Greenville.

CoastalStates Bank David Renaker has recently joined CoastalStates Bank as vice president and commercial loan officer for the Hilton Head Island Main Street office. Latoya Salters has been promoted to team leader of the CoastalStates Bank Blu on branch. 20

Salters

Community First Bank Charlo e commercial banker Stuart Hester has been hired by Community First Bank to serve as senior vice president and regional execu ve officer for the Seneca-based bank’s Charlo e opera on. Community First has two loan produc on offices in Charlo e and another in Fort Mill. Countybank Countybank has hired Paul Pickhardt as senior vice president, SBA lending manager. Pickhardt was ranked the top SBA 7a loan producer for the state of South Carolina for several years. CresCom Bank CresCom Bank recently promoted Ryan Benton to senior vice president. Benton will con nue to serve as commercial loan officer. First Community Bank Ryan Barnes has joined First Community Bank as a vice president/commercial banker. Barnes will serve the Forest Acres community. First Community Bank has hired Kris Whitley as a vice president/commercial banker. Whitley will concentrate on the downtown Columbia market. Edward Tarver was elected to the board of Lexington’s First Community Corp. and unit First Community Bank. Tarver most recently served as U.S. a orney for the southern district of Georgia.

GrandSouth Bank GrandSouth Bank has hired Rob Phil-

Tarver

Moore

lips to serve as its Charleston market president. Alan Uram recently joined GrandSouth Bank as a senior vice president in the Charleston area.

NBSC NBSC, a division of Synovus, has appointed Tyre Moore coastal region market execu ve. Moore was previously senior vice president and regional trust manager of Synovus Trust, where he led NBSC’s trust team since joining the company in 2006. He will remain at the bank’s Charleston office on Mee ng Street. NBSC recently announced the appointment of new advisory board members in several South Carolina markets. Brian Boyer, Jeff Griffin and Damon Jeter have joined the bank’s Columbia Advisory Board. Boyer is president of Boyer Commercial Construc on. Griffin is president and CEO of W.O. Blackstone & Co. Inc., a mechanical contrac ng firm. Jeter is the president and CEO of the S.C. lobbying firm Jet Corp Consul ng Group LLC. Glenn Godfrey and Lindsay Howard have joined the Florence Advisory Board. Godfrey is president and CEO of Florence-based Quality Air Tool and Pee Dee Tank Company. Howard owns Crescent Healthcare, also based in Florence. She is a family nurse prac oner and member of the American Nurses Associa on. Sandra Benson has joined the NBSC Hilton Head Advisory Board. She owns Custom Audio Video LLC and hosts Talk of the Town on WHHI-TV.


Personal Transac ons

Lincolnhol

Swafford

Oconee Federal Savings and Loan Tim Lincolnhol has joined Oconee Federal Savings and Loan as Greenville market execu ve and commercial lender. Ruth Murray was recently promoted to senior vice president and controller by Oconee Federal Savings and Loan. Oconee Federal Savings and Loan has hired Sco Presley as a homebuilder finance and construc on lender. David Stafford has been promoted by Oconee Federal Savings and Loan to senior banking officer. Cindy Swafford was recently hired by Oconee Federal Savings and Loan as a senior business development officer. Oconee Federal Savings and Loan has named Brian McGhee a retail sales coordinator.

ServisFirst Bank ServisFirst Bank recently announced the forma on of a board of directors for the greater Charleston market. The board includes: Peter McKellar, owner of Harbor Contrac ng, LLC; Chris Me ler, founder of Iron Horse Holdings; Weesie Newton, owner of Newton Holdings; Skip Sawin, owner and operator of Charleston’s Rigging and Marine; and Daniel Vallini, partner at Harvey & Vallini, LLC. South Atlan c Bank South Atlan c Bank recently named Rob Crowe as vice president, mortgage loan officer in the Myrtle Beach office.

Mann

David Mann has joined South Atlan c Bank as senior vice president and credit risk officer. South Atlan c Bank has recently hired Derick Powers as vice president, por olio manager in the Myrtle Beach office.

South State Bank Nate Barber, senior vice president and community development officer at South State Bank in Columbia, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Cerfied Development Corpora on of S.C. South State Bank recently promoted Kevin Brookes to senior vice president. South State Bank announced that Mary O’Bryan Lewis has been named vice president. South State Investment Services announced that Tonie e Mathis has joined the Upstate region as a senior vice president and financial consultant. Richard N. Westbrook has been named execu ve vice president by South State Bank.

The Bank of Clarendon William O. Buyck, chairman emeritus of the Bank of Clarendon, has been named director emeritus by the board of directors of Business Development Corpora on of SC. Buyck gained emeritus status at the board’s annual mee ng in May a er having served on the board for nearly 40 years, including five years as chairman.

Barber

Mathis

The Conway Na onal Bank Alex Clayton was recently promoted by The Conway Na onal Bank to vice president. The Conway Na onal Bank has named Joe Hunter Hyman assistant vice president. James P. Jordan III has been promoted to vice president by The Conway Naonal Bank. The Conway Na onal Bank has named Marsha S. Jordan assistant vice president.

