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About Us

We are The Southern Bank.
Nice to meet y’all.

We were founded by people who wanted to offer a better banking experience—one with the technical prowess of a big bank and the personal service of a community bank. The Southern Bank blends those two experiences into one, with business-minded bankers delivering big-bank technology without losing the warmth and classic, casual Southern service of a community bank. If you’re looking for a high-tech, high-touch banking relationship, we at The Southern Bank are pleased to make your acquaintance.

Executive Leadership

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Jamin M. Hujik

Chief Executive Officer

With 20-plus years of community banking experience under his belt, Jamin has served in leadership roles with both publicly traded and non-publicly traded companies. He was most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at CresCom Bank, the community banking subsidiary of Carolina Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CARO).

Jamin’s career in banking started in 1999 with Community First Bank of Charleston, which had two branches and $60 million in assets at the time. The bank merged with Crescent Bank to form CresCom Bank in 2012. During his time in leadership with CresCom, Jamin saw the bank grow to encompass 73 branches and $4.7 billion in assets.

A magna cum laude graduate of Roanoke College holding a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a concentration in Finance, Jamin is a South Carolina-licensed certified public accountant and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg, and serves as the Finance Committee Chairman at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spartanburg.

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Scott M. Frierson

Bank President

A seasoned community banker with over 35 years of experience leading and building organizations and teams, Scott most recently served as Upstate SC Market President for United Bank, which acquired CresCom Bank in May 2020.

Scott began his banking career in 1985 with Greenville’s C&S Bank as a management associate in the training program. In the nearly four decades since, he’s served in community banking leadership roles including: President of the Carolinas with Carolina First Bank (The South Financial Group); EVP and Chief Credit Officer with Regent Bank; President of the State of South Carolina with CertusBank; and Upstate SC Market Executive with CresCom Bank.

In the past, Scott has served as Chairman of the South Carolina Bankers School Board and Director of the South Carolina Bankers Association Board, along with serving on numerous charitable and community boards, including Greenville Forward, YMCA of Greenville and Urban League of the Upstate — just to name a few.

A 1985 graduate of Clemson University with a BS in Financial Management and a concentration in Accounting, Scott is also a graduate of The South Carolina Bankers School and an honors graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking. When he’s not busy serving customers at The Southern Bank, Scott is also active in leadership at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest, SC.

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Frank Townsend

Chief Lending Officer

For more than 35 years, Francis “Frank” A. Townsend III has served as a leader in community and regional banks. Most recently, he was City Executive for South State Bank in Aiken, S.C.

Frank began his banking career in 1985 with C&S Bank in Aiken, in the management associate program. He spent several years in Columbia, in branch management. He left the bank in 1989 to become a commercial lines producer for an insurance firm. 

He returned to the industry as a commercial lender for Palmetto Federal Savings Bank in 1994. He was there when Regions Bank acquired Palmetto Federal in 1997. He’s also worked with Georgia Bank and Trust, and served as CEO for Southern Bank and Trust in 2007. He helped the bank grow to $200 million in assets before its merger with Georgia Bank & Trust. 

Frank graduated from Clemson in 1985. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management there. He also is a South Carolina Banker School graduate. He’s on several boards and serves as treasurer of Friends of the Animal Shelter. He’s Elder on the church session at First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, of which he’s a member.

Kristi Eller

Chief Administrative Office

For more than 35 years, Kristi Eller has served as a leader in community and regional banks. She was most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for GrandSouth Bank, acquired by First Bank in 1st Quarter 2023.

Kristi’s career in banking began with NCNB – Chapel Hill in 1984 and continued with the management associate program NCNB – Charlotte in 1986.   Prior to moving to GrandSouth Bank, she was the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Yadkin Bank.  Over 20 years of leadership with Yadkin Bank and subsidiaries, she saw the bank grow through de novo and acquisition to $7.5 billion in assets and 100 branch locations throughout North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

A 1986 graduate of UNC – Chapel Hill with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance, Kristi is also a graduate of the North Carolina School of Banking.

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