June 18, 2008 Florence, SC - Craig S. Evans has joined First Reliance Bank as the Chief Operating Officer. In this new position, he will be responsible for managing all components of Loan Operations, Deposit Operations, Mortgage Operations, Information Systems, Call Center/Customer Support, Project Management, and Quality Management, while focusing on the bank's commitment to quality and discipline of execution.

"Our goal to be Easy To Do Business With™ can only be achieved by providing our customers convenience in products and services and superior customer service," commented Rick Saunders, President and CEO. "Mr. Evans's role as a member of the executive team will be to develop and execute strategies that create an environment where we are able to achieve this goal. Evans's extensive experience as an Operations Executive allows us the opportunity to seek out and implement the latest in technological advancements and operating systems, resulting in the delivery of exceptional and consistent customer service."

With more than 23 years of banking experience, Evans's career highlights include: senior operations, risk management, and production roles with leading US banks. Throughout his career he has led large scale projects to purchase, develop, and deploy technology to loan production, capital markets, and servicing operations. He has also participated in numerous portfolio acquisitions and corporate integrations. His experience with large scale operations includes managing a 6 million loan residential portfolio, with 3,500 employees across several nationwide campuses.

Evans is a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is also a graduate of the Mortgage Bankers Association Graduate School of Mortgage Banking. Evans has also been active on numerous boards and organizations including Santee Lynches Community Development Board, Florence Economic Development Board, Reformers Unanimous, Lake Oakdale Homeowners Association, and Florence Baptist Temple. Evans resides in Florence with his wife Lori. He has 4 children and 1 grandchild.

First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $598 million, and employs over 145 highly talented associates. The bank serves the Upstate, Midlands, Piedmont, Low Country, Grand Strand, and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. The bank has been recognized for its success including being named to the Dave Thomas Foundation's List of "Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces" and 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 and 2007, 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 Totally FREE Checking, Totally FREE Business, FREE Coin Machines, a Nationwide NO FEE ATM Network, and a 5 Way Mortgage Service Promise. It also offers 8-8 Extended Hours in all of their Florence, Mt. Pleasant, 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 94.7% (Performance Solutions-December 2007-Audited). First Reliance Bank is traded as FSRL.OB.