Other News LSU Graduate School of Banking Three South Carolina bankers recently graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. They were: Robert W. Gillmann, South State Bank; Jordan S. Miller, CresCom Bank; and Kurt Sco Seguer, South Atlan c Bank. The trio were among 164 bankers who received diplomas from the three-year program, which covers all aspects of banking. Charles Christy, the former chief financial officer of CoastalSouth Bancshares Inc., the parent of CoastalStates Bank, has joined Atlanta-based Fidelity Southern Corp. as execu ve vice president and CFO. Four bankers were among the 2017 Leadership Columbia class: Sarah Sawicki and Sarah Sloan, Woodforest Naonal Bank; Andrew Schiavone, BB&T; and Annie Sco , NBSC. 21


Feature

Palmetto National Bank Building was Once the Locale By Kevin Dietrich Palme o Banker Editor

I

Washington Streets directly opposite Columbia’s first skyscraper, the Naonal Loan and Exchange Bank Building (1903), the Palme o Building towered over the central business district and immediately became one of the city’s most pres gious business addresses.” The structure alone cost an es mated $420,000, a sizeable sum in pre-World War I South Carolina. The hoopla surrounding its opening sheds light on how different working indoors, even in brand-new structures, was a century ago: The Columbia Record ran a special eight-page sec on devoted exclusively to the Palme o Building’s opening, with such en cements as “Fire Proof! Panic Proof! Fire Line and Hose Reel on Every Floor” and “Toilets on Every Floor,”

“Electric Ligh ng” and “Steam Heat.” The Palme o Building was the result of the success of The Palme o Na onal Bank, according to an ad taken out by the bank in the Record on Dec. 21, 1913.

n a city beset with construc on of ever-increasing magnitude and architectural variety, it seems difficult to believe that the old Palme o The increase in the business of Building at 1400 Main St., originally the this bank has made necessary home of The Palme o Na onal Bank, the move into these new and was once Columbia’s most resplendent larger quarters. The bank has skyscraper. prospered from its organizaBuilt just before World War I, it was on and has grown from year to said to be the tallest structure in the year in public favor and volume Carolinas at 215 feet when it opened in of business, un l now The Pallate 1913. me o Na onal Bank ranks with At 15 stories, it was three stories taller the largest banks in the State. than the Capital City’s first skyscraper, In planning these new quarters the Barringer Building, built in 1903 we have looked forward many and originally known as the Na onal years and have provided for Loan and Exchange Bank Building. The rooms and facili es to take care Palme o Building was decidedly of the growth of the bank and more ornate. the city. Designed partly by a New York architect, the Palme o BuildThe Palme o Na onal Bank ing would have been at home in traced its beginnings to 1902 when turn-of-the-century Chicago or San the Palme o Bank and Trust Co. Francisco. It features a façade of was started. In 1906, it was reorlimestone and glazed terra co a, ganized under a na onal charter an ornate copper cornice and is as The Palme o Na onal Bank. sheathed in Gothic Revival detail. Long me banker Wilie Jones, who It is probably unique in its use of a started his career with the Caropalme o tree mo f in Gothic delina Na onal Bank in 1870, was president, and J. Pope Mathews tailing, according to the Na onal was cashier. Register of Historic Places lis ng Jones (1850-1936) was a wellfor the structure. known figure in South Carolina fiAccording to the South Carolina nancial, poli cal and social circles. Encyclopedia, the Palme o BuildHe was the son of Cadwallader ing was an a en on-ge er from Jones, colonel of the 12th South the outset: Carolina Infantry Regiment dur“Its sleek, ver cal form repreing the Civil War, the grandson of sented the cu ng edge of archiJames Iredell Jr., the 23rd governor tectural design and added a sense of North Carolina and a U.S. senaof metropolitan sophis ca on tor, and great grandson of James to the skyline of South Carolina’s Iredell Sr., who was appointed to capital city. In a reference to the the U.S. Supreme Court by George celebrated skyscraper that had Washington. been finished earlier the same Jones served as a colonel in the year in New York City, the Colum2nd South Carolina Regiment durbia Record described the Palme o ing the Spanish-American War, was Building as the “‘Woolworth’ Building of South Carolina.” StandPostcard showing the Palme o Building shortly a er a member of the South Carolina comple on of construc on. Cons tu onal Conven on of 1895 ing at the corner of Main and

22


Feature

that wrote the state cons tu on s ll in use and chaired the Democra c State Commi ee from 1898 through 1912. He would spend more than 50 years in banking. Mathews (1873-1954) began his financial services career in the 1890s. He succeeded Jones as president of The Palme o Na onal Bank in 1916 and a served as a director for a number of other banks and business enterprises, including the Na onal Bank of Leesville, the Home Na onal Bank of Lexington, the Bank of North (S.C.), the First Na onal Bank of Batesburg, the Commercial Bank of Columbia, the VictorMonaghan Co., a Greenville-based en ty that owned and operated nearly a dozen co on mills, and the Columbiaheadquartered South Carolina Insurance Co. He also served as secretary and a director of Ma hews & Bouknight Co., a mercan le business in Leesville. Other execu ves included First Vice President John J. Seibels, who also worked for what would become insurer Seibels Bruce Co., and served as a director for a number of other companies, including Southern Railway; and bank a orney and Director Francis H. Weston, who served in both the S.C. House and Senate, and was appointed U.S. A orney for South Carolina by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. The Palme o Na onal Bank was among the state’s most influen al ins tu ons. Its policy was straigh orward: “To be conserva ve, yet progressive. To grant such terms as are consistent with sound banking principles. To keep our facili es and organiza ons up-todate for the conduct of all branches of domes c banking.” Palme o Na onal provided correspondent services for a number of banks across the state, including ins tu ons in Union, Newberry, Clinton, Chester and Camden. By 1922, it had $8.4 million in deposits, making it the largest in the state, well ahead of runner-up Bank of Charleston ($5 million), which would later become

