First Community Bank of South Carolina

Another year, another fantastic group of interns! Each summer we have the opportunity to bring on interns within our banking offices. During their internship, our interns go through the Capture Columbia program put on by Columbia Opportunity Resource | COR. The program encourages participants to take a deep dive into the community while building personal and professional relationships that will help them land jobs and build their careers. We are proud to be a sponsor of Capture Columbia and to help ensure future talent within our communities. Left to right: Mike Crapps, FCB CEO & President; Sofia Rivera; Zoe Cooke; Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor of Columbia SC; Preston Bray; Rachel McCrary; Alison Bohlin

We are proud of and happy to congratulate Rachel Hair on graduating from Leadership Columbia this year! Put on by the Columbia Chamber, Leadership Columbia helps current and potential leaders by refining their skills and presenting them with opportunities for professional development. Each year, only 60 individuals are selected to participate in the program through a competitive selection process. Selections are based on community involvement, capacity for leadership, commitment to improving the Midlands, and an interest in enhancing their leadership skills.

Last Friday, we were able to speak at the Palmetto Patriots Entrepreneurs Network Event at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. The premise of the event was to help Veterans who are looking to start their own business by giving them access to resources and people who will guide them along their entrepreneurial journey. We are grateful to not only have been participants at this event, but to be able to give back to these men and women who served our country. Featured: Drew Painter, FCB Chief Commercial & Retail Banking Officer

It is an honor and a privilege to have received the Participating Partner Award for the Greatest # of Loans Approved for the SSBCI Loan Program in 2023 from the Business Development Corporation of SC. We are also proud of Vaughan Dozier for receiving the Top Banker Award for the Greatest # of Loans Closed in 2023 from the BDC. We know a lot of hard work and effort went in on his part in order to achieve this great feat. 1st photo left to right: Ted Nissen, President and Chief Banking Officer of FCB; and Peter Shand, President and CEO of the BDC 2nd photo left to right: Vaughan Dozier, Chief Commercial and Retail Banking Officer; and Peter Shand, President and CEO of the BDC

Last Friday was the 35th Annual Economics & Financial Literacy Awards Luncheon put on by SC Economics. There were a lot of awards given out to the students and teachers alike who came from various schools across the state based on their merit and efforts throughout the academic year. We were lucky enough to receive the SC Economics Partner of the Year award for our commitment to fostering economics and personal finance education, and overall support of K-12 teachers in South Carolina. We are very grateful to partner with SC Economics and our inspired by their continuous efforts to give students the tools and opportunities they need for success in their life and future endeavors. Left to right 1st photo: Chandler Jordan, Executive Director of SC Economics; Vaughan Dozier, FCB Chief Commercial and Retail Banking Officer; Allen Hancock, Director of First Community Financial Consultants; and William Cole, MBA, FCB Marketing Specialist

We had a wonderful time hosting our Access to Capital for Minority Businesses event yesterday at Columbia International University. We were pleased to be able to bring together resources for small businesses, and to provide opportunities and tools for growth. We would like to thank everyone that came out yesterday. We enjoyed speaking with you all and look forward to working together! We would also like to thank the Business Development Corporation of SC, SC Small Business Development Centers, CommunityWorks, WFMV Gospel 95.3 FM, and Columbia International University for helping us make such a great and impactful event possible. We couldn't have done it without you all. We also want to shoutout the Columbia Chamber, City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, Richland County Economic Development Office, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and Benedict College. You all were terrific and provided some great insights for the participants as well.

We are grateful to have had several recipients of the South Carolina Bankers Association's Young Bankers Division Palmetto Scholarship this year! The SCBA put on a wonderful reception today at the Palmetto Club honoring all of the students and their parents. Oneal Staples, MBA, the Chair of the Young Bankers Division, presented the checks with Ted Nissen to our awardees. Our recipients were Edith Erkens (daughter of James L Anderson), Katie Horton (daughter of Rus Horton and Karen Horton), and William McKinney (son of Jim McKinney and Laura L McKinney). We are proud of each of them for their academic excellence, contributions to their communities, and development as young leaders. Katie and Edith could not be present today as they are studying abroad for the summer, however Rus was able to receive his daughter's check on her behalf and Laura was able to receive Edith's on her behalf. Please join us in congratulating them!

Today, we are celebrating the graduation of one of our own, Kristine Brown. Over the weekend, Kristine received her accreditation of completing Compliance School through the Georgia Bankers Association at the University of Georgia. We know it has been a long and difficult two years, but we couldn't be any prouder of you and your accomplishment. Please join us in congratulating Kristine on this tremendous feat!

On behalf of all of First Community Bank, we would like to congratulate Bill Mason, CFP® on obtaining his CFP® certification. We know that you invested much work and effort to become a CFP®, and we applaud your commitment to providing our clients with excellent service and advice.

We are very happy to announce that James L Anderson and Conner Moon were presented with the Lender of the Year Award at the Home Builders Association of Greenville, Bridge Awards Ceremony. James and Conner were able to achieve this feat through a culmination of the hard work they put forth together as a team. We are proud of them and the assiduous work ethic they exhibit towards their efforts of achieving excellence. Way to go guys!