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First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.

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FY2016 Annual Report · First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
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2016 Annual Report

Building Value

Building Value 

Over the last several years I have shared with you our 
progress as we focused on protecting our brand while at 
the same time realigning the financial elements of our core business.  Our brand which 
promises “To Make the Lives of Customers Better” is a commitment we never wavered 
from even during the most difficult days of realigning our bank.  The strength of our brand 
has allowed us to build a strong foundation, a foundation that will support our continued 
focus on growth and building value for our associates, our customers and our Shareholders.  

As I stated in my message to you last year, we have spent the last eight years reshaping the 
way we do business and the way we grow our bank. In 2016 we can say with confidence 
that we were able to successfully shift our focus from repairing the bank to growing the 
bank.  We are now well on our way to leveraging our brand, restoring the yield on our 
assets, gathering more income from our business diversification initiatives and continuing 
to provide our customers with an exceptional banking experience.  As a result we had a 
great year filled with many note worthy successes.  I would like to share with you some of 
the successes we are especially proud of, as well as share with you our plan to continually 
grow our business in ways that generate value for our customers, our associates and our 
shareholders.   

Strong Business Model    

The strength of our business model and strategy is clearly evident in our financial results.  
Our commitment to maintaining our asset quality adds to the health of our franchise and 
allows us to allocate our capital growth initiatives.    

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Our low cost of funds is a result of the effort our retail team places on growing 
relationships with our current deposit customers.  By delivering exceptional customer 
service we are able to attract new customers primarily through word of mouth from our 
satisfied and loyal customers.  We have 
a tremendous track record over the 
last 8 years of continually delivering on 
deposit growth goals.  This gives us a 
unique strategic advantage in how we 
structure and price our lending, 
helping us attract more earning assets 
and producing high performing 
margins.   

Results speak for themselves; our loan 
growth at the end of 2016 was up $28 
million or 10.9% from the previous 
year.    

Our continued emphasis on loan mix 
and funding composition has allowed 
us to break through the 4% net 
interest margin barrier; an 
accomplishment our industry struggles 
to meet.         

Strong Diversification  

We made a strategic decision to 
diversify our revenue sources and in 
early 2015 we expanded our mortgage 
business line to better serve our 
customers and to bolster our fee 
income sources.  Our strategy has been focused on shifting our fee income contribution to 
revenue to 35-40%; and we accomplished this.  This strategy has added significantly to our 
profit margins. Our strong residential mortgage team is able to provide a comprehensive 
selection of products to customers that meet almost any mortgage need while providing 
outstanding service and turnaround times for a better customer experience.     

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our approach to the auto finance business line has been deliberate, slow and with an 
emphasis on local lending.  It is now into its fourth profitable year and is an important 
channel that provides us access to new customers and gives us another diverse source of 
income.   

Strategically, we will continue to focus on growing our market presence through the 
Carolina’s where the community banking model remains strong.  We will aggressively 
recruit local talent who understand the markets they live in and can quickly leverage their 
relationships into business opportunities. We will provide our market teams with strong 
centralized support to ensure we effectively manage our risk, maintain excellent loan 
quality, provide fast loan decisions, and well managed products and services.    

 Look for us to build out our presence with the same unique branch layout and strong 
branding we have always had, only in a smaller footprint, reflective of our customers desire 
to do banking at the branch as well as through their mobile devices.    

Strong Culture  

The strength of our culture is at the core of our success. It 
carried us through our tough times and now it is our strong 
culture that will fuel our growth and value building 
initiatives.  

Our exceptional customer satisfaction results and our 
consistently high levels of associate engagement are major 
contributors to our success, now and in the future. We will 
place considerable effort in the next few years on building a 
culture of operational excellence which will improve our 
efficiency ratio and customer experience.               

95% 
Customer 
Satisfaction 

Some areas of particular focus will be to utilize technology 
more effectively, reduce our dependency on manual/paper 
based processes by moving toward a fully digital environment. These initiatives will result 
in reduced costs, improved customers service turnaround times and a more capable and 
scalable workforce.  Our goal is to keep pace with our customers desire to have access to 
their information anytime and anywhere to allow for optimal convenience.     

3 

 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strong Value Proposition for the Shareholder    

One of our main strengths is building relationships with small businesses that operate in 
our communities to help them grow and succeed.  We have a strong relationship banking 
team that is knowledgeable in small business lending and in providing deposit services, 
and banking their employees.   In every community we serve we provide a level of 
customer service to all our customers that is unmatched by our competition. It is critical 
that we stay laser focused on capturing our fair share of 
small business and consumer customers in the 
communities we serve.  Consumer customers and small 
businesses  are not only  the life blood of our 
communities they are the life blood of our company and 
the only path to creating sustainable, true value for our 
shareholders. 

All of our efforts have resulted in an improvement in 
our Tangible Book Value over the past 4 years and since 
2013 we have been realized an increase of 61.5%; an 
outstanding performance.  We do however recognize 
that  we are not an actively traded stock and because of 
this our company is undervalued in the public markets.  So as we move into the next phase 
of growth we plan on making the necessary strategic moves to improve this.          

Along with an aggressive loan and deposit growth plan we have a comprehensive plan to 
enhance our capital structure.  A strong capital structure will allows us to be proactive with 
our growth initiatives, whether it is organic growth, strategic acquisition, and /or lending 
team acquisition.   

For our shareholders it will also provide the company with an increased stock liquidity.  
Our capital raise plan is outlined in detail as part of the proxy vote and I encourage you to 
vote yes for this initiative which we will deploy to grow the business with a goal to 
increasing value to the customer, associates and shareholders.                    

Thank you and best regards, 

Rick Saunders  
President and CEO 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 

Report on Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Contents 

Page 

Independent Auditor’s Report ........................................................................................................................ 1-2 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Consolidated Balance Sheets ........................................................................................................................ 3 

Consolidated Statements of Operations ....................................................................................................... 4 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income................................................................................... 5 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity ..................................................................... 6 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ....................................................................................................... 7 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................................................................................... 8-45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor's Report 

The Board of Directors 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Florence, South Carolina 

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  of  First  Reliance  Bancshares,  Inc.  and 
Subsidiary which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for 
the years then ended and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, 
implementation,  and  maintenance  of  internal  control  relevant  to  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of 
consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

Auditor’s Responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We 
conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. 

An  audit  involves  performing  procedures  to  obtain  audit  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the 
consolidated  financial  statements.  The  procedures  selected  depend  on  the  auditor’s  judgment,  including  the 
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation 
and  fair  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
entity’s  internal  control.  Accordingly,  we  express  no  such  opinion.  An  audit  also  includes  evaluating  the 
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit 
opinion. 

Elliott Davis Decosimo | www.elliottdavis.com 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opinion 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the 
financial position of First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the 
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Columbia, South Carolina 
February 28, 2017 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Assets 
  Cash and cash equivalents: 
  Cash and due from banks 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 
  Total cash and cash equivalents 

  Time deposits in other banks 

  Securities available-for-sale  
  Securities held-to-maturity (Estimated fair value of $20,842,142 

  and $26,270,623 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively) 

  Nonmarketable equity securities 

  Total investment securities 

  Mortgage loans held for sale 

Loans receivable 

Less allowance for loan losses 

Loans, net 

  Premises, furniture and equipment, net 
  Accrued interest receivable 
  Other real estate owned 
  Cash surrender value life insurance 
  Net deferred tax assets 
  Mortgage servicing rights 
  Other assets 

  Total assets 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 

Liabilities 
  Deposits 

  Noninterest-bearing transaction accounts 
Interest-bearing transaction accounts 

  Savings 
  Time deposits $250,000 and over 
  Other time deposits 
  Total deposits 

  Securities sold under agreement to repurchase 
  Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 
  Notes payable 

Junior subordinated debentures 

  Subordinated debentures 
  Accrued interest payable 
  Other liabilities 

  Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies - Notes 4 and 18 

Shareholders’ Equity 
  Preferred stock 

  Series A cumulative perpetual preferred stock - 15,349 shares issued and outstanding 

  at December 31, 2015 

  Series B cumulative perpetual preferred stock - 767 shares issued and outstanding 

  at December 31, 2015 

  Series D non-cumulative preferred stock – 600 and 612 shares issued and outstanding 

  at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively 

  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 
  4,679,881 and 4,680,481 shares issued and outstanding 
  at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively 

  Capital surplus 
  Treasury stock, at cost, 39,069 and 38,663 shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively 
  Nonvested restricted stock 
  Retained earnings (deficit) 
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 

  Total shareholders’ equity 

  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

3 

2016 

2015 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

4,810,304 
22,287,560 
27,097,864 

101,816 

17,862,635 

20,438,084 
734,300 
39,035,019 

5,355,532 

288,126,331 
(2,648,535) 
285,477,796 

18,873,718 
961,449 
2,870,484 
13,964,986 
8,463,657 
4,211,582 
1,707,519 
408,121,422 

76,175,393 
76,736,892 
115,741,395 
17,757,192 
50,124,647 
336,535,519 
11,088,526 
8,000,000 
6,893,211 
10,310,000 
4,896,398 
298,950 
3,431,091 

381,453,695 

- 

- 

600 

46,798 
25,071,543 
(219,106) 
(262,153) 
2,262,742 
(232,697) 

26,667,727 

3,703,357 
16,357,619 
20,060,976 

101,612 

11,255,855 

25,470,171 
813,400 
37,539,426 

8,070,283 

259,806,101 
(2,693,985) 
257,112,116 

22,856,744 
979,347 
2,506,733 
13,615,610 
9,950,018 
1,015,403 
1,502,230 
375,310,498 

68,147,262 
76,304,111 
99,870,631 
14,990,007 
44,612,452 
303,924,463 
8,201,396 
10,000,000 
- 
10,310,000 
- 
54,002 
2,586,907 

335,076,768 

15,179,709 

767,000 

612 

46,804 
26,007,698 
(217,230) 
(326,481) 
(1,259,166) 
34,784 

40,233,730 

$ 

408,121,422 

$ 

375,310,498 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Interest income: 
  Loans, including fees 

Investment securities: 
  Taxable 
  Tax exempt 

  Other interest income 

  Total 

Interest expense: 
  Time deposits 
  Other deposits 
  Other interest expense 

  Total 

Net interest income 

Provision for loan losses 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses 

Noninterest income: 
  Service charges on deposit accounts 
Income from mortgage operations 
Income from bank owned life insurance 

  Other service charges, commissions, and fees 
  Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities 
  Gain on sale of premises 
  Other   
  Total 

Noninterest expenses: 
  Salaries and benefits 
  Occupancy 
  Furniture and equipment related expenses 
  Other   
  Total 

Income before income taxes 

Income tax expense (benefit) 

Net income 

Preferred stock dividends accrued 

2016 

2015 

$ 

14,363,973 

$ 

13,866,514 

801,878 
113,099 
109,578 
15,388,528 

366,955 
300,580 
630,250 
1,297,785 

925,411 
113,599 
129,247 
15,034,771 

327,768 
209,324 
303,036 
840,128 

14,090,743 

14,194,643 

9,075 

777,678 

14,081,668 

13,416,965 

1,385,517 
6,153,308 
349,374 
1,236,026 
13,261 
652,367 
240,780 
10,030,633 

11,270,540 
1,572,271 
1,517,840 
4,428,482 
18,789,133 

1,430,808 
2,949,877 
333,046 
1,161,788 
9,562 
- 
328,365 
6,213,446 

9,747,542 
1,628,527 
1,583,048 
4,185,607 
17,144,724 

5,323,168 

2,485,687 

1,801,260 

(6,326,661) 

3,521,908 

8,812,348 

937,848 

1,450,440 

Net income available to common shareholders 

$ 

2,584,060 

$ 

7,361,908 

Average common shares outstanding, basic 
Average common shares outstanding, diluted 

Income per common share: 
  Basic income per common share 
  Diluted income per common share 

4,438,570 
4,554,138 

4,491,053 
4,595,204 

$ 

$ 

0.58 
0.57 

1.64 
1.60 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Net income 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: 
  Securities available-for-sale 

