<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Palmetto
Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          42,446
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 1,371
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    106,772
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        445,757
<ALLOWANCE>                                    (6,362)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 625,198
<DEPOSITS>                                     537,687
<SHORT-TERM>                                    39,394
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              2,490
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        31,134
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 625,198
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 36,759
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                5,975
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   408
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                43,142
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              15,151
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,399
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           26,743
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,431
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                  32
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 21,274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,107
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       8,069
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,069
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.87
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,521
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 5,795
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  (1,973)
<RECOVERIES>                                       109
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,362
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0


</TABLE>