Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. / FY2017 Annual Report

First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
Annual Report 2017

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FY2017 Annual Report · First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
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2017 Annual Report

Building Value

Building Value 

As I look back over the past year, I find it remarkable 
what we have accomplished toward building value for 
our shareholders, our customers and our associates.  We 
have done this by focusing on growing the bank and are 
leveraging the strength of our purpose ‘To Make the Lives 
of Our Customers Better.’  I would like to share with you 
some of the successes we are especially proud of as well 
as our future plans for continued growth and serving our 
customers and communities.   

We have kept a laser focus on our business model that outlines our value proposition and 
have made excellent progress on growing core deposits, market expansion, increasing 
wallet share, customer retention, customer experience and convenience through digital 
solutions.  And we have been steadfast in helping our communities grow by supporting 
them with business lending expertise, residential mortgages and serving our customers.   
Expansion Opportunities 

We see an opportunity to take our brand of community banking into new markets and 
compete on providing customers with unique programs, developing strong long lasting 
customer relationships and an exceptional customer experience both in our branches and 
digitally.  

We will have the same unique branch layout and strong branding we have always had, only 
in a smaller footprint, reflective of our customer desire to do banking at the branch as well 
as through their mobile devices. 

To expand rapidly, we completed a successful capital raise of $25.1 million in September 
2017 along with the announcement to acquire Independence Bancshares, Greenville, South 
Carolina which was completed in March 2018.  We believe that the Greenville expansion 
will continue to broaden our footprint throughout South Carolina and have an immediate 
positive impact on profitability.  There has been a massive volume of community bank 
consolidation in the North Carolina region. As a result, we are finding that there is banking 
talent and community bank customers looking for options like FRB.  Because of this, we 
opened a loan production office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during the third quarter 
of 2017 and have applied for full branch status with the banking regulators and expect 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
approval in May. We are prepared to launch expansions throughout North Carolina in the 
near term and have recently added a loan production office in Lake Norman.  In early first 
quarter of 2018, we opened our Myrtle Beach branch location.  

We have aggressively hired local talent who understand the markets they live in and who 
quickly leverage their relationships into business opportunities.   

While increased costs of opening branch offices negatively impacts earnings in the short 
term we anticipate increased profitability within these locations over the next 12 months 
Customer Experience and Convenience  
which would be accretive to earnings.

In conjunction with the strength of the economy, we see growth opportunities in our new 
and existing markets for both deposits and loans and along with that we have added many 
tools that will help our customers manage their financial affairs.   

• 

Our low cost of funds is a result of the effort our retail team places on growing 
relationships with our current deposit customers and by delivering exceptional 
customer service.  We are able to attract new customers primarily through word of 
mouth from our satisfied and loyal customers.  Total deposits increased $16.5 
million from one year ago.  This gives us a unique strategic advantage in how we 
structure and price our lending, which helps us attract more earning assets.  Results 
speak for themselves; our loan growth at the end of 2017 was up $45.5 million or 
16% from the previous year.    

We have to continuously improve the products and services we provide customers.  
In 2017, we launched many new exciting products and have made several 
improvements around the customer experience.  We now offer a feature which 
allows our customers to turn on or off their debit card for greater security and 
protection. We also introduced a new payment platform which allows customers to 
easily, safely and in real-time, send money to their friends and family.  We plan to 
add financial planning, budget and money management tools, and insights that help 
customers make the most of their money.    We’ve also added an additional layer of 
security for customers who use online banking where they receive notifications of 
any changes within their online banking settings.  
We expect these new products to drive lots of 
customer interactions as payments and money 
management become easier with smart technology. 

• 

• 

Our services per household have increased as 
customers use more services of the bank and take 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
advantage of convenient services.  This starts during customer on-boarding and 
continues to expand as customers receive ongoing marketing to make them aware 
of products and services which enhance their lives and help them manage their 
money successfully.  The longer a customer stays with us the more products and 
services they use.  Our customer retention remains above industry benchmarks. 

