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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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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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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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis celebrates ABLE to Save Month as state surpasses 2,300 accounts
August 17, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis celebrated national ABLE to Save Month by announcing that South Carolina recently surpassed 2,300 account holders in its Palmetto ABLE Savings Program. The program enables South…
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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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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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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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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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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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United Community Banks, Inc. and Nashville’s Reliant Bancorp announce merger agreement
July 15, 2021
United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQGS: UCBI) (“United”) and Reliant Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQCM: RBNC) (“Reliant”) announced today the execution of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which United will acquire Reliant,…
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HireQuest announces closing of $63.2 million credit facility
July 7, 2021
GOOSE CREEK, SC – HireQuest, Inc. (Nasdaq: HQI), a national franchisor of on-demand, temporary, and commercial staffing services, today announced that the Company has closed a $63.2 million credit facility…
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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis welcomes new members to S.C. Board of Financial Institutions
July 6, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis welcomes two new appointees to the State Board of Financial Institutions. Thomas Bouchette and Jenny Michaels were confirmed by the Senate in May to serve four-year…
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Entrepreneur Minute – Herbert Drayton III, HI Mark Capital
July 2, 2021
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. We will be highlighting 20 entrepreneurs in each of…
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Bank of America Private Bank expands Charleston team with new hire
June 21, 2021
Bank of America Private Bank announced the hiring of a Private Client Manager in the Charleston, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to expanding its presence across the United States and serving…
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United Community Bank expands lending capabilities with USDA loans
June 21, 2021
United Community Bank welcomes David Matthews as a Business Development Officer under its newly created USDA Lending Group. Matthews brings extensive experience to this role, having recently served as the…
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Glassdoor names Scott Woods of South Carolina Federal a 2021 Top CEO
June 17, 2021
South Carolina Federal Credit Union CEO Scott Woods has been named a Top CEO in 2021 by Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites. Of the 50…
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Protecting Your Children’s Credit
June 16, 2021
By Brittany M. Midgette As you sort through your mail, you may notice that some mail has arrived that is addressed to your child. For example, your ten-year-old child may…
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Southern First appoints Dave Favela as Chief Innovation Officer
June 15, 2021
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, announced the appointment of Dave Favela as Chief Innovation Officer. Favela joins Southern First with 14 years of…
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United Community Bank selects Mount Pleasant area banker for Leadership Academy
June 9, 2021
United Community Bank has chosen fourteen of its emerging leaders for the bank’s 2021 Leadership Academy, an internal professional development program which includes team members from around the five-state United…
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Understanding Your Portfolio and Fees
May 29, 2021
By Charles B. Flowers, CFA At the end of every month, quarter, and year, the investment world tallies returns and produces reports. Frequently the results are delivered in chart-filled reports…
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United Community Banks, Inc. and Aquesta Financial Holdings, Inc., the parent of Aquesta Bank, announce merger agreement
May 27, 2021
United Community Banks, Inc. (United) and Aquesta Financial Holdings, Inc. (Aquesta) announced a definitive agreement for United to acquire Aquesta, including its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aquesta Bank. Aquesta is headquartered in…
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Carson Williams joins First Reliance Bank as senior vice president
May 26, 2021
Carson Williams has joined First Reliance Bank as senior vice president and residential lending specialist. He will work out of First Reliance’s Mortgage Operations center in Mount Pleasant, which helps…
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First Reliance Bank announces branch manager for Mount Pleasant location
May 26, 2021
First Reliance Bank has hired Christina Johnson as vice president and branch manager for its Mount Pleasant branch. In this new role, Johnson will oversee the day-to-day client services and…
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Mark Mercuri joins First Reliance Bank as senior vice president
May 26, 2021
Mark Mercuri has joined First Reliance Bank as senior vice president and commercial lender. Based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Mercuri will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business…
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Southern First announces three new appointments to board of directors
May 21, 2021Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, announced the appointment of three new directors. Terry Grayson-Caprio, Ray Lattimore, and William Maner, IV will join the…
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First National Bank expands in Charleston with Branch at Freshfields Village
May 17, 2021
First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corporation, announced its continued expansion in Charleston, SC, with an innovative branch at Freshfields Village, an open-air shopping and dining experience at…
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Learn to spot the signs of elder abuse in South Carolina during Older Americans Month
May 13, 2021
By Justin Hawkins, Wells Fargo Bank The 73-year-old woman put her trust in, and handed over her financial resources to, her two supposed caregivers. In return, they stole all of…
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United Community Banks, Inc. announces acquisition of FinTrust Capital Partners, LLC
May 13, 2021
United Community Banks, Inc. (United) today announced that its Advisory Services division will be expanding through the acquisition of FinTrust Capital Partners, LLC (FinTrust), and its operating subsidiaries FinTrust Capital…
