Immediate Past Chair B. Oneal Staples, Ameris Bank
Directors
M. Charles Abbott, Jr., Carolina Bank & Trust Co.
Jamie E. Addison, First Community Bank
Jessica M. Buttles, Anderson Brothers Bank
Eugene A. Gardner IV, TD Bank, N.A.
Margaret C. Harken, The Bank of South Carolina
Blake H. Dressler, First Reliance Bank
Lauren M. Hendricks, United Bank
Mallory H. Holley, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company
Angela T. Klosterman, First Citizens Bank
Ashleigh Oxner Malm, Arthur State Bank
J. Jefferson Manning, SouthState Bank
Austin W. McVay, United Community Bank
Albert A. Munn V, South Atlantic Bank
Joseph W. Thomas, First Palmetto Bank
W. Clarke Walker, Southern First Bank
President’s Message Legislative Update 2025 Legislative Reception Celebrating 125 Years of SCBA/Part 3
2025 Annual Convention & Tradeshow
ABA Community Bankers Conference
SCBA Community Bankers Conference
Emerging Leaders Visit SC State House
SCBA Membership at a Glance
Welcome New Preferred Vendor
Welcome New Associate Members
Personal Transactions
Banking News
SCBA Staff
President & CEO Fred L. Green III
Chief Operating Officer Richards H. Green
Senior Vice President Carolyn L. Bradley
Senior Vice President E. Anne Gillespie
Senior Vice President & General
A. O’Neil Rashley, Jr., Esq. Controller Israel D. Reeves
Communications & Engagement Diane Krell
Administrative Assistant ..................... Bonnie E. Nelson
The Palmetto Banker is a publication of the South Carolina Bankers Association. The magazine exists to serve its members by communicating news of interest, education and SCBA activities.
Items from members are welcome, however the editor reserves the right to refuse copy. With the exception of official announcements, the SCBA disclaims responsibility for opinions expressed and statements made in articles published in the Palmetto Banker.
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SCBA’S LEGACY
Fight for FAIR BANKING
As I wrap up the final segment covering the 125 year history of the South Carolina Bankers Association (Pages 12-15), my source of information is past Palmetto Banker magazines. Reviewing these older magazines also gave me an opportunity to include interesting photos that I’ll call “blasts from the past,” and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have.
Reviewing 60+ years of Palmetto Banker magazines reminded me how different and unique our last edition was. We have never taken this approach in the past primarily because we never needed to expand the awareness of what certain legislation is really about. The front cover was intended to draw attention to harmful and, quite honestly, offensive legislation that had recently been introduced. My President’s Message detailed the attempt of nine highly profitable, $1 Billion+ asset credit unions to change South Carolina’s laws, allowing them to accept public deposits.
To see online version go to: scbankers.org/palmetto-banker and the
Recognizing there is always a time delay between printing and distributing our magazine, a lot of things could change from the time this article was written and the time you are able to read it. Let me give a quick update at this point in time.
A sub-committee of the Senate Banking committee took up the Senate’s bill on March 19. With brief testimony from both sides, the committee voted to not move the bill forward. We sent out an update the same day to our members with additional details. With that action, the subcommittee ensured there was no time left this year to continue consideration of the bill in the Senate.
The House could schedule a sub-committee meeting to take up the House bill. If so, we will update our members before and after the committee meeting. What is important now is for all of our bankers to continue the conversations with our House AND Senate members. We’ve made great progress to date but will need to
Fred L. Green III, President & CEO South Carolina Bankers Association
continue our efforts for the remainder of this year and next. It is primarily an awareness campaign. I can’t imagine any of our legislators supporting the bill once they are aware of the facts.
The “silver lining” in this legislation is that it has given us the opportunity to explain the business model of credit unions to the entire General Assembly. We learned that most legislators didn’t know credit unions pay $0 in state and federal income tax. Most didn’t know credit unions are not subject to the Community Reinvestment Act, which requires banks to support every community they serve. Most didn’t know credit unions don’t have to comply with the South Carolina Consumer Protection Code. And most didn’t realize all of these benefits allow the largest ones to be highly profitable, much more so than banks.
Will credit unions eventually be forced to pay income taxes and be subject to the same regulations as banks? I think the more they attempt to expand their powers, and with greater exposure and awareness with state and federal lawmakers this might eventually happen.
For example, traditional Savings and Loans were tax exempt until the laws changed in the 1950s. What was the tipping point then? Maybe high levels of profitability, without paying their fair share of income tax.
Let me conclude by saying that as I reviewed 125 years of history of SCBA, I didn’t find one example where the SCBA advocated legislation that solely benefited the banking industry. There have been countless times, though, that SCBA advocated for legislative change that benefit customers, communities, and our state.
