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Lincoln Stewart, Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Lincoln Stewart, Vice President and Portfolio Manager

Lincoln Stewart has joined First Reliance Bank as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager in Greenville, SC. In his new role, he will be responsible for underwriting and portfolio management for North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina markets.

Based out of the Downtown Greenville branch, Stewart is an experienced commercial credit underwriter with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Prior to joining First Reliance Bank, Stewart held key roles at various banks including as Credit Analyst, Commercial Underwriter, and Vice President. Stewart holds a Business degree with a concentration in Managerial Economics from Wofford College. He is also a graduate from the RMA Florida School of Commercial Lending.

“We are excited to welcome Lincoln to the team in Greenville,” said Rick Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank. “He is a highly motivated and results-driven leader and we look forward to his success with ...

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Brook Moore has joined First Reliance Bank as a Senior Vice President and Sr. Credit Administrator. In his new role, Moore will be responsible for providing support, direction, analysis, credit information, and loan policies and procedures to ensure the overall quality of the bank’s loan portfolio.

Bringing over two decades of banking experience to the team, Moore has a demonstrated history of success in credit administration, credit underwriting, commercial loan production, and portfolio management. During his tenure, Moore has held various banking roles including Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Executive, Columbia Market President, and Chief Lending Officer. He holds his Bachelor of Arts in English and Minor in Political Science from Clemson University, and is a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School.

“Brook brings 25-years of commercial banking experience in performance driven environments to First Reliance Bank, and his familiarity with this process will be a great asset to ...

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Bernard Wheeler, Relationship Banker, Greenville, SC
Bernard Wheeler, Relationship Banker, Greenville, SC

Bernard Wheeler has joined First Reliance Bank as a Relationship Banker in Greenville, SC. In his new role, Wheeler will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business customers and offering advice on everything from personal and business deposit accounts to loans, treasury management services and investments available through First Reliance Wealth Strategies.

Based out of the Downtown Greenville branch, Wheeler brings more than 15 years of professional banking experience to the team. Throughout his career, Wheeler has held multiple fast paced positions at several local financial institutions including as Vice President, Branch Manager and Small Business Banker, and Relationship Banker. Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Winthrop University and a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bernard to the team in Greenville,” said Rick Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank. “He is a self-disciplined banking ...

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Rick Saunders, CEO, First Reliance Bank, thanks MUSC Health - Florence Division for the opportunity to partner and provide technology that allows doctors, patients and families to stay connected.
Rick Saunders, CEO, First Reliance Bank, thanks MUSC Health - Florence Division for the opportunity to partner and provide technology that allows doctors, patients and families to stay connected.

(Group Photo) Left to right: Robbie Hill, First Reliance Bank board member; Tom Ewart, Florence Market President; Rick Saunders, President/CEO First Reliance Bank; Vance Reynolds, CEO of MUSC Health Florence Division; Dr. Rami Zebian, Chief Medical Officer, MUSC Health Florence Division, Dr. C. Edward Floyd, Board of Trustee Chair, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, Christina O’Malley, External Affairs & Strategic Engagement-MUSC Regional Health Network.First Reliance Bank is proud to announce a partnership with MUSC Health Florence Division, in conjunction with MUSC’s Office of External Affairs, to donate 26 Apple iPad’s to its medical centers.

This technology allows physicians to quickly and easily share information with patients and other health providers. Additionally, the devices will play a crucial role in keeping patients connected with their loved ones as they are being cared for to provide the compassion and social support needed to get well.

Vance Reynolds, MUSC Health Florence Division Chief Executive Officer, explains this partnership, “MUSC Health Florence Division has established an innovative partnership with First Reliance Bank using technology to help patients and health providers. This partnership will greatly improve the patient experience and benefit providers in caring for patients and their families.”

On Wednesday, June 24, executives from MUSC Florence Division and First Reliance Bank addressed the importance of these iPad’s ...

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David Renaker has joined First Reliance Bank as a Relationship Banker in Lexington. In his new role, Renaker will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business customers and offering advice on everything from personal and business deposit accounts to loans, treasury management services and investments available through First Reliance Wealth Strategies.

Bringing over 31 years of banking experience to the team, Renaker is a seasoned commercial banker adept at cultivating partnerships and building lasting relationships with clients, referral sources and coworkers. During his tenure, Renaker has served in key commercial banking roles at several financial institutions, including as Commercial Banking Business Development Officer at CresCom Bank and Commercial Banking Business Development Officer at Coastal States Bank. In addition to obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina, Renaker has also graduated from Farr Institute’s Management and Leadership Program and the South Carolina Bankers School. ...

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ERIC LYSAK JOINS FIRST RELIANCE BANK AS RELATIONSHIP BANKER

Eric Lysak has joined First Reliance Bank as a Relationship Banker in Greenville, SC.

A native of Greer, SC, Lysak holds over 10 years of experience as a banking professional. Most recently, Lysak worked as a Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer for another community bank. In his new role, Lysak will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with business customers offering advice on business accounts, loans, treasury management services and investments through First Reliance Wealth Strategy along with personal banking services offered to business owners and their employees.

“Eric has proven experience in business and finance utilizing an excellent combination of people skills and numbers aptitude,” said Rick Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank.

“As a strongly self motivated and enthusiastic team player with demonstrated leadership and initiative, we are confident in Eric’s ability to effectively manage deliverables and serve our customers in the ...

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During the month of May, First Reliance Bank held its “You Can Make A Difference” Food Bank Drive to assist those in need during the COVID-19 health crisis by restocking its local food banks. In partnership with NewSpring Church, First Presbyterian, and Helping Florence Flourish, First Reliance Bank collected over 2,375 pounds of non-perishable food items and helped raise $6,000 that has been donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank.

The donations collected in Florence from the “You Can Make A Difference” Food Bank Drive will provide meals for an estimated 3,579 individuals. This statistic was calculated based off of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) estimate of the average weight of a meal - 1.2 pounds, and Harvest Hope Food Bank’s pledge to feed 2 families for every $30 donated. 

“First Reliance has always been dedicated to making people’s lives better ...