About BANCO
Heyward Bannister originally founded BANCO/Bannister Company in 1992.
On his unlikely journey from picking cotton in rural South Carolina to working for the president of the United States, Bannister developed a deep understanding of the disparities across America and a passion for leveling the playing field.
As a youth, Bannister witnessed the unfair distribution of resources, inadequate educational and job opportunities, and a lack of political representation in his community.
He was motivated to develop and use his organizational and management skills in business, civic, and political arenas, focusing on challenging the status quo and promoting inclusion and equitable distribution of community resources to mobilize and empower underserved populations.
In 1984, he joined Blackwater and Associates, Inc., where he obtained greater knowledge in research, public relations, and political consulting.
In 1986, he became co-founder of Sunrise Enterprises of Columbia, Inc., the first African-American-owned public relations firm in South Carolina.
In 1992, he became the owner of BANCO/Bannister Company, a public relations, marketing, and political consulting firm.
Bannister would pause operations at BANCO/Bannister to serve as state director for the Clinton-Gore campaign and was later appointed White House Liaison for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Clinton Administration. In 1999, he returned to South Carolina as the director of the South Carolina Community Business Center for Fannie Mae, a Fortune 500 corporation dedicated to removing barriers to homeownership.
After retiring from Fannie Mae in 2007, Bannister reestablished the BANCO/Bannister Company, building it into the powerful marketing and consulting firm it is today.
Certified Minority Business Enterprise
Being a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) reflects BANCO’s long-standing commitment to inclusive representation, equitable partnerships, and culturally-grounded strategy. This designation honors our roots and relationships within underserved communities, while strengthening our ability to support supplier diversity goals across corporations, agencies, and organizations nationwide.
Company Highlights
City of Columbia
Launched and managed the Business Friendly Task Force, designed to streamline operations, including shortening waiting periods, providing more user-friendly processes, and creating a more business-friendly environment for those conducting business with the City of Columbia.
BANCO Works to Raise Awareness and Understanding of COVID-19 Vaccines
Working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), BANCO developed a six-month plan that included strategies and tactics to increase awareness and understanding of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to combat myths, misinformation, and hesitancy. Efforts were made to reach people where they were with targeted messages for various populations in 26 counties across South Carolina. Ultimately, the goal was to reduce fear or hesitancy, engage people with appropriate and acceptable messages, and encourage them to get vaccinated. This resulted in thousands of shots in the arms of thousands of South Carolinians.
Denmark-Olar Citizens for Better Schools
Unfortunately, many of South Carolina’s rural schools are in a state of disrepair, and Denmark-Olar School District Two’s buildings were no exception. Poor classroom conditions, outdated technology, and mechanical issues combined to provide a poor learning and teaching environment. BANCO conducted research to assess local opinions regarding the awareness of the state of disrepair and the willingness to support a bond referendum to pay for improvements. BANCO then crafted a strategic plan designed to inform, educate, and engage citizens about the opportunity to pass a referendum on the 2016 ballot that would improve the educational landscape for generations to come.
BANCO worked with a citizen-based organization led by community leaders and parents to ensure that the voters in Denmark-Olar approved the bond referendum needed to repay a $38 million, 40-year, low-interest loan that would finance their school construction overhaul. A “yes” vote was garnered on November 8, 2016, resulting in the construction of a new Pre-K-8 school and the renovation of the high school, along with improvements to other key administrative and athletic facilities. The improved schools will provide teachers with modern classrooms and the necessary technology to offer students a first-class education. The school bond referendum passed with 72% of the votes cast.
The Pew Charitable Trusts Hires BANCO for its SC Clean Energy Efforts
PEW’s Clean Energy Initiative was active from 2011 to 2016, focusing on accelerating the clean energy economy for national security, economic, and environmental benefits. This included promoting policies that increased fuel economy, encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles, and improved the efficiency of the electric and industrial sectors. BANCO was hired to work with policymakers to share the message about the importance of a safer, cleaner, more secure energy future.
One of these efforts was to highlight the importance of reducing America's dependence on imported oil by exploring alternative ways to achieve energy efficiency, harnessing renewable sources, and utilizing advanced biofuels. BANCO was successful in creating opportunities for clean energy supporters to convene in South Carolina. In addition to creating informational and educational sessions, BANCO wrote articles and secured media placements.