South Carolina Na onal Bank. When the deal fell through, a group of But the structure wasn’t only home to businessmen, including tex le magPalme o Na onal Bank. nate Leroy Springs, with the blessing • Prior to the construc on of its own of the Comptroller of the Currency and structure on Hampton Street in S.C. Gov. Thomas G. McLeod, acquired 1924, the Federal Land Bank, today Palme o Na onal and organized a new known as AgFirst, operated from ins tu on, Columbia Na onal Bank, the Palme o Building in the early 1920s. • From 1914 to 1965, the Palme o Building was home for the Seibels Bruce Co., a naonally known insurer that was headquartered in Columbia. • It housed other professionals, including lawyers, den sts and co on brokers; and • It was also said to have featured a speakeasy during Prohibi on. More recently, it con nued to serve as a financial center. In 1980, when it was placed on the Na onal Register of Historic Places, it Detail showing Palme o Building’s copper cornice, limestone was owned by Home and glazed terra co a. The structure, built for The Palme o Federal Savings & Na onal Bank in 1913 and today a hotel, has been a key part of Loan. By the turn Columbia’s downtown for more than a century. of the century it was the loca on of SouthTrust Bank’s with capital stock of $500,000. Columbia opera on. Today, the building is no longer the But despite the hubbub surrounding financial hub it was a century ago, but it the new building and its high-profile retains an important place in Columbia’s anchor tenant, The Palme o Na onal downtown. A decade ago it underwent Bank wouldn’t even make it a decade a $20 million renova on into the 135at the new site. By early 1923, strugroom Sheraton Columbia Downtown gling financially, it was contempla ng Hotel, ensuring a con nuing role in a merger with a pair of other South the Capital City’s constantly changing Carolina banks. landscape. 23


It’s Not Just a Building...

It’s Home. Community Investment Corporation of the Carolinas is a lending consortium of more than 100 southeastern financial institutions, working together to provide permanent financing that supports the development of high-quality affordable multifamily housing in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Since 1990, CICCAR members have funded more than $275 million in loans, creating 17,000 units in over 300 properties. In return, they receive the benefits of loan growth, CRA credit and the satisfaction of creating “home” for nearly 50,000 people. Call today to learn more about the ways that membership in CICCAR can benefit your bank and the communities you serve.

Community Investment Corporation of the Carolinas P.O. Box 19999, Raleigh, NC 27619 Toll free: (800) 662-7044 Local: (919) 781-7979 www.ncbankers.org/CICCAR

@CICCarolinas


News

Hill Testifies on Need for Regulatory Relief for Banks Outgoing SCBA Chairman Robert Hill tes fied June 15 in Washington, D.C., before a Senate Banking Commi ee hearing on the need for regulatory relief for mid-size and regional banks. Hill, chief execu ve officer of $11 billion South State Corp., based in Columbia, was among bankers and industry experts who tes fied at a Senate Commi ee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing in Washington, D.C., regarding the implica ons of arbitrary asset thresholds. He said that in crossing the $10 billion asset threshold, his bank was subjected to heightened compliance requirements which now cost the bank more than $20 million per year. “When banks cross $10 billion, they are considered mid-sized ins tu ons – a designa on that introduces an enhanced supervisory approach from regulators,” Hill tes fied. “These banks can expect more frequent compliance requirements, which may include full-scope examina ons coupled with

‘The imposi on of these demands does not benefit the public in any appreciable way.’ –Robert Hill CEO, South State Corp. regular, targeted reviews. In connec on with these addi onal burdens, mid-size banks must allocate further resources to compliance, from business units to senior management and the board of directors. “The imposi on of these demands does not benefit the public in any appreciable way,” added Hill, whose term as SCBA chairman ended June 30. “These requirements drain resources of mid-size banks, and less money is thus available to provide credit to individuals and small businesses in our communies.”

While size-only regula ons may provide regulators a simple framework for supervising financial ins tu ons, the ABA noted that “thresholds of any type are arbitrary and a poor subs tute for effec ve regulatory policy. Rather than adding more thresholds, what is needed are be er overall principles for bank regula on. The best solu on is to tailor regula ons according to the risks and business model of the bank.” Hill was speaking on behalf of the MidSize Bank Coali on of America, which represents 78 U.S. mid-size banks. MBCA member banks have primarily between $10 billion and $50 billion in assets, and serve customers and communi es in all 50 states. “We support a regulatory regime that encourages prudent behavior and protects our customers,” Hill said. “But we also need common sense regula on that does not unnecessarily impose burdens and impede the banking services communi es need to create jobs and drive economic growth …”

Legislature

Johnson

which establishes a licensing and regula on system for appraisal management companies and signed H3176 and H3429, bills that create addi onal exemp ons of property exempt from levy in bankruptcy. H3176 provides a full exemp on for funds in an IRA. H3429 establishes a firearm exemp on up to $3,000 totaling no more than three firearms and also provides a $50,000 homestead exemp on for a surviving spouse’s interest in a residence. S ll pending, having passed the Senate and now in the House, S261 creates Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans for commercial proper es that wish to improve their energy systems. The bill does give the PACE loan a senior lien posi on to an exis ng mortgagee but SCBA successfully lobbied to include language that a property owner cannot take out one of these loans unless all exis ng mortgagees give express, wri en consent to both the loan as well as the senior posi on. For more informa on on these bills go to www.scstatehouse. gov or contact Neil Rashley at nrashley@scbankers.org.