Please continue to expand this awareness and expose the misinformation this group promotes. Thanks to the entire banking community for your energetic efforts and together we can influence the proper outcome.
A. O’Neil Rashley, Jr., Esq. Senior Vice President and General Counsel South Carolina Bankers Association
Meet Our House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee Chairman: Representative William G. “Bill” Herbkersman
As a successful real estate developer in Beaufort County and Bluffton, Rep. Bill Herbkersman has long understood the importance of banks and having strong, trusting relationships with bankers. Such relationships made him a leader in the dramatic growth and success of Bluffton. Now, as the new chairman of the House Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee, he will oversee legislation that helps keep South Carolina’s banks healthy and competitive in order to help many like Rep. Herbkersman that are dedicated to improving their communities.
Chairman Herbkersman was elected as the state representative for District 118 in Bluffton in 2002 and served as the chairman of the Health and Human Services subcommittee of the House Ways and Means committee for many years. In December of 2024, he was unanimously chosen to be the new chairman of the Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee.
The Labor, Commerce and Industry committee is one of the most influential committees in the House as it oversees legislation concerning banking, utilities, insurance, real estate, and many licensed industries and practices. Herbkersman’s start as the chairman has been quick and productive as the committee has passed important bills such as the South Carolina Energy Security Act that addresses South Carolina’s future energy needs by increasing affordable, reliable
electric generation capacity while protecting our natural resources; and, the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act that overhauls the regulatory process by requiring state agencies to thoroughly review all regulations and to eliminate unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
His leadership in Bluffton’s growth and as an elected official has led him to appreciate that it is not only strong relationships with bankers that fuel an economy, but also fair and non-burdensome legislation and regulations that keep banks healthy, allowing them to serve their communities. As such, Chairman Herbkersman is firmly committed to ensuring that his committee will only pass positive legislation for banking and be sure that non-competitive measures do not move forward.
Rep. Herbkersman has lived in Bluffton for 35 years, raising his children there. His development of the Calhoun Street Promenade in Old Town Bluffton, a popular dining and shopping destination that employs over 300 local residents, is one of his top achievements. Outside of his work as a legislator and a businessman, Rep. Herbkersman has for many years flown relief missions to provide support to those who suffered damage from hurricanes, including Katrina, Dorian and Helene. He is also a recipient of the Green Tie Award from the Conservation Voters of South Carolina for his work in conserving the Lowcountry way of life with green spaces and clean water ways.
Community leadership as a successful businessman, dedicated elected official, and supporter of charitable causes in Bluffton, has made Rep. Bill Herbkersman one of South Carolina’s top community builders and leaders. Now, as chairman of the Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee he is committed to legislation that will advance all of South Carolina and keep South Carolina’s banks strong and competitive.
2025 Legislative Reception Honoring the First Regular Session of the 126th General Assembly State of South Carolina t U esday , J an U ary 14, 2025
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COLLIN MACKIE
125th Anniversary
125 YEARS OF PROGRESS:
Embracing Change While Cherishing Tradition
by Fred Green, President and CEO, South Carolina Bankers Association
This last segment celebrating our 125th year anniversary brings us through a period of rapid branch expansion, the introduction of technology, mergers and acquisitions, and new bank formations.
In1960, there were 145 banks in South Carolina. In 1974, there were 91. During this same period of consolidation, bank branches expanded tremendously from 292 to 639.
Technology was also introduced that would allow for alternative delivery of services. C&S National Bank of SC introduced the first ATM in 1977 called the “Financial Wizard.” It was five years before another bank opened an ATM.
In 1980, it became clear in the banking industry that geographical barriers could not remain in place for long. At that point, all banks were prohibited from crossing state lines. Instead of full interstate banking that we have today, the first step was to create a regional compact wherein states agreed to reciprocate with each other that would exclude banks from outside the region.
By early 1984, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida passed legislation adopting interstate reciprocity among these four states after a oneyear waiting period. The action started as soon as the law went into effect.
My former bank, C&S National Bank of SC, was a good example of what happened. The bank passed the $1billion asset milestone in 1980 after being in business 100 years. It only took four more years to get to $2 billion and only two more to reach $3 billion. Like the other larger SC banks, C&S had expanded through acquisitions and de novo branching. C&S of Georgia, unrelated to C&S South Carolina, consummated their acquisition in 1986. That same year, First Union acquired Southern Bank and Trust and Bankers Trust merged into North Carolina National Bank. Earlier in 1984, the other two large
SC banks, South Carolina National and First National merged together under the SCN banner, SCN later merged into Wachovia.
Today, those five large legacy SC banks are part of Bank America and Wells Fargo.
