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 ...

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 ...

Mark Mercuri has joined First Reliance Bank as senior vice president and commercial lender. Based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Mercuri will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business customers, offering advice on business accounts, loans, treasury management services, mortgage, and referrals for investments through First Reliance Wealth Strategy, along with personal banking services offered to business owners and their employees.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Mark to our commercial lending team in Mount Pleasant,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “He knows the Charleston market well and will be a valuable asset to our customers across the state.”

Mercuri gained his extensive experience in commercial lending over his more than 25-year career in South Carolina, most recently as a commercial lender with a community bank.

“Mark’s genuine desire to be an advisor, will serve him well as he works to attract and build on client relationships ...

First Reliance Bank has hired Christina Johnson as vice president and branch manager for its Mount Pleasant branch. In this new role, Johnson will oversee the day-to-day client services and branch operations at 800 South Shelmore Boulevard.

“We are excited to welcome Christina and have her expertise leading our Mount Pleasant branch,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “She’s an experienced manager and will help continue delivering our exceptional customer experience to our clients in the Lowcountry.”

Johnson comes to First Reliance with six years of experience in commercial banking, most recently as a financial services representative at a community bank. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Francis Marion University.