Highest Morningstar Rating for WI Fidelis 10-year risk-adjusted performance
May 18, 2022Wallick Investments, LLC’s separately managed account composite, WI Fidelis, received a 5-Star Morningstar RatingTM for 10-year risk-adjusted performance among 112 Mid-Cap Blend products as of March 31, 2022. Only the…
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Good Growth Capital announces the largest venture fund in South Carolina history
May 18, 2022Early Stage VC with Three Unicorns in First Fund Announces Over-subscribed Third Fund Growth Capital has announced the successful raise of its over-subscribed third fund at over $100M. This new…
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Appalachian Development Corporation hires Michael Smith as Vice President
May 18, 2022Appalachian Development Corporation (ADC) welcomes Michael Smith as their new Vice President. He will be working with banks, lenders, credit unions, and small businesses throughout South Carolina providing the SBA…
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Ameris Bank contributes $250,000 of support to South Carolina business innovation
May 9, 2022Ameris Bank announces a $250,000 contribution to the South Carolina Research Authority’s (SCRA) Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) to help promote innovation throughout the state. The contribution is tied for the…
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South Carolina Federal announces 2022 scholarship winners
May 4, 2022South Carolina Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the winners of its 12th annual scholarship program. Nine students who are attending a technical or traditional college in South Carolina…
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Utilizing the 0% Tax Rate on Long-Term Capital Gains
May 1, 2022By Carolyn Stewart Even if the holidays have passed, it’s never too early or too late to start thinking about what gifts you can give to your loved ones. While…
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Treasury announces plans to deploy $300 million in technical assistance through the State Small Business Credit Initiative
May 1, 2022The $300 million of technical assistance includes $100 million for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency to provide technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurs seeking greater access to…
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First Reliance Bank promotes Melinda Blake to Branch Manager
April 29, 2022First Reliance Bank announces the promotion of Melinda Blake to Branch Manager of the Mt. Pleasant branch, replacing Weston Peters, who has moved to the bank’s commercial banking division. Melinda…
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Southern First reports results for first quarter 2022
April 26, 2022Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. “The first quarter represents the…
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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis names Perry Breazeale as Director of Treasury Management
April 12, 2022South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that Perry Breazeale recently joined the agency as the Director of Treasury Management. During his career, Perry has served in several financial leadership roles…
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Charitable Gifting with Appreciated Securities
March 31, 2022By Anne Marie E. Ashworth, CFP® A charitable gift can be in the form of time, money, or in-kind donation. Whichever the case, the goal is to have the most…
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First Reliance Bank promotes three to SVP
March 23, 2022First Reliance Bank announced three top-level executive promotions to Senior Vice President. Ross Foshee, Senior Vice President and Controller, John Lindley, Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, and Robert Mayhue,…
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S.C. Treasurer’s Office facilitates bond issuances for Coastal Carolina and University of South Carolina
March 11, 2022State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that his office recently facilitated transactions for Coastal Carolina University and the University of South Carolina issuing $129,445,000 (par) in Higher Education Refunding Revenue Bonds…
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South Carolina tax tips for college students
March 9, 2022With new Name, Image, and Likeness legislation taking effect this tax year, the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) knows that many collegiate student-athletes are filing an Individual Income Tax…
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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announces selection of Kathy L. Bickham as New Commissioner of Banking
March 9, 2022South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Chairman of the State Board of Financial Institutions, announced that Kathy L. Bickham has been selected to serve as the next Commissioner of Banking for…
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Pension plan shortfall demands lawmakers’ attention
March 8, 2022By Richard Eckstrom, S.C. Comptroller It definitely doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but it’s among the most severe financial problems facing South Carolina today: The state retiree pension plan…
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Does Medicare cover Home Health Care? The answer is “it depends.”
