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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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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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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S.C. Treasurer’s Office aids University of South Carolina with bond issue for Campus Village
June 21, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that on June 15, 2021, his office assisted the University of South Carolina with the issuance of $180,045,000 (par) in Higher Education Revenue Bonds, Series 2021A and…
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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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First Community honors Leadership Institute graduates
June 16, 2021First Community Bank recently recognized the 2021 graduates of its Leadership Institute with a ceremony at the Columbia International University School of Business. An 18-month, intensive training program that combines…
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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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Sarah Baldwin joins First Reliance Bank as Senior Vice President
June 10, 2021
Sarah Baldwin has joined First Reliance Bank as senior vice president and residential lending specialist. She will be based in Columbia and will help customers assess their lending needs and…
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Vaughan Dozier recognized as 2020 S.C. Outstanding Young Banker
June 8, 2021First Community Bank announced that Vaughan Dozier, Lexington Regional Market President, has been named the 2020 S.C. Outstanding Young Banker by the South Carolina Banker’s Association. Dozier received the award—the…
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Jan Hollar named to First Community Board of Directors
June 1, 2021
First Community Corporation, headquartered in Lexington, South Carolina, and the holding company of First Community Bank, announced that Jan Hollar, a retired banker with a 40-year career in community banking,…
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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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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 Reliance Bank welcomes Octavia Williams-Blake to Board of Directors
May 19, 2021
First Reliance Bank announced the appointment of Octavia Williams-Blake to its Board of Directors beginning in June. “Octavia’s experience and passion align with our number one focus – keeping the…
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South Carolina Senate confirms SAFE Federal Credit Union Executive Jenny Michaels for Board of Financial Institutions
May 18, 2021
The South Carolina Senate has confirmed SAFE Federal Credit Union Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer Jenny Michaels to the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions. The board oversees the promulgation of…
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Tommy Johnson retires from First Community Bank’s Board of Directors
May 18, 2021
First Community Corporation, headquartered in Lexington, South Carolina, and the holding company of First Community Bank, would like to congratulate J. Thomas “Tommy” Johnson on his retirement from its board…
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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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First Reliance Bank announces Branch Manager for new Main Street location
May 13, 2021
Expansion into downtown Columbia part of bank’s focus on transformational growth across the Carolinas First Reliance Bank has hired Lindley Hamilton to manage its new location on Main Street in…
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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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United Community Banks, Inc. Announces Acquisition of FinTrust Capital Partners, LLC
May 13, 2021United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) (United) today announced that its Advisory Services division will be expanding through the acquisition of FinTrust Capital Partners, LLC (FinTrust), and its operating subsidiaries…
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4-star Morningstar Rating for Wallick Investments’ Fidelis in new Style category
May 12, 2021
Wallick Investments, LLC’s faith and factor-based separately managed account, Fidelis, was recategorized by Morningstar from Large-Cap Value to Mid-Cap Blend. As of March 31, 2021, WI Fidelis received a 5-star…
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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…
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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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Wideman appointed as new Executive Director of Turning Pages, Inc.
May 3, 2021
Ram’on O. Wideman, President/CEO of Anointed Business Solutions, LLC, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Turning Pages, Inc. Founded in 1968 as the Greater Columbia Literacy Council,…
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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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S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis returns nearly $26K in unclaimed funds to Jim Hudson Automotive Group
April 28, 2021
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis recently presented Jim Hudson, founder and principal of the Jim Hudson Automotive Group, with nearly $26,000 in unclaimed funds due to his business and various dealerships…
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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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Columbia’s George Starnes III named one of Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors
April 21, 2021
G3 Wealth Advisors, a wealth management firm in Columbia, is pleased to announce private wealth advisor George R. Starnes III was recently named a 2021 Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisor.…
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First Community Bank recognized for outstanding lending services to small businesses
April 21, 2021
First Community Bank was recently recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) South Carolina district office as the top 504 third party lender of the year for fiscal year…
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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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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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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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First Reliance Bank hires human resources director
March 29, 2021
Veteran leader joins to manage bank’s employee relations and recruitment Leslie Chaplin has joined First Reliance Bank as executive vice president, director of human resources. Based in Columbia, S.C., Chaplin…
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The Rast McFadden Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley announces new name and team members
March 9, 2021
The Rast Group at Morgan Stanley, announced today its new name change from The Rast Group to The Rast McFadden Wealth Management Group and added new team members. The changes…
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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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First Community Bank names Alex Huggins mortgage sales manager and vice president
March 2, 2021
First Community Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Alex Huggins to the new role of mortgage sales manager and vice president. Alex will be responsible for originating loans,…
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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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Northbridge Wealth opens second office in Chapin
February 22, 2021
Northbridge Wealth, announced the establishment of its new office located in Chapin, South Carolina. This milestone is a commitment by Northbridge Wealth in its mission to provide wealth management strategies…
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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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First Community Bank names J. Ted Nissen President
February 18, 2021
The First Community Bank Board of Directors announced today that Ted Nissen, Chief Banking Officer and Executive Vice President, has been named President, a newly established role. He will work…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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