United Community Bank continues growth with Columbia expansion
July 8, 2019
United Community Bank has expanded its South Carolina presence with the recent addition of three well-known Columbia-based bankers to its growing team. Shannon Stephens, Austin McVay and Michael Glenn will spearhead operations for United in the Midlands while introducing the bank’s commercial lending capabilities to the market. United has more than 40 locations in South Carolina, spread across the Upstate and the Coast.
“I could not ask for a better group of bankers to introduce United Community Bank to the Midlands,” said Dixon Woodward, State President of South Carolina and Coastal Georgia. “Shannon, Austin and Michael have more than 35 years of combined experience and understand the importance of building meaningful relationships with their clients. I am thrilled to have them leading our team in this new market and look forward to their success.”
“With our executive team situated in the Upstate and our strong foundation along the coast, expansion into the Midlands was a perfect fit,” explained Rich Bradshaw, United’s Chief Banking Officer. “We are focused on strengthening our presence within our footprint and are very excited to have three experienced, area bankers introduce our unique service culture to the market.”
Stephens brings 18 years of experience to his new role as Midlands President where he will be responsible for all aspects of United’s banking operations, growth and expansion in the market. A former resident of Hilton Head, Stephens has lived in Columbia for three years and has led commercial and small business banking teams at other regional banks throughout his career. He is a graduate of both Francis Marion University and the South Carolina Bankers School. He and his wife Katie have two children.
“United Community Bank’s entrance into the market is a win for the Midlands business community,” said Stephens. “This is a bank that truly focuses on local decision making and has been awarded for top-quality customer service, year after year. I am honored to bring these unique values to the Midlands and am glad to have Austin and Michael beside me.”
McVay joins the bank as a Vice President/Commercial Relationship Manager and brings with him eight years of experience. He received both his Bachelor of Science in Financial Management and Master of Business Administration from Clemson University. In addition to his professional life, he is a Board Member for Youth Corps, a member of the Policy Committee for the Lexington County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Steering Committee for the United Way’s Young Leaders Society and a member of the Capital City Rotary Club. He and his wife Kelly reside in Lexington with their golden retriever Sadie.
Glenn also joins the team as Vice President/Commercial Relationship Manager. He has 12 years of industry experience and has worked across multiple disciplines, including retail banking, commercial credit, cash management and commercial lending. Glenn is a native of the Columbia area and graduate of The Citadel as well as the South Carolina Bankers School. In the community, he serves as Treasurer for The Free Medical Clinic and has previously served as board chair for Growing Home Southeast, an organization that supports at-risk youth in foster care. He and his wife Caroline have one daughter and a set of twin boys.