These bank mergers in the mid-80’s created a surge of new small banks founded by executives who had left the larger institutions. In 1987, alone, 18 banks opened or were in formation. Past Chairman of the SCBA, Thornwell Dunlap at Countybank, expressed concern about the proliferation of banks. He pointed out that SC had more banking facilities per capita than any other state. He said, “anytime you have an excess you’re bound to have a contraction somewhere down the road.” His comments proved to be prophetic.
Historically, banks and savings and loans (S&Ls) had different business models. The S&Ls focused on single-family residential portfolio loans funded by fixed rate time deposits. In 1984 the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act deregulated the S&Ls giving them the same powers as banks in loan and deposit products. At the same time of deregulations, there was no change in supervision. Many jumped into commercial real estate development lending without proper training, experience, and supervision. These factors created the S&L Crisis when approximately 1/3 of the S&Ls in the US failed between 1986-1995.
In SC, the S&Ls had their association called the Community Financial Institutions of South Carolina (CFISC). In 1997 I was honored to be elected Treasurer of the SCBA. Being naïve, I asked some of the past-chairs why there were two different trade associations. With the common mission of political advocacy, training, and professional development it was obvious to me that the two trade associations would be stronger if combined. I was told there was no way the S&Ls would ever consider merging into the SCBA.
Not taking no for an answer, I called the CFISC’s Chair-Elect, John Troutman, who I knew well from our time together at C&S. John also saw the wisdom of combining the two associations. John and I penciled out a structure and met with both board chairs to finalize the merger which closed in late 1997.
The economic cycles of expansion and contraction always impact banking, but the 2008 Financial Crisis, also known as the Great Recession, impacted banking like no other time since the Great Depression. From 2008–2012, 465 banks failed in the US. South Carolina fared better than most states, but we still had 9 bank failures. The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was a $700 billion program created by the US government in 2008 to help stabilize the financial system during the Great Recession. Although criticized by the news media, TARP did help calm the fears of depositors while stabilizing the banking industry.
In 2012, an Icon of the SC banking industry and my predecessor, Lloyd Hendricks, retired from his role as President and CEO of the SCBA. As a life-long banker, Lloyd served for 25 years leading the SCBA and the SC banking industry through periods of significant change. His retirement celebration was held during the 112th SCBA Annual Convention at The Cloister at Sea Island. The full capacity crowd of bankers was a testimony to Lloyd’s contributions, friendships, impact, and popularity among the South Carolina banking community.
In October 2012, the SC Department of Revenue announced they were a victim of a massive cyberattack that gave access to every tax return filed over several years, 3.6 million Social Security numbers, and bank account information on all the filings. It was reported in national media as “the mother of all data breaches.” Recognizing the huge potential for fraudulent transactions through compromised checking accounts, we began meeting with the Governor’s staff and other state agencies so that the banking industry could be part of the solution. The SCBA sued the State of South Carolina to get information on each bank’s compromised account numbers, and set up an early reporting system called Canary that would allow one compromised bank to alert all others of any fraudulent activity. Fortunately, thirteen years later there has never been a reported fraud in a single SC bank checking account as a result of the data breach.
Fred L. Green III, 1980
Fleetwood S. Hassell, 1984
Michael C. Crapps, 1981
Boyd B. Jones, 1986
Fred D. Antley, 1975
Tim Koch, 1987
J. Ted Nissen, 1985
Sharon W. Bryant, 1986
In March 2020, the world changed again with the COVID outbreak. No one knew what to expect, but very quickly the entire country went into lockdown mode. On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act. On March 31, the Treasury issued guidance for the Payroll Protection Program that went live on April 3. There were many fits and starts, but bankers persevered and began working 24/7 shifts to help their small business customers get their PPP loan submitted for approval from the SBA.Less than two weeks later the entire allocation of PPP funds was exhausted, and the SBA stopped accepting applications. Our bankers had thousands of customer applications that were not able to be processed. However, Congress approved a second allocation that went live on April 27. Once again, the SBA system crashed. Our bankers, though, persevered again, started back the 24/7 shifts and eventually were able to take care of all their customers applying for a PPP loan.
Our South Carolina banks closed almost $6 billion in PPP loans in a little over 90 days. We helped 63,000 small business customers survive, which allowed them to continue to pay their employees. These loans helped maintain and protect over 650,000 South Carolina jobs representing 25% of the entire workforce in our state.
Of course, there have been many more major changes in our industry over the 125 years since the SCBA formed. These events created both challenges and opportunities for our industry. Looking back over this span of time, the SCBA changed and adapted to the needs of its members.
In the early days of the SCBA, there was an emphasis on education, training, and professional development. The original conduit for educational services for bankers was the AIB. In 1962, the SCBA board of directors charged management with developing a South Carolina focused educational and professional development program, which created the South Carolina Bankers School. Jimmy Clarkson, a retired banker and Bankers School instructor, shared a photo of the first graduating class that included his father. Since formation, over 3,000 bankers have graduated from the South Carolina Bankers School.