Strong Culture  

We’ve said it before and it continues to ring true, the strength of our culture is at the core of 
our success.  Our experience shows if you build the right culture you can create great 
clarity about what the opportunities are and you can deliver on them easily.  Our strong 
leaders have the blueprint to execute on a disciplined and forward-looking plan for growth.   

Our ultimate goal is to have long-tenured employees and satisfied customers who stay with 
us year after year and who are willing to refer family and friends to the Bank.  First 
Reliance Bank’s exceptional customer satisfaction results and consistently high levels of 
associate engagement are major contributors to our success, now and in the future. We 
have placed considerable effort this past year and ongoing into the next few years on 
building a culture of operational excellence which will improve our efficiency ratio and 
customer experience. 

Customers of the bank have given it a 95% customer satisfaction rating for five consecutive 
years.  First Reliance is also one of three companies throughout South Carolina who have 
received the Best Place to Work in South Carolina award all twelve years since the program 
began.  This recognition reinforces that our associates are engaged and committed to the 
Bank’s brand and the communities we serve.               

Even though we are a small community bank, we have always been obsessed with 
measuring our results both financial and operational.   We set targets for ourselves and we 
always compare ourselves to best practices.  These targets help us achieve progress toward 
our immediate goals and toward our forward-looking goals.    

Our successes have been in areas which include loan mix and funding composition which 
has allowed us to break through the 4% net interest margin 
barrier an accomplishment our industry struggles to meet.     

We have also placed a high value on revenue diversity with a 
strong emphasis on our fee income contribution to revenue to 
35-40%.  This strategy has added significantly to our profit 
margins.   This is attributable to our strong residential 
mortgage team and the wide selection of products offered to 

3 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
meet most any customers needs while providing outstanding service and turn-around 
times. The strong growth in the retail mortgage channel continues to build core franchise 
value and provide customer acquisition opportunities.  

Our indirect auto loan program has also grown steadily over the past five years and has 
contributed steadily toward the diversification of fee income and access to new customers. 

 Our shared technology infrastructure – our networks, data centers, and the cloud – 
decrease cost, enhance efficiency and make our business more productive.   Some areas of 
particular focus will be to utilize technology more effectively and build everything digital. 
These initiatives will result in reduced costs, improved customer 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.     
Strong Value Proposition for the Shareholder    

Building shareholder value is the primary responsibility of a company, but it cannot do it 
well if the company is not providing an exceptional customer experience, hiring the right 
employees and giving them the opportunity to do what they do best, and being a good 
citizen in the community.  If all these things are done well, it enhances shareholder value.  

The value of your investment is a measure of the progress we have made over the years. 
Over the past few years, our value has consistently seen positive momentum, 
outperforming most of the bank indices.   As we continue to expand, we will continue to 
focus on the development of new products, operational efficiency, investing in our 
employees, and providing an exceptional customer experience.   

Thank you and best regards, 

F.R.”Rick” Saunders Jr.  
President and CEO 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 

Report on Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 (Loss) ................................................................................ 5 

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

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

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................................................................. 8-51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor's Report 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
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, 2017 and 2016, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), 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. 

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, 2017 and 2016, 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 
March 23, 2018 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 (fair value of $17,372,834 

  and $20,842,142 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 
  Subordinated debentures 

Junior subordinated debentures 

  Accrued interest payable 
  Other liabilities 

  Total liabilities 

Shareholders’ Equity 
  Preferred stock 

  Series D non-cumulative preferred stock - 599 and 600 shares issued and outstanding 

  at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 

  Series E cumulative perpetual preferred stock - 410,499 and 0 shares issued and outstanding 

  at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 

  Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 
  7,887,486 and 4,679,881 shares issued and outstanding 
  at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 

  Capital surplus 
  Treasury stock, at cost, 40,177 and 39,069 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 
  Nonvested restricted stock 
  Retained earnings  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

  Total shareholders’ equity 

  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

3 

2017 

2016 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,494,469 
21,136,350 
24,630,819 

