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Shanell Cook, Treasury Services Officer, First Reliance Bank Winston-Salem Branch
Shanell Cook, Treasury Services Officer, First Reliance Bank Winston-Salem Branch

 

Shanell Cook has been promoted to Treasury Services Officer for the Winston-Salem branch. As Treasury Services Officer, she supports the team’s effort to grow the bank’s deposit base through treasury service products. Additionally, she supports team members and clients in the First Reliance footprint with treasury management training, support, and financial analysis with proformas. She will continue in her role, supporting the bank with merchant services and credit card services while serving as liaison with third-party vendors.

Shanell joined the bank in 2021 with 24 years of banking experience with strengths in customer service and treasury services.

Suzanne Hill, First Reliance Market President for Winston-Salem said, “Shanell’s promotion to Treasury Services Officer is well deserved. She is a proven leader who consistently delivers hard work, determination, and a positive attitude to staff and our customers.”

Shanell and her husband of 22 years have six children and are a foster ...


Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of First Reliance Bank
Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of First Reliance Bank

 

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of First Reliance has been appointed to the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Health Fund Advisory as Director. As a Board member, Rick, a loyal advocate of the Children’s Hospital within the community, will advise on financial responsibilities with development while participating in third-party community events to support keeping MUSC kids at the forefront of the community. Board members support the efforts of the Children’s Hospital Fund and the Children’s Miracle Network staff and stay current on the hospital’s departmental fundraising needs.

Rick said, "Participation is key to driving positive change and making a difference in our communities. By getting involved in initiatives like the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Health Fund Advisory, we can help improve the health and well-being of children in our state; whether that is through financial support, volunteering, or advocating for the cause, every contribution ...


First Reliance Partners with Apiture

 

First Reliance Bank is pleased to announce that through our partnership with Apiture, Apiture has received an award, marking its third consecutive win for digital banking innovation. The awards program celebrates outstanding achievements in banking technology implementations and innovations. Apiture earned the distinction for spearheading a digital banking transformation initiative for First Reliance Bank and our 18,000 customers throughout the Carolinas. By using this business banking solution, we have successfully overcome mobile and online banking constraints. 

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer and Founder said, "We have been very pleased with Apiture's platform, customer service, and delivery. Through their banking solution, First Reliance has been able to attract larger business customers, thus driving notable revenue growth."

Ben Brazell, Executive Vice President Retail Banking said, "Our partnership with Apiture further positions First Reliance as a leader in the banking industry. The product delivers like-features as those provided by larger institutions, but ...


Thomas Floyd, Banking Officer, Relationship Banker
Thomas Floyd, Banking Officer, Relationship Banker

 

Thomas Floyd has been promoted to Banking Officer, Relationship Banker in the Columbia market. Thomas joined First Reliance Bank in June 2021 as a Portfolio Analyst in the Credit Administration Department, and in June 2023, was promoted to Banking Officer. Thomas is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. 

Michael Edens, Senior Vice President and Market President of Columbia, said, "Thomas provides our customers with commitment and accuracy to their banking needs. His relationships and accountability as a relationship banker will continue to position First Reliance as a market leader."

Thomas graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Cum Laude) in 2020 with Majors in Business Economics and Real Estate.

 

Farewell Frederick (Freddie) R. Saunders, Sr.

 

Freddie Saunders, 86, of Florence, South Carolina, died peacefully on January 9, 2024, at the McLeod Health Hospice Care.

Freddie was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on May 24, 1937, to the late Carl Frasier Saunders, Sr., and Martha Gardner Saunders. He is survived by his brothers, Carl Frasier Saunders, Jr. and Jimmy Saunders, and his wife, Jane, both of Sumter, South Carolina.

He grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, and began a career with Suburban Propane Gas at the early age of 19, where he remained with the company in a management role until his retirement at the age of 62, working 43 years for the same company.

Believing retirement was the goal, he realized that having days without a sense of real purpose was not as enjoyable as he envisioned, so he launched an entirely new career. From age 63 until his passing at 86 (23 years), ...