  Unrealized holding losses arising during the period 

Income tax benefit 
  Net of income taxes 

  Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in  

  net income 
Income tax expense  
  Net of income taxes 

2016 

2015 

$ 

3,521,908 

$  8,812,348 

(354,501) 
120,530 
(233,971) 

(13,261) 
4,509 
(8,752) 

(54,140) 
18,408 
(35,732) 

(9,562) 
3,251 
(6,311) 

Other comprehensive loss attributable to securities available-for-sale 

(242,723) 

(42,043) 

Securities held-to-maturity 

  Amortization of net unrealized gains  

  capitalized on securities transferred from available-for-sale 
Income tax benefit 
  Net of income taxes 

Other comprehensive loss 

Comprehensive income 

(37,513) 
12,755 
(24,758) 

(67,950) 
23,103 
(44,847) 

(267,481) 

(86,890) 

$ 

3,254,427 

$  8,725,458 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Preferred   
Stock 

  Common   
Stock 

  Capital 
  Surplus 

  Treasury   
Stock 

 Nonvested  
 Restricted  
Stock 

  Retained   
  Earnings   
  (Deficit)   

  Other 
  Compre-   
  hensive 
Income 
(Loss) 

Total 

  Accumulated  

Balance, December 31, 2014 

$ 15,946,709  $ 

47,398  $ 30,914,242  $ 

(205,512)  $ 

(385,330)  $(10,071,514)  $ 

121,674  $ 36,367,667 

Net income 

Other comprehensive loss, 
  net of tax 

Dividend payment on 
  preferred stock 

(4,914,514) 

Conversion of Common Stock 
  to Preferred Stock - Series D 

612 

(612) 

Issuance of Common Stock 

18 

7,970 

Net Change in Restricted Stock 

Purchase of Treasury Stock 

58,849 

(11,718) 

8,812,348 

8,812,348 

(86,890) 

(86,890) 

(4,914,514) 

-     

7,988 

58,849 

(11,718) 

Balance, December 31, 2015 

  15,947,321 

46,804 

  26,007,698 

(217,230) 

(326,481) 

(1,259,166) 

34,784 

  40,233,730 

Net income 

Other comprehensive loss, 
  net of tax 

Redemption of preferred 
  stock - Series A and B 

  (15,946,709) 

Dividend payment on 
  preferred stock 

(937,848) 

Conversion of Preferred Stock - 
  Series D to Common Stock 

(12) 

12 

Net issuance (forfeiture) of  
  Common Stock 

Net Change in Restricted Stock 

Purchase of Treasury Stock 

(18) 

1,693 

64,328 

(1,876) 

3,521,908 

3,521,908 

(267,481) 

(267,481) 

  (15,946,709) 

(937,848) 

- 

1,675 

64,328 

(1,876) 

Balance, December 31, 2016 

$ 

600  $ 

46,798  $ 25,071,543  $ 

(219,106)  $ 

(262,153)  $  2,262,742  $ 

(232,697)  $ 26,667,727 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Cash flows from operating activities:  
  Net income 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: 

2016 

2015 

$ 

3,521,908 

$ 

8,812,348 

  Provision for loan losses 
  Depreciation and amortization expense 
  Gain on sales of securities available-for-sale 
  Discount accretion and premium amortization 
  Net gain on sale of other real estate owned 
  Gain on sale of premises 
  Write down of other real estate owned 
  Disbursements for mortgages held for sale 
  Proceeds from sales of mortgages held for sale 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Decrease in interest receivable 

Increase (decrease) in interest payable 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance 
Increase in deferred compensation on restricted stock 
Increase in other assets 
Increase in mortgage servicing rights 
Increase in other liabilities 
  Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities:  
  Purchases of securities available-for-sale 
  Maturities of securities available-for-sale 
  Maturities of securities held-to-maturity 
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale 
  Net decrease in nonmarketable equity securities 
  Net increase in time deposits in other banks 
  Net increase in loans receivable 
  Purchases of premises, furniture and equipment  
  Proceeds from sale of premises, furniture and equipment 
  Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned 

  Net cash (used) provided by investing activities  

Cash flows from financing activities: 
  Net increase in demand deposits, interest-bearing 
transaction accounts and savings accounts 

  Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit and other time deposits 
  Net decrease in advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 
  Net increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase 
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 

Increase in notes payable 

  Redemption of preferred stock 
  Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures 
  Purchase of treasury stock 
  Payment of dividends on preferred stock 

  Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 

Cash paid during the year for: 

Income taxes 
Interest  

Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities: 
  Foreclosures on loans 
  Net change in unrealized losses on investment securities 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

7 

9,075 
908,827 
(13,261) 
81,041 
(11,031) 
(652,367) 
17,370 
(327,583,115) 
330,297,866 
1,617,635 
17,898 
244,948 
(349,374) 
64,328 
(292,606) 
(3,196,179) 
844,183 
5,527,146 

(14,200,128) 
6,348,470 
4,922,467 
881,445 
79,100 
(204) 
(29,246,249) 
(487,575) 
4,307,979 
501,400 
(26,893,295) 

24,331,676 
8,279,380 
(2,000,000) 
2,887,130 
1,675 
6,893,211 
(15,946,709) 
4,896,398 
(1,876) 
(937,848) 
28,403,037 

7,036,888 

20,060,976 
27,097,864 

93,000 
1,052,837 

871,490 
(267,481) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

777,678 
930,789 
(9,562) 
188,173 
(366,898) 
- 
33,580 
(141,957,066) 
135,856,851 
(6,751,247) 
54,969 
(752,077) 
(333,045) 
58,849 
(486,919) 
(1,015,403) 
206,354 
(4,752,626) 

(5,000,000) 
1,546,426 
5,749,484 
5,179,670 
689,000 
(203) 
(9,649,939) 
(279,351) 
- 
4,416,734 
2,651,821 

32,824,382 
(14,218,537) 
(15,000,000) 
627,993 
7,988 
- 
- 
- 
(11,718) 
(4,914,514) 
(684,406) 

(2,785,211) 

22,846,187 
20,060,976 

597,270 
1,592,205 

4,145,896 
(86,890) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Organization: 

First  Reliance  Bancshares,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  was  incorporated  to  serve  as  a  bank  holding  company  for  its 
subsidiary, First Reliance Bank (the “Bank”).  First Reliance Bank was incorporated on August 9, 1999 and commenced 
business on August 16, 1999.  The principal business activity of the Bank is to provide banking services to domestic 
markets throughout South Carolina. The Bank is a South Carolina chartered commercial bank, and its deposits are 
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).  The consolidated financial statements include the 
accounts of the parent company and its wholly-owned subsidiary after elimination of all significant intercompany 
balances and transactions.  In 2005, the Company formed First Reliance Capital Trust I (the "Trust") for the purpose of 
issuing trust preferred securities. In accordance with current accounting guidance, the Trust is not consolidated in 
these financial statements. 

Management’s Estimates: 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 
and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the 
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those 
estimates. 

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance 
for losses on loans, including valuation allowances for impaired loans, and the valuation of real estate acquired in 
connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans.  In connection with the determination of the allowances for 
losses on loans and valuation of foreclosed real estate, management obtains independent appraisals in accordance 
with regulatory policy. Management must also make estimates in determining the estimated useful lives and methods 
for depreciating premises and equipment. 

While  management  uses  available  information  to  recognize  losses  on  loans  and  foreclosed  real  estate,  future 
additions to the allowances may be necessary, based on changes in local economic conditions.  In addition, regulatory 
agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowances for losses on 
loans and foreclosed real estate.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowances 
based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations.  Because of these 
factors,  it is reasonably possible that the allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate may change 
materially in the near term. 

Concentrations of Credit Risk: 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of 
loans receivable, investment securities, federal funds sold and amounts due from banks. 

The  Company  makes  loans  to  individuals  and  small  businesses  for  various  personal  and  commercial  purposes 
primarily throughout South Carolina.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the majority of the total loan portfolio was to 
borrowers from within these areas. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Concentrations of Credit Risk, continued: 

The Company’s loan portfolio is not concentrated in loans to any single borrower or a relatively small number of 
borrowers.  Additionally,  management  is  not  aware  of  any  concentrations  of  loans  to  groups  of  borrowers  or 
industries that would also be affected by sector-specific economic conditions. 

In addition to monitoring potential concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or groups of borrowers, industries 
and geographic regions, management monitors exposure to credit risk from concentrations of lending products and 
practices such as loans that subject borrowers to substantial payment increases (e.g., principal deferral periods, loans 
with initial interest-only periods, etc.), and loans with high loan-to-value ratios.  Management has determined that 
there is minimal concentration of credit risk associated with its lending policies or practices. 

There are industry practices that could subject the Company to increased credit risk should economic conditions 
change over the course of a loan’s life.  For example, the Company makes variable rate loans and fixed rate principal-
amortizing loans with maturities prior to the loan being fully paid (i.e., balloon payment loans).  These loans are 
underwritten and monitored to manage the associated risks and management believes that these particular practices 
do  not  subject  the  Company  to  unusual  credit  risk.  The  Company’s  investment  portfolio  consists  principally  of 
obligations of the United States and its agencies or its corporations and obligations of state and local governments.  In 
the opinion of management, there is no concentration of credit risk in its investment portfolio.  The Company places 
its deposits and correspondent accounts with and sells its federal funds to high quality institutions. Management 
believes credit risk associated with correspondent accounts is not significant. 

Securities Available-for-Sale: 

Investment securities available-for-sale are carried at amortized cost and adjusted to estimated market value by 
recognizing the aggregate unrealized gains or losses in a valuation account.  Aggregate market valuation adjustments 
are recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity, net of deferred income 
taxes. Reductions in market value considered by management to be other than temporary are reported as a realized 
loss and a reduction in the cost basis of the security. The adjusted cost basis of investments available-for-sale is 
determined by specific identification and is used in computing the gain or loss upon sale. 

Securities Held-to-Maturity: 

Investment securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of 
discount computed by the straight-line method.  The Company has the ability and management has the intent to hold 
designated investment securities to maturity.  Reductions in market value considered by management to be other 
than temporary are reported as a realized loss and a reduction in the cost basis of the security. 

Nonmarketable Equity Securities: 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, non-marketable equity securities consist of the following: 

  Federal Home Loan Bank stock 
  Community Bankers Bank stock 

  Total 

9 

2016 

2015 

$ 

$ 

676,200 
58,100 
734,300 

$ 

$ 

755,300 
58,100 
813,400 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Nonmarketable Equity Securities, continued: 

Nonmarketable  equity  securities  are  carried  at  cost  since  no  quoted  market  value  and  no  ready  market  exists. 
Investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) is a condition to borrowing from that bank, and the stock is 
pledged to collateralize such borrowings.  Dividends received on nonmarketable equity securities are included as a 
separate component of interest income.  

Loans Receivable: 

Loans receivable are stated at their unpaid principal balance, net of charge offs.  Interest income is computed using 
the simple interest method and is recorded in the period earned. 

When serious doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan or when a loan becomes contractually 90 days past due as 
to principal or interest, interest income is discontinued unless the estimated net realizable value of collateral exceeds 
the principal balance and accrued interest. When interest accruals are discontinued, income earned but not collected 
is reversed. Loans are removed from nonaccrual status when they become current as to both principal and interest, 
when concern no longer exists as to the collectability of the principal and interest, and after a sufficient history of 
satisfactory payment performance has been established. 

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs (principally salaries and employee 
benefits) are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of the related loan yields.  Generally, these amounts are 
amortized over the contractual life of the related loans or commitments. 

The Company identifies impaired loans through its normal internal loan review process. Loans on the Company’s 
problem loan watch list are considered potentially impaired loans.  These loans are evaluated in determining whether 
all outstanding principal and interest are expected to be collected.  Loans are not considered impaired if a minimal 
payment delay occurs and all amounts due, including accrued interest at the contractual interest rate for the period 
of delay, are expected to be collected. 

Allowance for Loan Losses: 

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan 
losses  charged  to  earnings.  Loan  losses  are  charged  against  the  allowance  when  management  believes  the 
uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. 

