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 ...

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 ...

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), ...

The presence of the Grinch and the Easter Bunny, along with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (aka Mary Neale Fowler), added festivity and excitement to the bank’s annual event. The combination of these iconic characters created a sense of wonder and excitement among attendees, especially children who were thrilled to meet their favorite holiday figures. Together, these characters made a playful and festive atmosphere that enhanced the overall experience for everyone involved.

As the group visited different locations, including the Florence Fire Station, Mount Pleasant Office, West Columbia Office, and the Lexington Office, they continued to spread holiday cheer and brought smiles to everyone they encountered. The tradition of this event has grown over the years, becoming a beloved part of the community and a highlight for many during the festive season.

First Reliance deserves credit for organizing and expanding this event across multiple locations, allowing more people to participate ...

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 ...

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 ...

First Reliance Bank is pleased to celebrate 15 years as a Top 100 Workplace by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding forever families for children waiting to be adopted from foster care. These workplaces are selected after an analysis of company adoption benefits compiled through the Foundation’s survey of more than 500 U.S. employers. The two determining factors are the financial reimbursement for adoption and paid leave to employees who adopt.

Rick Saunders, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance, shared, “Adoption has always been personal to me as my wife and daughters were adopted. While I am most grateful for the love that has been brought to my family through adoption, being able to support our associates who seek to adopt children is now and will always be highly important to our institution.”

All cell phone users often use their phones to text people they know many times a day. But have you ever received a text message from someone you do not know? Sure, it could be a mistaken attempt; however, it is more likely that it is a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information. Do you know how to handle and report unwanted text messages?

The Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Advice website offers excellent information on recognizing and reporting spam text messages. They want to educate anyone using a mobile device or computer about phishing fraudulent attempts to steal personal information. Scammers can use any means to trick you into sharing information or giving you money.

Scammers want to entice you to click on links in their text messages or emails by promising free prizes, gift cards, low or no-interest-rate credit cards, or promises to help pay off ...

George Smythe has joined First Reliance Bank as Senior Vice President Residential Lending Specialist. In his role, George is responsible for establishing and maintaining mortgage banking relationships with referral partners and clients in Charleston and the surrounding area.

“We are excited to have George join our team. George is esteemed in the Charleston market and brings over 40 years of banking experience to First Reliance. His relationships and connections will be invaluable to the growth of FRB Mortgage,” said Sarah Baldwin, SVP Retail Mortgage Sales.

“George is a great addition to our team. He is universally respected, operates with high integrity, and works tirelessly to advocate for his clients to find solutions to fit their mortgage needs. First Reliance Bank is as passionate about our customers as we are about the home loan products and services we offer. When you work with First Reliance Bank, our professional mortgage experts ...

This year, during October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the theme is "It's easy to stay safe online," where we are encouraged to focus on four key behaviors to stay safe online:

1. Enable multifactor authentication.
2. Use strong passwords and a password manager.
3. Update software (and keep it updated.)
4. Recognize and report phishing.

First, multifactor authentication allows you to protect yourself in multiple ways. MFA is sometimes called two-factor authentication or two-step verification. It is an important cybersecurity measure that requires you to prove your identity in numerous ways. Typically, this includes verifying your identity another way after entering your username and password. Examples include using a fingerprint or responding to a text message.

Second, establish strong passwords and use a password manager. Since passwords are the keys to your digital castle, regardless of which accounts they protect, create all passwords using three guiding principles:

• LONG (at least 12 characters long), ...