“Hoo e was probably the most influen al sounding board for Hugh McColl during most of the major acquisi ons and expansions they undertook,” Smith said in 2001. “He was McColl’s closest confidant and adviser. Hoo e played a major role in the development of Bank of America.” Johnson didn’t limit his achievements to finance, either. • He played football at the University of South Carolina in the early 1950s; • He served in the General Assembly; • He directed the S.C. State Ports Authority from 1965-81, at a me when Charleston grew to be the No. 4 container port in the U.S.; • He served as chairman of the S.C. Research Authority and as a member of the S.C. State Development Board; • He has served on the boards of Alltel, Liberty Corp. and Duke Energy, in addi on to Bank of America; and • He served as chairman of the Augusta Na onal Golf Course, home of The Masters golf tournament. Johnson is survived by his wife Pierrine, four daughters and their husbands, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(Neil Rashley is senior vice president and counsel for the South Carolina Bankers Associa on.)

–Kevin Dietrich 25


News

2017-18 SCBA Calendar Boast Strong Lineup of Events The South Carolina Bankers Associaon will feature an array of educa onal conferences, seminars and workshops in the coming months, all geared toward helping bankers keep up with constantly changing rules and regula ons, enabling them to hone their skills, and making them aware of industry trends. “The SCBA’s goal remains to provide a schedule of seminars, conferences and events that will give our members the educa onal background they need to thrive in today’s increasingly complex financial services marketplace,” said E. Anne Gillespie, SCBA senior vice president. The SCBA will begin with three events in September, star ng with its Chief Financial Officers Conference on Sept. 19. A Call Report Seminar will take place on Sept. 21 and a Bank Security Conference on Sept. 28. All three events will be held in Colum-

‘The SCBA’s goal remains to provide a schedule of seminars, conferences and events that will give our members the educa onal background they need to thrive in today’s increasingly complex financial services marketplace.’ –E. Anne Gillespie Senior Vice President, SCBA bia. October will include the Economic Developers Conference, on Oct. 25 in Columbia, and the two-day Consumer

Lending School, Oct. 31 through Nov. 1, also in the Capital City. Also in October is the popular Young Bankers Scholarship Golf Tournament, to be held Oct. 2 at the Columbia County Club in Blythewood. Money raised through the tournament goes to help fund scholarships for the children of employees of SCBA-member banks. The fourth annual Women in Banking Symposium will take place Nov. 6-7 at the Renaissance Charlo e SouthPark Hotel in North Carolina. This event, a joint venture of the South Carolina Bankers Associa on and the North Carolina Bankers Associa on, has grown in popularity each year and promises to again be outstanding opportunity to learn and network. Other November events include the Community Bankers Forum and the Fall Credit Conference.

The Banker Suite Looking for New Non-Interest Fee Income?

With the CRS Data Banker Suite, you can bring evaluations in-house and create a new revenue stream in the process. • Stay fully compliant with all 8 points of the Interagency Guidance to help you service more real estate loans in-house. • Establish new non-interest fee income. • Improve your bank’s efficiency ratio. • Quickly and easily determine FEMA flood zones to meet Biggert-Waters requirements and bypass unnecessary fines. • Navigate changes made through the Dodd-Frank Act while saving time and money. We’re all about putting the power back in your teams’ hands.

Schedule a Presentation Today. Jason Pruitt | jpruitt@crsdata.com 770.883.6609 | crsdata.com/banking ©2016 CRS, Courthouse Retrieval Systems. All Rights Reserved. The Banker Suite is property of CRS Data, Inc.

26


SCBA Scholarships

Thirty-seven of the 56 South Carolina college students awarded SCBA scholarships at a recep on put on by the Bankers Associaton in Columbia in late May.

SCBA Awards $56,000 in Scholarships to SC Students The South Carolina Bankers Associa on in late May awarded $56,000 in scholarships to South Carolina college students. Fi y-six students from 18 S.C. ins tuons received Palme o Scholarships during a recep on in Columbia. Over the past three years alone, the SCBA has awarded $155,000 to South Carolina undergraduates. Leading the way with 19 scholarship winners was Clemson University, followed by the University of South Carolina with 13 and Anderson University with five. Other recipients came from Bob Jones, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston, Furman University, Horry Georgetown Technical College, Lander University, North Greenville University, The Citadel, Trident Technical College, USC Aiken, USC Beaufort, USC Upstate, Winthrop University and Wofford College. To reinforce its commitment to educaon and assist students with the everescala ng cost of higher educa on, the SCBA in recent years has bolstered its scholarship giving its Palme o Scholarship. A key component of the associa-

on’s revamped program is its emphasis on offering scholarships to the children of employees of SCBA-member banks. “It is an incredible feeling to help these students pursue their higher educa on goals while also laying the founda on for the next genera on of South Carolina’s leaders,” said SCBA Senior Vice President Carolyn E. Laffi e. Money for Palme o Scholarships comes from the SCBA Educa onal Founda on through funds raised by the Young Bankers Division Scholarship Golf Tournament and the efforts of South Carolina Bankers School students. Over the years hundreds of thousands of dollars have been awarded to deserving students. Recipients were: Madison Adams, Anderson; Bailey Adams, Summerville; Tony Alessi, West Columbia; Bronwyn Bigger, Clemson; Jackson Boyd, Greer; Emma Coen, Mount Pleasant; Kathryn Cooper, Charleston; Caroline Davis, Iva; Heath Derrick, Irmo; Tamara Diemer, Greenville; Tessa Dunaway, Sunset; Elizabeth Elmore, Seneca; Emily Fehlig, Conway; Nate Foster, Clemson; Jasmine George, North Charleston; Lauren

