GoVA Partners with South Atlantic Bank

South Atlantic Bank Partners with GoVA Foundation to Expand Financial Education for Military Families Across South Carolina 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (September 2025) — GoVA Foundation announces a strategic partnership with South Atlantic Bank, a South Carolina-based community bank, to provide free digital financial education resources to low- and moderate-income (LMI) military families through GoVA’s innovative platform, The Edge. 

Through a Community Development grant from South Atlantic Bank, the program will serve qualified military households across the bank’s seven-county assessment area, including Charleston, Beaufort, Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, and Jasper counties. The Edge platform offers interactive courses, financial calculators, and other digital resources designed to build financial empowerment within the military community. 

“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to support GoVA in guiding military members and their families toward financial success. As a veteran and local banker, this partnership couldn’t feel closer to home. Our dedication to serving the unique financial needs in our coastal communities and offering our customers tailored service continues to drive us forward. We look forward to creating a positive impact in our communities with GoVA,” said K. Wayne Wicker, Chairman and CEO of South Atlantic Bank. 

GoVA Foundation’s Executive Director, George Earhart, stated: “As an Air Force veteran, I’ve personally witnessed the unique financial challenges that military families face. This partnership with South Atlantic Bank allows us to provide critical financial education resources to those who need it most in South Carolina’s extensive military community. With over 220,000 military-connected individuals across South Atlantic’s assessment areas—including active duty personnel at Joint Base Charleston and MCAS Beaufort, plus over 130,000 veterans—we’re grateful for South Atlantic Bank’s commitment to supporting the military and look forward to the positive impact this collaboration will create.” 

The partnership launched in September 2025, and reflects both organizations’ commitment to supporting military communities and expanding financial education access. South Atlantic Bank will receive LMI verification and impact reports as part of the grant agreement, while sponsored military members gain unlimited access to The Edge’s financial education tools for a full year. The partnership also includes quarterly webinars featuring South Atlantic Bank employees, providing additional opportunities for community engagement and CRA service hour documentation. 

This collaboration is part of GoVA Foundation’s ongoing efforts to partner with forward-thinking financial institutions nationwide in service of military families. 

About GoVA Foundation 

GoVA Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering military families through innovative financial education and resources. GoVA addresses the unique financial challenges many military families face. Through its digital education platform The Edge, GoVA provides comprehensive financial literacy tools, interactive courses, and personalized resources tailored to the needs of service members, veterans, and their spouses. The platform features a mobile-optimized design to ensure accessibility for military families regardless of location. GoVA Foundation has served over 8,000 military families across all 50 states and maintains partnerships with forward-thinking financial institutions. The organization’s mission includes advocacy for military financial wellness and suicide prevention, recognizing the critical link between financial stress and military mental health outcomes. 

About South Atlantic Bank 

South Atlantic Bank is a $1.8 billion financial institution that is locally owned, controlled, and operated. The bank is headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with 11 additional offices in North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. South Atlantic Bank offers a wide variety of services for businesses and consumers, including South Atlantic Bank goMobile, its mobile banking app. The bank also offers online banking, checking, CD, and money market accounts, merchant services, mortgage loans, remote deposit capture, and more. For more information, visit www.SouthAtlantic.bank. 

Contact: 
Lizann Lightfoot, VP of Marketing 
GoVA Foundation 
Email: Lizann.Lightfoot@GoVAFoundation.org 

About Our Partnership with TowneBank Mortgage

At GoVA, we’re proud to partner with a lender that delivers peace of mind to those who have served and continue to serve our county. Together, GoVA and TowneBank Mortgage are committed to helping our military service members achieve their dreams of homeownership, as well as providing them with valuable resources along the way. As experienced lenders, TowneBank Mortgage understands the need for a quick and easy mortgage process, especially during life’s transitional moments. Headquartered in Norfolk, just miles from the world’s largest naval base, TowneBank Mortgage has had the honor of helping thousands of military families through their VA loan offerings. Their team is knowledgeable about VA products and the local market, and in-house operations allow them to respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. Together, we can get you to closing in 30 days or less. Trust TowneBank Mortgage and GoVA loans to get you home.

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