Hilton Head, February 20, 2026
Coastal States Bank has appointed Charlie Labassi as its new Treasury Services Relationship Banker. With over 20 years of experience, Labassi aims to enhance financial management for local businesses in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and surrounding areas. His focus on tailored treasury solutions promises to empower small business owners and bolster the economic growth of the Beaufort County region. Through innovative financial tools, Labassi’s appointment highlights the bank’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable development in the Lowcountry.
Hilton Head Welcomes Expert Banker to Boost Local Business Growth
In a move set to invigorate the local financial landscape, Coastal States Bank, a prominent community institution, has announced the appointment of Charlie Labassi as its new Treasury Services Relationship Banker. This strategic addition underscores the bank’s commitment to fostering Hilton Head economic growth and supporting the resilience of South Carolina SC entrepreneurs and Hilton Head small business owners across the region. Labassi’s expertise is anticipated to empower businesses in managing their finances more efficiently, a cornerstone of sustained prosperity in a dynamic market like the Lowcountry.
The vitality of the Beaufort County economy is intricately linked to the success and innovation of its local businesses. When financial institutions invest in specialized talent like Labassi, it signals a proactive approach to equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to navigate complex financial terrains. This focus on tailored, relationship-based solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises is crucial for translating individual entrepreneurial determination into broader economic benefits, fostering job creation and community stability without the burden of excessive regulatory hurdles.
Enhancing Business Efficiency Across the Lowcountry
Charlie Labassi joins Coastal States Bank as a Treasury Services Relationship Banker, bringing more than two decades of experience in corporate treasury and banking to his new role. His expertise lies in analyzing and improving treasury processes, which is vital for businesses seeking to optimize their financial operations. Labassi will be working with businesses in key areas including Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Charleston, and Savannah. His primary objective is to deliver efficient, technology-driven treasury solutions designed to streamline financial operations, enhance cash flow management, and reduce costs for companies. Such specialized support is instrumental for Hilton Head SC business growth, allowing local companies to operate with greater agility and competitive strength.
The Impact of Treasury Services on Small Businesses
Treasury management services offer numerous advantages, particularly for Hilton Head small business owners. These services are crucial for improving cash flow, reducing financial risks, and bolstering overall financial health. They provide a single, comprehensive source for efficient cash flow management, enabling businesses to automate recurring financial transactions. This automation frees up valuable time, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on high-impact business activities rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks. Furthermore, treasury services significantly reduce errors, redundancy, and administrative overhead, while providing secure access to accurate financial information.
Through an online dashboard, businesses gain around-the-clock control over their company finances, facilitating tasks such as managing tax payments, collecting payments, handling payroll, and executing ACH transactions and bill payments. Fraud prevention is another critical benefit, with tools like Positive Pay, check-matching, automated alerts, and ACH filters helping to safeguard accounts. Treasury services also simplify wire transfers, offering seamless same-day, one-time, or recurring options for moving funds locally, regionally, or nationally. These comprehensive tools empower businesses to improve operational efficiency by reducing manual tasks and reviewing cost-saving opportunities like automated payments and sweep accounts. Ultimately, these services aim to lower transaction fees, operating costs, maximize earnings, and increase profitability for businesses.
Coastal States Bank: A Pillar of Community Banking
Coastal States Bank, established in 2004, originated in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, as southern Beaufort County’s sole locally-owned bank. It has since grown to serve communities across the Lowcountry of South Carolina, including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Charleston, as well as Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta Metropolitan market. The bank, which operates with approximately $2.3 billion in total assets, emphasizes a relationship-based approach to banking. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: COSO), Coastal States Bank remains deeply committed to empowering growth and financial success within its communities, a philosophy captured by its tagline, “Local. And Proud Of It.”. Beyond its local footprint, the bank also extends its services nationwide through its Government Guaranteed Lending, Senior Housing, Correspondent Marine, and Mortgage Banker Finance lines of business.
Labassi’s role extends beyond traditional banking, reflecting the bank’s deep community roots. He is an active member of the community, currently serving with The Turtle Trackers on Hilton Head Island, an initiative dedicated to aiding endangered sea turtles in the Lowcountry. This personal commitment to local environmental initiatives showcases the broader community-oriented spirit that Coastal States Bank cultivates.
