FLORENCE, South Carolina, December 15, 2011 - Julius (Cass) Parris is now a member of First Reliance Bank’s Board of Directors. Parris, along with other members of the First Reliance Bank board, brings a unique perspective to the development of board policies and goals. He has more than 40 years of business experience, primarily in helping organizations to refine their brands and understand and exceed customer expectations.

"We are proud to have Cass as our newest board member," said Rick Saunders, president and CEO of First Reliance Bank. "Our Board has a good mix of knowledge and experience. Cass brings a great background in business and branding, and he'll be able to add valuable insights into how we are viewed in the community and how we can do better. First Reliance Bank works hard to convey that 'there's more to banking than money' and I’m confident that he will help us toimprove our efforts to communicate that message.

Parris began his career in 1970, in the graphics and brand management industry at Pittsburgh based Matthews International. In 2003, he and two associates began their own graphics business, Focus Imaging of Atlanta, Ga. In 2009, Focus Imaging was sold to Southern Graphics Systems (SGS), a world leader in brand management and graphic solutions for consumer products companies. He currently manages large national clients for SGS.

ABOUT FIRST RELIANCE BANK
First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $500 million, and employs over 120 highly-talented associates. The bank serves the Columbia, Lexington, Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Florence markets in South Carolina. The bank has been recognized as "One of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina" by the SC BIZ for six consecutive years and was named 2009 Lender of the Year by the South Carolina Housing Authority. First Reliance Bank offers several unique customer programs which include a Hometown Heroes package of benefits to serve those who are serving our communities, Check 'N Save, a community outreach program for the unbanked or under-banked, a Moms First program, and an iMatter program targeted to young people. The Bank also offers a Customer Service Guaranty, a Mortgage Service Guaranty, FREE Coin Machines and 8-8 Extended Hours in all of their Florence, Charleston, West Columbia and Lexington locations and is open on most traditional bank holidays. Its commitment to making customers' lives better, and the idea that "There's More to Banking Than Money" has earned the bank a customer satisfaction rating of 99% (2010 results from an outside survey firm) and the number one market share in its headquarters City of Florence, S.C. First Reliance Bank is traded as FSRL.OB.