Graves, Taylors; Adam Groth, Columbia; Stephen Hansen, Travelers Rest; Sarah Ha on, Columbia; Sami Hooker, Orangeburg; Sean Huggins, Myrtle Beach; Travis Keisler, Gilbert; Olivia Kemmerlin, Cayce; Reilly Kilpatrick, Seabrook; Amanda Kington, Lexington; Mary Madison Laffi e, Columbia, Joey Larkin, Murrells Inlet; Jonathan Lopiano, Blythewood; Banks Lucas, Georgetown; Meghan McGee, Iva; Racheal Moore, Greenville; Ariana Mount, Irmo; Carly Munn, Charleston; Hunter Paramore, Santee; Anjali Patel, Simpsonville; William Pickens, Mount Pleasant; Jen Quindlen, Irmo; TaylorAnn Rainey, Taylors, Paige Robinson, St. Ma hews; Nick Samson, Chapin; Nikki Sandlin, Irmo; Kayla Sloan, Seneca; Mike Smith, Florence; Jay Sturm, Columbia; Zach Their, Columbia; Katherine Thomas, Clemson; Pinckney Townsend, Aiken; Thomas Trembly, Greenville; Devan Trout, Landrum; Kenneth Turren ne II, Myrtle Beach; Caroline Vaughan, Greenville; Bailey Verreault, Spartanburg; Emily Washburn, Lexington; Morgan Wooles, Rock Hill; Megan Worrell, Aynor; Will Young, Ninety Six. 27


S.C. Bankers School

South Carolina Bankers School Produces 31 Graduates Some 31 students from 18 different ins tu ons graduated from the 2017 session of the South Carolina Bankers School, held July 9-14 at Lander University in Greenwood. In all, there were 137 first-, secondand third-year students, including 61 first-year students, the largest freshman class in nearly a decade, according to Carolyn Laffi e, SCBA senior vice president and S.C. Bankers School administrator. “As our industry has evolved and changed the school has grown and adapted with those challenges,” she said “I am confident that the quality of the school, its reputa on, its board of directors, its faculty and the necessity of

training and networking educa on will allow our school to remain strong. “I believe our banks support the school because they know their employees will return to their respec ve ins tu ons be er bankers and be er employees,” Laffi e added. Graduates came from 16 different banks, along with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Charlo e office and ArborOne Farm Credit. Allison P. Stout of Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank was recognized with the Lillie H. Magalis Award, given to the third-year student with the highest cumula ve grade. The BankExec compe on, in which teams compete against one another in

From top le , clockwise: Graduates of the 2017 S.C. Bankers School. Top right, BankExec CEOs, from le : Allison Stout, Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank; Jus n Ayers, United Community Bank; Sco Klumb, Palme o State Bank; Wells Dunlap, Countybank; Bailey Cooper, CresCom Bank; and Derek Horton, Southern First Bank. Middle right: New graduates, from le : Natasha Drozdak, South State Bank; Jean Umbarger, NBSC, a division of Synovus; Anna T. Heath, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond-Charlo e; Bri any Johnson, South State Bank. Bo om right: Mike Ayo e, CEO, Morganton Savings Bank, instruc ng second-year students. Bo om le : First-year class officers Margi Fleming, The Ci zens Bank, le ; and Danielle Fields, Countybank. 28

the running of a simulated bank, was captured by “Team Won,” made up of Aaron Godlewski, Horry County State Bank; Clinton McKinney, TD Bank; Nelson Poe III, Southern First Bank; Mary Schnabel, South State Bank; Allison Stout, Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank; and Ma Williams, United Community Bank. The third-year class raised $10,500 for the Bankers Associa on’s Palme o Scholarship program, money which will go to fund scholarships for the children of employees of SCBA member banks. The first-year class chose as its president and vice president Margi Fleming, The Ci zens Bank; and Danielle Fields, Countybank, respec vely.


From top le , clockwise: Dawn Kinard, CFO, Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank, with Allison Stout, also of Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank, the winner of the Lillie Magalis Award. Top right: SCBA Chairman Thornwell Dunlap, le , with Randy Dolyniuk, CEO of CoastalStates Bank. Middle right: Cornhole tournament hosted by third-year students raised money for the SCBA’s Palme o Scholarship. Bo om right: SCBA President and CEO Fred Green, le , and SCBA Chairman and Countybank President and CEO Thornwell Dunlap, right, congratulate Aaron Godlewski, Horry County State Bank on earning his diploma. Below right: Sco Frierson, CresCom Bank and chairman-elect of the S.C. Bankers School, with Edward McKelvey, South State Bank and chairman, S.C. Bankers School. Below le : BankExec winners, from le : Allison Stout, Aaron Godlewski, Clinton McKinney, Nelson Poe, Mary Schnabel and Ma Williams. Middle le : First-year students a er comple ng the “nail challenge” during the Team Building course.

29


Welcome New Associate Members Agri-Access 5414 NW 88th St., Ste 110 Johnston, Iowa, 50131 Contact: Adam Sperfslage Phone: 888.888.8220 Website: www.agri-access.com Email: adam.sperfslage@agri-access. com

ing of data. Presidium Solu ons provides an all-inclusive pla orm for the management of commercial and residen al por olios including residen al, commercial, builder line, and real estate borrowing base loans. CodeFi Solu ons is an endorsed vendor by bank associaons in the southeast U.S.

