User:JB418/CommunitySouth Bank & Trust

CommunitySouth Bank & Trust (OTCBB: CBSO) is a South Carolina-based bank with six branches throughout the Upstate area. Formed in 2005, and headquartered in Easley, South Carolina, the bank offers personal and business checking, savings, as well as other financial services such as loans, mortgages, and investments. Ranked the 11th fastest growing company in South Carolina in 2007, each branch features a free refreshment center, which includes cookies, bottled water, soft drinks and seasonal refreshments such as hot cider.

History
CommunitySouth Bancshares, Inc., later CommunitySouth Financial Corporation, the parent company of the bank, was formed in 2005 by CEO Allan Ducker and President David Miller. Upon sending investment invitations to members of the community, Ducker and Miller secured approximately $32.7 million in investments, returning $2.7 million of those as the result of a $30 million maximum investment cap. With that investment, the bank set the record as the most highly capitalized de novo bank in the history of South Carolina at the time.

Services
Both personal and business services are offered. A Free Thank You Gift is given to anyone who opens a new checking account, or a savings account with an opening balance of $2500 or more. Current and upcoming gifts include grilling sets, rolling coolers, and food processors. A free box of cookies is also offered to anyone who opens a new savings account, regardless of opening balance.

Personal
Available personal services include checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, consumer loans, lines of credit, retirement, and investments. Checking and savings accounts include free online banking and bill pay, free checks, free debit cards, and free nationwide ATMs.

Business
Available business services include business checking accounts, business savings accounts, business loans and lines of credit, business courier service, remote deposit, merchant services, retirement plans, insurance, and investments. Business checking and savings accounts include free business courier service, free online banking and bill pay, free checks, free business debit cards, and free nationwide ATMs.

Branches
The bank currently has branches in Greenville, East Spartanburg, Anderson, Mauldin, Easley (Main Office), and Greer, South Carolina, with a new branch in West Spartanburg slated to open in late summer 2009. Branch ATM's and business courier delivery vehicles are also themed to reflect the offer of free cookies and free nationwide ATM's.

Free Refreshment Center
Each branch contains a Free Refreshment Center, with cookies, bottled water, and soft drinks. Seasonal refreshments such as hot cider are often offered throughout the holiday and winter season.

Cookies
Free cookies are available in all branches. Flavors baked in branches include Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Raisin, and Sugar. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, the newest flavor, was added in early 2009 as the result of Cookie Election 2008. A ballot could be cast at any branch or online for a favorite new flavor. The flavor beat Strawberry Shortcake and Chip's Chocolate Carnival in the election.