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management's 
periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan 
portfolio,  adverse  situations  that  may  affect  the  borrower's  ability  to  repay,  estimated  value  of  any  underlying 
collateral and prevailing economic conditions.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are 
susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Allowance for Loan Losses, continued: 

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that 
are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention.  For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an 
allowance  is  established  when  the  discounted  cash  flows  or  collateral  value  or  observable  market  price  of  the 
impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers non-classified loans and is 
based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover 
uncertainties  that  could  affect  management's  estimate  of  probable  losses.  The  unallocated  component  of  the 
allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for 
estimating  specific  and  general  losses  in  the  portfolio.    A  loan  is  considered  impaired  when,  based  on  current 
information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal 
or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.   

Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the 
probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant 
payment  delays  and  payment  shortfalls  generally  are  not  classified  as  impaired.  Management  determines  the 
significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the 
circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the 
borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. 
Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted 
at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is 
collateral dependent. 

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Accordingly, the 
Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures, unless 
such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement. 

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, a concession to the 
borrower is granted that the Company would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt 
restructuring.  The restructuring of a loan may include the transfer from the borrower to the Company of real estate, 
receivables from third parties, other assets, or an equity interest in the borrower in full or partial satisfaction of the 
loan, modification of the loan terms, or a combination of the above. 

Premises, Furniture and Equipment: 

Premises, furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  The provision for depreciation 
is  computed  by  the  straight-line  method,  based  on  the  estimated  useful  lives  for  buildings  of  40  years  and  for 
furniture and equipment of 5 to 10 years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease. The 
cost  of  assets  sold  or  otherwise  disposed  of  and  the  related  allowance  for  depreciation  is  eliminated  from  the 
accounts and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the income statement when incurred.  Maintenance and 
repairs are charged to current expense.  The costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized based upon 
the Company's policy. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Other Real Estate Owned: 

Other real estate owned includes real estate acquired through foreclosure.  Other real estate owned is carried at the 
lower of cost or the fair market value minus estimated costs to sell.  Any write-downs at the date of foreclosure are 
charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Expenses to maintain such assets and subsequent changes in the valuation 
allowance are included in other noninterest expense along with gains and losses on disposal.  

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance: 

Cash surrender value of life insurance represents the cash value of policies on certain current and former officers of 
the Company. 

Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale: 

Loans held for sale represent loans originated or acquired by the Company with the intent to sell. The Company has 
elected the fair value option of accounting for certain residential mortgage loans. Electing to use the fair value option 
of accounting allows a better offset of the changes in the fair values of the loans and the derivative instruments used 
to economically hedge them without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting. These 
loans are initially recorded and carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in income from mortgage 
operations. Loan origination fees are recorded when earned. 

The  Company  issues  rate  lock  commitments  to  borrowers  on  prices  quoted  by  secondary  market  investors. 
Derivatives related to these commitments are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and are 
measured  at  fair  value.  Changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  derivatives  are  reported  in  current  income  or  other 
comprehensive income depending on the purpose for which the derivative is held. The Company does not currently 
engage in any activities that qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, changes in fair value of these derivative 
instruments are included in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of operations.  

Mortgage Servicing Rights: 

Mortgage  servicing  rights  (“MSRs”)  represent  the  present  value  of  the  future  net  servicing  fees  from  servicing 
mortgage loans. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities must be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. For 
subsequent measurements, an entity can choose to measure servicing assets and liabilities either based on fair value 
or lower of cost or market.  The Company uses the fair value measurement option for MSRs. 

The methodology used to determine the fair value of MSRs is subjective and requires the development of a number 
of assumptions, including anticipated prepayments of loan principal. Fair value is determined by estimating the 
present value of the asset’s future cash flows utilizing market-based prepayment rates, discount rates and other 
assumptions validated through comparison to trade information, industry surveys and with the use of independent 
third party appraisals.  Risks inherent in the MSRs valuation include higher than expected prepayment rates and/or 
delayed receipt of cash flows.  The value of MSRs is significantly affected by mortgage interest rates available in the 
marketplace, which influence mortgage loan prepayment speeds.  In general, during periods of declining interest 
rates,  the  value  of  mortgage  servicing  rights  declines  due  to  increasing  prepayments  attributable  to  increased 
mortgage refinance activity.  Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of servicing rights generally 
increases due to reduced refinance activity.  MSRs are carried at fair value with changes in fair value and servicing 
fees (cost) recorded as a component of income from mortgage operations. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Liabilities for Representations and Warranties: 

The Company is exposed to certain liabilities under representations and warranties made to purchasers of mortgage 
loans and servicing rights that require indemnification or repurchase of loans.  At the time it issues a guarantee, the 
Company is required to recognize an initial liability for the fair value of obligations assumed under the guarantee. 

The Company establishes a contingency reserve for its liabilities under representations and warranties provided to 
purchasers of its mortgage loans and servicing rights. This reserve is maintained at a level considered appropriate by 
management to provide adequately for known and inherent losses.  The reserve is based upon a continuing review of 
past loss experience, estimates and assumptions of risk elements and future economic conditions.  Additions to the 
reserve are recorded in other expenses. 

Management's judgment about the adequacy of the reserve is based upon a number of assumptions about future 
events  which  it  believes  to  be  reasonable  but  which  may or  may not be  accurate.    There  is  no  assurance  that 
additional  increases  in  the  reserve  will  not  be  required.    The  Company  may  from  time-to-time  be  required  to 
repurchase loans previously sold to investors due to loan nonperformance.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the 
Company  had  $71,515  and  $11,353,  respectively,  recorded  for  potential  indemnifications  to  other  third-party 
purchasers based on management’s analysis. 

Income Taxes: 

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on 
temporary differences between the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income and between the tax bases 
of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
included in the financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the 
deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, 
deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. In addition, deferred tax assets 
are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some 
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are 
recognized in income tax expense.   

Advertising Expense: 

Advertising and public relations costs are generally expensed as incurred.  External costs incurred in producing media 
advertising are expensed the first time the advertising takes place.  External costs relating to direct mailing costs are 
expensed in the period in which the direct mailings are sent.  Advertising and public relations costs of $201,459 and 
$268,836 were included in the Company's results of operations for 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Retirement Benefits: 

A trusteed retirement savings plan is sponsored by the Company and provides retirement benefits to substantially all 
officers and employees who meet certain age and service requirements.  The plan includes a “salary reduction” 
feature pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  In 2004, the Company converted the 401(k) plan to 
a 404(c) plan.  The 404(c) plan changes investment alternatives to include the Company's stock.  Under the plan and 
present policies, participants are permitted to make contributions up to 15% of their annual compensation.  At its 
discretion, the Company can make matching contributions up to 6% of the participants’ compensation.  The Company 
charged  $173,178  and  $147,119  to  earnings  for  the  retirement  savings  plan  in  2016  and  2015,  respectively.  In 
addition, the Company made an elective contribution to the retirement savings plan during 2016 totaling $231,726 
recorded within salaries and employee benefits expense. No elective contribution was made during 2015. 

13 

 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Retirement Benefits, continued: 

During 2006, the Board of Directors approved a supplemental retirement plan for the directors and certain officers. 
These benefits are not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code and they are not funded.  For 2016 and 2015 the 
supplemental retirement expense was $237,161 and $192,057, respectively.  The current accrued but unfunded 
amount is $1,818,588 and $1,642,646 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  However, certain funding is 
provided  informally  and  indirectly  by  bank  owned  life  insurance  policies.  The  cash  surrender  value  of  the  life 
insurance policies is recorded as a separate line item in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at $13,964,986 
and $13,615,610 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

The Company has split-dollar life insurance arrangements with certain of its officers.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
the split-dollar liability relating to these arrangements totaled $304,468 and $286,558, respectively.  For 2016 and 
2015, the Company recognized net expenses of $17,910 and $16,857, respectively, related to these arrangements.  

Equity Incentive Plan: 

On January 19, 2006, the Company approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.  This plan provides for the granting of 
dividend equivalent rights, options, performance unit awards, phantom shares, stock appreciation rights and stock 
awards, each of which shall be subject to such conditions based upon continued employment, passage of time or 
satisfaction of performance criteria or other criteria as permitted by the plan.  The plan allows granting up to 950,000 
shares  of  stock  to  officers,  employees,  and  directors,  consultants  and  service  providers  of  the  Company  or  its 
affiliates.  Awards may be granted for a term of up to ten years from the effective date of grant. Under this Plan, the 
Board of Directors has sole discretion as to the exercise date of any awards granted.  The per-share exercise price of 
incentive stock options may not be less than the market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is 
granted.  The related compensation cost for all stock-based awards is recognized over the service period for awards 
expected  to  vest.  Any  options  that  expire  unexercised  or  are  canceled  become  available  for  re-issuance.  The 
Company's equity incentive plan is further described in Note 19. 

Common Stock Owned by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”): 

All shares held by the ESOP are treated as outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share.  Purchases and 
redemptions of the Company’s common stock by the ESOP are at estimated fair value as determined by independent 
valuations.  Dividends on shares held by the ESOP are charged to retained earnings.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
the ESOP owned 435,492 and 419,106 shares of the Company’s common stock with an estimated value of $1,542,673 
and $1,542,673, respectively.  All of these shares were allocated to participants. 

Income Per Common Share: 

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflect additional 
common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued. Potential 
common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and similar share-based 
compensation instruments and are determined using the treasury stock method (see Note 20).   

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Statements of Cash Flows: 

For purposes of reporting cash flows in the consolidated financial statements, the Company considers certain highly 
liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash 
equivalents include amounts due from banks and federal funds sold.  Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day 
periods. Changes in the valuation account of securities available-for-sale, including the deferred tax effects, are 
considered noncash transactions for purposes of the statement of cash flows and are presented in detail in the notes 
to the consolidated financial statements. 

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments: 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of 
commitments to extend credit and letters of credit.  These financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated 
financial statements when they become payable by the customer. 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: 

The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements: 

In  May 2014,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  ("FASB")  issued  guidance  to  change  the  recognition  of 
revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize 
revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration the entity 
receives or expects to receive. The guidance will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after 
December 15, 2017. The Company will apply the guidance using a modified retrospective approach. The Company 
does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments will 
be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 
2016, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company 
does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers. As a result of the deferral, the guidance in ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company 
for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will apply the guidance using a modified 
retrospective approach. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial 
statements. 

In  January  2016,  the  FASB  amended  the  Financial  Instruments  topic  of  the  ASC  to  address  certain  aspects  of 
recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments will be effective 
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 
15, 2019. The Company will apply the guidance by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as 
of  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year  of  adoption.  The  amendments  related  to  equity  securities  without  readily 
determinable fair values will be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption of 
the  amendments.  The  Company  does  not  expect  these  amendments  to  have  a  material  effect  on  its  financial 
statements. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, continued: 

In  February  2016,  the  FASB  amended  the  Leases  topic  of  the  ASC  to  revise  certain  aspects  of  recognition, 
measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leasing transactions. The amendments will be effective for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early 
adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of the new standard will 
have on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. 

In March 2016, the FASB amended several topics of the ASC to make the guidance in all private company accounting 
alternatives  effective  immediately  by  removing  their  effective  dates.  The  amendments  also  include  transition 
provisions that provide that private companies are able to forgo a preferability assessment the first time they elect 
the private company accounting alternatives. The amendments were effective immediately. These amendments did 
not have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In  March  2016,  the  FASB amended the Revenue from Contracts with Customers topic of the ASC  to clarify the 
implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and address how an entity should assess whether 
it is the principal or the agent in contracts that include three or more parties. The amendments will be effective for 
the  Company  for  reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2017.  The  Company  does  not  expect  these 
amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In April 2016, the FASB amended the Revenue from Contracts with Customers topic of the ASC to clarify guidance 
related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The amendments 
will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not 
expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In May 2016, the FASB amended the Revenue from Contracts with Customers topic of the ASC to clarify guidance 
related to collectability, noncash consideration, presentation of sales tax, and transition. The amendments will be 
effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect 
these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance to change the accounting for credit losses and modify the impairment model 
for certain debt securities. The amendments will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after 
December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all organizations for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. 
The Company is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of the new standard will have on its financial 
position, results of operations, and cash flows. 