Another initiative in professional development was introduced in 1955 with the formation of the Young Bankers Division, now called Emerging Leaders. In March, the Emerging Leaders Division celebrated its 70th year anniversary. Over the years there have been countless numbers of senior bank leaders that benefited from the friends and connections made by participating in our Emerging Leaders Division.
The first class to graduate from SCBS in 1962. Jimmy Clarkson’s father, J. B. Clarkson, Jr., is pictured second from left on fourth row.
Neal Anderson, David Elliott, and Andy Altman at the 1981 Young Bankers Conference
Steve Chryst and Doug Yeates at the 1982 Young Bankers Conference
Thornwell Dunlap, 1988
Benita E. Lefft, 1994
R. Arthur Seaver, Jr., 1989
After the period of significant acquisitions of SC banks from out-of-state banks, the membership was concerned that the smaller, independent community bankers would not have a voice in the activities of the SCBA. In 1994, another mentor of mine and past Chair of the SCBA, Bill Pherigo, helped form the Community Bankers Division to ensure the community bankers always had significant input in the direction of the SCBA. The Community Bankers Division is as strong today as ever. Each year we have 2-3 peer group meetings throughout the state and gather for a 2 day, well attended conference preceding our Legislative Reception to discuss issues unique to community banks. (See page 22)
As I wrap up this last article on our 125th year anniversary, I conclude by saying how proud I am to have devoted my 46 year career to the South Carolina banking community. It Is amazing what our industry has been able to do to help improve the quality of life in our county, our state, and our communities. I hope that all our bankers that read these articles share the same pride as I do on our ability to innovate, evolve, contribute, and remain relevant for our future.
Anne Gillespie promoted to SCBA Administrative Vice President in 1981.
125thAnniversary Embracing Change
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
The SC Bankers Association Annual Convention & Tradeshow at The Cloister, Sea Island, GA
This year, the South Carolina Bankers Association will celebrate a historic milestone—its 125th annual convention at The Cloister on Sea Island, Georgia, a destination known for its elegance, natural beauty, world-class amenities, and legendary service.
A D estin A tion L ike n o o ther
Sea Island, Georgia, is more than just a resort destination; it’s an experience. The private island’s natural beauty, coupled with its rich history, provides the perfect backdrop for a convention of this magnitude. Likewise, The Cloister is more than just a convention venue—it is a retreat that offers a host of world-class amenities designed to ensure every guest has an exceptional experience. From luxurious accommodations to top-tier dining options, The Cloister provides everything one could desire for a memorable stay. The resort’s rooms and suites are designed to reflect the natural beauty and serenity of
Change While Cherishing Tradition
Sea Island, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding lush landscapes. For relaxation and rejuvenation, guests can visit The Cloister’s award-winning spa, which offers a range of treatments and services. Additionally, the resort features a variety of recreational activities such as tennis, golf, shooting, water sports, and nature excursions, providing ample opportunities to unwind and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.
F e A ture D s pe A kers
This year’s convention will celebrate the association’s legacy of embracing change while cherishing tradition. The business sessions will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each offering insights valuable to bank leaders:
Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Tom serves on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee, and is also responsible for the Richmond Fed’s bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization.
Dr.
Melissa Furman, Owner and Founder of Career Potential, LLC
Dr. Furman’s expertise includes generational diversity, unconscious bias, leadership success, and emotional intelligence. She brings her background in higher education—particularly business, counseling, and psychology—to the conversation to help individuals and organizations achieve success.
Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association
Rob leads the only association that represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice of the 24 trillion-dollar banking industry in Washington.
Several exciting activities will be featured throughout the event, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Golf Tournament
Held on the challenging links-style Seaside Course, host to the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic, this tournament offers participants a chance to experience one of the most scenic and challenging courses in the region. The course’s stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding marshlands will make for a memorable day of golf, networking, and friendly competition.
Sporting Clays Tournament
For those seeking an active and exciting outdoor experience, the sporting clays tournament is sure to be a highlight. Set at Sea Island’s world-class shooting facilities, this event offers a fun and competitive environment for both novice and expert shooters. Participants can enjoy the beautiful scenery while testing their skills in a relaxed yet challenging setting.
Prayer Breakfast with Dustin Colquitt
Pickleball Tournament
The rising popularity of pickleball makes it an exciting addition to the convention’s special events. This friendly yet competitive tournament will appeal to participants of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball player or a newcomer to the sport, the tournament promises an engaging and fun experience.