102,020 

26,894,719 

17,018,132 
1,359,200 
45,272,051 

7,885,938 

333,675,253 
(2,453,875) 
331,221,378 

18,463,156 
1,094,740 
1,706,765 
14,293,702 
4,461,063 
6,357,666 
3,132,443 
458,621,741 

86,209,099 
70,642,041 
118,996,069 
13,874,405 
63,372,449 
353,094,063 
13,929,651 
22,000,000 
- 
4,911,963 
10,310,000 
253,679 
3,969,060 

408,468,416 

599 

2,955,593 

78,875 
46,941,229 
(229,844) 
(868,399) 
1,573,382 
(298,110) 

50,153,325 

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 
4,896,398 
10,310,000 
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 

$ 

458,621,741 

$ 

408,121,422 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 
  Acquisition-related costs 
  Other   
  Total 

Income before income taxes 

Income tax expense related to ordinary operations 
Income tax expense related to change in tax rate 

  Total income tax expense 

Net (loss) income 

Preferred stock dividends accrued 

2017 

2016 

$ 

16,321,881 

$ 

14,363,973 

802,815 
118,969 
225,924 
17,469,589 

732,399 
410,459 
1,028,926 
2,171,784 

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

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

15,297,805 

14,090,743 

- 

9,075 

15,297,805 

14,081,668 

1,502,286 
4,845,075 
328,716 
1,341,171 
- 
- 
324,003 
8,341,251 

12,075,338 
1,685,622 
1,646,687 
501,265 
4,803,246 
20,712,158 

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 

2,926,898 

5,323,168 

949,716 
2,666,542 
3,616,258 

1,801,260 
- 
1,801,260 

(689,360) 

3,521,908 

- 

937,848 

Net (loss) income available to common shareholders 

$ 

(689,360)  $ 

2,584,060 

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

Income (loss) per common share: 
  Basic income (loss) per common share 
  Diluted income (loss) per common share 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

4 

5,465,868 
5,465,868 

4,438,570 
4,554,138 

$ 

(0.13) 
(0.13) 

$ 

0.58 
0.57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Net (loss) 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 

2017 

2016 

$ 

(689,360) 

$  3,521,908 

(76,530) 
26,020 
(50,510) 

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

- 
- 
- 

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

Other comprehensive loss attributable to securities available-for-sale 

(50,510) 

(242,723) 

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 (loss) income 

(22,581) 
7,678 
(14,903) 

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

(65,413) 

(267,481) 

$ 

(754,733) 

$  3,254,427 

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, 2017 and 2016 

Preferred   
Stock 

  Common   
Stock 

  Capital 
  Surplus 

  Treasury   
Stock 

 Nonvested  
 Restricted  
Stock 

  Retained   
  Earnings   
  (Deficit)   

  Other 
  Compre-   
  hensive 
Income 
(Loss) 

Total 

  Accumulated  

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 

Net loss 

Other comprehensive loss, 
  net of tax 

Issuance of preferred 
  stock - Series E 

2,955,593 

Conversion of Preferred Stock - 
  Series D to Common Stock 

(1) 

1 

Net issuance (forfeiture) of  
  Common Stock 

Net change in restricted stock 

Stock based compensation 

Purchase of Treasury Stock 

32,076 

  21,824,283 

(606,246) 

45,403 

(10,738) 

(689,360) 

(689,360) 

(65,413) 

(65,413) 

2,955,593 

- 

  21,856,359 

(606,246) 

45,403 

(10,738) 

Balance, December 31, 2017 

$  2,956,192  $ 

78,875  $ 46,941,229  $ 

(229,844)  $ 

(868,399)  $  1,573,382  $ 

(298,110)  $ 50,153,325 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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

2017 

2016 

$ 

(689,360) 

$ 

3,521,908 

  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 
  Gain on sale of mortgage loans 
  Deferred income taxes 

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable 
Increase (decrease) in interest payable 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance 
(Increase) decrease in restricted stock 