At Agri-Access, our focus is helping community banks strengthen their borrower rela onships by providing a full range of compe ve long-term real estate financing products. In addi on, Agri-Access purchases par cipa on interests in agricultural loans, as well as builds and services por olios for other investors. Since 2003, the organiza on has established a large network of strong rela onships with community banks and other lending ins tu ons across the country. Headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, AgriAccess has addi onal offices in Idaho, Texas, Alabama and Minnesota.

Commerce Street Capital, LLC 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 2700 Dallas, Texas, 75202 Contact: Christopher Meadows Phone: 214.545.6800 Website: www.commercestreetcapital. com Email: cmeadows@cstreetcap.com

CodeFi 109 Cleveland Avenue Cocoa Beach, Fla., 32931 Contact: Joseph R. “Bob” Scales Phone: 877.868.9009 Website: www.CodeFi.come Email: BScales@CodeFi.com CodeFi Solu ons is a consul ng and so ware solu ons firm specializing in mi ga ng risks for real estate lending departments for banks of all asset sizes. With unparalleled domain and technological experse, CodeFi provides both consul ng and immediate implementa on or fully configurable so ware solu ons for loan administra on and management through their so ware applica on, Presidium Solu ons. As a key financial applica on within the na on’s top 10 banks, Presidium Solu ons sa sfies regulatory guidance recommenda ons for demonstra ng a MIS and safeguard30

Commerce Street Capital LLC, member FINRA/ SIPC, is a premier investment banking firm serving financial ins tu ons and middle-market companies. We value collabora on with our client partners and enjoy building long-term rela onships established on a founda on of mutual respect, common goals, and uncommon integrity. With a wealth of knowledge and exper se in banking and

a deep commitment to the highest ethical standards, Commerce Street iden fies market opportuni es and provides investment alterna ves to achieve results for our clients. Commerce Street Capital’s prac ce includes: • Mergers & Acquisi ons; • Recapitaliza ons; • Private Placement of Debt & Equity; • Regulatory Advisory; • Valua ons & Fairness Opinions; • Community Bank Capital Markets Services; • SBIC Fund Raising; • Corporate & Real Estate Finance; and • Due Diligence Services. Innova ve Financial Solu ons 218 Ardmore Avenue Ardmore, Pa., 19003 Contact: Michael D. “Mike” Ryan Phone: 610.733.9955 Website: www.innova vefinancingsoluons.net Email: mryan@innovfs.net Innova ve Financing Solu ons (IFS) is a business, real estate, and bank consulting firm headquartered in the suburban

Notification of Non-Renewing S.C. Bankers Association Members As the 2017-18 fiscal year begins, the SCBA reports that the following companies are no longer Associate Members. Please update your lis ngs to reflect these changes. We thank these companies for their past support. The SCBA would welcome each of them to rejoin the Associa on as Associate Members. The non-renewing companies are: • • • • •

Ardmore Banking Advisors; Ba ery Funding; Covington & Burling LLP; DefenseStorm; Experis US, Inc.;

• •

The Cason Group, Inc.; and Time Warner Cable Business Class

SCBA Services Inc. is dedicated to reducing the costs of products and services for South Carolina banks. To find out more about SCBA Associate Membership or to become a Preferred Vendor, please contact SCBA Senior Vice President Carolyn E. Laffi e at 803.779.0850 or through email at carolynlaffi e@scbankers.org.


Welcome New Associate Members Philadelphia region. Through its Community Bank Consul ng Group, IFS specializes in the development and implementaon of government guaranteed commercial loan programs for community banks and small regional financial ins tu ons. The firm also provides structured financial consul ng services to corporate clients ranging in size from small and growing entrepreneurial companies to established middle market firms. IFS‚ rela onship-focused, valueadded approach provides our clients with innova ve solu ons designed to meet their financing needs and business objec ves. Our professionals have years of proven success in commercial lending, corporate finance and capital markets, accoun ng, comprehensive credit analysis and underwri ng; as well as, debt and equity structuring, nego aon and placement. SHAZAM Network 610 Willowmere Drive

Des Moines, Iowa, 50321 Contact: J. Alex Jernigan Phone: 515.288.2828 Website: www.shazam.net Email: jjernig@Shazam.net SHAZAM delivers the tools community financial ins tu ons need to compete with a level of personal service and reliability unmatched in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) industry. As a member owned and controlled network we answer directly to our financial ins tu ons and focus on responding to their needs. SHAZAM is a not-for-profit organiza on and is not driven by profits or shareholder revenues. Instead, we are focused on delivering the products; services and pricing that make our par cipants’ debit card programs compe ve. The Fi s Company 55 Siren Lane Gaston, S.C., 29053

Contact: Dee Dee Simmons Phone: 803.730.1018 Website: www.thefi scompany.com Email: dsimmons@thefi scompany.com The Fi s Company is a na onally acclaimed solu on based manufacturing company delivering innova ve designs and products for a diverse client base across mul ple industries. Fi s is a team of highly experienced individuals who are dedicated to providing the best solu ons to our clients through the use of state of the art 3D design, manufacturing, and project management capabili es. We manufacture a diverse range of products that includes exterior signage, interior signage, ATM surrounds, toppers and enclosures, ATM buildings and kiosks, ATM canopies, modular branch interiors, motor home coaches, disaster recovery vehicles and other specialty items. We offer turnkey solu ons and complete project management for projects of any size.

