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First Reliance is pleased to announce that Joanne Brady has joined the company as Branch Manager for the West Columbia, SC branch. She will oversee the daily branch operations and be responsible for growing the bank’s customer base while maintaining excellent customer service and serving the community in various activities.
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Barbara Star has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Controller for First Reliance Bank, where she will manage the daily accounting operations, month-end close, and quarterly reporting. She joined the bank in 2020 and has over 20 years of accounting experience.
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Justin Strickland, President of First Reliance, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors. The Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors shares a commitment to providing quality health services that meet the needs of our communities. Responsibilities of board members include strategic planning and mission, vision and values, quality and performance measurement, and monitoring and financial oversight.
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Shanell Cook has been promoted to Treasury Services Officer for the Winston-Salem branch. As Treasury Services Officer, she supports the team’s effort to grow the bank’s deposit base through treasury service products. Additionally, she supports team members and clients in the First Reliance footprint with treasury management training, support, and financial analysis with proformas. She will continue in her role, supporting the bank with merchant services and credit card services while serving as liaison with third-party vendors.
Shanell joined the bank in 2021 with 24 years of banking experience with strengths in customer service and treasury services.
Suzanne Hill, First Reliance Market President for Winston-Salem said, “Shanell’s promotion to Treasury Services Officer is well deserved. She is a proven leader who consistently delivers hard work, determination, and a positive attitude to staff and our customers.”
Shanell and her husband of 22 years have six children and are a foster ...
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Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of First Reliance has been appointed to the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Health Fund Advisory as Director. As a Board member, Rick, a loyal advocate of the Children’s Hospital within the community, will advise on financial responsibilities with development while participating in third-party community events to support keeping MUSC kids at the forefront of the community. Board members support the efforts of the Children’s Hospital Fund and the Children’s Miracle Network staff and stay current on the hospital’s departmental fundraising needs.
Rick said, "Participation is key to driving positive change and making a difference in our communities. By getting involved in initiatives like the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Health Fund Advisory, we can help improve the health and well-being of children in our state; whether that is through financial support, volunteering, or advocating for the cause, every contribution ...
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First Reliance Bank is pleased to announce that through our partnership with Apiture, Apiture has received an award, marking its third consecutive win for digital banking innovation. The awards program celebrates outstanding achievements in banking technology implementations and innovations. Apiture earned the distinction for spearheading a digital banking transformation initiative for First Reliance Bank and our 18,000 customers throughout the Carolinas. By using this business banking solution, we have successfully overcome mobile and online banking constraints.
Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder said, "We have been very pleased with Apiture's platform, customer service, and delivery. Through their banking solution, First Reliance has been able to attract larger business customers, thus driving notable revenue growth."
Ben Brazell, Executive Vice President Retail Banking said, "Our partnership with Apiture further positions First Reliance as a leader in the banking industry. The product delivers like-features as those provided by larger institutions, but ...
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Thomas Floyd has been promoted to Banking Officer, Relationship Banker in the Columbia market. Thomas joined First Reliance Bank in June 2021 as a Portfolio Analyst in the Credit Administration Department, and in June 2023, was promoted to Banking Officer. Thomas is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
Michael Edens, Senior Vice President and Market President of Columbia, said, "Thomas provides our customers with commitment and accuracy to their banking needs. His relationships and accountability as a relationship banker will continue to position First Reliance as a market leader."
Thomas graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Cum Laude) in 2020 with Majors in Business Economics and Real Estate.
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Freddie Saunders, 86, of Florence, South Carolina, died peacefully on January 9, 2024, at the McLeod Health Hospice Care.
Freddie was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on May 24, 1937, to the late Carl Frasier Saunders, Sr., and Martha Gardner Saunders. He is survived by his brothers, Carl Frasier Saunders, Jr. and Jimmy Saunders, and his wife, Jane, both of Sumter, South Carolina.
He grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, and began a career with Suburban Propane Gas at the early age of 19, where he remained with the company in a management role until his retirement at the age of 62, working 43 years for the same company.
Believing retirement was the goal, he realized that having days without a sense of real purpose was not as enjoyable as he envisioned, so he launched an entirely new career. From age 63 until his passing at 86 (23 years), ...
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Steve Howard has joined First Reliance Bank as Market President for the Lake Norman/Charlotte Market where he will be responsible for the strategic market expansion of the bank’s footprint. As he oversees all lines of business, including personal banking, business and commercial banking, investments, and treasury services, he will implement a relationship strategy to include community development and involvement while managing the sales management process.
“We are pleased to announce Steve Howard as Market President for the Lake Norman / Charlotte market. This strategic decision is based on Steve’s proven ability to deliver high customer satisfaction as a trusted banking advisor. He knows how to lead teams and what it takes to build a strong community bank. His extensive industry experience will expand our commercial and local business and customer opportunities,” stated Justin Strickland, President, First Reliance Bank.
Steve will play a key role in First Reliance Mortgage’s growth and ...
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Mark Schepp has joined First Reliance Bank as Vice President Residential Lending Specialist where he will work out of the Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Corporate Center location in Mount Pleasant, SC. He will establish and maintain mortgage banking relationships with referral partners and new clients.
“Mark’s depth of mortgage lending experience and his appreciation of community banking relationships makes him an excellent addition to First Reliance Bank,” said Chuck Stuart, President of First Reliance Mortgage Division.
“We are delighted to welcome Mark to our team. Mark’s experience, knowledge, and work ethic will enable First Reliance to continue to provide exceptional service to the Charleston market,” said Sarah Baldwin, Senior Vice President Retail Mortgage Sales.
Mark has over 27 years of experience encompassing mortgage lending and banking within the local Charleston market. For the past seven years, he has worked directly with financial and private bank advisors who have an extensive background with ...