  Stock based compensation expense 

Increase in other assets 
Increase in mortgage servicing rights 
Increase in other liabilities 
  Net cash (used) provided 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 (increase) 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 by investing activities  

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

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

(Decrease) increase in notes payable 
Issuance (redemption) of preferred stock 
(Repayment) for proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures 

  Accretion of debt issuance costs 
  Purchase of treasury stock 
  Payment of dividends on preferred stock 

  Net cash provided 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 

- 
882,785 
- 
69,555 
(216,079) 
- 
550,338 
(273,360,068) 
275,580,706 
(4,751,044) 
3,543,946 
(133,291) 
(45,271) 
(328,716) 
(606,246) 
45,403 
(1,025,921) 
(2,146,084) 
537,969 
(2,571,378) 

(10,668,957) 
1,541,157 
3,347,000 
- 
(624,900) 
(204) 
(45,881,122) 
(378,878) 
- 
967,000 
(51,698,904) 

7,193,529 
9,365,015 
14,000,000 
2,841,125 
21,856,359 
(6,893,211) 
2,955,593 
- 
15,565 
(10,738) 
- 
51,323,237 

(2,467,045) 

27,097,864 
24,630,819 

158,502 
2,217,055 

137,540 
(65,413) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

9,075 
908,827 
(13,261) 
81,041 
(11,031) 
(652,367) 
17,370 
(327,583,115) 
336,648,506 
(6,350,640) 
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) 
4,888,450 
7,848 
(1,876) 
(937,848) 
28,402,937 

7,036,888 

20,060,976 
27,097,864 

93,000 
1,052,837 

871,490 
(267,481) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Organization: 

First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of South Carolina on 
April 12, 2001 to serve as a bank holding company for its subsidiary, First Reliance Bank (the “Bank”), and acquired all 
of the shares of the Bank on April 1, 2002 in a statutory share exchange.  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,  the  valuation  of  real  estate  acquired  in 
connection  with  foreclosures  or  in  satisfaction  of  loans  and  evaluating  other-than-temporary-impairment  of 
investment securities.  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, 2017 and 2016, 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, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017 and 2016, non-marketable equity securities consist of the following: 

  Federal Home Loan Bank stock 
  Community Bankers Bank stock 

  Total 

9 

2017 

2016 

$ 

$ 

1,301,100 
58,100 
1,359,200 

$ 

$ 

676,200 
58,100 
734,300 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 of Atlanta (“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 
uncollectability 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 collectability 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, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Allowance for Loan Losses, continued: 

The allowance consists of specific and general 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. 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, 2017 and 2016 

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 lower of cost or market of accounting for residential mortgage loans held for sale. These loans are initially 
recorded and carried at lower of cost of market 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 based on fair value.  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, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017 and 2016, the 
Company  had  $125,910  and  $71,515,  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 $261,116 and 
$201,459 were included in the Company's results of operations for 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

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  $195,469  and  $173,178  to  earnings  for  the  retirement  savings  plan  in  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  In 
addition, the Company made an elective contribution to the retirement savings plan during 2017 and 2016 totaling 
$145,920 and $231,726, respectively, recorded within salaries and employee benefits expense.  

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 2017 and 2016, the 
supplemental retirement expense was $0 and $237,161, respectively.  The current accrued but unfunded amount is 
$1,756,679 and $1,818,588 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 $14,293,702 and $13,964,986 
at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

The Company has split-dollar life insurance arrangements with certain of its officers.  At December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
the split-dollar liability relating to these arrangements totaled $323,497 and $304,468, respectively.  For 2017 and 
2016, the Company recognized net expenses of $19,029 and $17,910, respectively, related to these arrangements.  

