John Leighton, CWS®

John Leighton is a Certified Wealth Strategist® with over 25 years of overall banking experience and focuses on delivering comprehensive financial planning to clients to help them address all financial needs and goals. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Finance and the South Carolina Bankers School. He is also a graduate of Leadership Columbia. John joined SouthState in 2008. John is an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and has served as both a Deacon and Elder. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the South Carlina Bankers School and served as Chairman in 2024. John and his wife, Kim, have three children and live in Columbia.