In August 2016, the FASB amended the Statement of Cash Flows topic of the ASC to clarify how certain cash receipts 
and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments will be effective for 
the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 
Early adoption is permitted.  The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its 
financial statements. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, continued: 

In October 2016, the FASB amended the Income Taxes topic of the ASC to modify the accounting for intra-entity 
transfers of assets other than inventory. The amendments will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning 
after  December  15,  2017,  including  interim  periods  within  those  fiscal  years.  Early  adoption  is  permitted.  The 
Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In December 2016, the FASB issued amendments to clarify the ASC, correct unintended application of guidance, and 
make minor improvements to the ASC that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting 
practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments were effective upon issuance 
(December  14,  2016)  for  amendments  that  do  not  have  transition  guidance.  Amendments  that  are  subject  to 
transition guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after 
December  15,  2016.  Early  adoption  is  permitted.  The  Company  does  not  expect  these  amendments  to  have  a 
material effect on its financial statements. 

In December 2016, the FASB issued technical corrections and improvements to the Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers Topic.  These corrections make a limited number of revisions to several pieces of the revenue recognition 
standard issued in 2014. The effective date and transition requirements for the technical corrections will be effective 
for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will apply the guidance 
using a modified retrospective approach. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect 
on its financial statements. 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not 
expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

Risks and Uncertainties: 

In the normal course of its business, the Company encounters two significant types of risks: economic and regulatory. 
There are three main components of economic risk:  interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk.  The Company is 
subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different speeds, or 
on different basis, than its interest-earning assets. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company's loan portfolio 
that results from borrower's inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.  Market risk reflects 
changes in the value of collateral underlying loans receivable and the valuation of real estate held by the Company. 

The Company is subject to the regulations of various governmental agencies (regulatory risk).  These regulations can 
and  do  change  significantly  from  period  to  period.  The  Company  also  undergoes  periodic  examinations  by  the 
regulatory agencies, which may subject it to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required 
loss allowances and operating restrictions from the regulators' judgments based on information available to them at 
the time of their examination. 

Reclassifications: 

Certain captions and amounts in the 2015 consolidated financial statements were reclassified to conform with the 
2016 presentation.  The reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or shareholders’ equity.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 2.  Cash and Due From Banks 

The Company is required to maintain balances with the Federal Reserve computed as a percentage of deposits.  At 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, this requirement was $2,435,000 and $2,892,000, respectively, net of vault cash and 
balances on deposit with the Federal Reserve. 

Note 3. 

Investment Securities 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities available-for-sale were: 

December 31, 2016 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Corporate bonds  
Equity security 
    Total 

December 31, 2015 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Corporate bonds  
Equity security 
    Total 

  Amortized   
Cost 

Gross Unrealized 

Gains 

Losses 

  Estimated 
  Fair Value 

$  9,028,395 
6,382,063 
2,833,723 
30,000 
$  18,274,181 

$  5,000,000 
3,458,548 
2,811,091 
30,000 
$  11,299,639 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

- 
10,149 
- 
- 
10,149 

- 
31,825 
- 
- 
31,825 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

226,553 
180,915 
14,227 
- 
421,695 

$  8,801,842 
6,211,297 
2,819,496 
30,000 
$  17,862,635 

29,850 
- 
45,759 
- 
75,609 

$  4,970,150 
3,490,373 
2,765,332 
30,000 
$  11,255,855 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities held-to-maturity were: 

  Amortized   
Cost 

Gross Unrealized 

Gains 

Losses 

  Estimated 
  Fair Value 

December 31, 2016 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Municipals 

  Capitalization of net unrealized gains  
  on securities  transferred from  
  available-for-sale in 2013 
    Total 

December 31, 2015 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Municipals 

  Capitalization of net unrealized gains  
  on securities  transferred from  
  available-for-sale in 2013 
    Total 

$  4,768,428 
  12,489,025 
3,121,658 
  20,379,111 

58,973 
$  20,438,084 

$  5,729,310 
  16,508,390 
3,135,985 
  25,373,685 

96,486 
$  25,470,171 

18 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

85,579 
313,488 
155,087 
554,154 

205,658 
493,975 
255,120 
954,753 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

- 
91,123 
- 
91,123 

$  4,854,007 
  12,711,390 
3,276,745 
$  20,842,142 

- 
57,815 
- 
57,815 

$  5,934,968 
  16,944,550 
3,391,105 
$  26,270,623 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 3. 

Investment Securities, Continued 

The following is a summary of maturities of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of December 31, 
2016.  The amortized cost and estimated fair values are based on the contractual maturity dates.  Actual maturities 
may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or 
without penalty.  Mortgage-backed securities are presented as a separate line, maturities of which are based on 
expected maturities since paydowns are expected to occur before contractual maturity dates.   

Due after one year but within five years 
Due after five years through ten years 
Due after ten years 

Mortgage-backed securities 
Equity security 
    Total 

Securities 
Available-for-Sale 

Securities 
Held-to-Maturity 

  Amortized 
Cost 

  Estimated 
  Fair Value 

  Amortized 
Cost 

  Estimated 
  Fair Value 

$ 

5,000,000 
6,862,118 
- 
11,862,118 
6,382,063 
30,000 
$  18,274,181 

$ 

4,958,566 
6,662,772 
- 
11,621,338 
6,211,297 
30,000 
$  17,862,635 

$ 

503,038 
7,387,048 
- 
7,890,086 
12,489,025 
- 
$  20,379,111 

$ 

515,555 
7,615,197 
- 
8,130,752 
12,711,390 
- 
$  20,842,142 

The following tables show gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-
maturity, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous 
realized loss position at December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

Securities Available-for-Sale 
  Less Than 12 Months 

  U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
  Mortgage-backed securities 
  Corporate bonds 

  Total 

  12 Months or More 
  Corporate bonds 

  Total securities available-for-sale 

Securities Held-to-Maturity 
  Less Than 12 Months 

  Mortgage-backed securities 

  Total 

  12 Months or More 

  Mortgage-backed securities 

  Total securities held-to-maturity 

December 31, 2016 
Fair 
Value 

  Unrealized   
Losses 

December 31, 2015 
Fair 
Value 

  Unrealized   
Losses 

$ 

8,801,842 
4,802,134 
- 
13,603,976 

2,819,496 
$  16,423,472 

$ 

$ 

4,100,521 
4,100,521 

- 
4,100,521 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

226,553 
180,915 
- 
407,468 

14,227 
421,695 

91,213 
91,213 

- 
91,213 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

4,970,150 
- 
2,765,331 
7,735,481 

- 
7,735,481 

2,927,507 
2,927,507 

815,344 
3,742,951 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

29,850 
- 
45,759 
75,609 

- 
75,609 

33,201 
33,201 

24,614 
57,815 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 3. 

Investment Securities, Continued 

At  December 31, 2016, seven securities classified as available-for-sale and three securities classified as held-to-
maturity were in a loss position as detailed in the preceding tables.  The Company does not intend to sell these 
securities in the near future and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities 
before recovery of their amortized cost. The Company believes that, based on industry analyst reports and credit 
ratings, the deterioration in value is attributable to changes in market interest rates and, therefore, these losses are 
not considered other-than-temporary. 

During 2016 and 2015, gross proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities were $881,445 and $5,179,670, 
respectively. During these periods, gross gains totaled $13,261 and $13,546, while gross losses totaled $0 and $3,984, 
respectively.   

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, investment securities with a par value of $15,299,708 and $13,233,612 and a fair 
market value of $15,220,970 and $13,295,031, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and 
borrowings. 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses 

Major classifications of loans receivable are summarized as follows at December 31: 

Real estate loans: 
  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 
    Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 
    Total loans  

2016 

2015 

$ 

21,712,531 
84,722,824 
93,071,267 
199,506,622 
32,087,777 
56,531,932 
$  288,126,331 

$ 

21,818,648 
74,442,236 
92,029,160 
188,290,044 
29,182,335 
42,333,722 
$  259,806,101 

The Company has pledged certain loans as collateral to secure its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.  The 
total of loans pledged was $48,524,832 and $44,338,113 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Loans sold with limited recourse are 1-4 family residential mortgages originated by the Company and sold to various 
other financial institutions. These loans are sold with the agreement that a loan may be returned to the Company 
within 90 days of purchase, at any time in the event the Company fails to provide necessary documents related to the 
mortgages to the buyers, or if the Company makes false representations or warranties to the buyers. Loans sold under 
these agreements in 2016 and 2015 totaled $330,297,866 and $135,856,851, respectively.  The Company uses the 
same credit policies in making loans held for sale as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.  Sales commitments are 
to sell loans at an agreed upon price and are generally funded within 60 days. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses by class of loans for the years ended December 31, 2016 
and 2015. 

December 31, 2016 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

$  2,693,985  $ 

Beginning 
  balance 
  Provisions 
  Recoveries 
  Charge-offs 
Ending balance  $  2,648,535  $ 

9,075 
418,368 
(472,893)   

274,660  $ 
108,632 
209,433 
- 

716,885  $ 
504,942 
49,528 
(161,955)   

592,725  $  1,109,400  $ 

974,122  $  1,965,667  $ 
(507,202)   
4,771 
(23,508)   
448,183  $  2,150,308  $ 

106,372 
263,732 
(185,463)   

38,498  $ 
(19,999)   
25,538 
(12,501)   
31,536  $ 

689,820 
(77,298) 
129,098 
(274,929) 
466,691 

December 31, 2015 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

Beginning 
  balance 
  Provisions 
  Recoveries 
  Charge-offs 
Ending balance  $  2,693,985  $ 

$  3,002,922  $ 
777,678 
474,520 
(1,561,135)   

225,890  $  1,244,879  $  1,247,137  $  2,717,906  $ 
429,677 
171,861 
(552,768)   
274,660  $ 

(122,620)   
234,605 
(385,000)   
974,122  $  1,965,667  $ 

(198,621)   
14,371 
(343,744)   
716,885  $ 

108,436 
420,837 
(1,281,512)   

38,045  $ 
4,239 
26,444 
(30,230)   
38,498  $ 

246,971 
665,003 
27,239 
(249,393) 
689,820 

The following is a summary of loans evaluated for impairment individually and collectively, by class, for the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

December 31, 2016 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

Allowance 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Allowance  
  for loan losses 

Total Loans 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Loans 
  receivable 

$ 

38,348  $ 

-  $ 

4,028  $ 

16,683  $ 

20,711  $ 

-  $ 

2,610,187 

592,725 

1,105,372 

431,500 

2,129,597 

31,536 

17,637 
449,054 

$  2,648,535  $ 

592,725  $  1,109,400  $ 

448,183  $  2,150,308  $ 

31,536  $ 

466,691 

$  5,186,870  $  1,574,732  $  1,749,022  $  1,699,489  $  5,023,243  $ 
  282,939,461 

  20,137,799 

  91,371,778 

  82,973,802 

  194,483,379 

  32,087,777 

-  $ 

163,627 
56,368,305 

$ 288,126,331  $  21,712,531  $  84,722,824  $  93,071,267  $ 199,506,622  $  32,087,777  $  56,531,932 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

December 31, 2015 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

$ 

45,817  $ 

-  $ 

21,541  $ 

23,572  $ 

45,113  $ 

-  $ 

2,648,168 

274,660 

695,344 

950,550 

1,920,554 

38,498 

704 
689,116 

$  2,693,985  $ 

274,660  $ 

716,885  $ 

974,122  $  1,965,667  $ 

38,498  $ 

689,820 

$  8,237,102  $  1,745,745  $  2,066,045  $  4,319,989  $  8,131,779  $ 
  251,568,999 

  20,072,903 

  87,709,171 

  72,376,191 

  180,158,265 

  29,179,408 

2,927  $ 

102,396 
42,231,326 

$ 259,806,101  $  21,818,648  $  74,442,236  $  92,029,160  $ 188,290,044  $  29,182,335  $  42,333,722 

Allowance 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Allowance  
  for loan losses 

Total Loans 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Loans 
  receivable 

The following summarizes the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2016. 

