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.”

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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).

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 ...

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.

First Reliance Bank announces that Scurry Tharpe has joined the company as Vice President, Relationship Banker and will work out of the Greenville office. He has over 12 years of industry experience in the commercial credit risk background and in wealth and retail. 

Scurry is a 2009 graduate of The Citadel, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration and, in 2018, an MBA from Anderson University. A native of Greenwood, S.C., he moved to Greenville in 2011. In his free time, Scurry enjoys spending time outdoors with his children and coaching youth sports on the weekends.

Market President Chris Laughridge shared, “We are pleased to welcome Scurry to the Greenville team, where he will focus on developing and building relationships with community-area business owners and professionals. He is a talented banker who brings significant credit experience with him to his new role.”