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SPARTANBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- John Windley, president of South Carolina Bank and Trust (SCBT) announced today that four former Wachovia wealth management executives will lead SCBT's entry into Spartanburg.

"Founded in 1933, SCBT has been serving the financial needs of South Carolinians for more than 75 years," said Windley. "Our niche is community banking. We believe in South Carolina and understand the needs of the local markets. This will be our first step into the Spartanburg market, further expanding our commitment to the Upstate and rounding out our presence throughout the state."

"Bill Coker will lead the team of seasoned executives including, Frank Sanders, Charles Williams and Brian Barker in providing a new dimension to our private banking and wealth management capabilities. The Spartanburg based initiative will eventually include banking and credit services to round out a full service offering," said Todd Harward, president, SCBT Wealth Management Group.

"We are fortunate to have the exceptional local leadership to be able to take our wealth management and private banking offering to a new level," said Windley. "Bill, Frank, Charles and Brian add a depth of expertise and style of full service relationship management that we will be able to leverage across the Carolinas."

A native of Spartanburg, Coker has 27 years of banking experience with Wachovia and its predecessors. Previously, he served as senior relationship manager for Wachovia's wealth management clients.

Coker earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware. He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds his FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.

"SCBT is committed to the same vision that is to provide comprehensive, objective advice through a fully integrated platform, serviced locally by a team of professionals," said Coker. "I am looking forward to being part of this entrepreneurial company. There is a great opportunity for a well-capitalized bank to focus on wealth and private banking in Spartanburg and the Upstate market."

Frank Sanders, also a Spartanburg native, has more than 20 years experience with Wachovia and previously NationsBank in the Trust Department. Frank earned his Juris Doctorate from the USC School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Wofford. Sanders also maintains his CTFA (Chartered Trust Financial Advisor) designation.

With more than 20 years experience in the investment business, Charles Williams has been a portfolio manager for Wachovia since 2003. Williams is a graduate of the Asheville School and the University of North Carolina Asheville. He maintains his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.

Brian Barker has over 10 years experience in the investment management business and has been a portfolio manager for Wachovia since 2003. Barker earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Clemson University and his MBA from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Barker is the current president of the SC Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, and maintains his professional designations, CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CTFA (Chartered Trust Financial Advisor) and AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary).

SCBT Financial Corporation, Columbia, South Carolina is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina. The Company consists of SCBT, N.A., the third largest bank headquartered in South Carolina and NCBT, a Division of SCBT, N.A. Providing financial services for over 75 years, SCBT Financial Corporation operates 48 financial centers in 16 South Carolina counties and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. Named in Forbes as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America, SCBT Financial Corporation has assets of approximately $2.8 billion and its stock is traded under the symbol SCBT in the NASDAQ Global Select Market. More information can be found at www.SCBTonline.com.

    Source: SCBT Financial Corporation