The annual prayer breakfast will feature former NFL player Dustin Colquitt. Colquitt, known for his career as a punter with the Kansas City Chiefs, will share his inspiring story of faith.
Black-tie Gala Celebration
The 125th anniversary celebration wouldn’t be complete without an elegant and unforgettable evening gala. Hosted in the grand ballroom of The Cloister, guests will enjoy a lively evening of dining, dancing, and entertainment as they reflect on the association’s remarkable 125-year history and celebrate its bright future.
Register today to secure your spot at Sea Island—once again awarded three Forbes Five-Stars for The Cloister, The Lodge, and The Spa. Deadline to register with SCBA and get your link for special hotel reservations is MAY 19, 2025. Please contact Anne Gillespie for Tradeshow information at agillespie@scbankers.org or call 803.779.0850
Embracing Change While Cherishing Tradition
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“
Attending the ABA Conference for Community Bankers as Chair of the Community Bankers Council was truly time well spent for all involved — bankers, vendors, and ABA staff alike. The content was relevant, engaging, and insightful, providing valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry. Beyond the sessions, the networking opportunities with peers and the chance to explore innovative solutions from vendors in the marketplace made the experience even more worthwhile. Investing time and resources in this conference is an investment in the future of community banking.
— Jennifer Jones, President and CEO
CBL State Savings Bank
Chair, ABA Community Bankers Council
Chair, South Carolina Bankers Association
Community Bankers Unite:
ABA Conference in Phoenix with Chair Jennifer Jones
Last month, the American Bankers Association (ABA) hosted its Conference for Community Bankers in Phoenix, welcoming community bankers from across the nation. The event commenced with an inspiring address from Jennifer Jones, Chair of the ABA Community Bankers Council and President and CEO of CBL State Savings Bank.
Jones was elected to the ABA board of directors in 2024, marking a significant achievement shortly after her appointment as Chair of the Community Bankers Council. These accomplishments highlight her commitment to advocating for banks as they strive to meet the needs of their customers, clients, and communities.
Established in 1981, the Community Bankers Council consists of bank presidents and CEOs from across the country. The Council strategizes on government relations issues, banking trends, and competitive priorities, offering guidance to the ABA on various community banking matters.
As its leader, Jones represents the collective voice of the Council on Capitol Hill, at conferences, and in high-level industry meetings.
“Small community banks like ours face unique challenges and opportunities, and I’m passionate about ensuring our voices are heard and represented,” Jones emphasizes.
“The chance to support the ABA’s mission and contribute to the industry’s future motivated me to pursue this role.”
The Community Bankers Council actively serves as the “eyes and ears” for community
bankers at local and state levels. Jones identifies workforce development and technological advancement as two key priorities for the Council.
“We’re committed to attracting new talent and retaining the incredible employees already in our banks,” she explains. “This involves creating pathways for college students to learn about banking careers early on, helping them understand how impactful and rewarding a career in banking can be.”
“Moreover, we aim to keep community banking relevant and vibrant by embracing innovations that enable us to serve our customers and communities effectively. It’s about preserving our community-focused values while adapting to the rapidly evolving expectations of today’s customers.”
During her three-year term on the ABA board, Jones is focused on advocating for policies that protect small banks from being overwhelmed by excessive regulatory pressure and rising costs imposed by third-party vendors.
“Community banks play a crucial role in their local economies, yet we too often face regulatory expectations that don’t align with our scale,” she says. “Additionally, vendor costs can be disproportionately high for smaller banks, hindering our competitive edge. We must unite to discover solutions that support community banks in remaining resilient and independent.”
2025 COMMUNITY BANKERS CONFERENCE
Monday January 13, 2025 – Tuesday January 14, 2025
Hilton Columbia Center | Columbia, SC
The SCBA’s Community Bankers Conference serves as a vital gathering for community bankers and associates, offering an opportunity for collaboration and learning amidst the unique challenges and opportunities faced by community banks today. This year’s conference once again proved invaluable, featuring a lineup of expert speakers and panelists who addressed pressing topics relevant to the current banking landscape. Attendees engaged in educational presentations covering critical issues such as artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, mail theft, check fraud, economic trends, the political climate, and key regulatory updates. With a focus on enhancing knowledge and fostering connections, the conference remains an essential event for those committed to the success of community banking.
Our next Community Bankers Regional Peer Group meeting will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at The George Hotel in Georgetown’s historic district, 615 Front Street. We hope to see you there!
SCBA Community Bankers Division Board of Directors:
CHAIRMAN
R. Scott Plyler
South Atlantic Bank, Murrells Inlet
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Michael E. Edens
First Reliance Bank, Columbia
DIRECTORS
Phillip Y. Anderson
HomeTrust Bank, Charleston
Vaughan R. Dozier, Jr.
