Sixty-three bankers graduate after three-year intensive program at South Carolina Bankers School

The South Carolina Bankers School (SCBS), hosted by the South Carolina Bankers Association, would like to recognize the graduates of the Class of 2025, who received their diplomas in a ceremony on July 17, 2025, thus ending the 63rd annual session of the prestigious School. The week long school was held at The Darla Moore School of Business at The University of South Carolina under the leadership of SCBS Chairman Robert P. Hucks II, Coastal Carolina National Bank, Conway.

SCBS was established in 1961 and is recognized as one of the best banking schools in the Southeast. SCBS is regarded as one of the best values available anywhere for investment of education dollars. Approximately 200 banking and finance professionals attend the school per session. Throughout a three-year progressive course of study, students are exposed to general educational experiences in the many phases of banking and are prepared for career advancement. Currently, over 3,500 students have graduated from the school.

The South Carolina Bankers School faculty is a blend of the best from the banking, professional and academic worlds. Faculty and curriculum are carefully evaluated by the SCBS Course Coordinators, Board of Directors, students and School Administrator to ensure that students receive the highest quality and most relevant instruction available. This review of the School continues to assist the personnel of banks in meeting the changing demands of the banking industry.

On Thursday evening, July 17, 63 students received their diplomas. The graduation was held Pastides Alumni Center at The University of South Carolina in Columbia. The graduates’ CEOs and other senior leadership were in attendance to celebrate their three-year accomplishment.

Another special part of the evening is recognizing the Lillie Magalis recipient. The Lillie H. Magalis Memorial Award is given each year to the graduate with the highest cumulative average for 3 years at the South Carolina Bankers School. Students receive grades on two examinations and four home study problems. All eight grades count one eighth each. The award recipient this year was Sara Ballhaussen of nCino, with an outstanding GPA of 98.1.

South Carolina Bankers School Class of 2025 Graduates:
Sara Ballhaussen, nCino
Mitchell J. Barr, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Emmanuel Boyd, Security Federal Bank
Allison Gore Brown, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Beverly Brumbach, Ameris Bank
Lindsey Gafford Cannon, SouthState Bank
John D. Cantey, First Palmetto Bank
Hunter William Carson, AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA
Michael Gordon Carter, Synovus
Ann Taylor Corontzes, SouthState Bank
Sophie Currin, nCino
Matt D’Andrea, United Community
Rebecca Davis, TD Bank, N.A.
Steven DeAngelis, First Community Bank
Garth Richard DeLong, Bank of the Lowcountry
Bhaumik Desai, United Community
Greg Fudacz, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Benjamen Fuller, First Citizens Bank
Margarita Stefania Gioldasis, Carolina Bank & Trust Co.
Jordan Goetzman, Queensborough National Bank & Trust
Barry S. Grubbs, SouthState Bank
Kaitlin E. Hall, First Bank
Cassidy Hastings, Anderson Brothers Bank
Justin P. Humrich, SouthState Bank
Benjamin J. Jones, Anderson Brothers Bank
Kelly M. Kidwell, Countybank
Brennan King, SouthState Bank
Ashley R. Lambert, Carolina Bank & Trust Co.
Parker H. Lee, The Bank of South Carolina
Elise Francis Merhej, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Edward E. Moore IV, First Citizens Bank
Betsy W. Mullinax, Bank of Travelers Rest
Michael Murphy, Synovus
Sandy O’Keefe, First Capital Bank
Stephanie C. Owens, SouthState Bank
Jonathan B. H. Peavey, Beacon Community Bank
Michael Pesce, The Conway National Bank
Douglas A. Phillips, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Ashley May Phillips, Coastal States Bank
John E. Quin, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Genka Raykova, Aon
Kyle Roberts, First Community Bank
Amanda Rochester, Bank of Travelers Rest
Malgorzata Rosafort, South Atlantic Bank
Ryan Benjamin Rouse , Anderson Brothers Bank
Zachary J. Sabback, Farmers & Merchants Bank of SC
Christopher J. Sanders, Synovus
Whitney Seabrook Schillerstrom, First Capital Bank
Joanna Slider, South Atlantic Bank
Lea C. Smith, Ameris Bank
Jessica Sofield, TD Bank, N.A.
Katie Sullivan, South Atlantic Bank
Jodi Taylor, United Bank
Cherié E. Tedder, SouthState Bank
Denise Tedder, The Citizens Bank
Terri Utter, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Michael White, Bank of Travelers Rest
Stephanie Hershberger Whitlock, Countybank
Calvin J. Wicker, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Kathlena N. Wilber, Coastal States Bank
Pam Williams, United Community
Tiffany H. Williams, United Community
Victoria Lindsey Winner, United Community

The South Carolina Bankers Association is committed to representing the common interests and welfare of the banking industry in South Carolina. Through providing professional development opportunities to its members and employees, the SCBA aims to serve as a reliable source of information and education while advocating for the industry’s needs in legislative and regulatory matters. For more information about the South Carolina Bankers Association and its initiatives, please visit www.scbankers.org.