First Reliance Bank is proud to announce that Robert Dozier, Jr., president of First Reliance Bancshares and chief operating officer of First Reliance Bank, has been appointed to serve as South Carolina’s representative on the American Bankers Association (ABA) Government Relations Council (GRC). The national association is responsible for representing the interests of banks of all sizes across the country, as well as their two million employees.

Dozier is a tenured banking professional with over 31 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining First Reliance Bank in 2020, Dozier served as executive vice president and chief business officer for Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA). Dozier oversaw all customer facing departments of the bank including the government and industry relations department. FHLBA is a $80 billion dollar wholesale bank that serves over 850 financial institutions throughout the Southeast.

Dozier currently serves on the South Carolina Bankers Board ...

First Reliance Bank is proud to announce that Donna Smith, a vice president for consumer lending at the bank’s West Columbia branch, has graduated from the South Carolina Bankers School, hosted at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. Smith was recommended and accepted into the program as part of First Reliance Bank’s focus on promoting continuing education for its banking professionals.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Donna,” said First Reliance Bank CEO Rick Saunders. “It takes a significant amount of hard work and dedication to graduate from the South Carolina Bankers School. Donna’s accomplishment embodies the culture we strive to build at First Reliance Bank, where our professionals are always interested in continuing their banking education to serve their clients better”.

The prestigious three-year program, offered through the South Carolina Bankers Association, is designed to provide practicing bankers with an integrated and complete set of usable courses covering all aspects ...

First Reliance Bank has hired Chris Laughridge to serve as senior vice president and relationship banker for its downtown Greenville branch. Laughridge will be responsible for providing advice on business accounts, loans, treasury management services, and investments through First Reliance Wealth Strategy, along with personal banking services to owners and their employees.

We couldn’t be more excited to bring Chris onboard,” said Brian Rogers, First Reliance Bank’s Greenville market president. “His depth of experience in the South Carolina banking industry and his ability to provide effective and efficient solutions for his clients makes Chris a valuable addition to the First Reliance Bank team.”

Laughridge comes to First Reliance with almost two decades of experience in the banking industry, most recently as a senior vice president for a large community bank in South Carolina. He attended North Carolina State University and graduated in 2007 from the South Carolina Banker’s School.

In ...

Ross Foshee has joined First Reliance Bank as Vice President and Controller. Based in Charleston, S.C., Foshee will be charged with overseeing the bank’s accounting and financial reporting operations as well as providing expertise in bank operations and internal controls.

“We are excited to welcome Ross to the team” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “His experience in the banking industry in the Carolinas will be a valuable asset to our company and will help us continue building a foundation on which we can execute our growth strategy.”

Foshee, a Pee Dee native, brings nearly a decade of experience in the banking industry working as an audit and consulting manager for Elliott Davis, LLC.  He is a certified public accountant licensed in South Carolina and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from the University of South Carolina.

First Reliance Bank has hired William Jones as Branch Manager for its Downtown Greenville Branch. In this new role, Jones will oversee the day-to-day client services and branch operations at 500 E. Washington Street.

“We are excited to welcome William and have his expertise guide our Greenville branch,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “He’s an experienced manager and will help drive our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience to our clients in Greenville.”

Jones comes to First Reliance with more than two decades of experience in retail and business banking, including over a decade as a financial center manager for a large bank in South Carolina. He attended the University of Maryland and is a 15-year veteran of the United States Air Force.  

“William brings an unparalleled level of professionalism and financial expertise to banking.  His clients love him,” said Brian Rogers, Greenville Market President. ...

Congratulations to Blake Dressler and Suzanne Hill who recently graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.  First Reliance Bank is very supportive of associate development in the banking profession.

Dressler and Hill are among the 129 bankers who received graduation diplomas on June 2, 2021. This three-year program provides courses covering all aspects of banking, economics, and related subjects.  Students traveled from twenty-on states to participate in this Session.  

Sponsored by 15 southern state bankers associations in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education at LSU, the banking school requires attendance on campus for three years, with extensive bank study assignments between sessions. The faculty consists of bankers, business and professional leaders, and educators from all parts of the U.S.

"We are really proud of Blake and Suzanne on their accomplishment," said Rick Saunders, CEO.  "We believe in supporting our associates commitment to further their education in the ...

Fake check scams are occurring more than ever, and scammers are being more and more clever with their tactics. Here's how a fake check scam typically works.

Someone you don't know sends you a check. It could be from a company, like UPS or John Deere. The person will ask you to deposit the check and send some of the money to them or another person in return. The scammer always has a reason to explain why you were sent the check and why you can't keep all the money. If you deposit a fake check and send money to the scammer, you will be responsible for that money. This can sometimes be thousands of dollars!

First Reliance Bank announced today the recent appointment of Mike Reichenbach to its Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2021.

“Mike is a dynamic business leader and impassioned community member who will bring fresh perspectives to our board,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “We are excited to have his expertise and counsel guide our work here in Florence and across the Carolinas."

Reichenbach has lived in Florence for nearly 15 years and is owner and president of three automotive dealerships in South Carolina: Mike Reichenbach Ford Lincoln, Mike Reichenbach Volkswagen of Florence and Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet.

Reichenbach is actively involved in the community in Florence. He currently serves on the boards of several local groups, including, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, McLeod Health Foundation, Coastal Carolina Hospital, Florence-Darlington Technical College Foundation, Florence School District 1 and the Francis Marion University School of Business advisory board. In ...

Carson Williams has joined First Reliance Bank as senior vice president and residential lending specialist. He will work out of First Reliance’s Mortgage Operations center in Mount Pleasant, which helps customers assess their lending needs and identify the bank products that can best meet their needs.

“Carson is a top loan producer and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our residential lending team,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “His extensive career in the mortgage lending industry will be invaluable to our clients and homebuyers across the state.”

Williams has more than 25 years of mortgage lending experience, with the last 20 years spent serving homebuyers in the greater Charleston area. Over the course of his career, Carson has served as past President of the Mortgage Lenders Association of the Greater Charleston area, where he is still an active member. Additionally, he is a member of the Mortgage ...