In a measure they say will make their bank stronger, Conway National Bank has signed an agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
The OCC is controlled by the federal government, and their job is to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks.
The deal signed by CNB and the OCC is a voluntary agreement between both parties.
"We have entered into an agreement that is formal and is a written commitment to our stakeholders and to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency that we will operate a safe and sound bank during these turbulent times for the banking industry and this nation," says CNB President and CEO W. Jennings Duncan. "For our account holders, please know we are welcoming business and we will continue to provide excellent loan and account services."
"Conway National Bank is definitely not in trouble," says CNB advisor Reed Byrum. "We've been around for 108 years, and signing this agreement makes sure we will be around for another 108 years."
Byrum says the bank has more than $900 million in assets and more than $700 million in deposits, and customers will not see any differences at the bank.
"The agreement will not disrupt customer interactions in their day-to-day dealings with the bank."
This agreement creates a compliance committee that meets once a month to review charters and determine if the bank remains compliant, which Byrum says they always have.
"We are healthy enough to start offering business loans," says Byrum. "The government will act as a consultant to us. Already two-thirds of SC banks are getting some sort of council from the government."
The bank has deteriorated assets over the past three years. But Byrum says that number isn't a fair judgement because mostly all US banks have seen some kind of deterioration with the economic climate.
"That is not specifically the problem at Conway National. This will create a better bank for consumers and a stronger bank for shareholders."
