World Finance receives national awards for cultural excellence

  December 13, 2021

GREENVILLE, SC – World Finance, a people-focused finance company offering personal loans and tax prep services, announces its recent recognition as a national Top Workplaces recipient for Cultural Excellence in…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Countybank’s Marko Huttunen receives officer appointment

  December 9, 2021

Countybank announced that Marko Huttunen has been appointed Senior Vice President by the Countybank Board of Directors. Huttunen has more than 18 years of service with Countybank. He joined Countybank…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Countybank ranked top SBA 7(a) South Carolina-based lender

  December 7, 2021

The South Carolina District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration recently ranked Countybank No. 1 in total loan dollar volume for 2021 among all South Carolina-based SBA 7(a) lenders.…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, business-services, on-the-move

Countybank launches debit card donation swipe campaign

  December 1, 2021

Countybank is excited to announce the launch of its second annual debit card swipe campaign that results in contributions to local organizations through the Countybank Foundation. “As the holidays quickly…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, non-profit, on-the-move

S.C. a national leader on timely financial reporting

  November 29, 2021
Richard Eckstrom

By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller Each fall, my office releases the state’s financial report for the prior fiscal year. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, commonly called a CAFR, is a…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move, op-ed

Countybank adds new associate to SBA Lending Team

  November 9, 2021

Countybank welcomed Jordan Payne as Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer in Simpsonville. He will cover an expanded market, including Simpsonville, Mauldin, Woodruff, Spartanburg, Gaffney, and Rock Hill. Payne comes…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Choosing a Guardian for Your Minor Child

  October 29, 2021

By Laird W. Green, CFP® While no one wants to think about the possibility of not being there to raise a child, naming a guardian for your child is of…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz   Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, law, on-the-move

Southern First reports results for third quarter 2021

  October 26, 2021

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three- and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2021. “The third quarter was…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

5 Steps for Holiday Budgeting Success

  October 12, 2021

World Finance offers simple tips to take the stress out of holiday expenses It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you know what that means? It may not…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Countybank’s Wells Dunlap transitions to Greenville market

  October 5, 2021

Countybank announced that Rufus Thornwell “Wells” Dunlap, V, Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager, will be transitioning from Greenwood to Countybank’s Greenville market. “Wells has been an asset to Countybank’s…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Discussing a prenuptial agreement with your adult children

  September 30, 2021

By Edward W. Kramer, CFP®, EA Should you require your children to have a prenuptial agreement? This question can be very important if you have a family business, financial wealth,…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz   Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move

First Reliance Bank is More Than Banking for Their Communities

  September 28, 2021

First Reliance Bank continues to expand their services beyond banking through supporting and serving the communities they work in. Particularly, the bank has served the Pee Dee Area Boys and…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, economic-development, employment, on-the-move, philanthropy

First Reliance Bank celebrates 22nd anniversary

  September 27, 2021

First Reliance Bank celebrated its 22nd anniversary this past August. The Carolinas-based bank serves the Florence, Midlands, Upstate, and Coastal South Carolina markets, as well as the Piedmont Triad and…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Countybank featured in new Greenwood museum exhibit

  September 14, 2021

The Museum in Greenwood recently opened a new permanent exhibit featuring Countybank. The exhibit displays many historical items from the bank’s almost 90-year history, including old photographs of the bank’s…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, non-profit, on-the-move

First Community Bank recognized for outstanding commercial lending

  September 14, 2021

First Community Bank was recognized with three awards for commercial lending excellence during the annual meeting of the Business Development Corporation Of South Carolina (BDC) and its associate company Certified…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

The official 2021 SC Fastest Growing Companies are announced

  September 13, 2021

Now in its 20th year, this competition recognizes the achievements of top-performing private and publicly-owned companies that have contributed to South Carolina’s economy through exceptional increases in revenues and employment.…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Southern First appoints Chris Shugart as Chief Mortgage Officer

  September 9, 2021

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Shugart as Chief Mortgage Officer. Shugart is a Certified Mortgage…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Phase IIB Matching Fund launched for S.C. small businesses

  September 9, 2021

The S.C. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation, in partnership with the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) and 3Phase, today announced the launch of the state’s first Phase IIB…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move

Aligning Your Values with Your Investments

  August 30, 2021

by Bailey O. Davis There are so many ways to help people, organizations, and causes that are special to you. You may donate your time by volunteering in your community.…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz   Category: banking-and-finance, environmental, financial-advisors, on-the-move

JEDA finances Affordable Housing acquisitions throughout South Carolina

  August 25, 2021

  The Foundation for Affordable Housing is using $180 million in bond financing through the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) to acquire the following seven (7) housing developments in…

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Posted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move, residential-real-estate

SCRA announces investment in cybersecurity startup, Hook Security

  August 24, 2021

South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announces its affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.’s, investment of $250,000 in Hook Security. The Greenville-based startup is a cybersecurity training provider focused on reducing the risks…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move

FPA of South Carolina collaborating with North Carolina chapters to host annual symposium

  August 19, 2021

In an effort to bring high-quality educational content to more financial planners, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of South Carolina announced today they plan to collaborate with the Financial Planning…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: accounting, banking-and-finance, education, entrepreneurship, financial-advisors, insurance, on-the-move, philanthropy

PPP Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal surpasses expectations, accepts more than 340K submissions 

  August 19, 2021

SBA portal significantly outpacing top PPP lenders not utilizing the Agency’s direct forgiveness tool in forgiveness submissions  COLUMBIA, S.C.– Since the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal on August 4, the U.S. Small Business Administration has received more than 340,000 submissions from…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, business-services, on-the-move

Faith- & factor-based Fidelis’ 4-star Morningstar Rating continues

  August 15, 2021

Wallick Investments, LLC’s faith- and factor-based separately managed account strategy, WI Fidelis, received a 4-star Morningstar RatingTM for 3-year, 5-year and Overall risk-adjusted performance among 139 Mid-Cap Blend products as…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

Alice Company reinvents itself for next century

  July 30, 2021

Fifth-generation of leadership drives new business while keeping Alice Company firmly rooted in serving the community, partnering with entrepreneurs, and building value GREENVILLE, SC – Entering its second century of…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, commercial-real-estate, entrepreneurship, local-industry, manufacturing, on-the-move, residential-real-estate, retail

TD Bank names Hugh Allen as Regional President of Mid-South Metro

  July 27, 2021

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, announced today it has appointed Hugh W. Allen Regional President for its Mid-South Metro, which includes Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, North…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

How Hard is Your Cash Working?

  July 27, 2021

Managing cash in a low interest rate environment by Stephen E. Maggard With current treasury yields hovering slightly above zero, individuals are experiencing angst over the lack of returns from…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz   Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move

Southern First reports results for second quarter 2021

  July 27, 2021

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021. “We are incredibly…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move

VentureSouth reports record results in first half of 2021

  July 22, 2021

VentureSouth, one of the Top 10 angel investment groups in North America, is proud to announce record results in the first half of 2021. Despite ongoing limitations brought on by…

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Posted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, headlines, on-the-move

Countybanc Insurance’s Tammy Hendrix earns CISR Elite designation

  July 20, 2021

Countybanc Insurance announced Tammy Hendrix, Personal Lines Sales Representative and Account Manager for Countybanc Insurance Services in Greer, recently earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) Elite designation. “Tammy exemplifies…

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Posted in: upstatebizsc   Category: banking-and-finance, insurance, on-the-move