Originally established in 1921 as Victory Savings Bank, we were South Carolina’s first black-owned bank. President I.J. Joseph and Vice Presidents I.S. Leevy and C.E. Stephenson chartered the bank and located it in the center of Columbia’s black business district. In 1948, Dr. Henry Monteith assumed the presidency and held the position until 1979.  

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In 1957, Modjeska Simkins, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina and an advocate for public health and social reform, joined the team as public relations director. A new branch was opened in 1962 at 1503 Harden St., which Modjeska managed. She remained with the bank until 1982, serving as the head of the bookkeeping department while overseeing the branch.

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Following financial struggles in 1999, a group of local African American business leaders revitalized the bank as South Carolina Community Bank. In 2012, successful entrepreneur and long-time investor in the bank, Paul Mitchell, became Chairman and guided the bank out of the Great Recession, leading to stability and growth.

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In 2017, Dominik Mjartan joined Chairman Mitchell and Director Kenny Loyd as an investor, President, and CEO. Their mission was to increase the bank’s impact and financial strength. In 2019, the bank was renamed Optus Bank. Under Dominik’s leadership, the bank reached record profitability and assets of nearly $200 million. In 2024, Benita Lefft, a respected banking executive with over 30 years of experience, assumed the role of President and COO while Dominik continues as a member of the board of directors.

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Optus Bank is one of only 22 Black-owned banks in the U.S. and the only Black-owned bank in South Carolina.

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Learn about our community outreach efforts with Optus Bank.