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FPA of South Carolina to offer scholarships to South Carolina-based high school students for the summer 2021 Financial Planning Academy
May 6, 2021
In an effort to introduce high school students to the financial planning profession, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of South Carolina announced today they plan to offer a limited number…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, education, financial-advisors, non-profit, on-the-move
United Community Bank ranks #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Consumer Banking in the Southeast, 7 out of the last 8 years
May 3, 2021
United Community Bank announced it once again is ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Consumer Banking in the Southeast according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study℠.…
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Order of Contributions
April 30, 2021
By Corinne Hanna, CFP® Whether you are an employee deciding about your annual benefits at election time or an employer deciding which benefits to offer, make your workplace benefits work…
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Southern First reports results for first quarter 2021
April 27, 2021
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, announced its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. “We are off to a strong…
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United Community Banks, Inc. reports first quarter results
April 21, 2021United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) (United) announced that net income for the first quarter reached a record $73.7 million and pre-tax, pre-provision income was $81.6 million. The quarter benefited…
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First Reliance Bank announces new Charleston Local Advisory Board
April 20, 2021
First Reliance Bank, a community bank located in Florence, S.C., announced the formation of a new board of trusted advisors in Charleston. The Charleston Local Advisory Board is comprised of…
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United Community Bank welcomes Tom Coker as Commercial Relationship Manager
April 20, 2021
United Community Bank announced that Tom Coker has joined the team as Commercial Relationship Manager. In this role, Coker will be responsible for providing commercial customers with products and services…
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United Community Bank offers families tips for National Teach Children to Save Day
April 20, 2021United Community Bank is proud to celebrate National Teach Children to Save Day on April 22 to help youth in their communities learn to make smart money choices. Established by…
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South Carolina Federal announces 2021 Scholarship Winners
April 15, 2021
South Carolina Federal Credit Union is honored to announce the winners of its 2021 scholarship program. Out of nearly 1,000 candidates, nine students were acknowledged for their academic achievements, volunteer…
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S.C. Treasurer’s Office aids College of Charleston with bond issue to retire outstanding maturities
April 9, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that his office assisted the College of Charleston with the issuance of $24,075,000 in Academic and Administrative Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A, on March…
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How to Think About Insuring that Second Home
March 30, 2021
By Molly A. Thomas, FPQP™ Many people dream of a second home—a place to go for some rest and relaxation, a place to call your own, a place for family…
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Rick Redden, longtime Carolinas banking executive, to retire
March 18, 2021
Rick Redden, president of Wells Fargo’s Atlantic Region, will retire by the end of March. Redden is a well-respected, longtime banking leader throughout the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic, with a career…
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United Community Bank prepares to amplify brand with new Chief Marketing Officer
March 4, 2021
United Community Bank is expanding its executive leadership team by adding Francie Staub as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Staub will spearhead the bank’s digital marketing, advertising, branding and…
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FREE online tax filing just opened – Trident United Way & SC Thrive urge using convenient option
February 26, 2021
Free service saves $200 on average in filing and tax prep fees Trident United Way and partner SC Thrive’s free tax filing portal has just opened and Tri-County residents could…
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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis recognizes Denise Harrel of DuBose Middle School as Educator of the Month
February 26, 2021
South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has recognized DuBose Middle School’s Denise Harrel as the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program’s Educator of the Month for February. “We know that…
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United Community Bank recognized again as a top financial institution for Small Business Banking
February 25, 2021United Community Bank has been recently recognized with multiple Greenwich Excellence Awards for U.S. Small Business Banking for the year ended 2020. United received five awards in total, two of…
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SPACs – Special Purpose Acquisition Companies
February 24, 2021
By William R. Jeter, CFA, CFP® SPACs are currently all of the rage in financial media. Why? As with any investment being heavily promoted, you can almost always understand by…
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Whom Should I Select to Serve as Trustee?
February 22, 2021
By Jonathan J. Robertson, CFP® When people are updating their estate documents, they frequently leave assets in trust for someone else. The key concept behind the idea of a trust…
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Highest Morningstar Rating for Wallick Investments’ Fidelis
February 17, 2021
Wallick Investments, LLC’s faith and factor-based separate account composite, Fidelis, received a 5-star Morningstar RatingTM among 446 Large-Cap Value products for 3-year, 5-year and Overall risk-adjusted performance as of December…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
Nancye Bailey earns Certified Association Executive credential
February 16, 2021
ASAE has announced that Nancye Bailey, President of NDB Association & Event Management, has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE®) designation. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the…
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Southern First announces promotion of Kevin Lee to Market Executive
February 16, 2021Southern First Bank (NASDAQ: SFST), a unique Southeastern financial institution poised to expand and grow, announces the promotion of Kevin Lee to Market Executive of the Charleston region. With over…
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Make Learning to Save Fun and Easy for Kids this America Saves Week
February 16, 2021
By State Treasurer Curtis Loftis When it comes to learning something new, you often hear, “it’s never too late.” But when it comes to smart money habits, it’s almost never…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, education, on-the-move, op-ed
