Please Note Our Branch Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 24th: Early Close at 1:00 pm

Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 25th: Closed

New Year's Day

Wednesday, January 1st: Closed

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Founders Rick Saunders, Paul Saunders and Dale Porter and board members break ground for the flagship First Reliance Branch in Florence.
Founders Rick Saunders, Paul Saunders and Dale Porter and board members break ground for the flagship First Reliance Branch in Florence.

Recently, our Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Rick Saunders, shared his insights with The Post and Courier about First Reliance Bank's inspiring journey as we celebrate 25 years of making a meaningful impact in our communities and fostering a better banking experience.


 

Click this link to read The Post and Courier article >> that begins, "As First Reliance Bank celebrates its 25th anniversary, Chief Executive Officer and Founder Rick Saunders reflects on how far the bank has come, from its early days in a double-wide in Florence to being ranked in the top 25 banks by asset size in South Carolina.

"I never had any ambition to start a bank," Saunders admits when asked how he first started the company. During a time when many banks were going through mergers and acquisitions, Saunders, his brother Paul and their colleague Dale Porter began noticing trends that were creating not ...


Charitable Giving Scams

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to support those in need; however, it's essential to remain vigilant against potential scams. If you feel inspired to donate, reach out directly to the charity to confirm its legitimacy and make a meaningful contribution. To ensure your generosity has a positive impact, here are some helpful guidelines to follow:


Online and Mobile Banking: A Helpful Resource to Detect Fraud

Online and mobile banking offer customers convenient access. However, customers may not realize that First Reliance Bank's online and mobile banking also provides tools to support the diligent monitoring of transactions and early detection of unauthorized access. This immediate access is crucial for detecting and thwarting unauthorized activities before they inflict significant damage.


How to Avoid a Scam

Understanding the ins and outs of protecting your reputation and bottom line when scammers target your business or organization is crucial. Malicious cyber threats are always on the lookout, trying to find a way to your financial data and systems.

Your best defense?

Knowledge.

Learning about the scams that can target your business and sharing this knowledge with your employees and associates is a powerful defense. For a business, having a well-trained staff is vital to identifying threats. They are an integral part of your business's security and can effectively shut the door on scammers and prevent harm or damage to your business.

Scammers rely on questionable practices, much like the following real-life example.


Meet the Charleston Mortgage Team

With full-service operations based in Charleston, our experienced Lending Specialists are engaged members of the local community they serve. They understand the market and can provide solutions to meet your unique mortgage needs.

Whether you are new to the area purchasing a home or an established member of the community wanting to make home renovations, First Reliance Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products to fit your specific needs.

At First Reliance Mortgage, we are passionate about serving you, our client, to ensure that your home financing experience is simply the best. It’s all about what matters most to you – and demonstrating that in every way we can.


First Reliance Bank Introduces Our NEW Digital Customer Service

 

It starts with FReDA, our digital assistant, who can answer your questions 24/7. Then, it continues with our online customer care specialists, who can chat during banking hours. They can upgrade from text chat to voice chat or video chat, screen share, and co-browse.


Have you noticed the new “Let’s talk!” chat bubble on our website or online banking? Or, have you seen the ”Live Help” chat bubble while reviewing your account in our mobile app?

First Reliance Bank is excited to announce our new Digital Customer Service. Our online and mobile support is easy to navigate, ask questions of, and get answers quickly. We are pleased to introduce “FReDA,” our brand-new digital assistant. So, click “Let’s talk!” and select "Chat," and FReDA can assist you whenever you have questions. If you need additional help, FReDA can connect you with a customer care specialist*. Once connected to a specialist, ...


Debit Card Fraud: What it is and how to avoid it.

 

As we move deeper into the digital age, the threat of fraud has become more pervasive than ever. Thankfully, the technology that has enabled fraudsters to become more sophisticated can also combat them. Enter AI and machine learning.

These cutting-edge technologies are rapidly transforming the fraud prevention landscape by allowing businesses to identify and prevent fraudulent activity in real time. Through the analysis of vast amounts of data and learning from historical patterns, AI and machine learning algorithms can identify suspicious transactions and flag them for further review.

One of the most significant benefits of AI and machine learning is their ability to adapt to new threats quickly. As fraudsters develop new techniques and tactics, these technologies can evolve and learn from these changes, ensuring they remain effective in the face of emerging threats.

In addition to preventing fraud, AI and machine learning can help businesses reduce false positives, ...


Holiday Cheer Begins at First Reliance

The presence of the Grinch and the Easter Bunny, along with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (aka Mary Neale Fowler), added festivity and excitement to the bank’s annual event. The combination of these iconic characters created a sense of wonder and excitement among attendees, especially children who were thrilled to meet their favorite holiday figures. Together, these characters made a playful and festive atmosphere that enhanced the overall experience for everyone involved.

As the group visited different locations, including the Florence Fire Station, Mount Pleasant Office, West Columbia Office, and the Lexington Office, they continued to spread holiday cheer and brought smiles to everyone they encountered. The tradition of this event has grown over the years, becoming a beloved part of the community and a highlight for many during the festive season.

First Reliance deserves credit for organizing and expanding this event across multiple locations, allowing more people to participate ...