First Reliance Bank

our purpose

our vision

our mission

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about us

our values:

Commitment To Excellence:

At First Reliance, we believe that the only difference between failure and success is doing a job almost right, and doing a job exactly right. A person who accepts mediocrity in school, on the job, or in life is a person who does just enough to get by. If one of our associates settles for mediocrity, the whole organization is compromised. All banks sell the same products and services; therefore, excellence must be the primary attribute that separates us from mediocrity and from our competitors. Excellence allows us to surpass the average and become superior; to move from being a good organization to a great organization. At First Reliance, excellence implies more than just competence; it implies the highest standards possible. Good is not good when better is achievable. At First Reliance, we will continuously strive for excellence in every task we pursue.

Positive Attitude:

We believe there are three types of attitudes in every organization: Negative, Neutral, and Positive.

Negative people see things as always wrong. Others are always the cause of problems, and change is very painful.
Neutral people see every situation and others as unimportant. They believe someone else will solve the company’s problems. Changes are always unnecessary, and they believe they have little control over their own actions or attitude.
Positive people see every problem as an opportunity to learn something new. They accept change as a sign of growth, realize that mistakes are just another step towards success, and always exercise control over their actions and attitude.

We believe that a positive thought is the seed to a positive result. We believe a positive attitude creates positive people, and positive people create positive results. Studies report that of all the customers that chose to leave one business for another, 75% surveyed indicated they became dissatisfied because of poor attitudes from the employees. The consumer's first impression of us is a lasting one; therefore, we will settle for nothing less than a positive, proactive attitude from every associate. Each of us must choose to embrace a positive attitude every day.

Continuous Improvement:

When we stop learning something new and start talking about the past rather than the future, we will not be successful long-term. Continuous improvement must become a spontaneous reflex, not a once-in-a-while occurrence. We are all expected to acknowledge new opportunities and execute creative solutions to problems. Associates on autopilot become obsolete and useless quickly. While First Reliance provides numerous opportunities for each associate to improve and learn, you should always assume the responsibility for your own growth and progress. We believe that continuous improvement is for a lifetime-it is a journey, not a destination. We also believe that for our organization to be successful, our improvement must occur at a faster rate than the competition. We believe that winners never stop learning. We will all seek opportunities for continuous improvement.

Trustworthiness:

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team. It is the by-product of both competence and character.

By character we mean:

Keeping our promises and commitments
Not manipulating others for personal gain
Taking responsibility for our behavior and results
Modeling a positive attitude for others to emulate
Delivering on our promises in a timely manner
Having a vision for excellence, and sharing it with others
Being happy when others succeed
Giving full credit to others when deserved
Making time for others when requested
Not reacting based on our moods or feelings
Offering truthful and honest guidance to co-workers and customers who come to us with problems
Being quick to apologize when we are wrong
Being known for displaying a good attitude

By competence we mean:

Consistently producing high quality work
Asking for feedback to improve your skills
Taking actions that will constantly improve your skill set
Seeking the opinions and ideas of others
Asking someone to be your mentor
Contributing to the growth and overall success of your department
Demonstrating a willingness to share your skills and talents with others
Understanding the priorities for your department and the role you can play in helping to achieve them

Communication with your teammates and our customers should be open, and honest. Without openness and honesty we will not be able to reach our vision. To encourage open and honest communication, we must all demonstrate our commitment to listening to new ideas from anyone at anytime.

Trustworthiness is also seen in the keeping of your promises and commitments. Our actions must be consistent with your words; that is, we must "practice what you preach." Trust is gained by being trustworthy. It is the only glue strong enough to hold us together during the business storms that all organizations face. Trustworthy players will enable us to succeed. At First Reliance, we all strive to be trustworthy.

Teamwork:

At First Reliance we believe in the concept of teamwork. Our success depends on our support of each other. We must practice teamwork in achieving our common vision of "Being recognized as the largest and most profitable bank in South Carolina." When people with talent work together, the chances of achieving positive results and achieving the vision are maximized. Internal team failures will cause failure with our customers. The belief that one person can do something great is a myth. Nothing of significance has ever been achieved by an individual acting alone. A team consists of a group of people; thus they are able to provide more resources, ideas, and energy than would any individual. Teams maximize individual strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Teams provide multiple perspectives on how to meet our needs or reach our goals. Teams share the credit for victories and the blame for losses. Simply, teams can do more than an individual. As a First Reliance associate, we embrace the idea of teamwork and being a team player.

Results:

We should all ask ourselves, "How can I make a difference?" not "How can I make a living?" A career is something we do based on an inner desire and motivation. We want to do it, we love doing it, and we're excited when we do it. People who love their work not only make a good living, they make a difference; they achieve superior results. Hard work should not be a chore. It is essential that all First Reliance team members see their role here not as a job but as a career to which they fully commit. We do not define hard work by the number of hours worked. We are a results-driven organization; it is our belief that great results cannot be achieved without hard work. The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task. Hard work performed by a qualified person leads to success and satisfaction. Hard work is defined at First Reliance as… (a) successfully completing your job as described to you, (b) working hard enough to improve your job and yourself, and (c) working hard enough to exceed our corporate goals and customer expectations. We are committed to adding value to the organization that surpasses the cost of us being employed.

Customers First:

Consistent with our mission, we believe that our values must include placing our customers first; it is because of the customer that we exist. Customers expect excellent service; they do not appreciate merely good service. We should work to develop a relationship with each of our customers. Seeking regular, one-on-one contact with them builds strong relationships. It is our responsibility to anticipate their needs and develop a reputation for responsiveness. We must exhibit flexibility and avoid rigid behaviors; we must remember that policies guide but never dictate our decisions.

Great service is memorable service. For our customers to talk about our bank and to recommend us to their friends and associates, we must be outstanding. During every interaction with existing or potential customers, we must create positive experiences. We must set the stage for a flawless experience for every customer. We must never forget that our customers are our guests. They must leave feeling that there is no better place to bank. We must consistently create enjoyable experiences so that not only will our customers want to return, but also so that they will be motivated to share with others how great our organization is. No one or anything should ever come between us and our customers. There can be no room for mediocrity or any other behavior that alienates our customers. Our job exists to serve our customers with excellence. At First Reliance, we strive to excel at providing excellent customer service.