Community Bankers Conference

The Community Bankers Division, chaired by Michael Edens of First Reliance Bank, hosted the revamped, re-energized Community Bankers Conference in Columbia. For the first time in SCBA history, the two day conference was held in January and concluded just before our Legislative Reception began, making it more convenient for bankers across South Carolina to attend while they were already in the capital city.

Our dynamic agenda resulted in a fantastic turnout. The Keynote speaker was Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Other speakers and topics included “Leading for Today and Tomorrow” by Dr. Melissa J. Furman, MS, DBA and Owner, Career Potential; “How The Federal Home Loan Bank Can Help Your Bank” by Sharon Cook, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and Scott Brennan, Senior Vice President and Director of Sales, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta; “Alternative Funding For Community Banks” by Omar Hinojosa, CFA, Managing Partner, HUB | Taylor Advisors; “U.S. Community Bank Outlook

As The Fed Fights Inflation” by Nathan Stovall, Principal Analyst and Director, FIG Research, S&P Global Market Intelligence; “SCBA Legislative Agenda” by Neil Rashley, Jr., Senior Vice President and Counsel Legislative and Regulatory, South Carolina Bankers Association; and, “Go Beyond The Branch With Embedded Banking Partnerships” by Danielle Eriksson, Director of Product Management, Apiture. The conference also included a “Community Bank CEO Panel” with Moderator: Fred L. Green III, President and CEO, South Carolina Bankers Association; Michael C. Crapps, President and CEO, First Community Bank and Past Chairman, South Carolina Bankers Association; Fleetwood S. Hassell, President and CEO, The Bank of South Carolina and Chairman, South Carolina Bankers Association; Jennifer T. Jones, President and CEO, CBL State Savings Bank and First Vice-Chair, South Carolina Bankers Association. Prior to adjournment, Jennifer Jones facilitated the “Community Bankers Round Table Discussions” and “Table Reports And Recaps.” Feedback from the event has been extremely positive and everyone seems to have left with a wealth of knowledge.