Spotlight On: Fred Green, President & CEO, SC Bankers Association
Key points:
- • South Carolina’s banking sector remains strong as population growth fuels lending opportunities.
- • Fraud prevention and deposit competition are among banks’ biggest challenges.
- • Infrastructure and workforce development will be critical to sustaining growth.
August 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Fred Green, president and CEO of SC Bankers Association, discussed the strength of South Carolina’s banking sector, population growth, fraud prevention, workforce challenges, and infrastructure needs. “South Carolina is a friendly state; everybody knows everybody else,” Green said.
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How would you describe the overall health of South Carolina’s banking industry, and what trends are shaping the market?f
There are a little over 70 banks that do business in South Carolina, and all are doing well. We have about 1,100 branches across the state. On a cumulative basis, banks hold around $130 billion in deposits and more than $100 billion in loans.
The industry is in a healthy position. Banks are growing, and there are no major credit issues. Overall, it is a strong banking environment.
How is South Carolina’s growth affecting demand for banking services and creating opportunities across the state?
South Carolina has the highest percentage population growth of any state in the country. That growth is creating opportunities across multiple regions.
Jasper County, historically a rural county near the Savannah River, is the fastest-growing county in the country, and is experiencing significant growth as people move to more affordable areas. Horry County, including Myrtle Beach and surrounding inland communities, continues to expand rapidly. Lancaster County, which has traditionally been more rural and agriculture-based, is also seeing substantial population growth.
What are you hearing from member banks about clients, expansion plans, access to capital, and the broader economic outlook?
The banking industry is healthy, and banks are experiencing good, quality growth. There are plenty of lending opportunities across different sectors, and banks do not have to stretch to find loans.
The challenge is on the deposit side. Deposits are the raw materials that help create loans, and attracting deposits is extremely competitive. The ability to grow deposits at the same pace as loan demand is probably the issue I hear about most frequently.
After years of higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, how are banks managing challenges and thinking long-term?
Those who have been in banking over the last 15 years have seen significant swings, from the financial crisis to larger bank failures and the liquidity challenges associated with them.
Industry leaders have learned from those experiences and have put contingency plans in place so they can better manage future unforeseen challenges.
How are artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other innovations becoming more prominent in banking and financial services?
Technology continues to be one of the major expense categories for banks. When it comes to AI and data analytics, the largest banks are generally leading adoption efforts.
Smaller community banks are studying these tools, learning from early adopters, and evaluating how they can benefit from them. While many have not yet made major investments, that is likely to change as the technology matures and institutions become more familiar with its capabilities.
How would you describe credit conditions and lending activity across key sectors such as commercial real estate and small business?
Credit quality is pristine. One of the biggest concerns nationally has been office-related commercial real estate. South Carolina is fortunate because it does not have many large downtown multi-tenant office buildings, so banks have not experienced the same office-related challenges seen elsewhere.
Small business lending remains a core product for most banks and continues to perform well. On the consumer side, there are no significant credit concerns outside of a few specialty areas, such as credit cards and indirect auto lending.
How has the fraud and cybersecurity environment changed, and what should businesses and consumers pay attention to?
Fraud is the biggest issue facing banks in South Carolina and across the banking industry. The last available figures showed approximately $140 million in fraud losses in South Carolina during 2024, and those numbers are likely understated because many incidents go unreported.
Fraud often targets elderly individuals and military members through schemes ranging from washed checks to electronic scams. In response, the banking industry has worked with state lawmakers to strengthen protections for consumers.
One example was legislation making mail theft a felony, helping law enforcement address crimes involving stolen checks. Another initiative allows bank employees to ask questions when transactions appear suspicious, particularly when customers are withdrawing large amounts of cash that may be destined for fraudulent schemes involving Bitcoin ATMs.
South Carolina also passed legislation allowing customers to designate a trusted adviser whom banks can contact if a transaction appears suspicious. At the federal level, the banking industry is supporting the SCAM Act, which would increase accountability for telecommunications and social media companies involved in fraudulent communications.
Are there regulatory or policy issues currently affecting banks in South Carolina?
The regulatory environment is more favorable than it was under the previous administration. Regulatory agencies have new leadership, and the industry is seeing fewer regulatory initiatives than in recent years.
At the state level, South Carolina’s banking regulators have been consistent in their oversight approach. One ongoing issue for the industry is competition with larger credit unions, which do not pay taxes. Banks continue to advocate for maintaining a level competitive playing field as credit unions seek expanded powers and services.
What are you hearing about the banking workforce in South Carolina?
Workforce remains a challenge given the state’s growth. During the financial crisis, many banks reduced hiring and slowed workforce development efforts. As a result, there is now a gap among professionals who would have entered the industry during that period and progressed into more experienced roles.
The issue is not at the entry level. The challenge is a shortage of experienced professionals who would now be in the middle stages of their careers.
What gives you the most confidence about South Carolina’s economy, and what are the industry’s top priorities over the next few years?
The biggest source of confidence is South Carolina itself and everything the state has to offer. That includes its coastline, growing rural communities, population growth, and manufacturing opportunities.
The primary challenge associated with that success is infrastructure. Transportation systems are under increasing pressure as the population grows, and utilities will need to continue expanding their capacity to support additional residents and manufacturing activity.
What would you tell an investor or business considering South Carolina?
South Carolina is a friendly state; everybody knows everybody else. Our governor has often said that many economic development opportunities started with a handshake, and that remains part of how business is conducted here.
It is a business-friendly state with a strong workforce pipeline. Technical colleges work closely with employers to create training programs that match the skills businesses need.
I was born in South Carolina, have lived here most of my life, and would not want to live anywhere else.
Want more? Read the Invest: South Carolina report.
