First Reliance Bank to concentrate resources on Mount Pleasant branch as sole location for the Charleston market
January 16, 2020
In concert with a banking industry trend to concentrate resources on its strongest branch locations, First Reliance Bank has announced that effective May of 2020, it will service the Charleston market entirely from its Mount Pleasant branch. The employees and resources currently at the downtown Charleston location will be redeployed to its thriving Mount Pleasant branch and there will be no job losses as a result. Relationships with business customers will continue to be cultivated through one-on-one interaction.
“First Reliance Bank has an obligation to its shareholders and the customers and communities it serves. We are able to offer a higher quality of service with the advances in technology and digital banking. We consulted with a majority of our downtown Charleston customers prior to this decision to determine the impacts to their business needs. Overwhelmingly they indicate our company service quality, along with our digital services and Mt. Pleasant location, would meet their banking needs. This change benefits our customers, the Charleston community and our shareholders. Our culture has always put serving the customer first and we remain committed to exceeding customer expectations in every way possible,” said Rick Saunders, president and CEO of First Reliance Bank.
First Reliance Bank’s consumer digital services include online and mobile banking, debit card on/off service, P2P payments, mobile deposit, bill pay, budget and money management tools, 24/7 phone banking, alerts, online personal or business loan payments, and a customer care call center. In addition, corporate and small business customers have a host of Treasury Service Solutions which include remote deposit capture, mobile remote deposit, merchant services, electronic check recovery services, wires, ACH services, bill pay, positive pay to identify fraudulent checks and presenters and account analysis.
“First Reliance Bank has built its reputation on delivering superb customer service in more than a dozen communities throughout South and North Carolina and our culture includes a deep engagement with every community we serve. In addition to the bank’s own philanthropic activities, we encourage and expect every one of our team members to actively participate in community service. This has always been an important part of community banking and will continue to be one of the cornerstones of our core values,” said Saunders. “Although the fabric of banking is evolving, our purpose at First Reliance Bank remains the same: To make the lives of our customers better.”
The Mount Pleasant branch is located at 800 South Shelmore Boulevard. It has a 24-hour ATM, and its drive-through teller is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays. The phone number is (843) 789-1000.
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 $658 million. The Company employs more than 140 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 90% 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 14 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 web site at www.firstreliance.com.
