As consumer use of mobile devices continues to climb, cyber criminals are targeting those gadgets more frequently. According to a report by the Federal Reserve, 43 percent of smartphone users say they have used mobile banking in the past 12 months. First Reliance Bank is highlighting 12 ways consumers can take extra precaution to protect the data on their mobile device. “We use gold-standard safeguards to protect customer information, but it’s also important for users to keep safety measures in place to prevent sensitive data from being compromised,” said Mike Dowling, VP Information Technology. “It’s easy to forget that your mobile device can be vulnerable, but any device used to connect to the internet is at risk.” First Reliance suggests following these 12 steps to protect your mobile ...

According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 70 percent of the nation’s taxpayers received a tax refund averaging nearly $3,000 in 2017 and will get a similar amount this year. As Americans receive their refunds along with additional benefits coming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December, First Reliance Bank has highlighted six tips to help them use the money wisely.

April 3, 2018, Florence, SC – First Reliance Bank is pleased to welcome Andy McDowell, Fuller Parham and David Dahl to the Winston-Salem Loan Production Office, which opened in the fall of 2017. McDowell serves as Senior Vice President and City Executive for the Winston-Salem, NC market.  In his new role, he will be charged with developing and managing banking relationships with small-to-mid-size business owners.  He will also be responsible for building the First Reliance Bank team and promoting their brand in the greater Forsyth County market.  McDowell brings more than 30 years of banking experience to the position, most of which has been in leadership positions in the Winston-Salem area. First Reliance Bank is also adding two new relationship bankers to the existing team showing their commitment to Winston-Salem. 

Fuller Parham and David Dahl have joined the team which already includes Alan Lomax. Mr. Parham received ...

March 29, 2018, Florence, S.C.  – First Reliance Bank recently announced that eighteen associates have been named to the 2017 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 2017 President’s Club Winners are: Marie Wheeler, Florence Service,  David Mullins, Florence Service,  CM Brown, Florence Sales, Pam McCaskill, Florence Sales,  Tracy Brown, Lexington Service, Jason Koth, Lexington Sales, Bobby Mathewes, Charleston Sales, Shaniqua Pinckney, Charleston Service, Tina ...

Rapidly growing First Reliance Bank promotes one of its top executives to the position of President of South Carolina.
March 27, 2017, Florence, S.C. — Banking executive Ben Brazell has been promoted to the role of President South Carolina as part of the growth strategy of Florence-based First Reliance Bank. He will oversee sales management and community development for all South Carolina markets, as well as leading the growth initiatives of branch and market expansion, strategic acquisitions, and is responsible for the profitability of the SC sales platform.

During his career, Mr. Brazell has held a number of positions in the banking industry, including sales management and executive leadership. Prior to coming to First Reliance, he served as Market President in Tennessee for a national bank, where he provided leadership and strategic direction to all business lines and activities. Most recently, he has served as First Reliance Market President for ...

FLORENCE, S.C., Jan. 24, 2018 -- First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTC Pink:  FSRL) ("First Reliance") today announced that it completed the acquisition of Greenville, South Carolina-based Independence Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQB:  IEBS) ("Independence") effective January 23, 2018.  Independence's bank subsidiary, Independence National Bank, was merged with First Reliance's bank subsidiary, First Reliance Bank, with First Reliance Bank continuing as the surviving bank.  The full conversion of the Independence National Bank systems is expected to be completed by March 5, 2018.

The acquisition of Independence National Bank expands First Reliance's presence in the dynamic Greenville, South Carolina market and is an integral part of the bank's broader strategy to expand its footprint in top-tier markets throughout North and South Carolina.  The acquisition gives the existing First Reliance team in Greenville additional resources to expand its presence in the market, and provides further momentum in executing the bank's targeted expansion strategy.  First Reliance ...

David Barksdale has joined First Reliance Bank as President of North Carolina. Barksdale is responsible for the strategic market expansion of First Reliance Bank’s footprint in North Carolina. He will oversee sales management and community development for all North Carolina markets. Mr. Barksdale has over 30 years experience in the banking industry. Most recently, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Premier Bank/Premara Financial, Inc. Prior to that Barksdale served in various executive roles at NewBridge Bank with increased levels of responsibility the last being Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, where he led the identification and implementation of bank acquisition opportunities. Barksdale is a graduate of Wake Forest University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is active in Boy Scouts of America, Community Investment Corporation of the Carolinas, and has held various board positions in the following organizations which include; North Carolina ...