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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, entrepreneurship, podcast
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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℠.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: accounting, advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: advice, banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, insurance, on-the-move, residential-real-estate
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, education, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, banking-and-finance, law, on-the-move
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, business-services, chamber, financial-advisors, hospitality, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
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…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
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
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis reminds teachers about application deadline for SC Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program
February 16, 2021
March 31 is deadline for third cohort of master teachers State Treasurer Curtis Loftis is reminding teachers interested in participating in the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program that…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, education, on-the-move
United Community Bank rank earns top honors from Forbes
February 16, 2021
United Community Bank has recently been recognized on two prestigious lists by Forbes magazine. For the eighth consecutive year, the bank was named to Forbes list of America’s Best 100…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
SCRA announces investment in drone-related startup, UASidekick
February 16, 2021South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announces its affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.’s, investment of $200,000 in UASidekick, Inc., a Greenville-based drone software company. UASidekick became an SC Launch Member Company in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Wells Fargo invests in six Black-owned banks, including Optus in Columbia
February 10, 2021
Wells Fargo recently announced equity investments in six African American Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) as part of its March 10, 2020, pledge to invest up to $50 million in Black-owned…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, headlines, on-the-move
VentureSouth invests over $9 million in 26 Southeast companies in 2020
February 8, 2021
Despite the myriad challenges brought on by a global pandemic, VentureSouth announced another strong year of investment activity for 2020, with a total of $9.2 million invested in 26 early…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
United Community Bank expanding, announcing corporate headquarters in Greenville County, SC
February 3, 2021
United Community Bank, a retail and commercial bank and one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the Southeast, today announced plans to locate its corporate headquarters in Greenville County,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
First funds deployed to small businesses from LDC revolving loan fund
February 2, 2021
On Tuesday, February 2, Mayor John Tecklenburg held a press conference with Steve Saltzman, CEO of the Charleston LDC, to announce the initial deployment of loans from the revolving loan…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move
South Carolina Planned Giving Council welcomes three new board members
February 1, 2021
The South Carolina Planned Giving Council recently announced the addition of three new board members as well as a new slate of officers. Michelle Hardy, Benita Hopkins and Daniel Prohaska…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
Creating a Budget: Empowerment Over Constraint
January 29, 2021
By Anne Marie E. Ashworth, CFP® For many, budgeting has a lot of negative connotations. Tracking where money comes from and where it goes leaves some feeling frustrated and guilty.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: banking-and-finance, life, on-the-move
Southern First reports 2020 financial results
January 26, 2021
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for three-month period and year ended December 31, 2020. “While 2020 was a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
United Community Bank strengthens commercial lending leadership
January 25, 2021
United Community Bank announced a new leader for its growing Middle Market and Asset Based Lending divisions. Experienced banker John Thompson has been named Middle Market and Asset Based Lending…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announces SC maintains high credit ratings, despite COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts
January 22, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that South Carolina continues to maintain high bond ratings with the three major credit rating agencies. In preparation for a January bond issuance, Moody’s Investors…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, government, on-the-move