Equity Incentive Plan: 

On January 19, 2006, the Company approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") which expired January 
19, 2016.  The Company approved on April 20, 2017, the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2017 Plan"). These plans 
provide 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 
2006 Plan allowed 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. The 2017 Plan allows granting up to 500,000 shares. The maximum aggregate shares subject to 
options is restricted to 80,000 in any calendar year to any one participant. The aggregate number of restricted stock 
shares available to be granted during any calendar to any one participant is limited to 50,000 shares. Awards may be 
granted for a term of up to five years from the effective date of the grant. Under these Plans, 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 plans are further described in Note 19. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

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, 2017 and 2016, 
the ESOP owned 491,353 and 435,492 shares of the Company’s common stock with an estimated value of $1,741,061 
and $1,542,673, respectively.  All of these shares were allocated to participants. 

Income (Loss) Per Common Share: 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share represents income (loss) 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).   

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. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Recently Issued Accounting 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 annual periods beginning after December 15, 
2017. The Company will apply the guidance using a modified retrospective approach. The Company’s revenue is 
comprised of net interest income and noninterest income. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes net interest 
income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities including loans, leases, securities, and 
derivatives. Accordingly, the majority of the Company's revenues will not be affected. The Company has performed 
an assessment of  revenue contracts related to revenue streams that are within the scope of the standard. The 
Company's accounting policies are not expected to change materially since the principles of revenue recognition from 
the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) are largely consistent with existing guidance and current practices applied by 
the Company's businesses. The Company has not identified material changes to the timing or amount of revenue 
recognition. Based on the updated guidance, the Company does anticipate changes in disclosures associated with 
revenues.  The  Company  will  provide  qualitative  disclosures  of  performance  obligations  related  to  revenue 
recognition and will continue to evaluate disaggregation for significant categories of revenue in the scope of the 
guidance. 

In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of 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 annual 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 Accounting Standards Codification (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,  2017.  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. 

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, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the guidance using 
the  modified  retrospective  method  and  practical  expedients  for  transition.  The  practical  expedients  allow  the 
Company to largely account for existing leases consistent with current guidance except for the incremental balance 
sheet recognition for lessees. The Company has started an initial evaluation of our leasing contracts and activities. 
The Company has also started developing our methodology to estimate the right-of use assets and lease liabilities, 
which is based on the present value of lease payments. The Company does not expect a material change to the 
timing of expense recognition, but we are early in the implementation process and will continue to evaluate the 
impact. The Company is evaluating the existing disclosures and may need to provide additional information as a 
result of adoption of the ASU. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, continued: 

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  annual  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 annual 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 annual 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 annual reporting periods beginning 
after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all organizations for periods beginning after December 15, 
2018. The Company will apply the amendments to the ASU through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained 
earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. While early adoption is permitted beginning in first quarter 
2019, the Company does not expect to elect that option. The Company is evaluating the impact of the ASU on the 
consolidated financial statements with regards to the impact on the recorded allowance for loan losses given the 
change to estimated losses over the contractual life of the loans adjusted for expected prepayments. In addition to 
the allowance for loan losses, the Company will also record an allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt 
securities  instead  of  applying  the  impairment  model  currently  utilized.  The  amount  of  the  adjustments  will  be 
impacted by each portfolio’s composition and credit quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and 
forecasts at that time. 

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. 

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. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a 
material effect on its financial statements. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, continued: 

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 annual 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 2017, the FASB amended the Goodwill and Other Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to 
simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment for public business entities and other entities that have goodwill 
reported in their financial statements and have not elected the private company alternative for the subsequent 
measurement of goodwill. The amendment removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment 
will now be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying 
amount of goodwill.  The effective date and transition requirements for the technical corrections will be effective for 
the  Company  for  reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2020.  The  Company  does  not  expect  these 
amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance 
to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets 
or businesses. The amendment to the Business Combinations Topic is intended to address concerns that the existing 
definition of a business has been applied too broadly and has  resulted in many transactions being recorded as 
business acquisitions that in substance are more akin to asset acquisitions. The guidance will be effective for the 
Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not 
expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In February 2017, the FASB amended the Other Income Topic of the ASC to clarify the scope of the guidance on 
nonfinancial asset derecognition as well as the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The amendments 
conform the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in the new revenue 
standard. The amendments will be effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. 
The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In March 2017, the FASB amended the requirements in the Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs Topic of 
the ASC related to the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The 
amendments shorten the amortization period for the premium to the earliest call date. The amendments will be 
effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The 
Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements. 

