Carolina Bank & Trust Co. vs Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina
Comparing a Bank in Lamar, SC with a Bank in Holly Hill, SC using federal FDIC, NCUA, and CFPB data. Trust Grades reflect financial strength and complaint history.
| Carolina Bank & Trust Co. ↗ Bank · Lamar, SC · Est. 1936 | Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina ↗ Bank · Holly Hill, SC · Est. 1912 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Grade | A · 98/100 | A · 98/100 |
| Institution type | Bank | Bank |
| Location | Lamar, SC | Holly Hill, SC |
| Total assets | $830.6M | $476.2M |
| Capital ratio | 13.1% | 12.8% |
| Return on assets | 1.7% | 2.0% |
| Deposits | $714.1M | $414.3M |
| Branches | 14 | 8 |
| CFPB complaints | 0 | 0 |
| Complaints / $1B assets | — | — |
| State rank | #5 of 44 | #4 of 44 |
| Established | 1936 | 1912 |
Carolina Bank & Trust Co.
- Assets: $830.6M
- Deposits: $714.1M
- Capital ratio: 13.1%
- Return on assets: 1.7%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #5 of 44
Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina
- Assets: $476.2M
- Deposits: $414.3M
- Capital ratio: 12.8%
- Return on assets: 2.0%
- CFPB complaints: 0
- State rank: #4 of 44
Are both institutions federally insured?
Yes. Carolina Bank & Trust Co. is FDIC-insured and Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina is FDIC-insured. Both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, regardless of Trust Grade. The Trust Grade reflects financial strength and complaint history — not the safety of insured deposits. Estimate your coverage →
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Carolina Bank & Trust Co. or Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina?
Based on Bankzia's Trust Grade — which blends financial strength (capital ratio, ROA) with CFPB complaint history — Carolina Bank & Trust Co. scores higher with a grade of A (98/100). However, "better" depends on your needs: if you prioritize branch access, local service, or membership eligibility for a credit union, the lower-scoring option may still be the right choice for you.
Is Carolina Bank & Trust Co. safe?
Yes — Carolina Bank & Trust Co. is FDIC-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected regardless of the institution's Trust Grade. Its Trust Grade is A (98/100), reflecting its financial strength and complaint history relative to peers.
Is Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina safe?
Yes — Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina is FDIC-insured, meaning deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category are federally protected. Its Trust Grade is A (98/100).
What is the capital ratio of Carolina Bank & Trust Co. vs Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina?
Carolina Bank & Trust Co. has a capital ratio of 13.1%, placing it in the top 19% of $100M–1B peers. Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina's ratio is 12.8%, placing it in the top 21% of $100M–1B peers. A higher capital ratio generally signals a stronger financial cushion.
How many complaints does Carolina Bank & Trust Co. have compared to Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina?
The CFPB database shows 0 complaints against Carolina Bank & Trust Co., and 0 complaints against Farmers And Merchants Bank Of South Carolina. The per-$1B rate adjusts for institution size and is a more meaningful comparison metric.
How does Bankzia calculate the Trust Grade?
The Trust Grade combines a financial strength score (based on capital ratio, return on assets, and other FDIC/NCUA metrics) with a customer experience score derived from CFPB complaint data. The scores are weighted and normalized within peer groups by institution size and type. See our full methodology for details.
Compare Carolina Bank & Trust Co. with other Banks in South Carolina
Financial data from FDIC call reports; complaint data from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Bankzia is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or financial institution.