February 28, 2022By Molly Thomas, FPQP® The answer to this question is truly “it depends.” Medicare draws a line in the important distinction between medically necessary home health care and personal care…
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Tax credits for SC homeowners – check to see if you qualify
February 23, 2022Did you know qualifying South Carolina homeowners may be able to save money on their tax bill? If you’re remodeling, making your home more energy efficient, or paying casualty insurance,…
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First Reliance Bank associates named among Most Influential business leaders
February 10, 2022First Reliance Bank is pleased to announce that Justin Strickland, president, and Frank Bullard, corporate community relations developer, were recognized among the 2021 50 Most Influential business leaders by Columbia…
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So Much to Love About 529 Plans
February 9, 2022By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis Around this time of year, it seems every store I enter is full of heart-covered cards, rose bouquets or some other symbol of love. Whether…
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Going Into Business with your Loved One? Four Tips for Starting and Running a Successful Business Together
February 7, 2022By Justin Hawkins, South Carolina Regional Banking Director, Wells Fargo For nearly all small business owners, business ownership is a labor of love. Yet running a business with your loved…
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Senator Scott introduces bill to expand access to capital for community banks
February 3, 2022This week, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced a bill to improve the ability of smaller community banks to meet the credit needs of the local…
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Fighting for the Truth: Investor Misinformation
January 29, 2022By Stephen J. Scott, CFP® Within the past decade, the term “fake news” has entered into our lexicon. While most people associate the term with politics, the idea of misleading…
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Southern First Reports Results for Fourth Quarter 2021
January 25, 2022Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three-month period and year ended December 31, 2021. “We are incredibly…
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Blane Brooks joins FinTrust Capital Advisors as Director of Advisor Support Group
January 19, 2022FinTrust Capital Advisors is pleased to announce that Blane Brooks has joined the Company’s senior management team. His focus will be in providing support to the Company’s financial advisors, assisting…
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First Reliance Bank promotes two senior leaders
January 19, 2022First Reliance Bank announced Blake Dressler has been promoted to Charleston Market President and Frank Bullard to lead Corporate Community Relations across the bank’s South Carolina and North Carolina footprint.…
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How to Buy a Car in 2022: Navigating The Automobile Shortage
January 14, 2022By Mike DuBose The COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic and wide-ranging impacts on the United States and the world as a whole. Most people are traveling, going to events, and…
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South Carolina Federal will merge with G.H.S. Federal Credit Union
January 11, 2022South Carolina Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce its upcoming merger with G.H.S. Federal Credit Union after an affirmative member vote concluded on December 8, 2021. After the merger…
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SCRA produces over one billion dollar impact on South Carolina’s economy
January 11, 2022South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) marked a strong year in 2021. The impact on South Carolina’s innovation economy was over a billion dollars. The total amount includes jobs supported, the…
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United Community Bank expands service capabilities with new Mt. Pleasant branch
December 2, 2021United Community Bank has opened a new office location at 602 Coleman Boulevard in Mt. Pleasant. This brand-new facility offers an ATM, a convenient drive-thru, and access to mortgage and…
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S.C. a national leader on timely financial reporting
November 29, 2021By 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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Bank of America doubles support to IAAM for programming and operations
November 16, 2021Today, the International African American Museum announced a new gift from Bank of America, bringing its total investment in the museum to more than $1,000,000. This most recent gift builds on…
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Choosing a Guardian for Your Minor Child
October 29, 2021By 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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Southern First reports results for third quarter 2021
October 26, 2021Southern 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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S.C. Board of Financial Institutions passes resolution in opposition to proposed financial account activity reporting
October 7, 2021State Treasurer and Board urges Congressional delegation to vote against Biden administration’s plan to monitor private citizens’ bank balances State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that the State Board of Financial…
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South Carolina Federal appoints new Board, Supervisory Committee members
September 30, 2021South Carolina Federal Credit Union is pleased to add Joe Daning to its Board of Directors and Robert Bendetti to its Supervisory Committee. As a member of the Board of…
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Discussing a prenuptial agreement with your adult children
September 30, 2021By 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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First Reliance Bank is More Than Banking for Their Communities
September 28, 2021First 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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First Reliance Bank celebrates 22nd anniversary
September 27, 2021First 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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First Reliance Bank named One of The Best Places to Work in South Carolina for 16th consecutive year
September 16, 2021First Reliance Bank was recently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. It is the 16th year in a row that the community bank has…
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The official 2021 SC Fastest Growing Companies are announced
September 13, 2021Now 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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Southern First appoints Chris Shugart as Chief Mortgage Officer
September 9, 2021Southern 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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Phase IIB Matching Fund launched for S.C. small businesses
September 9, 2021The 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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South Carolina Federal’s Meg Grier named to 2021 Class of Forty Under 40
September 8, 2021Meg Grier, CFS* Investment Operations Program Manager at South Carolina Federal Credit Union, was selected by the Charleston Regional Business Journal for the 2021 Class of Forty Under 40. The…
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Meeting Street Scholarship Fund paves the way for new model of scholarships
September 7, 2021The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is working to end the wealth gap in college tuition. Ben Navarro, founder of Meeting Street Schools, pioneered the concept of a public-private partnership between…
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First Reliance Bank hires Human Resources Manager
September 2, 2021First Reliance Bank has hired Seth DuRoss, a tenured human resources professional, to assist the rapidly expanding community bank. DuRoss will help with recruiting and retaining premier talent for the…
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Gift is an investment in financial experiential learning
August 31, 2021The School of Business Investment Program at the College of Charleston began in 2013 with a cohort of 20 students managing a public asset portfolio of $50,000. Today, around 140 students have…
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Aligning Your Values with Your Investments
August 30, 2021by 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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SCRA announces investment in cybersecurity startup, Hook Security
August 24, 2021South 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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FPA of South Carolina collaborating with North Carolina chapters to host annual symposium
August 19, 2021In 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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