As millennials juggle a multitude of responsibilities -- from school, to work, to planning for major life events --First Reliance Bank is highlighting eight banking tips to help them secure a financially sound future.

“Millennials are digital natives who understand the importance of staying connected socially, but staying connected to their bank can help their finances as they encounter life’s many milestones,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “From enhanced mobile resources to free budgeting tools, banks offer a variety of products and services to complement millennials’ unique lifestyles and ease their worries as they prepare to make some of life’s biggest financial decisions.” With a recent report finding that more than 4 in 10 U.S. millennials say they are “chronically stressed” about money, First Reliance recommends these eight tips to help them secure a strong financial footing:

• Go cyber shopping for a bank that fits your style. There ...

April 26, 2016, Florence, S.C. — First Reliance Bank is now accepting applications for its annual Francis Marion Scholarship through May 31, 2016. The First Reliance Bank Scholarship recognizes and assists outstanding students who are pursuing a degree in business or finance. Administered through the Francis Marion University Foundation, the scholarship program has been helping area-wide students to meet their academic financial obligations since 2010. “First Reliance Bank believes in encouraging continuous personal improvement and the Francis Marion scholarship program is one way that we can make a difference with our community's youth,” said Rick Saunders, president and CEO of First Reliance Bank. “Making your way through school can be challenging — especially if you're committed to staying at the top of your class. We're proud to partner with Francis Marion to help outstanding students with their financial obligations so that they can focus on achieving their academic goals.” To ...

Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 8:11 am BY JOE PERRY Morning News FLORENCE, S.C. – Leaders of business and industry gathered Tuesday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn to welcome representatives from Ruiz Foods, Honda of South Carolina, South East Express and Johnson Controls who have recently moved to the area. The event was sponsored by First Reliance Bank and Raldex Hospitality. The aim was to simply welcome newcomers and let them know Florence is happy to have them, said Joan Billheimer, community development officer for the bank. “We’re getting ready to start the second line,” said Jim Bowman, Ruiz Foods’ operations manager. “Things are looking good. so we’re excited to make product.” Bowman, who hails from Davenport, Iowa, joined the family-owned and California-based company after working for Oscar Meyer for 20 years, and was referring to a line of snack foods known as Tornados that are commonly found on ...

Florence banking community flourishes over the years

“I tripped over myself and landed in it,” he said, laughing. “I was a typical young man concerned about what path in life I would take.”

The 55-year-old Sumter native who grew up in Timmonsville first worked in consumer finance before delving into banking.

“It wasn’t until a company I was working for was sold to a much larger organization that I realized the need for clarity around my beliefs and ...

Feb 12, 2015, Florence, S.C. - Rick Saunders, President/CEO was recognized with an Entrepreneur Award from the Florence Darlington Technical College February 11, 2016 at their second annual entrepreneurial forum. Rick, his brother Paul and friend, Dale Porter started the bank because they saw a need for a bank that was designed and operated with the community in mind. One with strong values, and an even stronger team of associates. They saw a need to create a bank that could become a rock in the community, based on trust and relationships; one that could make a real difference in the lives of its customers. They saw a need for a better bank. So they followed their dream to start a bank and contribute to their community in 1999 and First Reliance Bank was born. It took hard work and passion and learning from others, all traits the other recipients of ...

Feb 24, 2015, Florence, S.C. – First Reliance Bank recently announced that seventeen associates have been named to the 2015 President’s Club.

Each year, as part of the bank’s associate rewards and recognition program, all managers have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding associate and submit a detailed reason of why the chosen associate deserves the award. Executive Management then carefully reviews the nominations and selects the associates who go above and beyond performance expectations and who are the best role models for living the values of First Reliance Bank.

President’s Club awards are for outstanding sales and service, operational excellence, professional, and leadership. The 2015 President’s Club Winners are: Wendy Cooley,Charleston Service, Neil Oliver, Charleston Sales, Donna Smith, Indirect Sales, Gail Berry, Lexington Service, Jason Koth, Lexington Sales, Sherry Byrd, Mortgage Operations, Johnny Nexsen, Mortgage Sales, Robyn Paul, Mortgage Sales, Phyllis Brosh, Wholesale / Correspondent Mortgage, Shayna Wallace, Florence ...

Everyday we hear the current economy is affecting our customers, but there are ways to get household budgets into shape, and First Reliance Bank is here to help.  To that end, we have developed a program called "We The Financially Fit", to help our customers establish and maintain financial goals, while guiding them through valuable money management lessons along the way.  It's all about helping you increase your savings while reducing debt.  And we're asking for input and ideas from you through our social media that can be shared to help each other. Below is a FREE Money Makeover Guide that you can download and use to get started.  It has several different worksheet tools in it that you can use to develop and track your budget and spending habits.  Or you can pick one up in any of our branches. You can also use the Free Budget Tools on ...