Background

In 1999, Rick Saunders founded First Reliance Bank in Florence, South Carolina. Mr. Saunders currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and sits on the Board of Directors for First Reliance Bank and First Reliance Bancshares.

Previously, Mr. Saunders was a Senior Vice President and City Executive of Florence for Pee Dee State Bank, where he was a member of the Senior Loan Committee and served on the Board of Directors of Pee Dee State Bank and Pee Dee Bancshares. Following a merger with Centura Bank, he served as a Senior Market Executive.  

Education 

• South Carolina Bankers School, a cooperative program with the College of Business Administration of the University of South Carolina 
• Southeastern School of Agriculture Lending, a cooperative program with the College of Agricultural Science of Clemson University

Memberships

• Medical University of South Carolina Children's Health Fund Advisory Board 
• South Carolina Business Development Corporation Board 
• Florence County Sheriff's Office Foundation
• Florence Baptist Temple 
• Florence Rotary Club 

Awards

• 2005: Beta Gamma Sigma honoree from Francis Marion University School of Business
• 2007: Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• 2007: Businessman of the Year, Florence Chamber of Commerce
• 2016: Entrepreneur Award from the Florence-Darlington Technical College's Educational Foundation for contributions to the prosperity of the Pee Dee Region  
• 2019: Order of the Palmetto awarded by the Governor of South Carolina for contributions to the state and communities

Past Boards, Memberships Affiliations

• Advisory Board for the Business Education Program for Florence School District One
• Advisory Board for Florence Easter Seals
• Board of Governors for the College of Charleston School of Business 
• Florence Chamber of Commerce, Director 
• Florence Easter Seals
• Home Builders Association of the Greater Pee Dee Area
• Independent Banks of South Carolina, Director
• McLeod Foundation Board of Trustees and Advisory Board Director
• South Carolina Bankers Association, Director
• South Carolina Bankers Association Community Bankers Council
• South Carolina Bankers Association Legislative Committee, Director
• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Director
• South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions
• United Way of Florence
• Young Life Ministries

CEO Interview