Robert Dozier, Chief Banking Officer of First Reliance Bank in Florence, has joined the South Carolina Bankers Association (SCBA) as a Board member. In addition he will act as Chairman of the SCBA’s Political Action Committee.

The appointment is a natural step for Dozier, an industry veteran who brings more than 30 years of experience to his leadership role at the fast-growing, Florence-based bank. As Chief Banking Officer, Dozier oversees the commercial platform and guides corporate strategy and strategic market expansion of First Reliance Bank’s footprint throughout the Carolinas

Prior to joining First Reliance Bank, Dozier served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, where he oversaw all external customer facings of the bank, which serves more than 850 financial institutions throughout the Southeast. Prior to that, Dozier served as President and COO of Homeowners Mortgage – a division of Coastal States Bank, where he began as a loan officer in 1992.

“Robert Dozier is a proven leader in the banking industry, and his accomplishments in the region speak for themselves,” says Fred Green, President & CEO of the SCBA. “We’re pleased to welcome him on the SCBA board, and look forward to seeing the fruits of working in collaboration with him – to the benefit of banking institutions and the customers we all serve throughout the state.”

The SCBA is the professional trade association organized to effectively represent the common interest and welfare of the banking industry in South Carolina and to promote the professional development of its members and their employees. The SCBA’s primary focus is to serve as a reliable and responsive source of information and education regarding areas of importance to the industry. It’s the key advocate in helping our member institutions by providing leadership in legislative, regulatory, educational and value-added services.

“Robert has been a strong addition to our First Reliance executive management team,” said Rick Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank. “With vast strategic management experience and a proven track record of collaborating with a variety of different groups and businesses, Robert is a driving force for the growth of our bank.”