Southern First Bancshares operates in two markets: Greenville, South Carolina, where it operates under the Greenville First Bank moniker, and in Columbia, South Carolina as Southern First Bank. Selling itself as a local alternative to larger institutions, the company, which has more than five bank branches, targets individuals and small to midsized businesses. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and CDs. The banks use funds from deposits mainly to write commercial mortgages, residential mortgages, and commercial business loans.

Southside Bancshares operates deep in the heart of Texas. It's the holding company for Southside Bank, which serves East Texas through about 35 branches, with a concentration in the cities of Tyler and Longview. About half of its branches are located in supermarkets (including Albertsons and Brookshire stores), and many offer extended hours. The bank provides traditional services such as savings, money market, and checking accounts, CDs, and other deposit products, as well as trust and investment services. Real estate loans make up more than half of the company's loan portfolio, which also includes business, consumer, and municipal loans.

Southwest Georgia Financial is the holding company for Southwest Georgia Bank, which also operates as Baker County Bank, Bank of Pavo, and Sylvester Banking Company. With about 10 locations, the bank provides such retail services as checking and savings accounts, NOW accounts, CDs, and credit cards, as well as property/casualty, life, and disability insurance and trust and investment services. Bank subsidiary Empire Financial Services provides commercial mortgage banking services. Real estate loans account for some three-fourths of the company's lending portfolio. Southwest Georgia Bank was founded as Moultrie National Bank in 1928.

Surrey Bancorp is the holding company for Surrey Bank & Trust, which serves northwestern North Carolina's Surry County and neighboring portions of Virginia through about five offices and a lending center. The bank offers standard retail services, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, and credit and debit cards. Surrey Bank & Trust writes mostly commercial and industrial loans (more than two-thirds of its portfolio), followed by residential mortgages (about 20%). Subsidiary SB&T Insurance sells property/casualty coverage. The bank offers investment services through a third-party provider, UVEST, which is part of LPL Financial.

Synovus has a nose for community banking. The holding company owns about 30 banks offering deposit accounts and consumer and business loans in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Through more than 325 locations, the banks and other Synovus subsidiaries provide deposits, loans, credit cards, insurance, and asset management services. It has traditionally maintained separate charters and local boards of directors for its subsidiary banks. However, in 2010 Synovus consolidated all of its charters into one. The change was made in order to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.

Savannah Bancorp's "garden" grows green, rather than good and evil. The holding company owns Savannah Bank, and Bryan Bank & Trust. Together, the banks operate about a dozen offices in coastal Georgia and South Carolina. The banks offer a variety of retail services, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Real estate mortgage loans make up about 80% of the company's loan portfolio; the banks also write construction, business, and consumer loans. Investment services are offered to individuals, organizations, and other entities through subsidiary Minis & Co., Inc.

TIB Financial is the holding company for TIB Bank, which operates about 30 branches in South Florida, and the Bank of Venice (acquired in 2007), which has two locations in Venice, Florida. Serving individuals and local businesses, the banks offer checking and savings accounts, NOW accounts, CDs, and IRAs. Commercial real estate loans make up slightly more than half of the company's loan portfolio which also includes commercial, residential mortgage, business, consumer, construction, and land loans. TIB Financial also offers investment management services to local residents and businesses.

Tidelands Bancshares does its work at the intersection of Southern charm and Coastal cool. The holding company operates Tidelands Bank, which has seven branches along the coast of South Carolina. The bank offers traditional retail services and products such as checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, and commercial and consumer loans. Tidelands Bank grows by opening loan production offices and then, when they prove successful, converting them into full service locations. The company specializes in services for small businesses and entrepreneurs, of which there are plenty in the tourist-laden beachfront locales it calls home. About 75% of its loan activity is in Charleston.

TowneBank is ready to serve you in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The bank, which has more than 25 branches, offers such standard deposit products as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs, and money market accounts. Subsidiaries provide insurance, investments, residential real estate brokerage, mortgage products, and employee benefit services. Real estate loans, including commercial mortgages, construction loans, and residential real estate loans make up most of the bank's portfolio, which also includes consumer installment and business loans. TowneBank was founded in 1999.

Union First Market Bankshares is the holding company for Union Bank & Trust, which operates approximately 100 branches in central, northern, and coastal portions of Virginia. The bank offers standard services such as checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and certificates of deposit. Union Bank & Trust maintains a diverse loan portfolio: Commercial real estate loans make up about 30%, while one- to four-family residential mortgages and construction loans account for approximately 20% and 15%, respectively. The bank also originates personal and business loans.

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