With no related allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

With an allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

Total 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

  Total 

  Recorded 
 Investments  

  Unpaid 
  Principal 

  Related 
  Allowance   

  Average 
  Balance 

Interest 
Income 
  Recognized  

$  1,574,732  $  1,574,732  $ 

1,178,355 
1,601,918 
4,355,005 
- 
145,990 

1,178,355 
1,601,918 
4,355,005 
- 
145,990 

$  4,500,995  $  4,500,995  $ 

-  $  1,660,238  $ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
-  $  4,828,683  $ 

1,046,333 
1,936,093 
4,642,664 
- 
186,019 

$ 

$ 

-  $ 

570,667 
97,571 
668,238 
- 
17,637 
685,875  $ 

-  $ 

570,667 
97,571 
668,238 
- 
17,637 
685,875  $ 

-  $ 

4,028 
16,683 
20,711 
- 
17,637 
38,348  $ 

-  $ 

591,642 
95,357 
686,999 
- 
20,182 
707,181  $ 

$  1,574,732  $  1,574,732  $ 

-  $  1,660,238  $ 

1,749,022 
1,699,489 
5,023,243 
- 
163,627 

1,749,022 
1,699,489 
5,023,243 
- 
163,627 

$  5,186,870  $  5,186,870  $ 

4,028 
16,683 
20,711 
- 
17,637 
38,348  $  5,535,864  $ 

1,637,975 
2,031,450 
5,329,663 
- 
206,201 

22 

- 
17,300 
20,442 
37,742 
- 
5,155 
42,897 

- 
11,361 
15 
11,376 
- 
344 
11,720 

- 
28,661 
20,457 
49,118 
- 
5,499 
54,617 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following summarizes the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2015. 

With no related allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

With an allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

Total 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

  Total 

  Recorded 
  Investment   

  Unpaid 
  Principal 

  Related 
  Allowance   

  Average 
  Balance 

Interest 
Income 
  Recognized  

$  1,745,745  $  1,745,745  $ 

1,120,703 
3,141,327 
6,007,775 
2,927 
68,019 

1,120,703 
3,141,327 
6,007,775 
2,927 
68,019 

$  6,078,721  $  6,078,721  $ 

-  $  1,749,692  $ 
- 
- 
- 
- 

1,144,016 
3,382,888 
6,276,596 
5,383 
73,604 

-  $  6,355,583  $ 

$ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

945,342 
1,178,662 
2,124,004 
- 
34,377 

945,342 
1,178,662 
2,124,004 
- 
34,377 

21,541 
23,572 
45,113 
- 
704 

972,290 
1,220,726 
2,193,016 
- 
39,925 

$  2,158,381  $  2,158,381  $ 

45,817  $  2,232,941  $ 

$  1,745,745  $  1,745,745  $ 

-  $  1,749,692  $ 

2,066,045 
4,319,989 
8,131,779 
2,927 
102,396 

2,066,045 
4,319,989 
8,131,779 
2,927 
102,396 

21,541 
23,572 
45,113 
- 
704 

2,116,306 
4,603,614 
8,469,612 
5,383 
113,529 

$  8,237,102  $  8,237,102  $ 

45,817  $  8,588,524  $ 

85,110 
49,062 
214,610 
348,782 
404 
4,333 
353,519 

- 
65,811 
65,872 
131,683 
- 
1,017 
132,700 

85,110 
114,873 
280,482 
480,465 
404 
5,350 
486,219 

The following is an aging analysis of the Company’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2016: 

  30 - 59 Days 
  Past Due 

  60 - 89 Days 
  Past Due 

Greater 
Than 
90 Days 

  Total Past 

Due 

Current 

  Total Loans 
  Receivable 

  Recorded 
Investment> 
  90 Days and 
  Accruing 

Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 
    Total real estate loans 
Consumer and industrial 
Consumer and other 
  Total 

$ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

84,505 
24,029 
108,534 
- 
277,575 

130,442 
97,571 
228,013 
12,838 
73,102 

$  386,109  $  313,953  $ 

1,574,732  $ 
101,226 
- 
1,675,958 
- 
51,499 
1,727,457  $ 

1,574,732  $  20,137,799  $  21,712,531  $ 

316,173 
121,600 
2,012,505 
12,838 
402,176 

84,406,651 
92,949,667 
  197,494,117 
32,074,939 
56,129,756 

84,722,824 
93,071,267 
  199,506,622 
32,087,777 
56,531,932 

2,427,519  $  285,698,812  $  288,126,331  $ 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following is an aging analysis of the Company’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2015: 

  30 - 59 Days 
  Past Due 

  60 - 89 Days 
  Past Due 

Greater 
Than 
90 Days 

  Total Past 

Due 

Current 

  Total Loans 
  Receivable 

  Recorded 
Investment> 
  90 Days and 
  Accruing 

Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 
    Total real estate loans 
Consumer and industrial 
Consumer and other 
  Total 

-  $ 

84,969  $ 

$ 

-  $ 
- 
16,012 
16,012 
- 
120,400 

115,520 
- 
115,520 
14,144 
49,279 

$  136,412  $  178,943  $ 

498,169 
461,668 
1,044,806 
- 
18,998 
1,063,804  $ 

84,969  $  21,733,679  $  21,818,648  $  84,969 
- 
- 
  84,969 
- 
508 
1,379,159  $  258,426,942  $  259,806,101  $  85,477 

74,442,236 
92,029,160 
  188,290,044 
29,182,335 
42,333,722 

73,828,547 
91,551,480 
  187,113,706 
29,168,191 
42,145,045 

613,689 
477,680 
1,176,338 
14,144 
188,677 

The following is an analysis of the Company’s nonaccrual loan portfolio recorded at December 31, 2016 and 2015: 

Real Estate 

  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 

Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 

2016 

2015 

$  1,574,732 
631,360 
97,571 
2,303,663 
- 
286,925 
$  2,590,588 

$  1,746,744 
881,221 
461,668 
3,089,633 
- 
135,738 
$  3,225,371 

The following table summarizes the carrying balance of troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as of December 31, 
2016 and 2015: 

Performing TDRs 
Nonperforming TDRs 
Total TDRs 

2016 

2015 

$  2,274,303 
1,574,732 
$  3,849,035 

$  4,257,699 
- 
$  4,257,699 

Loans classified as TDRs may be removed from this status for disclosure purposes after a specified period of time if 
the restructured agreement specifies an interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the lender was willing to 
accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, the loan is performing in accordance with 
the terms specified by the restructured agreement, and certain other criteria are met. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following is an analysis of TDRs identified during 2016: 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 
  Real Estate 

  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate 
  Commercial and industrial 
  Consumer and other 

For the year ended December 31, 2016 

  Pre-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Post-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Number 
  of Contracts 

1 
2 
2        
5 
- 
6 

$ 

1,574,732 
362,993 
74,372 
2,012,097 
- 
88,209 

$ 

1,574,732 
362,993 
74,372 
2,012,097 
- 
88,209 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we modified eleven loans that were considered to be troubled debt 
restructuring.  We provided rate concessions for four of these loans, and extensions for seven of the loans. During 
the year ended December 31, 2016, no loans that had previously been restructured during the year subsequently 
defaulted during the year. 

The following is an analysis of TDRs identified during 2015: 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 
  Real Estate 

  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate 
  Commercial and industrial 
  Consumer and other 

For the year ended December 31, 2015 

  Pre-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Post-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Number 
  of Contracts 

- 
3 
2     
5 
- 
1 

$ 

- 
208,648 
972,995 
1,181,643 
- 
15,886 

$ 

- 
208,648 
972,995 
1,181,643  
- 
15,886 

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2015,  we  modified  six  loans  that  were  considered  to  be  troubled  debt 
restructuring.  We provided rate concessions for three of these loans, and extensions for three of the loans. During 
the year ended December 31, 2015, no loans that had previously been restructured during the year subsequently 
defaulted during the year. 

All loans modified in troubled debt restructurings are evaluated for impairment. The nature and extent of impairment 
of TDRs, including those which have experienced a subsequent default, are considered in determining an appropriate 
level of allowance for credit losses.  

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

Credit Indicators 

Loans are categorized into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their 
debt,  including,  among  other  factors:  current  financial  information,  historical  payment  experience,  credit 
documentation, public information, and current economic trends. The following definitions are utilized for risk ratings, 
which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:  

Special Mention - Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close 
attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for 
the loan or of the institution's credit position at some future date.  

Substandard  -  Loans  classified  as  substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying 
capacity  of  the  obligor  or  of  the  collateral  pledged,  if  any.  Loans  so  classified  have  a  well-defined  weakness  or 
weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the 
institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  

Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the 
added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, 
conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  

Loans  not  meeting  the  criteria  above  that  are  analyzed  individually  as  part of  the  above  described  process  are 
considered to be pass rated loans. 

The following table lists the loan guides used by the Bank as credit quality indicators and the balance in each category 
at December 31, 2016: 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

  Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  

  Consumer   
  and Other   

Pass  
Special mention 
Substandard 
Doubtful   
  Totals   

$  269,367,262  $  18,901,733  $  79,957,949  $  83,879,694  $  182,739,376  $  30,780,707  $  55,847,179 
322,346 
362,407 
- 
$  288,126,331  $  21,712,531  $  84,722,824  $  93,071,267  $  199,506,622  $  32,087,777  $  56,531,932 

11,973,945 
4,793,301 
- 

13,538,416 
5,220,653 
- 

1,242,125 
64,945 
- 

7,582,776 
1,608,797 
- 

3,155,103 
1,609,772 
- 

1,236,066 
1,574,732 
- 

The following table lists the loan guides used by the Bank as credit quality indicators and the balance in each category 
at December 31, 2015: 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

  Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  

  Consumer   
  and Other   

Pass  
Special mention 
Substandard 
Doubtful   
  Totals   

$  230,530,869  $  16,376,423  $  68,046,394  $  76,703,998  $  161,126,815  $  27,371,549  $  42,032,505 
161,989 
139,228 
- 
$  259,806,101  $  21,818,648  $  74,442,236  $  92,029,160  $  188,290,044  $  29,182,335  $  42,333,722 

10,681,266 
4,643,896 
- 

18,226,116 
8,937,113 
- 

20,169,191 
9,106,041 
- 

1,781,086 
29,700 
- 

3,696,480 
1,745,745 
- 

3,848,370 
2,547,472 
- 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The Company enters into financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet 
the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and 
standby letters of credit.  Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no 
violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other 
termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. A commitment involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit 
and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss 
in the event of nonperformance by the other parties to the instrument is represented by the contractual notional 
amount of the instrument. Since certain commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total 
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company uses the same credit 
policies in making commitments to extend credit as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.  Letters of credit are 
conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer’s performance to a third party and have essentially the 
same credit risk as other lending facilities. 

Collateral  held  for  commitments  to  extend  credit  and standby letters of credit varies but may include accounts 
receivable, inventory, property, plant, equipment, and income-producing commercial properties. 

The following table summarizes the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments whose contract amounts 
represent credit risk for the years ended December 31: 

Commitments to extend credit 
Standby letters of credit 

Note 5.  Premises, Furniture and Equipment 

2016 

2015 

$  38,247,248 
239,089 

$  35,891,328 
229,089 

Premises, furniture and equipment consisted of the following for the years ended December 31: 

2016 

2015 

Land   
Buildings  
Leasehold improvements 
Furniture and equipment 
Construction in progress 
  Total   
  Less, accumulated depreciation 
  Premises and equipment, net 

$ 

6,808,794  $  10,464,406 
  13,685,643 
521,657 
6,609,932 
1,177,988 
  32,459,626 
9,602,882 
$  18,873,718  $  22,856,744 

13,655,456 
543,087 
6,810,566 
1,374,551 
29,192,454 
10,318,736 

Depreciation  expense  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2016  and  2015  amounted  to  $806,145  and  $817,913, 
respectively. 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, construction in progress consists mainly of architect fees and site work for potential 
new branches.  As of December 31, 2016, there were no material commitments outstanding for the construction/or 
purchase of premises, furniture and equipment.  During 2016, the Company sold a parcel of land originally acquired 
for future facilities expansion, recording a gain on sale of premises totaling $652,367. There were no material sales of 
premises, furniture or equipment during 2015. 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 6.  Other Real Estate Owned 

Transactions in other real estate owned for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized below: 

Beginning balance 
Additions  
Sales   
Write downs 
Ending balance 

2016 

2015 

$  2,506,733 
871,490 
(490,369) 
(17,370) 
$  2,870,484 

$  2,444,253 
4,145,896 
(4,049,836) 
(33,580) 
$  2,506,733 

The Company recognized net gains of $11,031 and $366,898 on the sale of other real estate owned for the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Other real estate owned expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $92,604 and $349,561, 
respectively, which includes gains and losses on sales.   

