SCBT Introduces Mobile Banking

COLUMBIA, SC – November 5, 2009 – South Carolina Bank and Trust (SCBT) will introduce mobile banking for its online banking customers on November 5. 

Mobile banking is a free service that allows customers to have 24-hour access to their account from a mobile device.  Mobile banking allows consumers to monitor account balances and view transactions.  Customers can also transfer funds and make loan payments, as well as find locations and directions for all SCBT locations. 

Consumers today are more conscious of the costs and want to do their banking in the most convenient and efficient manner possible, said John Windley, president, SCBT.  Mobile banking allows customers to access their accounts anytime and anywhere. 

Over the past 10 years, banks have seen more and more customers move into online banking products.  In 2001, only 32.5% of families did their banking online.  In 2008, the number of households using the Internet had grown to 75% and is projected to increase to 76% by the end of 2009.  The Federal Reserve Board’s recent Survey of Consumer Finances showed that 59.7% of all families use the Internet for financial information or financial services.  When broken down by age group, the percentage was even higher.

Age of Head of Household                Percentage of Family
Less than 35                                               71.9%
35-44                                                            70.8
45-54                                                            69.1
55-64                                                            59.1
65-74                                                            40.3
75 or more                                                   16.5

This growing trend among consumers to do their banking electronically prompted SCBT to evaluate their services and determine ways to better meet the changing needs of their customers.  Additional information about SCBT’s mobile banking service can be found on www.SCBTonline.com. 

SCBT Financial Corporation, Columbia, South Carolina is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina.  The Company consists of SCBT, N.A., the third largest bank headquartered in South Carolina and NCBT, a Division of SCBT, N.A.   Providing financial services for over 75 years, SCBT Financial Corporation operates 49 financial centers in 16 South Carolina counties and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.   Named in Forbes as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America, SCBT Financial Corporation has assets of approximately $2.8 billion and its stock is traded under the symbol SCBT in the NASDAQ Global Select Market.  More information can be found at www.SCBTonline.com.