South Carolina

In a highly unusual initiative, small community bank Independence Bancshares has been building a real-time transactions processing system. CEO Gordon Baird hopes to attract others to use it, too.

John Poelker, who recently met with key investors, is using YouTube to appeal to clients who might have been spooked by executive ousters and reports of widespread financial excess at the Greenville, S.C., company.

Linda Cox, a former comptroller of First South Bank in Spartanburg, S.C., committed suicide after being questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about missing funds at the bank, the Greenville News reported on Saturday.

State regulators in South Carolina closed the $54 million-asset Allendale County Bank late Friday.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) in Columbia, S.C., reported a big leap in first-quarter profits thanks largely to double-digit growth in its loan portfolio.

Three of Certus' ousted executives depict a behind-the-scenes struggle at the Greenville, S.C., bank as management, directors and investors were often working at cross purposes. The lawsuit also discusses a possible merger with an unnamed bank that never took place.

The lawsuit claims that Benjamin Weinger of 3-Sigma Value conspired with certain directors to defame the executives before the board fired them earlier this month.

The Greenville, S.C., company hired John Poelker as interim CEO and ousted its top executives less than two weeks after allegations of financial mismanagement surfaced. Poelker, known for stabilizing struggling banks, could be tasked with cleaning Certus up for a buyer.

A bitcoin ATM is coming to South Carolina — the state's first machine will be installed Thursday at the College of Charleston TD Arena.

CertusBank has terminated its top executive team, effective immediately, the $1.7 billion-asset bank announced Wednesday.

Independence Bancshares, (IEBS) in Greenville, S.C., has filed multiple mobile payment patent technology applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA has chartered its first credit union of 2014, with the new CU expected to open its doors this June.

Charles M. Williams, co-chief executive of CertusBank, has quit the Greenville, S.C., company amid allegations of gross mismanagement.

Bay Banks of Virginia in Kilmarnock is adjusting its 2013 financial results after unloading a troubled asset.

Park Sterling Corp. (PSTB) in Charlotte has agreed to buy Provident Community Bancshares (PCBS) in Rock Hill, S.C.

Oconee Federal Financial Corp. (OFED) in Seneca, S.C., has agreed to buy Stephens Federal Bank in Toccoa, Ga.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) of Columbia, S.C., reported net income Tuesday of $13.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, a 44.7% increase from the same quarter in 2012.

Palmetto Bancshares (PLMT) in Greenville, S.C., is combining its chairman and chief executive roles.

The small-dollar lender First Cash Financial Services (FCFS) has agreed to buy a 12-store pawnshop chain in the Charleston, S.C., area.

First Financial Holdings (SCBT) in Columbia, S.C., reported a 26% rise in quarterly profit after completing a transformative M&A deal.