First Community Bank, Lexington
Scott M. Frierson
Southern Bank, Greenville
Kenneth M. Harper Countybank, Greenville
William J. Holmes
First Carolina Bank, Columbia
Joseph S. Kassim
First Capital Bank, Charleston
S. Alexis Matthews
The Peoples Bank, Anderson
Donald W. Snipes Enterprise Bank of SC, Ehrhardt
Eugene H. Walpole IV
The Bank of South Carolina, Charleston
South Carolina State House Visit 2.26.25
In the realm of political advocacy, the synergy between leadership development and effective grassroots engagement is undeniable. This combination was showcased during our recent visit to the South Carolina State House on February 26, where our Emerging Leaders connected directly with key figures in the General Assembly. The morning was filled with insightful discussions alongside influential leaders, including Chairman Bill Herbkersman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and Senator Ronnie Cromer, Chair of Banking and Insurance. The experience was further elevated by the honor of being introduced from the State House balcony as we observed the legislative process in action. Special thanks to all who made this invaluable learning opportunity possible for our Emerging Leaders.
South Carolina Banking Institutions
Total number of Banks in S.C. Institutions headquartered in S.C. Institutions headquartered out of S.C.
S.C. Total Deposits
Total Deposits for out-of-state banks
Total Deposits for S.C. headquartered banks
Total number of bank offices in S. C.
South Carolina Headquartered Banks
Banks with over $1 billion in deposits
Total S.C. deposits for these banks
Banks with deposits greater than $500 million and less than $1 billion
Total S.C. Deposits for these banks
Banks with deposits less than $500 million
Total S.C. Deposits for these banks
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
2025 SOUTH CAROLINA BANKERS SCHOOL
July 13-18
The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina
FIRST YEAR: Foundation
• Analyzing Bank Financial Performance
• Business Development & Client Engagement
• Credit Portfolio Management
• Cybersecurity
• Understanding Digital Transformation in Banking
• Economics/Money and Banking
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Navigating Your Career
• Sources of Non-Interest Income
• Tax Return Analysis
• Team Building
• Understanding CAMELS Ratings/ Working with Regulators
SECOND YEAR: Application
• Asset/Liability Management
• Capital Planning/Strategic Thinking
• Commercial Lending
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• Economic Outlook
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• Employment Law 101
• Intro to BankExec
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• Principles of Lending for Non-Lenders
• Treasury Management and Mitigating Fraud
• Troubled Assets
• Understanding Bank Financial Statements
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• BankExec
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• Managing IRR and Liquidity Risk in the Current Environment
• Political and Social Advocacy for Banking
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– Compliance Hub Member Testimonials
DID YOU KNOW?
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NEXT STEPS
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Welcome
We are fortunate to have an active and engaged roster of Associate members and proudly welcome these new members:
Cadence Bank
One Mississippi Plaza 201 South Spring Street Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 680-2000 cadencebank.com
Mr. Brad Durham Managing Director
Financial Institutions Group 530 S Carrier Parkway Grand Prairie, TX 75051 (817) 913-9488
brad.durham@cadencebank.com
Cyber Solutions Inc.
299 East Greenville Street Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 224-0008 discovercybersolutions.com
Mr. Draper Donley
Chief Revenue Officer
299 East Greenville Street Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 824-9423 ddonley@cybsolutions.com
Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and over 350 branch locations across the South and Texas. Cadence provides a full suite of correspondent banking solutions including: FI Checking Accounts, FI Interest Bearing Accounts, Fed Funds Lines of Credit, Foreign Currency Sales, Foreign Exchange, Loan Syndication Participations, Wire Transfers (Domestic and International), Real Estate Capital Markets, Loan Participations Purchased and Sold, ACH Origination, Account Reconcilement, Image Cash Letter, Enhanced Information Reporting, Automated Sweeps, and Lockbox Services (Wholesale and Retail, both Direct and Third Party).
Cyber Solutions provides advanced cybersecurity and co-managed IT services tailored to protect sensitive data and enhance IT operations. Their expertise includes vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and proactive threat management to address risks before they impact your business. They also offer comprehensive Office 365 support, from migrations and setup to ongoing management, ensuring seamless collaboration and productivity for your team. The co-managed IT model strengthens internal IT teams with expert guidance and resources, enabling them to tackle complex challenges effectively. With services like disaster recovery, Zero Trust security models, and compliance management, Cyber Solutions delivers customized solutions to safeguard critical systems and help businesses confidently navigate the everchanging cybersecurity landscape.
