First Reliance Bank named One of The Best Places to Work in South Carolina for 16th consecutive year

First Reliance Bank was recently recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. It is the 16th year in a row that the community bank has received this recognition. SC Biz News created the annual program alongside the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. First Reliance Bank has received the award every year since the program’s inception in 2005.

The Best Places to Work in South Carolina was designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in the state. Recipients of the award have benefitted South Carolina’s economy, workforce and businesses.

Ever since its founding in 1999, First Reliance Bank has only become better, and has proven time and again that “There’s More to Banking than Money®.” The bank remains committed to improving the lives of its customers through premier customer service and community-oriented approach to banking.

“We are incredibly honored to be named a Best Place to Work in South Carolina for the 16th consecutive year,” said Rick Saunders, the president and CEO of First Reliance Bank. “We have focused on building a better bank that the community can rely on. To do so, you need to have honest and dependable employees. We are committed to providing an outstanding work environment that attracts, develops, and retains the very best people. Our 93% employee engagement score and 92% customer satisfaction score reflects on our commitment to our associates and customers.”

Part of this associate satisfaction is due to the bank financially supporting their employees through the adoption process. Due to this program, First Reliance Bank was also recently awarded for the 12th time the Best Adoption Friendly Workplace by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process that determines the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The survey results were combined to determine the winners and the overall rankings. Best Companies Group managed the registration and survey process, analyzed the data and reported the rankings.

For more information on the Best Places to Work in South Carolina program, visit www.BestPlacesToWorkSC.com.

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 $875 million. The Company employs more than 190 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 two 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.