First Community Bank recognized for outstanding lending services to small businesses

First Community Bank was recently recognized as the number one third-party lender at the South Carolina Salute to Small Business. The event takes place annually during National Small Business Week and is a collaboration of the U.S. Small Business Administration, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Department of Commerce, South Carolina Small Business Development Center, and South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Soon after, First Community Bank received the Top Participating Lender Award for the SC State Small Business Credit Initiative Loan Participation Program during the annual meeting of the Business Development Corporation (BDC) and the Certified Development Corporation (CDC). Established by the South Carolina State Legislature in 1958, the BDC promotes business and industry within the state. It is a non-bank, commercial lending company that partners with financial institutions to finance small businesses unable to obtain financing through traditional lending sources. CDC is a private, non-profit corporation associated with BDC and designed to encourage economic development in South Carolina by working with the SBA and private sector lenders to aid small businesses looking to expand.

“With our focus on serving local businesses, we consider this a special honor to be recognized by these organizations working to make business growth possible across our state,” said First Community Bank President and CEO Mike Crapps. “We know access to capital is not only essential to the growth of local business, but also key to ensuring the stability and vibrancy of the communities we call home.”

First Community Bank

First Community Bank, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Lexington, South Carolina, is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Community Corporation (NASDAQ: FCCO). First Community is a full-service commercial bank offering deposit and loan products and services, residential mortgage lending, and financial planning/investment advisory services for businesses and consumers. First Community serves customers in the Midlands, Aiken, and Greenville, South Carolina, markets, as well as Augusta, Georgia. For more information on First Community Bank, visit www.firstcommunitysc.com.