FLORENCE, South Carolina, May 6, 2011 – First Reliance Bank is pleased to announce James R. Lingle, Jr. (Jay) has joined its board of directors.

"We welcome the addition of Jay Lingle to our board and the experience he brings as CEO of a successful business that provides services to consumers and businesses. Mr. Lingle understands small business and the importance of offering exceptional customer service," said Rick Saunders, First Reliance Bank CEO.

Mr. Lingle is a licensed CPA and Property and Casualty Insurance Agent in South Carolina. He is currently the founder, President and CEO of iFinancial Holdings, Inc. which provides business consulting, property and casualty insurance coverage and other services to consumers and businesses. Prior to forming iFinancial Holdings, Inc. in 2009, he helped form a warranty finance company for Interstate National Dealer Services and from 1984 – 2008, he was President and CEO of a company founded ...

Dear Valued Customer, As we move forward into 2011, I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts with all of our customers. From our beginnings eleven years ago, First Reliance Bank has been driven by one powerful purpose: “To Make the Lives of Our Customers Better.” We defined a set of seven core values designed to generate everyday actions that will inspire customers to want to bank with us. We set out not to be just another faceless bank. We’ve dedicated ourselves to fulfilling our Customer Value Promise: “We offer an incredible customer experience, distinctive customer programs, and unmatched convenience.” Our passion is inwardly directed as well and includes a commitment to deliver an incredible work experience for everyone working at First Reliance Bank. In that light, I am happy to share with you that our bank was named One of the Best Places to Work in ...

March 29, 2011, Lexington, S.C. - Stan Carter has joined First Reliance Bank as a Residential Lending Specialist for the Lexington, S.C. area.

Carter will join the Mortgage Department at First Reliance Bank which assists customers with the assessment of their lending needs and then helps them to determine which bank products can best meet their needs. He is the newest member of the Lexington branch's mortgage team whose mission is to provide outstanding customer service while helping customers to explore and understand their mortgage options.

"We're very happy to have Stan add his experience to our lending team," said Rick Saunders, president and chief operating officer of First Reliance Bank. "His contributions will help us to deliver on our purpose to make our customers' lives better through knowledge of our products and his welcoming manner."

Carter, a resident of Lexington, acquired extensive experience in insurance and mortgage banking over ...

Bank Attributes Rating to Its Purpose of Provide Better Customer and Employee Experiences
FLORENCE, South Carolina, February 8, 2011 -First Reliance Bank's commitment to making its customers' lives better has resulted in the customer's giving the bank a 99% customer satisfaction score in a 2010 independent customer survey. The bank consistently receives high scores from its customers and had a 98% customer satisfaction in 2009. The 2010 rating is 23 points higher than the average national bank satisfaction score and 19 points higher than the average for community banks according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

According to Rick Saunders, CEO and President, First Reliance Bank’s unique culture of customer-centric banking begins with highly engaged associates who are passionate about the bank’s purpose, to make the lives of our customers better. “Culture is a reflection of how people act and a company’s brand. Our culture is simply the result of ...

September 8, 2010 TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer) SUBJECT: Suspicious Telephone Calls Claiming to Be From the FDIC Summary: Suspicious telephone calls claiming to be from FDIC employees are being reported. These calls appear to be illegal schemes to steal money or collect sensitive personal information, such as bank account numbers. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of suspicious telephone calls where the caller claims to represent the FDIC and is calling regarding the collection of an outstanding debt. To date, the callers have alleged that the call recipient is delinquent in payment of a loan that was applied for over the Internet or made through a payday lender. The loan may or may not actually exist. The caller attempts to authenticate the claim by providing sensitive personal information, such as name, Social Security number, and date of birth, supposedly taken ...