About Us

Today's Banking Technology and a History of Progress

Since 1903, Conway National Bank has strived to be a trusted friend and a bank of opportunity for generations of families, businesses, and individuals. Equipped with the most advanced banking technology, and with offices throughout Horry County (pronounced “o’ree”), the Grand Strand, and the Waccamaw Neck area of Georgetown County, CNB is a modern bank operating on time-honored principles of community service.

Until the shriek of a train whistle finally opened Horry County, South Carolina, to the outside world, no banks existed in Horry County. All of that changed with the railroad in 1887. By 1903, a railroad was running between Conway and Myrtle Beach, primarily to haul timber, but also taking increasing numbers of passengers to the new seaside resort of Myrtle Beach. A small group of civic and business leaders saw the need for another bank, and on June 5 received the charter for the Bank of Horry. Tradition holds that the bank had its beginning when South Carolina Congressman Robert Scarborough took a vacation to his Conway hometown around 1902, accompanied by his secretary, Will Freeman.

Freeman had served as the first mayor of Chadbourn, North Carolina, and in the U.S. Diplomatic Corps before working with Scarborough. During his Conway holiday, Freeman went fishing in the Waccamaw River, caught a heavy string of fish, and gave notice that he was not returning to Washington. The Congressman suggested establishing a local bank instead; and when the charter for the Bank of Horry was issued in 1903, it listed Scarborough as president and Freeman as cashier and teller.

The bank nationalized in 1914, changing its name to The Conway National Bank, and strengthening its holdings by purchasing the original Bank of Conway. In 1925, CNB acquired the five-year-old Burroughs Bank and Trust Company of Conway, and in 1928, purchased the 18-year-old Bank of Little River. The Great Depression eventually meant death for hundreds of banks around the country, but CNB earned the distinction of being one of the few banks operating without restrictions throughout the Depression.

In 1934, Conway National Bank purchased the Conway Savings Bank and continued to operate out of a narrow office on Main Street until 1960. By the end of World War II, Myrtle Beach was beginning to experience a well-defined tourist season, and CNB’s loans were beginning to contribute to the growth of the beach. In 1960, Conway National Bank moved its headquarters to a large, modern bank building at 1400 Third Avenue in Conway. Since then, Conway National Bank has progressively constructed conveniently-located offices in key locations in Conway, Myrtle Beach, other Grand Strand markets, the Waccamaw Neck area of Georgetown County, and in western Horry County. One of the few blue-ribbon banks in the state of South Carolina, Conway National Bank is consistently ranked among the safest and most stable financial institutions in the nation. Bauer Financial Reports has repeatedly awarded CNB its five-star rating, and Money Magazine has called Conway National Bank a banking “superstar.”

Today, Conway National Bank operates 15 offices in Horry County and the Waccamaw Neck area of Georgetown County (Aynor, Conway, Little River, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Pawleys Island), and continues to welcome newcomers to our community. It’s the same commitment to quality, dependability, and friendliness that has distinguished CNB since its founding in 1903.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Conway National Bank, a locally-owned and managed banking and financial institution, is to provide the entire community within our market area (throughout Horry County and the Waccamaw Neck area of Georgetown County) the highest quality financial services at a competitive price with interest in promoting stable economic growth.

We are committed to strong corporate citizenship and community service, and providing our staff with fairness in employment and the opportunity for personal and professional development, while providing our stockholders with both a reasonable dividend yield and long-term growth from their investment.

The management and staff of Conway National Bank will accomplish our mission by remaining a strong independent community bank with our priorities ordered toward service, safety and soundness, profitability, and growth.