Spotlight On: Mary Garcia, Regional President – SC Coastal Market, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Key points:
- • Pinnacle’s merger with Synovus significantly expanded its Charleston market presence.
- • Relationship banking remains central as digital capabilities continue evolving.
- • Charleston’s diversified economy creates significant opportunities for continued growth.
September 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Mary Garcia, regional president of the SC Coastal Market for Pinnacle Financial Partners, discussed the firm’s growth, relationship-driven banking model, workplace culture, and outlook for Charleston’s economy. “At the end of the day, it is important to be able to pick up the phone and call your banker,” Garcia said.
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What have been the most significant developments for Pinnacle across the region over the past year?
The Pinnacle and Synovus merger became effective on January 1, marking a transformational moment for our firm and for the South Carolina Coastal market. Prior to the merger, Synovus was approximately the same size as Pinnacle in our market. By bringing the two organizations together, we effectively doubled our size and became the No. 4 bank by market share in the Charleston MSA. That achievement alone is a significant milestone.
What makes this moment especially meaningful to me is the journey it represents.
I joined the firm 14 years ago when we were the Bank of North Carolina (BNC), operating out of just two offices with approximately $30 million in loans and deposits. During the first several years, we grew through a series of community bank acquisitions. Then, in 2017, Pinnacle acquired BNC. From that point until the Synovus combination, our growth was entirely organic, driven by outstanding team members, strong client relationships, and a commitment to serving our communities.
Today, our market has grown to approximately $6 billion in loans and deposits. The growth we have experienced over the last 14 years has been nothing short of phenomenal, and it is a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team members.
As we celebrate this milestone, I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and excited about the opportunities ahead.
What new capabilities and opportunities does the larger organization bring to clients?
We will bring clients a broader range of products, services, and expertise than ever before. As a full-service financial institution, we support everything from retail and consumer banking to complex commercial and corporate needs, with solutions tailored for businesses, business owners, and their employees.
Our strategy begins with people. We recruit and retain experienced, high-performing bankers and financial advisors who bring deep industry expertise, strong client relationships, and a commitment to serving their communities. Those relationships are at the heart of our success. By helping our clients thrive and investing in the communities we serve, we create sustainable growth for our organization.
The majority of our growth has been organic, driven by the exceptional talent we attract and the trusted relationships they build and maintain. Clients choose to do business with people they know and trust, and talented professionals are drawn to organizations with strong cultures and a clear vision. Our culture has become a competitive advantage, helping us attract both top talent and loyal clients.
Our vision is straightforward: to be the best financial services company in the country and the best place to work. In South Carolina, that commitment has been recognized repeatedly. For the past six years, our market has earned the No. 1 Top Workplace distinction from Greenville, Columbia & Charleston Business Magazine, including the last two years in the large-company category. We believe that when we create an exceptional workplace, we empower our teammates to deliver exceptional client experiences. That, in turn, strengthens our local economy, supports our communities, and creates long-term value for our shareholders
What has been most important in building Pinnacle’s workplace culture?
When we hire, we look for people who share our values and align with our culture. Finding the right fit is more important than filling a position quickly, which is why we often spend years building relationships with prospective team members before they join our organization.
We want to hire talented, fulfilled people who are successful where they are today. We are patient in our recruiting efforts because we know the right opportunity comes at the right time. Interestingly, many team members tell us after they join that they only wish they had made the move sooner. That speaks to the strength of our culture and the partnership we have with one another. We succeed together, and we face challenges together.
Creating an environment where people thrive is a priority for us. We invest significant time and effort in measuring team member engagement, gathering feedback through workplace surveys, and fostering opportunities for connection both inside and outside the office. We also encourage our team members to pursue causes they care about and become active participants in their communities.
I am especially proud that 58% of our team members in the South Carolina Coastal Market are actively volunteering, serving on nonprofit and community boards, or contributing to economic development initiatives. That level of involvement reflects a culture where people find purpose beyond their day-to-day responsibilities.
Ultimately, our recognition as a top workplace is not something bestowed upon us by leadership. It is earned through the voices of our team members. The survey results come directly from them, and their collective feedback is what continues to distinguish our organization as a place where people want to build meaningful and rewarding careers.
How are the financial needs and priorities of local businesses evolving as the region grows?
While the South Carolina coastal market is highly competitive, our experience shows that success is ultimately driven by relationships. Our clients are our most powerful advocates, consistently introducing us to friends, family members, business associates, and colleagues because of the trust they place in our team.
Charleston and the surrounding coastal region continue to attract new businesses and talent every day. From large manufacturing and logistics companies to entrepreneurs and small business owners, the market is experiencing broad-based growth. We are well positioned to serve that diverse landscape, with financial advisors who bring specialized expertise across a wide range of industries and client needs.
Today, clients and prospects expect more than investment solutions. They want a trusted advisor who can provide timely insights, thoughtful guidance, and strategies that help them navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence.
That is where we differentiate ourselves. By delivering distinctive service, personalized advice, and meaningful solutions, we build lasting relationships that drive trust and loyalty. The strength of the relationships our financial advisors and office leaders have cultivated throughout the market remains our greatest engine for growth and our most significant competitive advantage.
How do you preserve relationship banking while expanding digital capabilities?
Clients want trusted relationships, but they also want the convenience and accessibility that digital capabilities provide. The ability to connect quickly and easily with their relationship manager or financial advisor remains critically important.