Integris 940 Arroyo Street San Angelo, TX 76903 (888) 330-8808 integrisit.com
Mr. Cameron “Cam”Loughery FID Business Development Representative 3565 Piedmont Road NE Bldg. 2 Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 432-9020 cameron.loughery@integrisit.com
Integris is a premium, national managed IT services provider specializing in Managed IT Support, Cybersecurity, Hosting, and Strategic IT Guidance. Committed to excellence, the Integris Financial Institution Division delivers tailored IT strategies that align seamlessly with your financial institution’s goals. In today’s complex banking landscape, their expertise ensures compliance, secures your data, and strengthens your overall cybersecurity posture. With decades of industry experience, Integris is dedicated to enhancing your institution’s profitability and operational efficiency while protecting your most critical assets.
Palmetto State Growth Fund, Inc. 1201 Main Street, Suite 1745 Columbia, SC 29201 (843) 441-9100 palmettosgf.com
Mr. James L. “Jimmy” Pate Program Manager 1201 Main Street, Suite 1745 Columbia, SC 29201 (843) 441-9100 jpate@palmettosgf.com
Palmetto State Growth Fund is an independent economic development nonprofit with a mission to promote small business growth in South Carolina. They use their capital in partnership with banks, other lenders and equity providers to make small business financing more accessible and affordable. Their loan participation programs allow lenders to offer more favorable borrowing terms than are typically available otherwise. They also rely on the lender’s underwriting criteria which eliminates additional processing time. Palmetto State Growth Fund’s programs are straightforward, and they respond to partner requests promptly.
Pintail
24 Cleveland Street Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 729-4500 pintailcre.com
Mrs. Lee Anne Scales Director of Growth 24 Cleveland Street Greenville, SC 29601 (864)-430-1057 leeanne@pintailcre.com
Pintail is a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Greenville, SC. Since forming in 2015, Pintail has quickly become one of the most highly respected commercial real estate groups in the Southeast, transacting on over $1billion to date for clients across ten states and five different countries. Team Pintail provides expertise that spans five areas of service: brokerage, capital markets, development, industrial solutions and property services. By leveraging the talents of their intentionally curated team of CRE professionals, and building meaningful relationships, Pintail is able to turn a single transaction into a trusted, long-lasting partnership, focused on meeting each client’s unique goals.
With all of the evolving financial industry changes, we are thankful for business alliances that meet our members’ needs. The SCBA is dedicated to supporting and promoting cutting-edge industry providers to our member banks.
For more information about Associate Membership, please contact SCBA Senior Vice President, Carolyn Laffitte Bradley by email at carolynbradley@scbankers.org.
We are currently working on an integrated, searchable associate member directory that will be accessible to members through our website. Stay tuned for more information!
In addition to publishing public notices and legal advertisements in your local newspaper, notices from all S.C. newspapers are now also available online, free of charge and in one convenient location.
SCPublicNotices.com is designed to help citizens and businesses know more about the actions of local, county and state government and the courts.
ANDERSON BROTHERS BANK
Darrell Campbell has been appointed vice president of operations within the Dealer Services Department.
Jody R. Lambert has been appointed vice president of systems and administration within the Dealer Services Department.
Alan S. Krensavage has joined as the new collections manager for Dealer Services.
FIRST COMMUNITY BANK
Sarah Donley has been been named executive vice president and chief operations & risk officer. She succeeds retiring Tanya Butts who has served in this role since 2016, and will continue as executive vice president and senior adviser through the first quarter of 2025.
PALMETTO STATE BANK
Kelly S. Crawford has been named chief financial officer and senior vice president.
Jan M. Malinowski has retired and L. Andrew “Andy” Westbrook, III was named president and CEO effective January 1, 2025.
Othniel W. Laffitte has joined Palmetto State Bank as Greenville Market Executive.
Ted Malinowski has joined Palmetto State Bank as Charleston Market Executive.
SOUTHERN FIRST BANK
Blair Miller has been appointed chief retail experience officer and executive vice president.
Elizabeth Burwell has been named 2025 board chair for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
THE CITIZENS BANK
Dalton Coursey has been promoted to banking officer in Florence.
Ross Johnson has been named Credit Administrator and has moved from Hartsville to Florence, Palmetto Street location.
Lindsey Mullis has been promoted to banking officer.
Paul Robbins has been promoted to senior vice president.
Denise Tedder has been promoted to assistant vice president.
Sherry Weaver has been promoted to assistant vice president.
Tanya Yow has been promoted to vice president.
Ted Malinowski
Kelly S. Crawford
Alan S. Krensavage
Othniel W. Laffitte
Darrell Campbell
Jody R. Lambert
Blair Miller Elizabeth Burwell
L. Andrew “Andy” Westbrook, III
ANDERSON BROTHERS BANK
Anderson Brothers Bank participated in the P2PSC Career Expo at Myrtle Beach Convention Center, giving 8th grade students a thrilling peek into finance while teaching them valuable real-world financial skills. Every Middle school in Horry and Georgetown county was there.
