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Bad Weather Prep

 

Everything might seem cozy and safe at home, but imagine severe weather hits the area. We’re talking about a “quick, we have to get out of here” severe weather.   

Are you ready financially?  

You can be, and it won’t take long.  Following are some quick tips.  

How to Store Documents 

Get a durable storage box that is waterproof. 

How Much Cash to Have for Emergency 

Keep a small amount of cash in it—money you can use for purchases if the power goes out for a few days and you find yourself in the dark.   

What Documents to Store 

Also, place important financial papers like insurance policies, wills, and a spare checkbook in the storage box. 

Direct Deposit 

A big problem when having to evacuate and leave town is how you get your paycheck. This is another reason—and there are many—to have direct deposit. Your ...

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Embarking on a Quarter of a Century

As First Reliance Bank embarks on our 25th year, we are pleased to share Rick Saunders' recent social media post below. Stay tuned throughout the coming months as we have celebrations planned in each market and will share our branch community efforts, including customer service milestones.    

"Paul Saunders and I are humbled and honored when reminded that we’ve just celebrated our 24th anniversary for First Reliance Bank this month, and soon, we’ll embark on a quarter of a century. From the beginning, you have trusted us and have allowed us to serve you with great pride and pleasure.

In the couple of years of our opening for business, our industry saw historic levels of new bank start-ups across the country. After 24 years, over 80% of those banks no longer exist. This certainly is a testament to our talented associates, our customers, and the community's loyalty and support. ...

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Zach Brown, Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management
Zach Brown, Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management

 

First Reliance Bank announces that Zach Brown has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management. He is responsible for bank-wide management of collections, special assets, the call center, and facilities.

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank, shared, “Zach continues to provide outstanding customer interaction processes with careful attention to the bank’s asset management.”

Ben Brazell, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking said, “Zach provides value and support of our bank’s purpose and values. As a recipient of the First Reliance Culture Coin, he clearly delivers our brand purpose to make things BETTER.”

Zach earned a degree in Business Management in 2007 from Florence Darlington Technical College.

 

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Taft Osborne, Vice President, Branch Manager
Taft Osborne, Vice President, Branch Manager

 

First Reliance Bank announces that Taft Osborne has been promoted to Vice President, Branch Manager for the Simpsonville, SC, branch. He oversees the daily branch operations and is responsible for growing the bank’s customer base while maintaining excellent customer service and serving the community in various activities.

President of First Reliance Justin Strickland said, “Taft’s leadership in the Simpsonville market furthers our bank’s market growth in that area. He is a community leader with the Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce, where he is an “A-List award winner for best Banking & Financial Institution and the CEO Award of Excellence.”

Schaefer Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager, shared, “Taft simply lives the bank’s values; Customer’s First, Positive Attitude, and Commitment to Excellence. It is a pleasure to work with him.”

Taft is a graduate of James Madison University, where he earned a B.A. Economics. He is a board member and ...

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Nathan Ruth, Vice President, Branch Manager
Nathan Ruth, Vice President, Branch Manager

First Reliance Bank announces that Nathan Ruth has been promoted to Vice President, Branch Manager for the West Columbia branch. He oversees the daily branch operations and is responsible for growing the bank’s customer base while maintaining excellent customer service and serving the community in various activities.

President of First Reliance Justin Strickland said, “Nathan’s leadership in the West Columbia market boosts our bank’s market growth in that area. As an Ambassador for the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Nathan is a community leader.”

Schaefer Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager, shared, “It is a pleasure working with Nathan. His commitment to the bank’s values includes Customer’s First, Positive Attitude, and Commitment to Excellence.”

Nathan is a 2005 graduate of DePaul University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He is also a 2022 graduate of the SC Banker School.

 

 

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Tiffany (TK) Kiminski, Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager
Tiffany (TK) Kiminski, Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager

First Reliance Bank announces that Tiffany (TK) Kiminski has been promoted to Vice President, Deposit Operations Manager.  As a 2019 graduate of the SC Bankers School, TK manages Deposit Operations for the bank.  Deposit Operations is responsible for numerous operations, including account adjustments, disputes, account reviews, sweeps, escheatment, wires, and much more.  She has led various team assignments to implement new systems that affect the bank’s deposit accounts as well as participating in many others.

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank, shared, “Tiffany is a dependable employee with excellent values that encompass community mindednesses and business leadership. She lives the bank's values of being a committed, caring leader.”

John Lindley, Senior Vice President and Director of Operations, said, “Tiffany’s leadership across all markets furthers our bank’s growth. As a recipient of the First Reliance Culture Coin in 2022, she fully embraces the bank’s core values delivering on ...

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Schaefer Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager
Schaefer Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager

 

First Reliance Bank announces that Schaefer Carpenter has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Manager. He manages the daily operations and staffing of 11 retail banking offices in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank, shared, “Schaefer’s leadership is noteworthy. As a recipient of the bank’s Culture Coin, he portrays living the bank’s core values and delivering on our brand purpose to make things BETTER.”

Ben Brazell, Executive Vice President Retail Banking, said, “Schaefer meticulously manages mergers, team efforts, and daily banking efforts.”

Schaefer earned a B.S. in Finance from The University of South Carolina. During his career, he furthered his education at the South Carolina Bankers School, the RMA Commercial Lending School (East Carolina University), and the FDIC Examiner School (Washington, DC).

 

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Money Mules – A Growing Problem

 

In the 2018 release of “The Mule,” starring Clint Eastwood as Earl Stone, a 90-year-old man who is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business. Earl is offered a job that requires him to drive. While that should be easy enough, Earl doesn’t know that he had signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. The movie was based on The New York Times article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" by Sam Dolnick. Inspired by the true story of Leo Sharp, an 80-year-old World War II veteran, Sharp became the world's oldest and most prolific drug mule for the Sinaloa Cartel.

Money mules and crime have long been one and the same, and financial institutions have been working to prevent them for a very long time. First Reliance Bank knows of the dangers and is aggressive in our efforts to thwart it. One important effort ...

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David Renaker, Senior Vice President, Relationship Banker
David Renaker, Senior Vice President, Relationship Banker

 

First Reliance Bank announces that David Renaker has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Relationship Banker for the Columbia branch. He is responsible for business development, bringing new business and personal loan and deposit customers to the bank. In addition, he manages the existing loan and deposit relationship for business clients and the owners/stakeholders of those companies.

President of First Reliance Justin Strickland said, “I am pleased to see David promoted to Senior Vice President. His trusted banking expertise is impressive as he serves the greater Columbia market’s business development.”

David is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, having earned a BS in Business Finance in 1986. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School. He serves on the Finance Committee as Vice Chairman of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce. He is also Vice Chair of the Union United Methodist finance committee, a Diplomat ...

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Melissa Fowble, Assistant Vice President Branch Manager, Myrtle Beach
Melissa Fowble, Assistant Vice President Branch Manager, Myrtle Beach

 

First Reliance Bank announces that Melissa Fowble has been promoted to Assistant Vice President Branch Manager for the Myrtle Beach branch. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the branch, business development, and branch market growth.

President of First Reliance Justin Strickland said, “Melissa’s community involvement demonstrates her dedication to growing the bank’s footprint in Myrtle Beach and attracting businesses to the area. Her support of the Chamber of Commerce is notable.”

Melissa works with the Myrtle Beach Chamber providing membership mentoring to new and existing chamber investors while engaging and connecting existing and future young professionals through the Chamber’s Grand Strand Young Professionals. She is also involved with the Myrtle Beach Area Regional Economic Development and serves as Executive Director for the Oceanside Chapter GBN (Great Business Networking). She is also on the United Way Vision Council.