March 10, 2008 Florence, SC - First Reliance Bank recently announced the addition of Michael Eggleston to its Board of Advisors. "By providing different perspectives to help achieve our organization's strategies and goals, our Board of Advisors are among our most valuable critics and supporters," commented Rick Saunders, President and CEO. "Their insight is an incredible resource for us and I look forward to the experience and expertise Michael will bring to First Reliance."

Diversity and commitment to community are common aspects of the board's current members. Eggleston will further enhance these characteristics through his extensive community involvement and business expertise. With more than 23 years of experience with General Electric, Michael Eggleston is the General Manager of General Electric's Healthcare Florence Supply Chain. As an active community member, Eggleston currently serves as a board member for the Florence Darlington Technical College Foundation. Eggleston, who earned a Ph.D. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is the 20th member to be added to the board. Mr. Eggleston, along with his wife Ramona, and daughter Olivia, currently resides in Florence County.

First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $592 million, and employs over 160 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 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.