Financial/Investing

Round numbers tend to get people’s attention. A particularly big round number caught everyone’s attention last week when our national debt surpassed the $40 trillion mark. While I have tried to keep us informed of the criticality of our debt problem in this column during the past few years, it has been largely ignored by the American public and the politicians who represent you.   While Democrats like to blame the problem on Republican tax cuts and Republicans like to blame the problem on out-of-control Democrat spending, this is a problem

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has checked off one more duty as he gets closer to leaving office. Serious financial decisions that will impact the Palmetto State for years to come. McMaster has vetoed 14 line items in the FY 2026-2027 budget passed by the state legislature on August 11th. The governor noted that 92% of the budget he proposed is part of the new spending plan. He attributed it to communication, collaboration, and cooperation among his office and the state lawmakers. “South Carolina is stronger, safer, and more

When customers think of mobile banking, it’s usually associated with making deposits or transactions remotely with our phone or other device.  SRP Federal Credit Union is trying to change the way credit unions operate. The credit union invested heavily in a multi-functional vehicle to hit the road almost every weekday to visit various community events, schools, businesses, and more. For instance, in the future, the mobile branch will visit new orientation day at Augusta Tech, National Night Out in North Augusta, Waynesboro Tractor Supply, and in underserved communities or small

For years, CSRA  cable customers came to the first floor of the Comcast building off of Riverwatch Parkway, while key employees occupied upstairs suites. Soon, Queensborough National Bank & Trust will be repurposing the building for its use. “Q” and its contractors will be busy building out this facility and another in Evans. This purchased building at 405 Topgolf Way in Augusta is nearly 40,000 square feet and considered a Class A office property. Once complete, the facility will serve as an operations center to provide more workspace to support

20 years ago, Betty Kendra (in the center) and her husband Bob started the Kendra Financial Group while living in Florida. The year after, they continued their company in the CSRA. Years later, they hired an agent, James Clayton.  There are now six New York Life agents serving the CSRA, a 50% increase in a short period of time.  If you’re a networker, you’ve probably bumped into one of them at a local Chamber of Commerce meeting or community event. Recently, they celebrated with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at

A credit union headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, is moving deeper into the Peach State—and the CSRA. Southern Financial Corporation announced that their branches in Sardis, Waynesboro, Hephzibah, and Gibson have met regulatory approvals to be sold to Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. The transaction, which is anticipated to close on July 31, 2026, is subject to the fulfillment of customary closing conditions. This strategic sale includes four of the Company’s branches, along with the associated loans, deposits, and fixed assets.