In May 2017, the FASB amended the requirements in the Compensation-Stock Compensation Topic of the Accounting 
Standards  Codification  related  to  changes  to  the  terms  or  conditions  of  a  share-based  payment  award.  The 
amendments provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award 
require an entity to apply modification accounting. The amendments will be effective for the Company for annual 
periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is 
permitted. 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. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued 

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 2016 consolidated financial statements were reclassified to conform with the 
2017 presentation.  The reclassifications did not have an impact on net income (loss) or shareholders’ equity.  

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, 2017 and 2016, this requirement was $4,210,000 and $2,435,000, 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, 2017 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Municipal securities 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Corporate bonds  
Equity securities 
    Total 

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

  Amortized   
Cost 

$  9,701,287 
1,381,692 
  13,313,523 
2,856,293 
130,000 
$  27,382,795 

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

19 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Gross Unrealized 

Gains 

Losses 

  Fair Value 

- 
18,917 
3,047 
35,980 
- 
57,944 

- 
10,149 
- 
- 
10,149 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

290,378 
- 
255,642 
- 
- 
546,020 

$  9,410,909 
1,400,609 
  13,060,928 
2,892,273 
130,000 
$  26,894,719 

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

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 3. 

Investment Securities, Continued 

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

December 31, 2017 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities 
Municipals 

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

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

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

Gross Unrealized 

Gains 

Losses 

  Fair Value 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

70,886 
214,947 
183,758 
469,591 

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

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

- 
78,497 
- 
78,497 

$  3,998,623 
  10,083,638 
3,290,573 
$  17,372,834 

- 
91,123 
- 
91,123 

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

  Amortized   
Cost 

$  3,927,737 
9,947,188 
3,106,815 
  16,981,740 

36,392 
$  17,018,132 

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

58,973 
$  20,438,084 

The following is a summary of maturities of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity as of December 31, 
2017.  The amortized cost and 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 within one year 
Due after one year but within five years 
Due after five years through ten years 
Due after ten years 

Mortgage-backed securities 
Equity securities 
    Total 

Securities 
Available-for-Sale 

Securities 
Held-to-Maturity 

  Amortized 
Cost 

$ 

- 
5,000,000 
7,557,508 
1,381,764 
13,939,272 
13,313,523 
130,000 
$  27,382,795 

  Fair Value 

$ 

- 
4,937,438 
7,365,744 
1,400,609 
13,703,791 
13,060,928 
130,000 
$  26,894,719 

  Amortized 
Cost 

$ 

537,524 
656,689 
5,876,731 
- 
7,070,944 
9,947,188 
- 
$  17,018,132 

  Fair Value 

$ 

505,420 
695,052 
6,088,724 
- 
7,289,196 
10,083,638 
- 
$  17,372,834 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 3. 

Investment Securities, Continued 

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, 2017 and 2016. 

Securities Available-for-Sale 
  Less Than 12 Months 

  U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
  Mortgage-backed securities 

  Total 

  12 Months or More 

December 31, 2017 
Fair 
Value 

  Unrealized   
Losses 

December 31, 2016 
Fair 
Value 

  Unrealized   
Losses 

$ 

$ 

925,323 
8,622,681 
9,548,004 

11,919 
88,739 
100,658 

$ 

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

$ 

226,553 
180,915 
407,468 

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

  Total 
  Total securities available-for-sale 

8,485,586 
4,181,259 
- 
12,666,845 
$  22,214,849 

Securities Held-to-Maturity 
  Less Than 12 Months 

  Mortgage-backed securities 

  Total 

  12 Months or More 

  Mortgage-backed securities 

  Total 
  Total securities held-to-maturity 

$ 

$ 

- 
- 

3,376,656 
3,376,656 
3,376,656 

278,459 
166,903 
- 
445,362 
546,020 

- 
- 
2,819,496 
2,819,496 
$  16,423,472 

- 
- 

$ 

4,100,521 
4,100,521 

78,497 
78,497 
78,497 

- 
- 
4,100,521 

$ 

- 
- 
14,227 
14,227 
421,695 

91,123 
91,123 

- 
- 
91,123 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

At December 31, 2017, twelve 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 2017, no available-for-sale securities were sold. During 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of available-for-
sale securities were $881,445. During 2016, gross gains totaled $13,261.   

