Memorial Day is just one week away. What does it mean to you?

Memorial Day is the official start of summer, a holiday from work, a chance to relax and grill out.

But, most importantly, it's an opportunity to stop and reflect upon the many blessings we have in this country. It's a time to pause and say a silent thank you to those who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our way of life.

Will you be remembering a relative or a friend who made the ultimate sacrifice? Will you be thinking of the many who, throughout the years, have selflessly given their lives on behalf of America?

Will you be wearing some red, white and blue that day, displaying the flag, or decorating your home? Will you be teaching your children the meaning of the day and then involving them in a little fun like trimming out their ...

They're all around us. We don't think much about them day to day. But, when we need them, they are there. Sometimes they're on duty and dispatched to provide aid. At other times, like so many of us, they have a day off and are enjoying an outing with family and friends. Yet, even when off-duty, they're ready and willing to spring into action if their skills are needed. This was the case with two firefighters out for a day of racing fun at the Daytona 500 on February 23. Neither could have anticipated that just a few hours after arriving at the track, he would be in the middle of a horrifying event. That Saturday, a race car traveling 175 miles per hour crashed against a protective fence in front of the stands, sparking an explosion of car motor parts, wheels and fire raining down on spectators. More than ...

It's tax time again. For many of us, that means a tax refund. What do you do with your tax refund each year?

Frankly, a lot of us go right out and spend it. It's gone almost as soon as it comes in.

There is a better way. Why not take this year's refund and put it to work for you?

Consider using your tax fund to make an investment in your future.

Whether you're just starting out or finishing up your career, you've probably been following all the public discussions about Americans and retirement. If you haven't begun to invest enough to have a secure retirement, it's time to consider an IRA (Individual Retirement Account).

It's simple to set up a regular IRA with your tax refund. Open a savings account or arrange to invest in a certificate of deposit (CD) that you will designate as an IRA. ...

Thank you for your generosity!

From early December 2012 through January 21, 2013, First Reliance Bank hosted a campaign to help feed the hungry in the communities we serve.

We asked you to help by coming by our branch locations and dropping off nonperishable food items or purchasing a “Feeding Neighbors In Need” paper plate for $1. We also told you that if you were to “Like” First Reliance Bank on our Facebook page, we would promise to donate $1 on your behalf.

The results are in!

Together, we raised $1,337 in cash donations. Since every dollar funds 5 meals, that means 6,685 meals! In addition, over 140 pounds of non-perishable food was dropped off!

As part of our drive to provide 500 meals to those in communities served by our bank and its branches, we're hosting lunchtime events at the Palmetto Branch and the 2nd Loop Branch on Friday, January 18.

Won't you join us for lunch and make a donation to help feed neighbors in need?

We'll be serving a delicious soup and hearty chili, accompanied by some scrumptious cornbread.

Stop in either branch through January 17 and make a donation of $4 per person and you'll receive a ticket for lunch on the 18th. You can also get a ticket on the day of the event, but then we'll be asking you to donate $5 per person.

Every $1 you donate will fund five meals for those in need.

Please mark your calendar:

• Friday, January 18th
• 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palmetto Branch and the 2nd Loop Branch

If you want ...

Is pumpkin carving one of your family's Fall traditions? Have you always wanted to try your hand at designing and hand-carving your own work of pumpkin art?

Why not join in the fun and enter our Pumpkin Carving Contest this year?

If you have access to a computer and a pumpkin (or pumpkins), you could be among the three winners who will be awarded prizes for the best of the best!

To participate in the contest:

1. The contestant must be 18 or older (but you can involve younger members of the family by getting them to consult on your design).

2. Get a pumpkin or pumpkins to carve. You can enter as many times as you'd like.

3. When you do your carving, be sure to incorporate the First Reliance Bank brand in some way with your pumpkin design ...

There are heroes all around us. Every day, they make our world a better place through their everyday actions. Look around your community. Do you know someone whose extraordinary service makes it a better place to live? There are those who step into harm's way to save others. Some who reach out to comfort and help those in need. Others who give us the gift of inspiration. Everyday, police, fire fighters, medical personel, teachers and other dedicated professionals make the world a better place through the course of their lives and careers. We recognize these special people as “Hometown Heroes” and we offer them a special banking program as a way of saying “thanks.” Do you have a Hometown Hero you would like to recognize? We invite you to go to the First Reliance Bank Facebook page and tell our community about your own Hometown Hero. And, if you have ...

Children proudly bring home drawings and, for many, it’s a family tradition to put them up on the refrigerator with magnets. But what do you do when your fridge is overflowing with such pieces of art? Do you decide to put some away temporarily and rotate them every so often? Do you simply trash others, or just keep piling them on? How do you pick the most “fridge-worthy” without hurting your child’s feelings? We’ve turned for advice to the experts and guess who that would be? Moms! Here’s what they have to say about weeding out, recycling, re-purposing and preserving your precious child’s art. Your Child’s Artwork: To Keep Or Not To Keep What To Do With All Your Kid’s Projects What To Do With Kids’ Artwork 12 Things To Do With Kids’ Art What To Do With Kid Art 5 Ways To Organize and Display Your Child’s Artwork Beyond ...

Summer’s almost here. Are you looking forward to vacation? With the kids out of school and no homework duties, it’s time to trade in long pants and slacks for sandals and shorts. Planning to hit the road for some much needed stress relief and fun? Thinking of packing up the car and heading to the beach, the lake, mountains? Is it time to visit a favorite relative? For most Moms, vacation planning includes taking a hard look at the family budget and working a little magic on the family checkbook. Fuel is often one of the biggest expenses in a vacation budget. Is your car a gas-guzzler? Maybe it’s time to consider a more fuel efficient car, van or SUV. But selecting a vehicle that works for you and fits into your budget can be a challenge.

 Here are some facts that can help you make a smarter car choice: ...

Welcome to The Better Side of Life, a new way for us to share stories, ideas and articles designed to help make the lives of our customer better.

As you hopefully already know and appreciate, First Reliance Bank is serious about delivering a better experience in every interaction that we have with our customers. We care about what matters most to you and we’re interested in demonstrating that to you in every way we can.

We’ll be publishing a steady stream of content on The Better Side of Life, covering all kinds of different topics. Naturally, we’ll be sharing financial tips to help you manage your money and your banking in the smartest possible way. But we’ll also be digging into special points of interest in the communities that we serve, including ways to recognize and celebrate some of the people who contribute so much to those around them, like ...