Florence SC (July 9, 2009) – First Reliance Bank announced today that it is making contributions to several organizations on behalf of customers who are members of the bank's signature Hometown Heroes program.

In September 2008, First Reliance Bank began offering customers a Hometown Heroes signature program which recognizes and provides special financial products and rewards to Heroes in our community- teachers, police, firefighters, medical professionals, military, and employees of churches and not-for-profits, people who help us and protect us every day. This program is the bank's way of saying thank you, and it has been a great success.

As a benefit of the program, First Reliance donates $5, for every Hometown Heroes checking account opened, to an organization which supports these Heroes. The program has been very successful for the bank. Organizations that will receive contributions include: American Red Cross of Central Carolina, Alston Wilkes Society, SC Law Enforcement Division, The Humanities Council, SC State Firefighters Association, Palmetto State Teachers Association-Foundation of Professional Development and PSTA, SC Medical Association Foundation, and the SC Association for Non Profit Organizations.

First Reliance is a growing bank with branches in Lexington, Charleston and the Florence markets. Its mission is 'to make a difference in the lives of each person we touch.' The Hometown Heroes program is just one of the many unique programs the bank offers to fulfill that purpose. The bank is highly involved in each of the communities it is in and is also well known for its Reagan's Promise Program, an adoption awareness effort with the mission of helping children find forever families.

"Giving back to the community and honoring our Hometown Heroes is a winning combination and we look forward to the continued growth of this program," said Rick Saunders, CEO.

ABOUT FIRST RELIANCE BANK
First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $637 million, and employs over 145 highly talented associates. The bank serves Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and Florence markets in South Carolina. The bank has been recognized for its success including being the only company ever to be named to The Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies™ in South Carolina four times including 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (SC Chamber/Elliott Davis). In June 2007, the bank was added to the Palmetto 25, a list of S.C.'s largest publicly held companies. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 the bank was also recognized as One of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina by the SC Chamber of Commerce. First Reliance Bank offers a unique Hometown Heroes package of benefits to serve those who are serving our communities, a community outreach program for the unbanked called the Check'N Save Program, a Customer Service Guaranty, Totally FREE Checking, Totally FREE Business Checking, FREE Coin Machines, a Worldwide NO FEE ATM Network, and a 5 Way Mortgage Service Promise. It also offers 8-8 Extended Hours in all of their Florence, Charleston, and Lexington locations and is open on most traditional bank holidays. Its Easy to Do Business With™ standard has earned the young bank a customer satisfaction rating of 98% (Lamothe & Associates, Inc., Research Firm). First Reliance Bank is traded as FSRL.OB. Information about the Company is available on the company's website at www.firstreliance.com.