First Reliance Bank celebrates 22nd anniversary

First Reliance Bank celebrated its 22nd anniversary this past August.

The Carolinas-based bank serves the Florence, Midlands, Upstate, and Coastal South Carolina markets, as well as the Piedmont Triad and Charlotte areas of North Carolina. The bank was started by Rick Saunders, Paul Saunders and Dale Porter to form and maintain long-lasting relationships with their customers. They wanted to provide their own region with a trusting and dependable bank by maintaining their values and connection with the community they serve.

During its decades-long operation, the bank has received numerous accolades and recognitions, including the Dave Thomas Foundation’s List of Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces, The Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies in South Carolina and one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina.

“I am so amazed by how far First Reliance Bank has come and how we continue to stride for the values instilled in the communities we work with,” Saunders said. “We owe the success of First Reliance Bank to our hardworking employees and loyal customers. We truly exist to make the lives of our customers better, and I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts and time many have put into making this mission a success for 22 years.”

First Reliance Bank goes beyond the expectations of a banking business in South Carolina. The company has multiple programs to ensure the economic growth of the community they work for. The bank provides PPP loans for small businesses to survive the pandemic and 1.5% of their net profits are returned to communities in the form of community sponsorships and donations. Along with this, they offer a robust mortgage business line that provides a wide variety of loans for low-income families, first-time home buyers, special mortgages for veterans, teachers, law enforcement and emergency management personnel.

“What makes us different is the focus on customer service along with associate experience. We track it, measure it, create customer journeying and focus on it always,” Saunders said. “As a community bank, we provide local service and are heavily involved in our communities.”

First Reliance Bank has continued and will continue to stay true to their motto “There’s More to Banking than Money®.”

ABOUT FIRST RELIANCE BANK

Founded in 1999, First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTC: FSRL.OB) is based in Florence, South Carolina and has assets of approximately $830 million. The Company employs more than 189 professionals and has locations throughout South Carolina and central North Carolina. First Reliance has redefined community banking with a commitment to making customers lives better, its founding principle. Customers of the company have given it a 93% customer satisfaction rating well above the bank industry average of 81%. First Reliance is also one of three companies throughout South Carolina to receive the Best Places to Work in South Carolina award all 16 years since the program began. We believe that this recognition confirms that our associates are engaged and committed to our brand and the communities we serve. In addition to offering a full range of personalized community banking products and services for individuals, small businesses, and corporations, First Reliance offers two unique community-customers programs, which include: Hometown Heroes, a package of benefits for those serving our communities and Check N Save, an outreach program for the unbanked or under-banked. We also offer a full suite of digital banking services, a Customer Service Guaranty, a Mortgage Service Guaranty, and are open on most traditional holidays.

Additional information about the Company is available on the Company’s website at www.firstreliance.com.