Note 7.  Mortgage Servicing Rights 

The Company retains right to service the residential mortgage loans that it sells to the Federal National Mortgage 
Association (“FNMA”). The Company accounts for residential mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) at fair value. The 
changes in fair value are recorded in income from mortgage operations.  

The following table presents the activity for residential MSRs for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015: 

Balances, beginning of year 
Additions 
Change in MSR market value 
Balances, end of year 

2016 

2015 

$  1,015,403 
2,980,477 
215,702 
$  4,211,582 

$ 

- 
1,174,973 
(159,570) 
$  1,015,403 

The fair value of MSRs is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions and fair value is determined by estimating the 
present value of the asset’s future cash flows utilizing market-based prepayment rates, discount rates and other 
assumptions validated through comparison to trade information, industry surveys and with the use of independent 
third party appraisals. Changes in prepayment speed assumptions have the most significant impact on the fair value 
of MSRs.  Generally, as interest rates decline, mortgage loan prepayments accelerate due to increased refinance 
activity,  which  results  in  a  decrease  in  the  fair  value  of  the  MSR.    Measurement  of  fair  value  is  limited  to  the 
conditions existing and the assumptions utilized as of a particular point in time, and those assumptions may not be 
appropriate if they are applied at a different time. 

At December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of loans serviced by the Company for the benefit of others totaled 
$358,616,362.  

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 7.  Mortgage Servicing Rights, Continued 

The characteristics and sensitivity analysis of the MSRs are included in the following table as of December 31, 2016 
and 2015. 

  Composition of residential loans serviced for others 

  Fixed-rate mortgage loans 

  Weighted average life 

  Constant prepayment rate (“CPR”) 
  Weighted average discount rate 

Note 8.  Derivatives 

2016 

2015 

100.00% 

100.00% 

8.95 years 

8.53 years 

10.55% 
9.67% 

11.05% 
9.88% 

The derivative positions of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are reported as other assets 
and are as follows: 

Derivative assets: 

  Fair value 

Notional value 

  Fair value 

Notional value 

2016 

2015 

  Mortgage loan interest rate 

lock commitments 
  Mortgage loan forward 
  sales commitments 

$ 

282,949 

$  18,015,138 

$ 

304,460 

$  16,663,588 

39,141 

16,500,000 

3,203 

15,500,000 

The Company uses derivatives to reduce interest rate risk incurred as a result of market movements. These derivatives 
primarily consist of mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments. A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its 
cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or reference interest rate. The 
Company  uses  derivatives  primarily  to  minimize  interest  rate  risk  related  to  its  pipeline  of  loan  interest  rate  lock 
commitments issued on residential mortgage loans in the process of origination for sale or loans held for sale. The 
Company’s derivative positions are classified as trading assets and liabilities, and as such, the changes in the fair market 
value of the derivative positions are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations within income from 
mortgage operations. 

Note 9.  Deposits 

At December 31, 2016, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows: 

  Maturing In 

2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 
2021 
Total 

  Amount 

$  61,425,371 
4,012,098 
1,164,006 
1,048,154 
232,210 
$  67,881,839 

Included in total time deposits at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were brokered time deposits of $9,510,000 and 
$9,331,836, respectively.  

Time  deposits  that  meet  or  exceed  the  FDIC  insurance  limits  of  $250,000  at  year-end  2016  and  2015  were 
$17,757,192 and $14,990,007, respectively. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 10.  Securities Sold Under Agreements To Repurchase 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature on a one to thirty day basis.  Under the terms of 
the repurchase agreement, the Company sells an interest in securities issued by United States Government agencies 
and agrees to repurchase the same securities the following business day.  Information concerning securities sold 
under agreements to repurchase is summarized as follows at December 31: 

Balance at end of the year 
Maximum month-end balance during the year 
Average balance during the year 
Average interest rate at the end of the year 
Average interest rate during the year 

2016 

2015 

  $  11,088,526 
  11,088,526 
9,694,287 
0.17% 
0.15% 

$  8,201,396 
9,332,381 
8,403,014 
0.08% 
0.07% 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, investment securities with a par value of $11,310,819 and $8,461,452 and a fair 
market value of $11,259,662 and $8,561,157, respectively, were pledged as collateral for the underlying agreements. 

Note 11.  Advances From Federal Home Loan Bank 

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank consisted of the following at December 31: 

Advances maturing 
  Fixed rate 

  January 19, 2016 
  February 29, 2016 
  March 14, 2017 

 Interest 
  Rate 

0.36% 
0.37% 
0.70% 

2016 

2015 

$ 

- 
- 
8,000,000 
$  8,000,000 

$  6,000,000 
4,000,000 
- 
$  10,000,000 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has pledged certain loans totaling $48,524,832 and $44,338,113, 
respectively, as collateral to secure its borrowings from the FHLB. Additionally, the Company’s FHLB stock is pledged 
to secure the borrowings.  

Note 12.  Junior Subordinated Debentures 

On June 30, 2005, the Trust (a non-consolidated subsidiary) issued $10,000,000 in trust preferred securities (callable 
without penalty) with a maturity of November 23, 2035.  Interest on these securities is payable quarterly at the three-
month LIBOR rate plus 2.75%.  In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Trust has not been 
consolidated in these financial statements.  The Company received from the trust the $10,000,000 proceeds from the 
issuance of the securities and the $310,000 initial proceeds from the capital investment in the Trust, and accordingly 
has shown the funds due to the trust as $10,310,000 junior subordinated debentures.  Current regulations allow the 
entire  amount  of  junior  subordinated  debentures  to  be  included  in  the  calculation  of  regulatory  capital.  As  of 
December  31,  2016  and  2015,  the  Company  had  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  totaling  $30,655  and  $24,025, 
respectively. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 13.  Borrowings 

On August 5, 2016, the Company entered into subordinated debt agreements with  eight lenders which totaled 
$5,000,000. The debt initially bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.00% per annum until August 1, 2021 and then variable 
at three-month LIBOR plus 5.86%, payable quarterly with principal and unpaid interest due at maturity, August 5, 
2026.  The Company recorded $111,450 in issuance costs associated with the subordinated debt, which is recorded 
net  within  subordinated  debentures  and  to be amortized over five years. As of December 31, 2016, remaining 
issuance costs to be amortized totaled $103,602. 

On July 8, 2016, the Company obtained a note with CresCom Bank in the amount of $7,000,000. The debt initially bears 
interest  at  a  fixed  rate  of  4.95%  per  annum  with  principal  and  interest  due  quarterly  based  on  a  nine  year 
amortization of the principal amount outstanding and any outstanding principal and unpaid interest due at maturity, 
July 8, 2021.  The Company recorded $115,284 in issuance costs associated with the note payable, which is recorded 
net within the note payable and to be amortized over five years.  As of December 31, 2016, remaining issuance costs 
to  be amortized totaled $105,789.  The debt is securitized by the assignment of Bank common stock.  Principal 
reductions over the next five years are as follows: 

2017 
2018 
2019 
2020 
2021 
Total 

$ 

310,858 
649,172 
682,045 
716,583 
4,641,342 
$  7,000,000 

Proceeds from the subordinated debt and note payable were used to repay the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock 
as described in Note 14. 

Note 14.  Shareholders’ Equity 

Common Stock - The following is a summary of the changes in common shares outstanding for the years ended 
December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

Common shares outstanding at beginning of the period 
Conversion of common stock to Series D preferred stock 
Conversion of restricted stock to common stock 
Issuance of non-vested restricted shares 
Forfeiture of restricted shares 
Common shares outstanding at end of the period 

2016 

2015 

4,680,481 
1,200 
2,200 
- 
(4,000) 
4,679,881 

4,739,823 
(61,182) 
1,840 
- 
- 
4,680,481 

Preferred Stock - The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of a class of 10,000,000 shares of 
preferred stock, having no par value.  Subject to certain conditions, the Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to 
issue preferred stock without shareholder approval.  Under the Articles of Incorporation, the Board is authorized to 
determine the terms of one or more series of preferred stock, including the preferences, rights, and limitations of 
each series. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 14.  Shareholders’ Equity, Continued 

On March 6, 2009, the Company completed a transaction with the United States Treasury (the “Treasury”) under the 
Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program, whereby the Company sold 15,349 shares of its Series A 
Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Shares”) to the Treasury.  In addition, the Treasury received a 
warrant to purchase 767 shares of the Company’s Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series B 
Shares”), which was immediately exercised for a nominal exercise price.  The preferred shares issued to the Treasury 
qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes.  On March 1, 2013, the Treasury auctioned the subject securities in a 
private transaction with unaffiliated third-party investors.  

The Series A Preferred Stock is a senior cumulative perpetual preferred stock that had a liquidation preference of 
$1,000 per share, paid cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per year (approximately $767,000 annually) for the first 
five years and beginning May 15, 2014, at a rate of 9% per year (approximately $1,381,000 annually).  Dividends were 
payable quarterly.  At any time, the Company could, at its option and with regulatory approval, redeem the Series A 
Preferred Stock at par value plus accrued and unpaid dividends.  The Series A Preferred Stock is generally non-voting.  

The  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  is  a  cumulative  perpetual  preferred  stock  that  had  the  same  rights,  preferences, 
privileges, voting rights and other terms as the Series A Preferred Stock, except that dividends were to be paid at the 
rate of 9% per year so long as the Series A Preferred Stock was outstanding and could not be redeemed until all the 
Series A Preferred Stock had been redeemed.  The Series A and Series B Preferred Shares will receive preferential 
treatment in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.   

The net amount of the accretion and amortization was treated as a deemed dividend to preferred shareholders in the 
computation of income per share. 

During 2016, the Company redeemed both Series A and Series B Preferred Stock outstanding totaling $15,179,709 and 
$767,000, respectively. The preferred stock was repaid through borrowings obtained as described in Note 13. 

The Series D Preferred Stock ("Series D Shares") is a fixed rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, created July 
16,  2015,  with  the  authorized  issuance  of  70,000  shares.  The  Series  D  shares  were  created  for  the  purpose  of 
converting Common Stock holders with 200 shares or less to Series D Shares. The Series D Shares have no voting 
rights, and in the event dividends are declared on Common Stock, will be entitled to 4% more than those paid on the 
Common Stock. Series D Shares will, with respect to ranking to include but not limited to dividends and rights upon 
liquidation, be junior to the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, and will rank senior to all 
Common Stock.  

Restrictions on Shareholders’ Equity - South Carolina banking regulations restrict the amount of dividends that can be 
paid to shareholders.  All of the Bank’s dividends to the Company are payable only from the undivided profits of the 
Bank.  At December 31, 2016, the Bank had undivided profits of $9,269,741. The Bank is authorized to upstream 100% 
of net income in any calendar year without obtaining the prior approval of the South Carolina Commissioner of Banks 
provided that the Bank received a composite CAMELS rating of one or two at the last Federal or State regulatory 
examination.  Under Federal Reserve regulations, the amounts of loans or advances from the Bank to the parent 
company are also restricted.  

