FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 12, 2005

 Arthur State Bank Opens New Location in Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC –President and CEO of Arthur State Bank, J. Carlisle Oxner, III, is pleased to announce the opening of a new branch located at 7001 Garners Ferry Road.  The branch is located next to the VA Hospital just off of I-77 and will open on Tuesday, February 15th.  The branch will offer both drive-thru and ATM access.  Operating hours will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Thursday and 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday with the drive-thru opening at 8:00 AM Monday - Friday.

Autaum Morant will be working as the Customer Service Representative / Branch Supervisor.  Both
Johnny Carlton and Bob Welling are Senior Vice Presidents and will serve as the senior lenders in the
Columbia market.  The branch phone number is 803-695-7780 and the fax number is 803-695-7799.  

Arthur State Bank is a full service community bank providing various deposit accounts including:
free personal checking, business checking, certificate's of deposit, IRA's, health savings accounts,
IOLTA accounts and saving accounts. Other services include a Trust department and consumer,
commercial and mortgage loans.  The bank also offers free online banking and free telephone banking
services.

The bank will give away a Dodge Ram Truck and a Ranger Bass Boat in June/July this year.  All bank
customers with a valid personal account relationship can enter by completing an entry form subject to
the Official Promotion Rules.  

Arthur State Bank is privately owned and based in Union, SC.  The bank was founded in 1933 by
General Harry Arthur.  Arthur State Bank already operates 16 offices in SC including Chesnee, Clinton, Greenville, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Union, and Woodruff.

Arthur State Bank is a member FDIC.  

For more information, please visit our website www.arthurstatebank.com or contact Jason Land at 864-253-4290 / jland@arthurstatebank.com.