A Commitment to the Community
The bank’s dedication to its communities is further exemplified through its Community Commitment Initiative, established in 2017 in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. This initiative focuses on strengthening and enhancing the communities served by Coastal States Bank through grants and employee volunteerism programs. In 2025 alone, the bank donated $136,000 to Georgia and South Carolina-based charities and nonprofits, with these contributions supported by over 575 volunteer hours from its employees. Since its inception, the Community Commitment Initiative has resulted in more than $742,000 being donated to over 100 local charitable organizations. The initiative supports various focus areas, including financial literacy, childhood education, veteran support, health and wellness, and senior citizen care.
Hilton Head’s Robust Economic Landscape
Hilton Head Island continues to demonstrate a thriving economy, driven significantly by its tourism sector and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2024, the island generated $2.8 billion in tourism revenue from 2.8 million visitors. This economic dynamism is further evidenced by the opening of 160 new businesses in 2024, bringing the total number of active businesses on the island to 2,514. Events like the RBC Heritage contributed substantially, generating $134.9 million in economic impact in a single week. Furthermore, the Hilton Head Island Airport experienced a 9.5% increase in traffic since 2023, reflecting sustained visitor interest.
Tourism-related spending in 2025 exceeded expectations, reaching $2.4 billion, a significant increase over the previous year. Tourism alone accounts for nearly 40% of Hilton Head’s local economy, highlighting its critical role in supporting local businesses and creating employment opportunities. The Town of Hilton Head Island actively focuses on economic development, aiming to attract new businesses, retain existing ones, and provide diverse opportunities. Ongoing workforce housing projects on the island are part of this strategy, designed to grow the local workforce and offer affordable living options for residents. This robust economic environment, coupled with strategic banking partnerships, creates an ideal setting for South Carolina SC entrepreneurs to thrive.
Conclusion
The addition of Charlie Labassi to Coastal States Bank’s team as Treasury Services Relationship Banker represents a significant enhancement for businesses across Hilton Head and the broader Lowcountry. His experience and the specialized treasury services he will provide are essential for fostering entrepreneurial innovation, strengthening Hilton Head small business resilience, and contributing to the overall Beaufort County economy. By supporting local enterprises with advanced financial management tools, Coastal States Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to the region’s prosperity. We encourage all South Carolina SC entrepreneurs and local businesses to explore how these specialized services can unlock their potential for efficiency and growth, further cementing Hilton Head’s position as a hub for economic vitality.
Key Features of Charlie Labassi’s Role and Coastal States Bank’s Impact
| Feature Category | Key Detail | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| New Appointment | Charlie Labassi joins Coastal States Bank as Treasury Services Relationship Banker. | Local |
| Labassi’s Experience | Over 20 years of corporate treasury and banking experience. | Not specified (experience, not direct service) |
| Service Areas | Labassi will partner with businesses in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Charleston, and Savannah. | Regional (South Carolina and Georgia) |
| Role Objective | Deliver efficient, technology-driven treasury solutions; help streamline financial operations, enhance cash flow management, and reduce costs. | Local businesses in service areas |
| Bank Identity | Coastal States Bank is a local community bank. | Local |
| Bank Assets | Coastal States Bank has approximately $2.3 billion in total assets. | Not specified (bank-wide, though headquartered locally) |
| Community Initiative | Coastal States Bank’s Community Commitment Initiative established in 2017. | Local (served communities) |
| 2025 Charitable Donations | $136,000 donated to Georgia and South Carolina-based charities and nonprofits in 2025. | State-level (Georgia and South Carolina) |
| Total Donations (2017-Present) | More than $742,000 donated to over 100 local charitable organizations. | Local (served communities) |
| Hilton Head 2024 Tourism Revenue | $2.8 billion from 2.8 million visitors. | Local |
| Hilton Head 2024 New Businesses | 160 new businesses opened. | Local |
| Hilton Head Tourism’s Economic Share | Accounts for nearly 40% of Hilton Head’s local economy. | Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
