Charitable Gifting with Appreciated Securities
March 31, 2022
By 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, 2022
First 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, 2022
State 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, 2022
With 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, 2022
South 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
Did 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, 2022
First 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
This 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
Southern 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, 2022
FinTrust 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, 2022
First 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, 2022
By 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, 2022
South 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, 2022
South 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, 2021
United 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, 2021
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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Bank of America doubles support to IAAM for programming and operations
November 16, 2021
Today, 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, 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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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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S.C. Board of Financial Institutions passes resolution in opposition to proposed financial account activity reporting
October 7, 2021
State 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, 2021
South 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, 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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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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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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First Reliance Bank named One of The Best Places to Work in South Carolina for 16th consecutive year
September 16, 2021
First 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, 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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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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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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South Carolina Federal’s Meg Grier named to 2021 Class of Forty Under 40
September 8, 2021
Meg 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, 2021
The 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, 2021
First 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, 2021
The 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, 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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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…
Read MorePosted 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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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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