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, investment securities with a par value of $16,591,994 and $15,299,708 and a fair 
market value of $16,466,616 and $15,220,970, respectively, were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and 
borrowings. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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  

2017 

2016 

$ 

22,889,185 
101,809,108 
103,960,522 
228,658,815 
37,246,193 
67,770,245 
$  333,675,253 

$ 

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

The Company has pledged certain loans as collateral to secure its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank which 
totaled $50,787,298 and $48,524,832 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 2017 and 2016 totaled $273,360,068 and $330,297,866, 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. 

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses by class of loans for the years ended December 31, 2017 
and 2016. 

December 31, 2017 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

$  2,648,535  $ 

Beginning 
  balance 
  Provisions 
  Recoveries 
  Charge-offs 
Ending balance  $  2,453,875  $ 

- 
371,635 
(566,295)   

592,725  $  1,109,400  $ 
(592,978)   
184,284 
(15,490)   
168,541  $ 

(76,548)   
53,778 
(100,733)   
985,897  $ 

448,183  $  2,150,308  $ 
(63,604)   
14,768 
(26,991)   
372,356  $  1,526,794  $ 

(733,130)   
252,830 
(143,214)   

31,536  $ 

175,374 
78,897 
(28,509)   
257,298  $ 

466,691 
557,756 
39,908 
(394,572) 
669,783 

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 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following is a summary of loans evaluated for impairment individually and collectively, by class, for the years 
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

December 31, 2017 

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 

Allowance 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Allowance  
  for loan losses 

Total Loans 
Evaluated for  
  impairment 
Individually 
  Collectively 
Loans 
  receivable 

$ 

26,856  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

13,378  $ 

2,427,019 

168,541 

985,897 

372,356 

1,526,794 

243,920 

13,478 
656,305 

$  2,453,875  $ 

168,541  $ 

985,897  $ 

372,356  $  1,526,794  $ 

257,298  $ 

669,783 

$  3,441,508  $ 
  330,233,745 

  22,889,185 

-  $  1,759,518  $  1,480,027  $  3,239,545  $ 
  102,480,495 

  225,419,270 

  100,049,590 

  37,205,092 

41,101  $ 

160,862 
67,609,383 

$ 333,675,253  $  22,889,185  $ 101,809,108  $ 103,960,522  $ 228,658,815  $  37,246,193  $  67,770,245 

December 31, 2016 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

 Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  
and 
  Industrial 

  Consumer 
  and Other 

$ 

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 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following summarizes the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2017. 

With no related allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

  Total 

With an allowance recorded: 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

  Total 

Total 
Real estate 
  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  

$  1,759,518  $  1,759,518  $ 

1,480,027 
3,239,545 
23,362 
143,034 

1,480,027 
3,239,545 
23,362 
143,034 

$  3,405,941  $  3,405,941  $ 

-  $  1,838,208  $ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
-  $  3,525,129  $ 

1,503,787 
3,341,995 
23,362 
159,772 

99,814 
93,134 
192,948 
1,349 
8,479 
202,776 

$ 

$ 

17,739  $ 
17,828 
35,567  $ 

17,739  $ 
17,828 
35,567  $ 

13,378  $ 
13,478 
26,856  $ 

19,668  $ 
25,084 
44,752  $ 

899 
1,569 
2,468 

$  1,759,518  $  1,759,518  $ 

1,480,027 
3,239,545 
41,101 
160,862 

1,480,027 
3,239,545 
41,101 
160,862 

$  3,441,508  $  3,441,508  $ 

-  $  1,838,208  $ 
- 
- 
13,378 
13,478 
26,856  $  3,569,881  $ 

1,503,787 
3,341,995 
43,030 
184,856 

99,814 
93,134 
192,948 
2,248 
10,048 
205,244 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