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 15.  Other Operating Expense 

Other operating expenses are summarized below for the years ended December 31: 

Advertising 
Office supplies, postage and printing 
Telephone 
Professional fees and services 
Supervisory fees and assessments 
Debit and credit card expenses 
Other real estate owned expenses 
Insurance expenses 
Loss on purchased loan 
Income from legal settlement 
Other 
Total 

Note 16.  Income Taxes 

2016 

2015 

$ 

201,683 
274,990 
189,128 
724,002 
326,617 
970,586 
92,604 
316,543 
- 
- 
1,332,329 
$  4,428,482 

$ 

268,836 
318,075 
157,785 
787,077 
523,176 
810,624 
280,432 
329,627 
336,926 
(849,227) 
1,222,276 
$  4,185,607 

Income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is summarized as follows: 

Provision 
  Current income tax expense 

  Federal 
  State 

  Total current 

  Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 

  Federal 
  State 

  Total deferred  

  Change in valuation allowance 

  Total income tax expense (benefit) 

2016 

2015 

$ 

$ 

35,862 
147,763 
183,625 

- 
379,824 
379,824 

1,617,635 
(11,030) 
1,606,605 

586,316 
(12,401) 
573,916 

11,030 

(7,280,400) 

$  1,801,260 

$  (6,326,661) 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 16.  Income Taxes, Continued 

The components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, are as follows: 

Deferred tax assets: 
  Allowance for loan losses 
  Net operating losses 
  Non-accrual interest 
  Unrealized loss on securities available for sale 
  Deferred compensation 
  Federal and state credits 
  Other real estate owned 
  Other  

  Gross deferred tax assets 

Less, valuation allowance 

  Net deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities: 
  Accumulated depreciation 
  Prepaid expenses 
  Unrealized gains on securities available for sale 
  Market to market adjustments 
  Other  

  Total gross deferred tax liabilities 
  Net deferred tax assets recognized 

2016 

2015 

$ 

900,502 
8,190,326 
67,151 
119,874 
673,542 
458,427 
- 
124,829 
  10,534,651 
(219,370) 
  10,315,281 

$ 

915,955 
8,641,888 
85,063 
- 
593,738 
429,954 
79,926 
258,326 
  11,004,850 
(208,340) 
  10,795,510 

183,804 
84,145 
- 
1,541,449 
42,226 
1,851,624 
$  8,463,657 

272,830 
81,946 
17,918 
449,842 
23,956 
846,492 
$  9,950,018 

Deferred tax assets represent the future tax benefit of deductible differences and, if it is more likely than not that a 
tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the net deferred tax assets to net realizable 
value.  As of December 31, 2016, management has determined that it is more likely than not that the majority of the 
deferred  tax  asset  from  continuing  operations  will  be  realized.  In  2016,  the  balance  in  the  valuation  allowance 
changed  by  $11,030.  The  remaining  valuation  allowance  relates  to  the  parent  company’s  state  operating  loss 
carryforwards for which realizability is uncertain. 

The Company has federal net operating losses of $23,450,783 and $24,850,153 for the years ended December 31, 
2016 and 2015, respectively.  The Company has state net operating losses of $6,577,572 and $5,843,509 for the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 16.  Income Taxes, Continued 

A  reconciliation  between  the  income  tax  expense  (benefit)  and  the  amount  computed  by  applying  the  federal 
statutory rate of 34% to income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 follows: 

  Tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate  
  State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit  
  Tax-exempt interest income 
  Disallowed interest expense 
  Life insurance surrender value 
  Change in valuation allowance 
  Other, net  
  Total 

2016 

2015 

$  1,809,877 
90,244 
(38,454) 
395 
(118,787) 
11,030 
46,955 
$  1,801,260 

$ 

845,134 
242,499 
(38,624) 
340 
(113,236) 
(7,280,400) 
17,626 
$  (6,326,661) 

The Company had analyzed the tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns and concluded it has no 
liability related to uncertain tax positions.  Tax returns for 2013 and subsequent years are subject to review by taxing 
authorities. 

Note 17.  Related Party Transactions 

Certain parties (principally certain directors and executive officers of the Company, their immediate families and 
business interests) were loan customers of the Company.  In compliance with relevant law and regulations, the 
Company’s related party loans are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as 
those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the lender and do not involve 
more than the normal risk of collectability.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had related party loans 
totaling $1,624,090 and $1,418,178, respectively. 

Deposits  from  directors  and  executive  officers  and  their related  interests totaled $2,947,072 and $3,344,237 at 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Note 18.  Commitments and Contingencies 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may, from time to time, become a party to legal claims and disputes. 
At December 31, 2016, management and legal counsel are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or 
unasserted claims or assessments that could result in losses, if any, that would be material to the consolidated 
financial statements. 

The  Company  has  entered  into  a  number  of  operating  leases  for  properties  relating  to  its  branch  banking  and 
mortgage  operations.  The  leases  have  various  initial  terms  and  expire  on  various  dates.  The  lease  agreements 
generally provide that the Company is responsible for ongoing repairs and maintenance, insurance and real estate 
taxes.  The leases also provide for renewal options and certain scheduled increases in monthly lease payments. Rental 
expenses recorded under leases for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $504,424 and $467,503, 
respectively. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 18.  Commitments and Contingencies 

The minimal future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases having remaining terms in excess of one 
year, for each of the next five years and thereafter in the aggregate are: 

  2017 
  2018 
  2019 
  2020 
  2021 
  Thereafter 
  Total 

Note 19.  Equity Incentive Plan 

  Amount 

$ 

488,889 
462,487 
417,195 
417,195 
385,115 
3,193,477 
$  5,364,358 

On January 19, 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides for the 
granting of dividend equivalent rights options, performance unit awards, phantom shares, stock appreciation rights 
and stock awards, each of which are subject to such conditions based upon continued employment, passage of time 
or satisfaction of performance criteria or other criteria as permitted by the Plan. The Plan, which was amended on 
September 17, 2010, allows the Company to award, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, up to 950,000 
shares  of  stock  to  officers,  employees,  and  directors,  consultants  and  service  providers  of  the  Company  or  its 
affiliates.  Awards may be granted for a term of up to ten years from the effective date of grant. Under the Plan, our 
Board of Directors has sole discretion as to the exercise date of any awards granted.  The per-share exercise price of 
incentive stock awards may not be less than the market value of a share of common stock on the date the award is 
granted. Any awards that expire unexercised or are canceled become available for re-issuance. 

The  Company  can  issue  the  restricted  shares  as  of  the  grant  date  either  by  the  issuance  of  share  certificate(s) 
evidencing restricted shares or by documenting the issuance in uncertificated or book entry form on the Company's 
stock records. Except as provided by the Plan, the employee does not have the right to make or permit to exist any 
transfer or hypothecation of any restricted shares. When restricted shares vest, the employee must either pay the 
Company within two business days the amount of all tax withholding obligations imposed on the Company or make 
an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to pay taxes at grant date. 

Restricted shares may be subject to one or more objective employment, performance or other forfeiture conditions 
established by the Plan Committee at the time of grant.  Under the terms of the Plan, the restricted shares will not 
vest unless the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the fiscal quarter preceding the third anniversary of the 
restricted share award date are greater than the award value of the restricted shares.  Any shares of restricted stock 
that are forfeited will again become available for issuance under the Plan.  An employee or director has the right to 
vote the shares of restricted stock after grant until they are forfeited.  Compensation cost for restricted stock is equal 
to the market value of the shares at the date of the award and is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting 
period.  Dividends, if any, will be paid on awarded but unvested stock. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 19.  Equity Incentive Plan, Continued 

During 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 2,200 and 1,840 shares, respectively, of restricted stock pursuant to the 
2006  Equity  Incentive  Plan,  as  amended.  As  of  December  31,  2016  and  2015,  197,100  and  213,100  shares, 
respectively, issued vest on the seventh anniversary of the date of grant and thus will be fully vested in 2021, subject 
to meeting the performance criteria of the Plan. During 2016 and 2015, 2,200 and 1,840 shares, respectively, were 
issued which vested during each of the respective years. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock issued 
during 2016 and 2015 was $4.54 and $4.34 per share, respectively. During 2016 and 2015, 4,000 and 0 shares, 
respectively, were either forfeited or cancelled having a weighted average price of $2.05 and $0, respectively. Also, 
during 2016 and 2015, 14,200 and 1,840 shares were exercised, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of 
restricted stock exercised during 2016 and 2015 was $3.32 and $4.34, respectively. Deferred compensation expense 
of $58,777 and $58,849 during 2016 and 2015, respectively, and income of $81,993 was recognized during 2015 
relating to restricted stock.   

The Plan also allows for the issuance of Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs").  The SARs entitle the participant to receive 
the excess of (1) the market value of a specified or determinable number of shares of the stock at the exercise date 
over the fair value at grant date or (2) a specified or determinable price which may not in any event be less than the 
fair market value of the stock at the time of the award.  Upon exercise, the Company can elect to settle the awards 
using either Company stock or cash. The shares start vesting after five years and vest at 20% per year until fully 
vested.  Compensation cost for SARs is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period.  No SARs were 
issued during 2016 and 2015. 

At December 31, 2016, there were 752,900 stock awards available for grant under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as 
amended. 

Note 20.  Income Per Common Share 

Net income available to common shareholders represents net income adjusted for preferred dividends including 
dividends  declared,  accretions  of  discounts  and  amortization  of  premiums  on  preferred  stock  issuances  and 
cumulative dividends related to the current dividend period that have not been declared as of period end.   

The following is a summary of the income per common share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 
2015. 

Income available to common shareholders 
  Net income 
  Preferred stock dividends 
  Net income available to common shareholders 

Basic income per common share:  
  Net income available to common shareholders 

  Average common shares outstanding - basic 

  Basic income per common share 

2016 

2015 

$  3,521,908 
937,848 
$  2,584,060 

$  8,812,348 
1,450,440 
$  7,361,908 

$  2,584,060 

$  7,361,908 

4,438,570 

4,491,053 

$ 

0.58 

$ 

1.64 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 20.  Income Per Common Share, Continued 

Diluted income per common share: 
  Net income available to common shareholders 

  Average common shares outstanding - basic 

  Dilutive potential common shares 

  Average common shares outstanding - diluted 

  Diluted income per common share 

Note 21.  Regulatory Matters 

2016 

2015 

$  2,584,060 

$  7,361,908 

4,438,570 

4,491,053 

115,568 

104,151 

4,554,138 

4,595,204 

$ 

0.57 

$ 

1.60 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure 
to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions 
by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct adverse material effect on the Company's financial statements. 
Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet 
specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's and the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and 
certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and 
classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and 
other factors. 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum 
ratios (set forth in the table below) of Tier 1, Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”), and total capital as a percentage of 
assets and off-balance-sheet exposures, adjusted for risk-weights ranging from 0% to 150%.  Tier 1 capital of the Bank 
consists of common stockholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, minus 
certain intangible assets, while CET1 is comprised of Tier 1 capital, adjusted for certain regulatory deductions and 
limitations. Tier 2 capital consists of the allowance for loan losses subject to certain limitations. Total capital for 
purposes of computing the capital ratios consists of the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. 

The  Bank  is  also  required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on  total assets, which is known as the 
leverage ratio. Only the strongest banks are allowed to maintain capital at the minimum requirement of 3%. All 
others are subject to maintaining ratios 1% to 2% above the minimum. 

Effective March 31, 2015, quantitative measures established by applicable regulatory standards, including the newly 
implemented Basel III revised capital adequacy standards and relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank Act”), require the Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 
capital to average total assets, after certain adjustments, of 4.00%, (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-
weighted assets of 6.00%, (iii) a minimum ratio of total-capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.00% and (iv) a minimum 
ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of 4.50%. A “well-capitalized” institution must generally maintain capital ratios 
2% higher than the minimum guidelines. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 21.  Regulatory Matters, Continued 

In order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions or discretionary bonus payments to executives, the Bank will 
also  be  required  to  maintain  a  “capital  conservation  buffer”  in  addition  to  its  minimum  risk-based  capital 
requirements. This buffer will be required to consist solely of CET1, but the buffer will apply to all three risk-based 
measurements (CET1, Tier 1 and total capital). The capital conservation buffer will be phased in incrementally over 
time, beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% and becoming fully effective on January 1, 2019, and will ultimately consist 
of an additional amount of Tier 1 capital equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The capital conservation buffer in 
effect for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 0.625%. 

