At Southern First, we prioritize building long-lasting relationships and providing a unique, authentic client experience. To be successful in that endeavor, it is key that every team member is committed to service. “We have had a core value of serving others since this company’s inception,” shares CEO Art Seaver. “I believe that the joy of serving others resonates throughout this organization.” We see our team's passion for service every day in the way they serve their clients, their communities, and each other. Here's what a few of our associates had to say when we asked what service means to them.

Serving Clients

For Columbia Regional President Blake Taylor, it starts with caring. He says, “I think it means to take care of someone to the very best of your abilities and expect nothing in return, and if an individual were to describe their interaction with you in only one word, it would be care.” 

It also means taking the time to get to know our clients and their goals so we can best help them. VOICE Coordinator Paris Wright explains, “It actually means taking yourself out of the situation and just placing yourself in the clients’ shoes – being authentic, taking care of their needs first, and just being joyful.” Charleston Team Leader Sean Holleran stresses, “You have to have a legitimate desire to understand the needs that they have and to understand how they want to be helped.”

For many of our associates, it is the reason they love coming to work every day. “Service is a big reason why I work at Southern First. We are more than just a bank. We provide above and beyond service to our clients in a world where it’s often ‘Me! Me! Me!’ I am honored to get to do that every day,” shares Client Experience Banker, Andrew Dawkins.

Client Experience Banker Yolanda Anderson takes pride in earning each client’s trust. She says, “I love helping people and I have a servant’s heart. I love making the clients happy and for them to be able to trust me.” Katelyn Stephens, Executive Assistant, adds, “Knowing that I have made an impact on someone’s life, no matter how small, is incredibly rewarding.”

Serving the Community

In addition to serving clients, our team members also dedicate their time and talents to serving their communities. For Credit Analyst Manager, Kimberly Fly, serving others is, “Making folks dreams come true from a lending perspective as well as through community work.”

If you follow Southern First on social media, you may have seen photos from the many volunteering events our associates participate in. These are often led by teams or associates who have a passion for a certain cause. Credit Analyst Emily Unruh shares, “My team loves serving with Meals on Wheels to give back to the community.”

Office Specialist Callie Sparrow finds personal fulfillment in supporting the disability community. She says, “It just feels really good to give back to something that is underserved especially because folks in that community are so, so grateful when you help out.”

Serving Each Other

Before we can successfully serve our clients or community, we must first support each other. Greensboro Team Leader Joe Aldridge points out, “You can serve others everyday through small actions like smiling at someone, holding a door open, or helping a coworker with an issue they’re going through at work.” Client Experience Officer Pamela Milton explains, “Serving others to me is about being there. If being there means listening, praying, saying words of encouragement, or a hug, just know I got you covered.”

For Director of IT Phillip Siebels, there is sacrifice involved in service, whether it is sacrificing your time or knowledge. He says, “It’s about putting people first. I don’t have the pleasure of serving our customers directly at the bank. However, by serving our staff, my team, even those people I report to, I get to serve our customers.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Silvia King states, “I have the unbelievable privilege of seeing first-hand the special and often anonymous ways that we internally care, serve, and love each other well through life’s challenges and celebrations across all our markets. We attract unique and gifted individuals who desire to impact lives and make lasting memories along the way. Being able to serve others and feel appreciated for who I am as an individual, makes this the most special place to give my full energy and commitment.”

Southern First’s dedication to service is not just a core value, but something our associates live and breathe both inside and outside of our offices. It is about making each other feel valued and building relationships that extend beyond banking transactions. President Cal Hurst concludes, “One of the most powerful things you can do for another human being is to serve them well. Often, for us, it takes the form of being great at relationships, taking great care of someone, knowing the things that are important to them, and anticipating things that are going to be important to them. In our culture and our society, that is rare. Southern First’s ability to do these things creates the biggest chance we have to fulfill our mission and impact lives every single day.”