Technology, including artificial intelligence, will continue to transform banking and make it more efficient. It will streamline processes, enhance client experience, and empower advisors with better information. But technology alone is not enough. At the end of the day, clients still want a relationship with someone they know and trust. They want personalized service, thoughtful advice, and a financial partner who understands their goals, challenges, and opportunities.
Success in banking will always be about finding the right balance. It’s not black and white. The best decisions are often made in the gray areas, where experience, judgment, and a deep understanding of a client’s unique circumstances matter most.
That is why relationships remain at the heart of what we do. When a client needs guidance, it matters that they can pick up the phone and reach their banker. When someone calls Pinnacle Financial Partners, a real person answers the phone and is ready to help. That may sound simple, but in today’s environment, it is a powerful differentiator.
As banking continues to evolve, we will embrace technology that improves efficiency and enhances client experience. We will also remain committed to the personal relationships, accessibility, and service that our clients value most. That combination of innovation and human connection is what sets us apart and continues to drive our success.
Where do you see the greatest opportunity to deepen Pinnacle’s presence along the coast?
We are active in the market every day, engaging with clients, prospects, and community leaders. Those relationships keep us closely connected to the businesses, industries, and people driving growth across the South Carolina coastal region.
Charleston has a diverse economy, but perhaps more importantly, it has a resilient one. In my more than 40 years in banking, I have seen few markets with the breadth of economic drivers that exist here today. Because of that diversity, no single event in the national or global economy has an outsized impact on our region. Historically, Charleston has often recovered from economic downturns more quickly than many other markets.
That resilience is supported by a strong foundation that includes the Port of Charleston, Joint Base Charleston, healthcare, higher education, public and private sector employers, tourism, and significant foreign direct investment. Those industries create a balanced economy that continues to attract businesses, jobs, and talent.
What makes Charleston’s success even more remarkable is that it was built intentionally. When the Navy significantly reduced its presence in the Charleston market during the 1990s, the community recognized the need to diversify. Business leaders, government officials, and economic development organizations came together with a shared vision for growth. Through the efforts of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, local chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders, the region actively recruited new industries, encouraged investment, and created opportunities for long-term economic expansion.
Today, Charleston is one of the most dynamic and diversified markets in the Southeast. While there will always be external forces beyond our control, the region’s broad economic base positions it to withstand challenges and continue creating opportunities.
For Pinnacle, those opportunities are significant. We see growth potential across small businesses, middle-market banking, commercial banking, mortgage, wealth management, and trust services. Even in a market with nearly 40 FDIC-insured financial institutions, there is ample opportunity for organizations that can differentiate themselves.
That differentiation comes from what has always set us apart: distinctive service, effective advice, and strong relationships. By combining those strengths with deep local market knowledge and a commitment to helping clients succeed, we believe we are uniquely positioned to continue growing alongside the Charleston community.
What is your outlook for Pinnacle, and what are the key priorities over the next several years?
The outlook is outstanding. We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us, particularly given the scale we have achieved and the exceptional teams we have assembled across South Carolina.
You will not see us running television commercials or large marketing campaigns encouraging people to bank with Pinnacle. Our reputation is built by the people who work here every day. It is built by servant leaders who are committed to helping clients succeed, supporting one another, and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.
Community involvement is a fundamental part of who we are. We invest significant time and energy into serving our communities because we believe strong communities create strong businesses and lasting relationships. Whether through volunteer efforts, financial education initiatives, or leadership roles in civic organizations, our associates are actively engaged in helping our region grow and thrive.
One example is our Business Mastermind program, which is designed to help business owners work on their business rather than simply in their business. It is not a sales program. It is a complimentary resource that provides education, insights, and peer collaboration. The feedback we receive from participants is overwhelmingly positive, and many tell us it has helped them become more effective leaders and build stronger businesses.
That approach reflects our broader philosophy. We focus on creating value first, building relationships, and serving others. When we help businesses grow, strengthen communities, and improve the financial well-being of our clients, growth follows naturally.
Ultimately, our outlook is bright because our mission is clear. We will continue bringing the best of Pinnacle to the communities we serve through distinctive service, effective advice, deep relationships, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. That commitment has fueled our growth to this point, and we believe it will continue to create opportunities for years to come.
What challenges will be most important for Charleston to address as it continues growing?
Charleston’s growth brings tremendous opportunities, but it also brings challenges. Affordability, housing attainability, infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development are all issues that require ongoing attention. There is no finish line. Addressing these challenges is a continual process that demands collaboration, thoughtful planning, and long-term commitment.
Fortunately, Charleston has a history of coming together to solve complex problems. We work closely with economic development organizations, business leaders, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to help ensure our region remains a place where businesses can thrive, and people can build successful lives and careers.
One of my favorite sayings is, “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” Real progress happens when people get involved, build relationships, and become active participants in their communities. The more engaged we are, the more opportunities we have to contribute, collaborate, and help shape positive outcomes.
That spirit of engagement is one of the things that makes Charleston special. We love this community. We love this place, and we are deeply invested in its future. We appreciate that so many people and businesses want to be part of what is happening here, and we welcome growth that aligns with our values and strengthens our community.
We also recognize the importance of preserving what makes Charleston unique. Thoughtful growth means protecting the character, culture, and quality of life that have made this region such an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family. As we continue to grow, we want to bring along people, businesses, and partners who share that vision.
Charleston has one of the most compelling stories in America today. It is a story of resilience, collaboration, innovation, and opportunity. The progress we have made is remarkable, but what excites me most is what lies ahead. The future is incredibly bright, and our story is only getting better.
Want more? Read the Invest: South Carolina report.
