Palmetto Citizens’ new headquarters marks transformational investment in downtown Columbia

May 14, 2026

Chris Terlinden and Robert Dozier from Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union; and Spencer Hutchinson and Doug Quackenbush from Quackenbush Architects

On Thursday, May 14, community leaders and media members got a sneak peek inside the progress of the credit union’s new headquarters project at the corner of Sumter and Lady streets during a hard-hat tour of the site.

The five-story, 100,000-square-foot building will be the largest office development in downtown Columbia in the past 15 years and represents a major milestone for the organization as it celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2026.

The new headquarters is especially significant because it is being constructed in the same section of downtown Columbia where the credit union first began in 1936.

“The new headquarters on Sumter Street is a generational and transformational move for Palmetto Citizens. We started right across the street nearly 90 years ago, and this new investment reflects both our commitment to downtown Columbia and our vision for where we’re going next. We believe this project will help transform Sumter Street and, by extension, all of downtown Columbia,” said Robert Dozier, president of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union.

Today, Palmetto Citizens serves more than 86,000 members and manages more than $1.4 billion in assets, making it one of South Carolina’s larger credit unions.

Construction on the new headquarters began with a groundbreaking ceremony in April 2025, and the project is expected to be completed in early 2027. The current Washington Street location, including the downtown branch, will remain open throughout construction.

Once complete, the facility will house administrative offices, an operations center and a downtown Columbia branch. Plans also include a 325-space parking garage, a ground-level restaurant space and meeting spaces designed for local nonprofits and community groups.

The project team includes several local industry leaders, including Quackenbush Architects + Planners, MB Kahn Construction and LCK. Colliers International is managing the leasing of the ground-level restaurant space.

Spencer Hutchinson, Quackenbush Architects; David Detwiler, LCK; and Doug Quackenbush, Quackenbush Architects

As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution, Palmetto Citizens provides personal and business banking services throughout the Midlands and beyond. Its services include checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, business banking and digital tools such as mobile banking and online account access. Membership begins with just a $5 savings deposit.

“We’re especially excited about the 6,100-square-foot restaurant space on the ground floor. There’s already strong interest because of the location—just steps from the South Carolina State House – and we believe it will add even more energy and vibrancy to the Sumter Street corridor,” Dozier said.

The organization is also preparing for continued regional growth. With an expanded charter now in place, Palmetto Citizens can serve eligible members across the region. Pending regulatory approval, the credit union plans to open four branch locations in Georgia later in 2026, marking its first expansion into new markets under the broader charter.

Community impact remains a major part of the organization’s mission. In 2025, 128 volunteers contributed 902 hours of service across 14 community organizations, while financial donations were made to 115 organizations. In total, $611,041 was invested back into the community.

The new headquarters is designed to continue that legacy — not only as a new home for Palmetto Citizens, but as a long-term investment in downtown Columbia and the communities it serves.