BankTalentHQ.com Joins SCBA Preferred Vendor Program As the South Carolina Bankers Associa on begins a new fiscal year, it’s pleased to announce the addi on of a new preferred vendor – financial services talent management site BankTalentHQ.com. BankTalentHQ.com, formed by an alliance of state banking associa ons working together, was launched earlier this year by Illinois Bankers Business Services Inc., the for-profit subsidiary of the Illinois Bankers Associa on. It can assist financial ins tu ons, service providers or regulators interested in finding the right individual to fill open posions. Key products and services of BankTalentHQ include a job board, coaching services, resume wri ng, and news and ar cles. Addi onal services are scheduled to be added, including execu ve recrui ng. While there are a variety of job boards on the internet, including Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and BankJobs.com, BankTalentHQ is different because it focuses solely on the financial industry. And unlike BankJobs.com, BankTalentHQ is being backed by state banking associa ons across the country. Other state banking associa ons which have endorsed BankTalentHQ. com include those in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ken-

tucky, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire and New Mexico. Banks use BankTalentHQ by crea ng an employer profile on the website. Once the employer profile is created, ins tuons can post jobs individually or through a bulk download of 10 jobs or more. The employer can purchase job credits that range from one 30-day posi on to 10 30-day posi ons. The profile-crea on and pos ng process can takes less than 30 minutes. The cost to post one 30-day job on BankTalentHQ is $299. There is a discount for mul ple job packages, including three, five or 10 30-day job posts. When purchasing a 30-day job post, purchasers also receive access the resume database. Addi onal services are also offered through the website, from a resume-wri ng cri que that begins at $29.95 to writing execu ve resumes with cover le ers for $825. Coaching services through BankTalentHQ.com’s partner, SkillsMaster Group, range upward beginning at $500.This service is also available to SCBA associate members, along with state and federal regulators. Any en ty that has job openings associated with the financial services industry can use the service. To learn more about BankTalentHQ.com or the SCBA’s Preferred Vendor Program, contact Carolyn E. Laffi e at 803.779.0850, or by email at carolynlaffi e@scbankers.org. 31


News

SCBA Extends Thanks to New, Current, Past Board Members The South Carolina Bankers Associa on would like to recognize its 2017-18 Board of Directors. New members were approved at the 2017 SCBA Annual Mee ng, held June 8-11.

Chairman R. Thornwell Dunlap, III Countybank Greenwood Immediate Past Chairman: 2nd Immediate Past Chairman: Group I Director: Group II Director: Group III Director: Group IV Director: Group V Director: Group VI Director: Members-at-Large:

President and CEO:

Chairman-Elect David L. Morrow CresCom Bank Charleston Robert R. Hill, Jr. David M. Lominack Charles F. Rivers, III K. Reid Pollard Cur s T. Eva James B. Schwiers Samuel R. Small, Jr. W. Jennings Duncan S. Mark Munn David R. Torris Jan M. Malinowski James B. Smith Laurence S. Bolchoz, Jr. Fleetwood S. Hassell Fred L. Green, III

Division Representa ves Community Bankers Division: Robert L. McKinney South Carolina Bankers School: Sco M. Frierson Young Bankers Division: Jennifer T. Jones

First Vice Chairman Samuel L. Erwin IberiaBank Greenville

Treasurer James A. Benne First Ci zens Bank Columbia

South State Bank TD Bank, N.A. BNC Bank Enterprise Bank of SC Oconee Federal Savings & Loan GrandSouth Bank First Palme o Bank The Conway Na onal Bank Bank of America SunTrust Bank Palme o State Bank Sandhills Bank Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank The Bank of South Carolina South Carolina Bankers Associa on

Columbia Greenville Charleston Ehrhardt Seneca Greenville Camden Conway Charleston Greenville Beaufort N. Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Charleston Columbia

Atlan c Community Bank CresCom Bank CBL State Savings Bank

Blu on Greenville Greer

The SCBA would also like to thank those board members whose terms ended on June 30, 2017: Randy K. Dolyniuk Paul R. Dusenbury John S. Poole Rick L. Beasley Edward McKelvey, Jr. Blake G. Taylor Gwen M. Thompson K. Wayne Wicker

32

CoastalStates Bank Coastal Carolina Na onal Bank Carolina Alliance Bank Carolina Bank and Trust South State Bank Southern First Bank Clover Community Bank South Atlan c Bank

Hilton Head Isl. Myrtle Beach Spartanburg Darlington Charleston Columbia Clover Myrtle Beach


South Carolina Bankers Association Education Calendar For more information, contact Anne Gillespie by phone at 803.779.0850, or by email at agillespie@scbankers.org.

September 2017 Chief Financial Officer Conference Date: Sept. 19, 2017 Loca on: Inn @ USC Wyndham Garden Columbia, S.C. Call Report Seminar Date: Sept. 21, 2017 Loca on: Marrio Downtown, Hampton & Main Streets Columbia, S.C. Bank Security Conference Date: September 28, 2017 Loca on: Columbia, S.C.

October 2017 Young Bankers Scholarship Golf Tournament Date: Oct. 2, 2017 Loca on: Columbia Country Club Blythewood, S.C. Economic Developers Conference Date: Oct. 25, 2017 Loca on: Columbia, S.C. Consumer Lending School Date: Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2017 Loca on: Columbia, S.C.

