September 10, 2008 Florence, S.C. - As South Carolina's most customer-friendly bank, First Reliance Bank recognizes the value of Hometown Heroes and has created a program especially for those who make our world safer, smarter, and healthier. Firefighters, nurses or health care workers law-enforcement officials, teachers, and many other upstanding men and women have dedicated their life to the well-being of others. To salute their efforts and express thanks, First Reliance Bank is pleased to announce an exciting new program for its "Hometown Heroes" featuring high-interest checking with a bundle of other specially priced products, at its banking locations throughout the state.

The Hometown Heroes high-interest checking account includes First Reliance Bank's eight EASYBanking™ convenient products and services as well as a high interest rate savings and CD account, mortgage-closing and home equity line of credit discounts and other benefits. The program will launch beginning Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at all First Reliance Bank locations. The first 200 customers opening accounts will receive a $10 gasoline card.

First Reliance Bank has defined "Hometown Heroes" as people who work in the following service fields: Law enforcement; fire and rescue; educators; medical personnel (nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors/dentists, veterinarians, emergency medical technicians, etc.); active military; military veterans; employees or board members of religious and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

For each Hometown Heroes Checking account opened, First Reliance Bank will donate $5 to a Hometown Hero non-profit organization relating to the service the customer works in. The organizations benefiting from Hometown Heroes include: S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association, South Carolina State Firefighters' Association, The Humanities Council, Palmetto State Teachers Association, South Carolina Medical Association, The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, and the Alston Wilkes Society.

Plus, to kick off the new program, First Reliance Bank will present a celebration luncheon for Hometown Heroes and the public on Wednesday, September 17 in Mt. Pleasant, Thursday, September 18 in Lexington, and Friday, September 19 at branch offices in Florence. The schedule for the luncheon celebrations is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hometown Heroes will receive a free "thank you" lunch and the general public will be served lunch for a $3 donation with proceeds going to organizations in each of the three markets, as described below.

Florence Main Branch: Proceeds to benefit Howe Springs Road Volunteer Fire Department.

Mount Pleasant/Charleston Branch: Proceeds will be applied to the Charleston Navy League Navy Ball to benefit the Injured Marine SEMPER FI Fund

Lexington Branch: Proceeds will go to the Lexington County Sheriffs Foundation benefiting the Lexington County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit, with purchase of bullet/stab resistant vests, cool vests to keep the dogs cool in the heat, and K-9 first-aid kits.

The luncheons, feature "patriotic picnic" foods, such as hot dogs and hamburgers, snacks and a drink. Lunches will also be delivered to Heroes at certain designated job sites. In addition to the luncheon, fire-engine and rescue-vehicle displays and other displays or presentations are planned for all age groups. First Reliance Bank's staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Hometown Heroes program.

F R. "Rick" Saunders Jr., First Reliance Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are indebted to our 'Hometown Heroes,' and we want to not only to give them the recognition they deserve through this specially designed program, but also to make other customers and the public aware of their important roles in our communities. Our research shows we are the only financial institution in South Caroline with this type of a program and benefits for this group of people. We look forward to saying "Thank You to our Hometown Heroes!"

About First Reliance Bank
First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, is ranked in the top 20 banks in South Carolina based on asset size. The bank has assets of approximately $585 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 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. In June 2007, the bank was added to the Palmetto 25, a list of S.C.'s largest publicly held companies. 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.

Contact: Ashleigh Miles, First Reliance Bank, (843)789-1419