SouthState Bank
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| |
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | June 30, 2000 as CenterState Bank |
| Headquarters | Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
Number of locations | 371 branches |
Area served | South Carolina North Carolina Georgia Florida Alabama Virginia Colorado Texas |
Key people | Robert R. Horger (chairman) John Corbett (CEO) Will Matthews (CFO) |
| Services | Financial services |
 Template:US$ (2024) | |
| Total assets | US$46.4 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | US$5.9 billion (2024) |
Number of employees | 5,100 (2024) |
| Website | southstatebank |
SouthState Bank, a subsidiary of SouthState Corporation, is based in Winter Haven, Florida and operates 371 branches across eight states including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas. SouthState Corporation is publicly traded and functions as a bank holding company.
The bank traces its origins to 1933 when it was founded as First National Bank in Orangeburg, South Carolina. In 2002, it adopted the name South Carolina Bank and Trust (SCBT) and moved its headquarters to Columbia, SC. By 2013, SCBT ranked as the fourth-largest bank in South Carolina with assets totaling $1 billion, having expanded through acquisitions such as TSB Financial Corporation in 2007, which introduced branches in North Carolina under the North Carolina Bank and Trust name.
In 2013, SCBT merged with Charleston-based First Financial Holdings for $447 million, resulting in the formation of SouthState Corporation in 2014. This consolidation boosted assets to $8 billion and strengthened the bank’s presence along the South Carolina coastline. Subsequently, SouthState acquired 13 Bank of America branches located in underserved markets.
The company's expansion continued with key acquisitions: Southeastern Bank Financial Corp. in 2017 added locations in Georgia and South Carolina; later that year, Park Sterling Corp. was acquired for $690.8 million, extending operations into Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
A significant merger with CenterState Bank was finalized in June 2020, moving the headquarters to Winter Haven, Florida, and creating a combined institution with $34 billion in assets.
Most recently, on May 20, 2024, SouthState announced an agreement to purchase Independent Bank Group for roughly $2 billion through an all-stock transaction completed on January 1, 2025. This acquisition brought an additional 92 branches primarily situated in Texas and Colorado, further broadening SouthState’s geographic footprint.
SouthState’s growth strategy emphasizes regional expansion through selective acquisitions aimed at increasing market share throughout the Southeast and beyond. The company offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services tailored to diverse client needs and maintains strong financial results under the guidance of CEO John Corbett and Chairman Robert R. Horger.