SouthState Bank Corporation (SSB) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

SouthState Bank disclosed early-stage climate risk and GHG measurement efforts in 2025, including development of transition and climate risk programs and intent to measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. However, no quantified emissions data, net-zero target year, renewable energy percentage, or decarbonization initiatives are disclosed. The company has not published detailed climate transition plans or third-party verified emissions metrics. This limits environmental scoring to moderate levels due to lack of verified baseline data and committed reduction targets.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Transition and Climate Risk Programs Development

During 2025, company actively worked toward developing necessary structure to understand the Bank's direct and indirect greenhouse gas scopes and emissions across the Company and to develop a process for undertaking climate risk assessments.

Early-stage program; no quantified emissions reductions yet verified.
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting

Company issues annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report highlighting environmental and corporate stewardship initiatives, including commitment to being 'environmentally resourceful' and supporting 'efficient and sustainable practices.'

Qualitative commitment; no specific targets or metrics disclosed in source documents.

Social story

SouthState Bank reports 11.82% voluntary turnover (all employees) and 1.49% management-level turnover in 2025, indicating moderate retention challenges. The company has zero unionized employees and no documented union suppression issues. Diversity initiatives include Corporate Stewardship Council programs, team member network groups (Women's Network, Women in Technology, Military & Veterans, Rising Leaders), and recruitment partnerships with HBCUs. Specific diversity percentages for leadership and executive roles are not disclosed in provided documents. CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio is not disclosed. No supply-chain human-rights controversies identified in source materials. Overall social profile shows proactive DEI efforts offset by lack of quantified diversity metrics and modest employee retention rates.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Corporate Stewardship Council and Working Group

Established over 5 years ago with Director of Corporate Stewardship overseeing strategic initiatives related to diverse talent recruitment, community development, and management development.

Reported removal of barriers impacting recruitment of diverse candidates and talent development across enterprise.
SouthState Connects Team Member Network Groups

Launched starting in 2024 with Women's Network Group, Women in Technology, Military & Veterans networks. In 2025, added Rising Leaders Network Group. Groups provide educational webinars, cultural awareness, fireside chats, and book clubs.

Enhanced employee engagement and internal mobility support; supported financial literacy, girls/women empowerment, and veteran organizations in 2025.
HBCU Recruitment Partnership

Talent Acquisition team committed to attending job fairs hosted by Historical Black Colleges and Universities within company footprint and recruiting in-market experienced diverse talent.

Expands diverse candidate pool for technical and professional roles.
Employee Wellness and Flexible Work

Comprehensive wellness program including on-site biometric screenings, health risk assessments, Employee Assistance Program. Approximately 25.7% of employees work remote. Broad leave plan includes paid parental leave, paid volunteer time.

Supports work-life balance and employee health and retention.
Leadership Development and Training

Corporate Learning team offers suite of leadership development programs with graduated topics, 360-degree reviews, individual coaching. In 2025, employees completed over 300,000 Company-provided training courses.

Internal talent pipeline and skill development.

Governance story

SouthState Bank is a national bank holding company subject to Federal Reserve and OCC regulation. The company maintains well-capitalized status with CET1 ratio of 11.36% (consolidated), Tier 1 ratio of 11.36%, and total risk-based capital ratio of 13.84% as of December 31, 2025, all exceeding regulatory minimums and capital conservation buffers. Board independence percentage is not disclosed in provided documents. The company has no dual-class share structure (standard one share, one vote). No active lobbying spend for anti-climate or anti-consumer regulation is disclosed; company acknowledges decreased regulatory scope due to deregulatory policies. No material antitrust, fraud, or consumer-protection fines are disclosed in source documents. Governance Oversight: Governance and Nominating Committee oversees environmental, corporate stewardship, and governance matters. Code of Ethics applies to all directors, officers, and employees. Whistleblower hotline reviewed by Audit Committee. Overall governance profile reflects standard financial institution compliance with heightened regulatory requirements.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Code of Ethics and Compliance

Code of Ethics applies to all directors, officers, and employees addressing conflicts of interest and self-dealing. Company established reporting structure for harassment and discrimination. Whistleblower hotline provides confidential mechanism for reporting accounting, internal controls, auditing, and securities law compliance concerns.

Establishes ethical governance framework and insider accountability.
Board Governance and Oversight

Board of Directors oversees strategic management of human capital resources. Governance and Nominating Committee oversees environmental, corporate stewardship, and governance matters relevant to business and shareholders.

Board-level accountability for ESG and operational risks.
Regulatory Capital Management

Company maintains capital ratios well above regulatory minimums: CET1 11.36%, Tier 1 11.36%, Total Risk-Based Capital 13.84% (consolidated) and Bank-level ratios exceeding well-capitalized standards.

Strong capital buffer reduces systemic financial risk; supports continued lending and shareholder value.
Heightened Standards Preparation

Following January 1, 2025 Independent Bank Group acquisition bringing total assets above $50 billion, company began preparing for OCC heightened standards guidelines for governance and risk management (effective Q4 2026, pending proposed rule change to $700B threshold).

Proactive governance and risk management framework development.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of SouthState Bank Corporation. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open SouthState Bank Corporation in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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