Coastal States Bank Expands into Charleston, Bringing Local Expertise and Relationship-Driven Banking to the Lowcountry
Coastal States Bank (“CSB”), a locally focused community bank headquartered on Hilton Head Island, has officially announced its strategic expansion into the Charleston market, marking a significant step in the bank’s continued growth throughout South Carolina’s Lowcountry. With more than two decades of experience serving clients in Beaufort County, CSB’s move into Charleston represents both a deepening of its regional footprint and a commitment to bringing personalized, relationship-driven banking to one of the state’s most dynamic business hubs.
Our expansion into Charleston builds upon the strong foundation we have established in the Lowcountry and reflects our continued investment in this region,” said Stephen R. Stone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coastal States Bank. Charleston is a vibrant market with diverse businesses and industries, and we see significant opportunity to bring our approach—relationship-based banking, local expertise, and trusted financial guidance—to support the growth and success of companies here.”
To ensure a seamless entry into the Charleston market, CSB has assembled a highly experienced, locally based commercial banking team. Leading the expansion is Edward Vaughan, who will serve as Charleston Market President. He will be joined by David Wenger, Senior Commercial Banker, and Thomas Pritchard, Commercial Banker. Collectively, this team brings more than 50 years of combined banking experience and deep familiarity with Charleston’s business landscape. The group will focus on building long-term relationships with small and mid-sized businesses through a full suite of commercial banking services, including commercial and industrial (C&I) lending, commercial real estate financing, and treasury management solutions.
This is an exciting time to join Coastal States Bank,” said Edward Vaughan. “Charleston’s business community is diverse, entrepreneurial, and deeply rooted in the region. We are proud to bring a relationship-oriented approach that combines local knowledge with the financial tools and resources businesses need to thrive. Our goal is to be more than a bank; we want to be a trusted partner that helps businesses navigate growth, manage risk, and achieve their strategic objectives.”
The Charleston expansion also aligns with CSB’s broader growth strategy following its initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the New York Stock Exchange in July of last year. This investment in the Charleston market reflects the bank’s commitment to serving the Lowcountry with a consistent focus on community, trust, and financial excellence.
Our decision to grow in Charleston is about more than geographic expansion,” added Stone. “It’s about deepening our presence in the Lowcountry and reinforcing the values that define our bank: relationship-driven service, local insight, and a dedication to the success of our clients. Charleston is a natural fit for these values, and the talented team led by Edward Vaughan ensures we are well-positioned to support the region’s thriving business community.”
With a history rooted in personalized banking and a future oriented toward strategic regional growth, Coastal States Bank continues to deliver on its promise to provide businesses in the Lowcountry with the financial expertise, resources, and guidance needed to prosper. Through this Charleston expansion, CSB demonstrates its ongoing commitment to combining local knowledge with comprehensive banking solutions, fostering long-term partnerships with the region’s businesses, and supporting sustainable economic growth across South Carolina.
About the Company
Coastal States Bank builds relationships by providing a full range of banking services designed for businesses, their owners and individuals looking for a local banking partner. CSB has a community banking presence in the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and Charleston), Savannah and the Atlanta Metropolitan market, and serves communities across the country through its Government Guaranteed Lending, Senior Housing, Correspondent Marine and Mortgage Banker Finance lines of business. At present, CSB has approximately $2.3 billion in total assets.