Steve Howard Market President for Lake Norman / Charlotte Markets
Steve Howard Market President for Lake Norman / Charlotte Markets

Steve Howard has joined First Reliance Bank as Market President for the Lake Norman/Charlotte Market where he will be responsible for the strategic market expansion of the bank’s footprint. As he oversees all lines of business, including personal banking, business and commercial banking, investments, and treasury services, he will implement a relationship strategy to include community development and involvement while managing the sales management process.

“We are pleased to announce Steve Howard as Market President for the Lake Norman / Charlotte market.  This strategic decision is based on Steve’s proven ability to deliver high customer satisfaction as a trusted banking advisor. He knows how to lead teams and what it takes to build a strong community bank.  His extensive industry experience will expand our commercial and local business and customer opportunities,” stated Justin Strickland, President, First Reliance Bank.

Steve will play a key role in First Reliance Mortgage’s growth and ...


Mark Schepp, Vice President, Residential Lending Specialist
Mark Schepp, Vice President, Residential Lending Specialist

Mark Schepp has joined First Reliance Bank as Vice President Residential Lending Specialist where he will work out of the Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Corporate Center location in Mount Pleasant, SC. He will establish and maintain mortgage banking relationships with referral partners and new clients.

“Mark’s depth of mortgage lending experience and his appreciation of community banking relationships makes him an excellent addition to First Reliance Bank,” said Chuck Stuart, President of First Reliance Mortgage Division.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to our team. Mark’s experience, knowledge, and work ethic will enable First Reliance to continue to provide exceptional service to the Charleston market,” said Sarah Baldwin, Senior Vice President Retail Mortgage Sales.

Mark has over 27 years of experience encompassing mortgage lending and banking within the local Charleston market. For the past seven years, he has worked directly with financial and private bank advisors who have an extensive background with ...


FIRST RELIANCE BANK CELEBRATES 15 YEARS AS A TOP 100 WORKPLACE BY THE DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION

First Reliance Bank is pleased to celebrate 15 years as a Top 100 Workplace by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding forever families for children waiting to be adopted from foster care. These workplaces are selected after an analysis of company adoption benefits compiled through the Foundation’s survey of more than 500 U.S. employers. The two determining factors are the financial reimbursement for adoption and paid leave to employees who adopt.

Rick Saunders, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance, shared, “Adoption has always been personal to me as my wife and daughters were adopted. While I am most grateful for the love that has been brought to my family through adoption, being able to support our associates who seek to adopt children is now and will always be highly important to our institution.”

 

 

George Smythe, Senior Vice President Residential Lending Specialist
George Smythe, Senior Vice President Residential Lending Specialist

 

George Smythe has joined First Reliance Bank as Senior Vice President Residential Lending Specialist. In his role, George is responsible for establishing and maintaining mortgage banking relationships with referral partners and clients in Charleston and the surrounding area.

“We are excited to have George join our team. George is esteemed in the Charleston market and brings over 40 years of banking experience to First Reliance. His relationships and connections will be invaluable to the growth of FRB Mortgage,” said Sarah Baldwin, SVP Retail Mortgage Sales.

“George is a great addition to our team. He is universally respected, operates with high integrity, and works tirelessly to advocate for his clients to find solutions to fit their mortgage needs. First Reliance Bank is as passionate about our customers as we are about the home loan products and services we offer. When you work with First Reliance Bank, our professional mortgage experts ...


Zach Brown, Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management
Zach Brown, Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management

 

First Reliance Bank announces that Zach Brown has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Solutions & Asset Management. He is responsible for bank-wide management of collections, special assets, the call center, and facilities.

Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bank, shared, “Zach continues to provide outstanding customer interaction processes with careful attention to the bank’s asset management.”

Ben Brazell, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking said, “Zach provides value and support of our bank’s purpose and values. As a recipient of the First Reliance Culture Coin, he clearly delivers our brand purpose to make things BETTER.”

Zach earned a degree in Business Management in 2007 from Florence Darlington Technical College.