HOMETRUST BANK
HomeTrust Bank rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, February 24, 2025. To honor the occasion of transferring the listing of its common stock from the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) to the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”) and trading under a new ticker symbol “HTB,” Hunter Westbrook, President and CEO, rang The Opening Bell® along with members of HomeTrust Bank’s Board of Directors and Executive Management team.
“This day is a significant milestone in our journey,” said Westbrook. “HomeTrust set a goal to continue growing as a high-performing regional community bank with the strategy of creating a ‘Best Place to Work’ for our team of dedicated professionals. We have achieved both in recent years which made the move to the New York Stock Exchange right for the Bank, our communities, and our employees who are all stockholders. In joining the world’s largest stock exchange, we believe leveraging the NYSE trading platform will provide greater exposure for our Company and long-term value for our stockholders.”
SOUTHSTATE BANK
SouthState Bank Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, Jeff Manning was in two first grade classrooms at Brennen Elementary School teaching “Families Lessons” as part of Junior Achievement’s financial literacy efforts.
Pictured (left to right), Top Row: Gray Meredith, Collier Schettig, Victoria Rodriguez, and Marco Anaya. Bottom Row: Jaclyn Bost, Jessica Buttles, and Brandi Curtis
Celebrating our 30th year of excellence alongside SCBA's 125th year anniversary. With a specialty in accounting and advisory services for banks, Scott and Company has been in the South Carolina business community for thirty years, providing extreme value to our clients through tax, audit, accounting, and consulting services.
Calendar of Events
April
Women in Banking Leadership Symposium
TUESDAY 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
May
6
2
This Symposium will feature a strong lineup of accomplished businesswomen who will help women bankers be more effective leaders and bankers. The program will broaden awareness and knowledge of key industry issues, as well as inspire and empower from stories of success and experience, with plenty of time to network with peers from across the state.
LOCATION: Hilton Columbia Center 924 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201
30
Asset Liability Management Conference
WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
This program will benefit bankers who manage daily financial risk management challenges in the asset liability arena.
LOCATION: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Columbia Downtown/The Vista 511 Lady Street Columbia, SC 29201
21 1 -
6
Spring Compliance Conference
TUESDAY 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
THIS INFORMATIVE SESSION WILL BENEFIT:
• All regulatory compliance management and personnel
• Deposit and retail compliance management
• Mortgage loan officers
• Loan processing and closing staff
• Mortgage quality-control staff
• Underwriters
• Auditors.
LOCATION: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Columbia Downtown/The Vista 511 Lady St., Columbia, SC 29201
Community Bankers Regional Peer Group Meeting
TUESDAY 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
The mission of the Community Bankers Division of SCBA is to understand and address the unique needs of community banks in South Carolina. We invite community bankers from across the State to join us to network and learn from your peers. Participation is not limited to bankers from the Coastal Region.
LOCATION: The George Hotel 615 Front Street Georgetown, SC 29440
Trust and Wealth Management Conference
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
This Conference is designed for wealth management and trust professionals, focusing on topics like technology, planning, asset management, trust administration, risk management, and relationship management, with opportunities for networking and learning.
LOCATION: Columbia, SC
June
MONDAY 3:00 PM –THURSDAY 12:00 PM 23 -
26
SCBA Annual Convention and Trade Show
July
13 -
The South Carolina Bankers School (SCBS)
SUNDAY 11:00 AM –FRIDAY 12:30 PM
Celebrate the 125th anniversary of the South Carolina Bankers Association at The Cloister at Sea Island, consistently rated as one of the top resorts in the world. This spectacular seaside resort will be the perfect venue for SCBA’s line-up of speakers, trade show vendors and enlightening business sessions. The program will have two full days of educational opportunities for bankers, directors and associate members.
In addition to the trade show and insightful business sessions, there will be time for golf, pickleball, and sporting clays tournaments! The Convention will conclude with a special black tie gala anniversary celebration!
LOCATION: The Cloister at Sea Island 100 Cloister Drive Sea Island, GA 31561
18
The SCBS offers general educational experiences in many phases of banking. Students are expected to be junior- and mid-management-level officers or administrators. Throughout the three-year program, students are challenged to learn more about their responsibilities while preparing for future advancement. Students acquire a better knowledge of the total scope of their organizations and the role of the financial services industry in the economy. Though rigorous, the South Carolina Bankers School provides an informal atmosphere which allows students to respond in an enthusiastic manner to the classroom instruction. Even though the schedule and work are demanding, the School provides time for building relationships through socialization outside of the classroom.
LOCATION: The Darla Moore School University of South Carolina 1014 Greene Street Columbia, SC 29208
