First Reliance Bank Named South Carolina Lender and Broker of the Year

FLORENCE, South Carolina – First Reliance Bank has been named "Lender and Broker of the Year" by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority. The award will be presented on February 18, 2010, at the awards luncheon of the Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum in Columbia.

"We are pleased to be able to assist first-time homebuyers in realizing their dreams of home ownership," says Rick Saunders, CEO of First Reliance Bank. "Here at First Reliance, we strive to provide quality mortgage loans to the citizens of South Carolina so that they may take advantage of the many affordable housing opportunities available to them. Our purpose is to make the lives of our customers better and a great way to achieve our purpose it by helping our customers with their dream of owning a home." Saunders also noted that First Reliance mortgage division was operating at a brisk pace through the end of 2009 and into 2010, despite a sluggish U.S. economy.

Each year, the State Housing and Finance Development Authority selects five finalists in the lender and broker category. Winners are chosen based on criteria that include overall production, underwriting quality, delinquency, foreclosure rates, and other pertinent information relating to financial institutions. The 2009 recognition is the first time FRB has taken the overall top award in the lender and broker category. Previously, the Authority had recognized the bank as the top lender in Division II.

In addition to the bank's commitment to first time homebuyers and its wide-ranging portfolio of mortgage programs, Saunders said the bank also remains committed to providing excellent service to all of its mortgage customers. He noted the bank has developed a five-way Mortgage Guaranty program that assures customers will receive excellent service. Focusing on its There's More To Banking Than Money™ standard, the bank also has an easy-to-use online website mortgage application customers can complete at their own convenience.

ABOUT FIRST RELIANCE BANK
First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $640 million, and employs over 145 highly talented associates. The bank serves Columbia, Charleston, and Florence markets in South Carolina. The bank has been recognized as One of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina by the SC BIZ for four consecutive years and was named 2009 Lender of the Year by the South Carolina State Housing and Finance Authority. First Reliance Bank offers a unique Hometown Heroes package of benefits to serve those who are serving our communities, Check 'N Save, a community outreach program for the unbanked or under-banked, a Customer Service Guaranty, a 5 Way Mortgage Guaranty, FREE Coin Machines, and a Worldwide NO FEE ATM Network. It also offers 8-8 Extended Hours in all of their Florence, Charleston, West Columbia and Lexington locations and is open on most traditional bank holidays. Its There's More To Banking Than Money™ brand has earned the young bank a customer satisfaction rating of 98% (Lamothe & Associates, Inc., Research Firm) and the number one market share in its headquarters city of Florence, SC. First Reliance Bank is traded as FSRL.OB. Information about the Company is available on the company's website at www.firstreliance.com.