Veteran leader joins to manage bank’s employee relations and recruitment

Leslie Chaplin has joined First Reliance Bank as executive vice president, director of human resources. Based in Columbia, S.C., Chaplin will oversee the human resources department across the bank’s footprint in South and North Carolina, including managing recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, training, payroll and compliance.

“Leslie’s extensive experience in human resources in the financial sector will be invaluable to our teams across the Carolinas,” said Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. “She will lead the effort to build on the bank’s plan for transformational growth and help us recruit and retain the best talent for our customers.”

Chaplin brings nearly 25 years of experience providing human resource management in the financial industry. She is well-versed in employee relations and training and will work to streamline benefit administration and negotiations. She received her bachelor’s degree and a Master of ...

Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank in Florence, has joined the Board of Governors at the College of Charleston School of Business.

“We are pleased to welcome Rick as the newest member of our Board of Governors,” said Buddy Darby, chairman of the College of Charleston School of Business Board of Governors. “Rick is a well-respected community and business leader in South Carolina, and his expertise in commercial banking will bring fresh insights and perspectives for the students and for the program at large.”

In 1999, with 19 years of banking experience, Saunders founded First Reliance Bank, which has since grown to nearly $711 million in assets. First Reliance employs 175 associates with branches in Florence, West Columbia, Lexington, Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Greenville, Taylors, Simpsonville, Myrtle Beach and a loan production office in Columbia in South Carolina. The bank also has a branch in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Mooresville, N.C. ...