Community Bankers Forum Date: TBA Loca on: Columbia, S.C. Fall Credit Conference Date: TBA Loca on: TBA

January 2018 Commercial Lending School Date: Jan. 23-24, 2018 Loca on: Columbia, S.C.

February 2018 Banking Careers 101 Date: Feb. 7, 2018 Loca on: Seawell’s Columbia, S.C. March 2018 Young Bankers Conference Date: March 2-4, 2018 Loca on: The Wes n Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa Savannah, Ga. Directors and Managers Workshop Date: March 7, 2018 Inn @ USC Wyndham Garden Loca on: Columbia, S.C.

November 2017 SCBA and NCBA Women in Banking Symposium Date: Nov. 6-7, 2017 Loca on: Renaissance Charlo e SouthPark Columbia, S.C.

June 2018 SCBA Annual Conven on and Trade Show Date: June 10-13, 2018 Loca on: The Cloister Sea Island, Ga.

33


Good Samaritans Anderson Brothers Bank Employees at Anderson Brothers Bank’s La a office raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society through the Dillon County Relay for Life, held May 9 at Dillon Motor Speedway. The La a office came up with a $2,500 dona on of its own in October, shortly a er the office opened. In all, more than 150 supporters registered to par cipate. A blood drive hosted and promoted by Anderson Brothers Bank in May proved a success, as some 30 units of blood were donated, exceeding the pre-drive goal. The blood drive was held at the Anderson Brothers Bank’s conference Center in Mullins, with Jessica Graham Ellio , human resources/BSA administra ve assistant for Anderson Brothers Bank, playing a key role in coordina ng and se ng appointments. Anderson Brothers Bank gave a 2014 Dodge Charger to the city of Mullins Police Department in May. Anderson Brothers Bank employees Kayla Brady, Travis Collins, Jim Hanley, Joanne Joyner, Paula Lee, Miranda Ray and Lynn Suggs volunteered with the Special Olympics earlier this year at Pelican Ballpark in Myrtle Beach.

The Ci zens Bank The Ci zens Bank had five students from area colleges shadow bank employees in early April. The event came about a er the SCBA’s Banking Careers 101 event held in February, when students made contact with employees from Olantabased ins tu on. The five students were at the Ci zens Bank from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and were able to speak with employees and execuves in credit opera ons, deposit opera ons, IT, compliance/ BSA, and bookkeeping. A er a round table luncheon with the bank’s execu ve team, the students were then given a tour of a bank branch and the corporate office. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo presented $350,000 in local NeighborhoodLIFT grants to three nonprofits in Columbia in April to recognize their work in revitalizing Richland and Lexington coun es through economic and workforce development, youth programs and neighborhood beau fica on. The grants were funded through Wells Fargo’s NeighborhoodLIFT program, launched in July 2016 for Columbia-area homebuyers with a $4.1 million commitment by Wells Fargo to boost local homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods. NeighborhoodLIFT created more than 100 homeowners in Richland and Lexington coun es by offering homebuyer educa on plus matching down payment assistance grants ranging up to $7,500.

Ci zens Bank execu ves Margi Fleming, back le , and Blake Gibbons, with area college students who shadowed employees at the Olanta-headquartered bank in early April. 34

Woodforest Na onal Bank Woodforest Na onal Bank announced in late spring that employees throughout S.C. had organized fundraising efforts to help stock the shelves of Harvest Hope Food Bank. Dona ons collected at Woodforest branches across the state have been allocated to Harvest Hope Food Bank in support of their long-term relief efforts for Hurricane Ma hew vic ms.


Expand your reach.

Synovus Correspondent Banking. Your competitive edge. Funding and Credit Services • Correspondent Mortgage Solutions Investment and Trust Services • Treasury Management • International Services

With a commitment to service and responsiveness, Synovus is proud to oer comprehensive ďŹ nancial solutions to local community banks throughout the southeast. These strategic partnerships are rooted in a unique understanding of what you and your customers need, because we are a company made up of community banks. With Synovus Correspondent Banking, our strengths and resources are your strengths and resources. Let us help you increase your proďŹ ts, eďŹƒciency and competitive edge.

888.249.4131 | synovus.com

Investment products and services provided by Synovus are offered through Synovus Securities, Inc., Synovus Trust Company, N.A. GLOBALT Investments, a VHSHUDWHO\ LGHQWLĆ“ DEOH GLYLVLRQ RI 67& DQG &UHDWLYH )LQDQFLDO *URXS D GLYLVLRQ RI 6\QRYXV 6HFXULWLHV 7KH UHJLVWHUHG EURNHU GHDOHU RIIHULQJ EURNHUDJH SURGXFWV IRU 6\QRYXV LV 6\QRYXV 6HFXULWLHV ,QF PHPEHU ),15$ 6,3& 6\QRYXV 6HFXULWLHV ,QF LV D VXEVLGLDU\ RI 6\QRYXV )LQDQFLDO &RUS DQG DQ DIĆ“ OLDWH RI 6\QRYXV %DQN Synovus Trust Company, N.A. is a subsidiary of Synovus Bank.

NOT FDIC INSURED

NO BANK GUARANTEE

MAY LOSE VALUE

Deposit accounts subject to approval. Loans, credit cards and lines of credit subject to credit approval. Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast.


South Carolina Bankers Associa on (2009 Park Street) Post OďŹƒce Box 1483 Columbia, South Carolina, 29202-1483


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.