Everyday we hear the current economy is affecting our customers, but there are ways to get household budgets into shape, and First Reliance Bank is here to help.  To that end, we have developed a program called "We The Financially Fit", to help our customers establish and maintain financial goals, while guiding them through valuable money management lessons along the way.  It's all about helping you increase your savings while reducing debt.  And we're asking for input and ideas from you through our social media that can be shared to help each other. Below is a FREE Money Makeover Guide that you can download and use to get started.  It has several different worksheet tools in it that you can use to develop and track your budget and spending habits.  Or you can pick one up in any of our branches. You can also use the Free Budget Tools on ...

Some of us are married with children,  many of us have aging parents and some of us are the aging parent.  Either way, it's important to have things written down and planned for should anything happen to us.  Losing someone in your life is hard.  There are so many decisions that have to be made so quickly for the loved ones left behind.  That's why it's important to have one place where everything can be found.  The American Institute of Economic Research offers a free eBook which can be downloaded called, Should Anything Happen To Me.  The book steps you through all the decisions you've made that you'd like your family to carry out.  It does not replace all the legal documents and things you should do but it does help organize if they've been done and where they are located.  It has places to make notes as to ...

TIP #1  Take the 52 Week Savings Challenge

TIP #2  Set Budget and Fianancial Goals in  MyFinance Budget Tool

TIP #3 Automatically Transfer Money To Your Savings

Every time you walk out the door you encounter spending $5 to $10 on that energy drink at the convenience store, an extra item such as chips added to your lunch purchase, or the gourmet coffee with a muffin added.

We buy lots of unnecessary impulse things almost daily!

Why not capitalize on those whims and save instead of spending?  It's easy to do!   Log on to your online banking, choose the transfer command and transfer the same amount of money you were going to spend on impulse to your savings.  You can even add a description as to what you skipped or what you're putting the money toward.  For instance $5 saved on drink at the movie theatre or $4.50 saved toward vacation, etc.  All those small dollars will add up fast and you'll be amazed at how much you can save by changing a few small habits.

If ...

It's our 15th ANNIVERSARY!  To celebrate, we have fun events planned each month this year!  This month is "We Love Our Customers Month!"  To celebrate we have 3 fun events just for you!

SWEEPSTAKES DRAWING FOR PRIZES!

Visit our branches and enter to win a sweepstakes prize customized to whatever program you're in or are interested in!

• Moms First Program - $50 Spa Certificate


• iMatter Program for young adults - $50 Gift Card


• Hometown Heroes Program - $50 Dinner For Two


• BetterLife Program - $50 Mall Gift Certificate

Love First Reliance Bank?  Tell us why on Facebook and enter into a sweepstakes to win an iPad Mini! *Sweepstakes details are available on Facebook.

VALENTINE'S DAY!

Wear Red or Pink on Valentine's Day and visit us to get a special treat!

We appreciate our customers everyday of course but we especially ...

If you're traveling for holidays please notify our Customer Care Call Center at 888.543.5510 and let them know where you're going so that we can unblock your debit card for use in other states or countries.  Our fraud protection center monitors and recommends  states and countries that need to be blocked due to fraud volumes.  Our fraud center provides continuous monitoring 24/7 to limit fraud.   Remember that your card always works when you use it as a transaction where you must enter your PIN number.

Are you ready to get your free  2013 photo with Santa?

Santa Claus will be waiting for you at First Reliance Bank branches during the week of December 2nd.

While you're waiting to have that photo snapped, you can even register to win a $100 holiday gift basket filled with edible holiday treats!

Santa fans of all ages are invited to stop by and have a free 4 inch by 6 inch color photo taken with Old St. Nick.  Santa also loves pets, so bring them too!

Here's when he'll be visiting a branch near you :

- 411 Second Loop Rd., Florence — Monday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

- 2170 W. Palmetto St., Florence — Tuesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

- 800 S. Shelmore Blvd., Mt. Pleasant — Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

- 2805A Sunset Blvd., W. Columbia — ...

We invite you to celebrate Fall with us!  We're having a PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST!  Show us your creativity and win a little cash while having some fun! We encourage you to carve, paint, add decorations or gourd pieces or additional pumpkins into your masterpiece!

THREE PRIZES!

1st Prize:  $100

2nd Prize:  $75

3rd Prize:  $50

FACEBOOK POST ENTRY DEADLINE:  October 29th by noon.  Post to:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/firstreliancebank

Winners will be announced on facebook at 3pm on October 29th

(Entries that are not family friendly may be disqualified and removed from our Facebook page.)

If there's one thing South Carolina knows – aside from football, grits and sweet tea, of course – it's good ol' southern hospitality. We wave and say “Hi, ya'll!” We offer to help our neighbors. We return what doesn't belong to us. These characteristics are more than just tradition; they're a way of life.

George Jebaily, one of our Florence branch customers, recently told us how happy he is with the spirit of southern hospitality he and his family are welcomed with each time they walk through our doors. Naturally, we wanted to learn more.

George's roots are firmly planted in South Carolina. A West Florence High School grad, he went on to study at USC, eventually earning his law degree. George and his wife, Debbie, live in Florence with their 16-year-old son, Kirk. Their 19-year-old daughter, Kayla, on the other hand, is currently attending Clemson. The family is actively ...

Have you been dreaming of getting a boat, but can't decide if a boat's really right for you? Thinking about how much fun a boat could be, but not sure you can afford one?

Here are five good reasons to bring a boat into your family's life, as well as some helpful tips on how to buy and finance a boat.

A boat can bring the family closer. A boat is a recreational vehicle that the whole family can enjoy. It's fun to go out on the water and make memories together. It's exciting to look back to the land and get a different perspective. A boat is a vehicle for exploring quiet coves or skiing over the open water. And where else can you be sure you'll get uninterrupted time together?

Fellowship. A day out on the water with your friends is a bonding experience. As a boater, you'll ...