The following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Bank and the regulatory minimum requirements 
at December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

December 31, 2016 
The Bank 
  Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) 
  Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) 
  Tier 1 capital (to average assets) 
  Common Equity Tier 1 Capital 
(to risk-weighted assets) 

December 31, 2015 
The Bank 
  Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) 
  Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) 
  Tier 1 capital (to average assets) 
  Common Equity Tier 1 Capital 
(to risk-weighted assets) 

Note 22.  Unused Lines of Credit 

Actual 

  Amount   

  Ratio  

For Capital 
 Adequacy Purposes  
  Ratio  
  Amount   

To Be Well 
  Capitalized Under  
 Prompt Corrective  
  Action Provisions   
 Ratio   
  Amount   

$  42,138 
39,486 
39,486 
39,486 

  13.03%  $  25,872 
19,404 
  12.21 
15,845 
  9.97 
14,553 
  12.21 

  8.00%  $  32,341 
25,872 
  6.00 
16,170 
  4.00 
21,021 
  4.50 

  10.00% 
  8.00 
  5.00 
  6.50 

$  42,943 
40,245 
40,245 
40,245 

  13.79%  $  24,905 
18,679 
  12.93 
14,814 
  10.87 
14,009 
  12.93 

  8.00%  $  31,132 
24,905 
  6.00 
18,817 
  4.00 
20,336 
  4.50 

  10.00% 
  8.00 
  5.00 
  6.50 

The Bank had available at December 31, 2016 several unsecured lines of credit, which were unused, to purchase up to 
$34,000,000 of federal funds from four unrelated correspondent institutions. Also, as of December 31, 2016, the Bank 
had the ability to borrow funds from the FHLB of up to $122,063,700.  At that date, $8,000,000 had been advanced. 
Additionally, an unused line of credit of approximately $3,848,481 was available from the Federal Reserve. The FHLB 
and the Federal Reserve lines can be revoked at the lender’s discretion.  

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements 

Generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) provide a framework for measuring and disclosing fair value that 
requires  disclosures  about  the  fair  value  of  assets  and  liabilities  recognized  in  the  balance  sheet,  whether  the 
measurements  are  made  on  a  recurring  basis  (for  example,  available-for-sale  investment  securities)  or  on  a 
nonrecurring basis (for example, impaired loans). 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

Fair value is defined as the exchange in price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit 
price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants  on  the  measurement  date.  GAAP  also  establishes  a  fair  value  hierarchy  that  requires  an  entity  to 
maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. 

The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair 
value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time 
to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held 
for sale, loans held for investment and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically 
involve application of the lower of cost or market accounting or the writing down of individual assets. 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments: 

Fair Value Hierarchy 

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and 
liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine the fair value. These levels are: 

Level 1  Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. 

Level 2  Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for 
identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques 
for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. 

Level 3  Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not 
observable  in  the  market.  These  unobservable  assumptions  reflect estimates of assumptions  that 
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of 
option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques. 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis 

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. 

Securities Available-for-Sale - Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value 
measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured 
using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future 
cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss 
assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange, 
Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the counter markets and money market funds. 
Level 2 securities include mortgage backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and 
corporate debt securities. Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

Loans - The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis, however, from time to time, a loan is 
considered impaired and an allowance for loan loss is established.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of 
interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan are considered impaired. 
Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment. The fair value of impaired 
loans  is  estimated  using  one  of  several  methods,  including  the  collateral  value,  market  value  of  similar  debt, 
enterprise  value,  liquidation  value,  and  discounted  cash  flows.  Those  impaired  loans  not  requiring  a  specific 
allowance  represent  loans  for  which  the  fair  value  of  expected  repayments  or  collateral  exceed  the  recorded 
investment in such loans. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, a significant portion of impaired loans were evaluated 
based upon the fair value of the collateral. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value 
of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an 
observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When 
an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired 
below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the loan as nonrecurring 
Level 3. 

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - Mortgage loans held for sale are comprised of loans originated for sale in the 
ordinary course of business. The fair value of mortgage loans originated for sale in the secondary market is based on 
purchase commitments or quoted prices for the same or similar loans and are classified as recurring Level 2. 

Other Real Estate Owned - Foreclosed assets are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to OREO.  Real 
estate acquired in settlement of loans is recorded initially at estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling 
costs at the date of foreclosure. The initial recorded value may be subsequently reduced by additional allowances, 
which are charges to earnings if the estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs declines below 
the initial recorded value. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or 
management’s  estimation  of  the  value  of  the  collateral.  When  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  is  based  on  an 
observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 
2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further 
impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the foreclosed 
asset as nonrecurring Level 3. 

Mortgage Servicing Rights - Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable 
market data.  As a result, the Company estimates the fair value of mortgage servicing rights by using a discounted 
cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income.  The Company stratifies its 
mortgage servicing portfolio on the basis of loan type.  The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model are 
those that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income.  Assumptions in the valuation of 
mortgage servicing rights may include estimated loan repayment rates, the discount rate, servicing costs, and the 
timing of cash flows, among other factors. The Company measures mortgage servicing rights as recurring Level 3. 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

Derivatives - The Company’s valuation techniques and inputs to internally-developed models depend on the type of 
derivative and nature of the underlying rate, price or index upon which the derivative's value is based. Key inputs can 
include  yield  curves,  credit  curves,  foreign-exchange  rates,  prepayment  rates,  volatility  measurements  and 
correlation of such inputs. Where model inputs can be observed in a liquid market and the model does not require 
significant judgment,  such  derivatives are typically classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Examples of 
derivatives classified as Level 2 include interest rate lock commitments written for our residential mortgage loans 
that we intend to sell. When instruments are traded in less liquid markets and significant inputs are unobservable, 
such derivatives are classified as Level 3.  Additionally, significant judgments are required when classifying financial 
instruments within the fair value hierarchy, particularly between Level 2 and 3, as is the case for certain derivatives. 

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level 
within the hierarchy at December 31, 2016 and 2015. 

December 31, 2016 
Available-for-sale securities: 
  U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
  Mortgage-backed securities 
  Corporate bonds 
  Equity security 

  Total available-for-sale securities 

Mortgage loans held for sale 
Mortgage servicing rights 
Derivative asset: 
  Mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments 
  Mortgage loan forward sales commitments 

December 31, 2015 
Available-for-sale securities 
  U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
  Mortgage-backed securities 
  Corporate bonds 
  Equity security 

  Total available-for-sale securities 

Mortgage loans held for sale 
Mortgage servicing rights 
Derivative asset: 
  Mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments 
  Mortgage loan forward sales commitments 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

December 31, 2016 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

8,801,842 
6,211,297 
2,819,496 
30,000 
17,862,635 
5,355,532 
- 

282,949 
39,141 
$  23,540,257 

$ 

4,970,150 
3,490,373 
2,765,332 
30,000 
11,255,855 
8,070,283 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,211,582 

- 
- 
4,211,582 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
1,015,403 

304,460 
3,203 
$  19,633,801 

$ 

- 
- 
1,015,403 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

8,801,842 
6,211,297 
2,819,496 
30,000 
17,862,635 
5,355,532 
4,211,582 

282,949 
39,141 
$  27,751,839 

$ 

4,970,150 
3,490,373 
2,765,332 
30,000 
11,255,855 
8,070,283 
1,015,403 

304,460 
3,203 
$  20,649,204 

$ 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows: 

Balance, December 31, 2014 
Transfers into/out of Level 3 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net 
Total net gains (losses) included in: 
  Net income 
Balance, December 31, 2015 
Transfers into/out of Level 3 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net 
Total net gains (losses) included in: 
  Net income 
Balance, December 31, 2016 

  Mortgage 
  Servicing 

Rights 

$ 

- 
- 
1,174,973 

(159,570) 
1,015,403 
- 
2,980,477 

215,702 
$  4,211,582 

The Company has no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis 

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not 
measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for 
example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at 
fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, aggregated by level in the fair value 
hierarchy within which those measurements fall. 

December 31, 2016 

Impaired loans, net specific reserve 

  Other real estate owned 

  Total assets at fair value 

December 31, 2015 

Impaired loans, net specific reserve 

  Other real estate owned 

  Total assets at fair value 

Note 24.  Subsequent Events 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

$ 

$ 

5,148,522 
2,870,484 
8,019,006 

Total 

$ 

8,191,285 
2,506,733 
$  10,698,018 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Level 1 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

$ 

$ 

5,148,522 
2,870,484 
8,019,006 

Level 2 

$ 

8,191,285 
2,506,733 
$  10,698,018 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Level 3 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

Subsequent  events  are  events  or  transactions  that  occur  after  the  balance  sheet  date  but  before  consolidated 
financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional 
evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the 
process of preparing consolidated financial statements. Nonrecognized subsequent events are events that provide 
evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date. Management 
has reviewed events occurring through February 28, 2017, the date the consolidated financial statements were 
available to be issued and no subsequent events occurred requiring accrual or disclosure. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 25.  First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (Parent Company Only) 

Condensed Balance Sheets 

Assets 
  Cash 

Investment in banking subsidiary 

  Marketable investments 
  Nonmarketable investments 
  Premises 

Investment in trust 
  Deferred tax asset 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
  Notes payable  
  Junior subordinated debentures 
  Subordinated debentures 
  Accrued interest payable 
  Other liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

Condensed Statements of Operations 

Income 
  Rental income from banking subsidiary 

Interest income 

  Gain on sale of premises 
  Dividend from banking subsidiary 

  Total income 

Expenses 

Interest expense 
  Other expenses 
  Total expenses 

Income before income taxes and equity in 
  undistributed income of banking subsidiary 

Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of banking subsidiary 
Net income before income taxes  

Income tax benefit 
  Net income 

44 

December 31, 

2016 

2015 

$  2,398,475 
  45,105,360 
30,000 
58,100 
- 
310,000 
1,122,730 
$  49,024,665 

$ 
605,170 
  47,630,328 
30,000 
58,100 
3,655,612 
310,000 
1,009,085 
$  53,298,295 

$  6,893,211 
10,310,000 
4,896,398 
257,329 
- 
  22,356,938 

$  2,720,432 
  10,310,000 
- 
24,658 
9,475 
  13,064,565 

  26,667,727 
$  49,024,665 

  40,233,730 
$  53,298,295 

For the years ended 
December 31, 

2016 

2015 

$ 

5,400 
7,711 
652,367 
6,000,000 
6,665,478 

$ 

9,659 
29,598 
- 
3,890,588 
3,929,845 

672,023 
327,705 
999,728 

321,603 
93,450 
415,953 

5,665,750 

3,514,752 

(2,257,487) 
3,408,263 

4,549,922 
8,064,714 

(113,645) 
$  3,521,908 

(747,634) 
$  8,812,348 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 

Note 25.  First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (Parent Company Only), Continued 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows 

Cash flows from operating activities 
  Net income 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash 

  provided by operating activities: 
Gain on sale of premises 
Deferred income tax benefit 
Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation on restricted stock 
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable 
Decrease in other assets 
Decrease in other liabilities 
Net equity in undistributed losses (earnings) of banking subsidiary 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

Cash flows from by investing activities  
  Purchase of premises 
  Proceeds from sale of premises 

Net cash used (provided) by investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
  Net increase (decrease) in notes payable 
  Payment of dividend on preferred stock 
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 
  Redemption of preferred stock 

Increase in subordinated debentures 

  Purchase of treasury stock 

Net cash used by financing activities 

Increase (decrease) in cash 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents, ending of year 

For the years ended 
December 31, 

2016 

2015 

$  3,521,908 

$  8,812,348 

(652,367) 
(113,645) 
64,328 
232,671 
- 
(9,475) 
2,257,487 
5,300,907 

- 
4,307,979 
4,307,979 

4,172,779 
(937,848) 
1,675 
(15,946,709) 
4,896,398 
(1,876) 
(7,815,581) 

1,793,305 
605,170 
$  2,398,475 

$ 

- 
(747,634) 
58,849 
(749,953) 
4,706 
- 
(4,549,922) 
2,828,394 

(96,157) 
- 
(96,157) 

(224,332) 
(4,914,514) 
7,988 
 - 
 - 
(11,718) 
(5,142,576) 

(2,410,339) 
3,015,509 
605,170 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There’s More to Banking Than Money.R
www.firstreliance.com
888.543.5510