Nothing against South State because I am sure this is nearly the same with every job, but if you want to be properly compensated for your job, you will need to outsource. Unless you are ok with settling, you will not be offered or paid the competitive salary rate for your new position. Instead, they will nickel and dime increase your salary with each promotion. Hence why I titled my post as a “good stepping stone job”. Your growth opportunities appear to have “caps”. It’s dependent upon timing and chance. Should you want to grow in your career it has to be at the time that management wants you to grow and if it is beneficial to them or not. It appears that very few outside of the long-time employees grow into their next role. If this is your first/only banking job and you are wanting/needing to bring in more money, I suggest outsourcing. It will help to understand/learn your worth. Other companies will pay for the experience. As will South State should you have come from another bank/credit union. The issue only lies with the way internal employees are compensated, or lack thereof, when being promoted within.