TODAY'S HEADLINES |   JULY 31, 2012

Security Federal reports 77% hike   in earnings

The Aiken-based bank   holding company, which has 13 branches in South Carolina and Georgia,   reported $621,000 in earnings for its fiscal first quarter. Security Federal   Corp. attributed the increase to a $1.58 million decrease in the provision   for loan losses.

BlueChoice adds health coverage   for families

Family coverage has been   available for BlueChoice HealthPlan members enrolled in an employer's plan,   but not until now for families that buy insurance on their own. BlueChoice   said it is offering eight plans with a variety of coinsurance, deductible and   benefit levels.

Palmetto Bank sells $40M in   problem assets

The S.C.-based bank   reported a higher second quarter loss of $7.2 million as it sold $40.3   million in problem assets at a discount in an effort to return to   profitability. As a result, nonperforming assets are down 73% from their 2010   peak, the bank said.

New Carolina names new deputy   director

New Carolina: South   Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness has appointed Laura Leventis McKinney   as deputy director. McKinney has worked for 15 years in U.S. government and   business services overseas. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Four cranes damaged at S.C.   terminal

A weekend storm blew a   post-Panamax container crane south on the S.C. State Ports Authority’s Wando   Welch Terminal, where it struck the first of three smaller cranes and damaged   all four. It could take up to three months for the cranes to be operational again.

Nominate a Health Care Hero

Columbia Regional   Business Report will pay homage to the health care field at an awards dinner   in October, honoring volunteers, nurses, doctors, researchers, first   responders and others who touch lives in the Midlands. The deadline to nominate a Health Care Hero   is Aug. 3