Greer Bancshares Incorporated, the parent company of Greer State Bank, today reported that it has repaid all of the $10.493 million of TARP preferred stock through a series of repayments, all at full face value.
The repayment of principal, and $2.059 million of deferred and current year dividends, was achieved with several payments throughout the first seven months of 2014 using $6.597 million in dividends from Greer State Bank as well as $5.955 in subordinated debt issued by the company.
The company’s directors purchased approximately 40 percent of the subordinated debt. The company paid the U.S. Treasury a total of $3.791 million in dividends and interest since the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) was issued.
George Burdette, President and CEO stated, “The TARP investment served a useful purpose when it was issued in 2009, reinforcing our capital during the height of the financial crisis. We are pleased that our financial progress has allowed this investment to be repaid, at full face value, along with almost $3.8 million in dividends and interest. We continue to pursue our goal to be the top performing community bank, and to see our vision carried forward of people’s lives positively changed by their association with Greer State Bank.”