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 

Consumer and other 

  Total 

With an allowance recorded: 
Real estate 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 
Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

  Total 

Total 
Real estate 
  Construction 
  Residential mortgages 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 

Consumer and other 

  Total 

  Recorded 
  Investment   

  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 

- 
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 

The following is an aging analysis of the Company’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2017: 

  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 

$ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

-  $  22,889,185  $  22,889,185  $ 

13,517 
  2,282,710 
  2,296,227 
371,172 
229,165 

688,983 
- 
688,983 
- 
62,691 

207,230 
- 
207,230 
- 
77,714 

909,370 
2,282,710 
3,192,440 
371,172 
369,570 

  100,899,378 
  101,677,812 
  225,466,375 
36,875,021 
67,400,675 

  101,809,108 
  103,960,522 
  228,658,815 
37,246,193 
67,770,245 

$  2,896,564  $  751,674  $ 

284,944  $ 

3,933,182  $  329,742,071  $  333,675,253  $ 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

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  $ 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

The following is an analysis of the Company’s nonaccrual loan portfolio recorded at December 31, 2017 and 2016: 

Real Estate 
  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate loans 

Commercial and industrial 
Consumer and other 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 

2017 

2016 

$ 

- 
970,712 
- 
970,712 
17,739 
364,274 
$  1,352,725 

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

The following table summarizes the carrying balance of troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as of December 31, 
2017 and 2016: 

Performing TDRs 
Nonperforming TDRs 
Total TDRs 

2017 

2016 

$  1,207,264 
519,281 
$  1,726,545 

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

Loans classified as TDRs may be removed from this status for disclosure purposes after a specified period of time if 
the TDR is subsequently restructured, and the newly 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.  The  Company  has  not  removed  any  loans  from  TDR  status  through  subsequent 
restructurings during 2017 or 2016. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued 

The following is an analysis of TDRs identified during 2017: 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 
  Real Estate 

  Residential 

  Commercial and industrial 
  Consumer and other 

For the year ended December 31, 2017 

  Pre-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Post-Modification 
  Outstanding 
Recorded 
Investment 

Number 
  of Contracts 

3 
1 
3 

$ 

228,512 
8,549 
70,761 

$ 

228,512 
8,549 
70,761 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we modified seven loans that were considered to be troubled debt 
restructuring.  We provided rate concessions for five of these loans, and extensions for two of the loans. During the 
year ended December 31, 2017, one loan with an unpaid principal balance of $8,549 as of December 31, 2017 that 
had previously been restructured during the year subsequently defaulted during the year. 

The following is an analysis of TDRs identified during 2016: 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 
  Real Estate 

  Construction 
  Residential 
  Nonresidential 

  Total real estate 
  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. 

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.  

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017: 

Real Estate Loans 

Total 

  Construction  

  Residential   

Non- 
  Residential   

Total 
  Real Estate   
Loans 

 Commercial  

  Consumer   
  and Other   

Pass  
Special mention 
Substandard 
Doubtful   
  Totals   

$  317,446,886  $  22,839,453  $  97,919,614  $  95,727,012  $  216,486,079  $  34,318,105  $  66,662,702 
662,147 
445,396 
- 
$  333,675,253  $  22,889,185  $  101,809,108  $  103,960,522  $  228,658,815  $  37,246,193  $  67,770,245 

11,278,760 
4,949,607 
- 

2,886,987 
41,101 
- 

5,656,005 
2,577,505 
- 

7,729,626 
4,443,110 
- 

2,023,889 
1,865,605 
- 

49,732 
- 
- 

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

1,236,066 
1,574,732 
- 

3,155,103 
1,609,772 
- 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 

2017 

2016 

$  43,591,232 
189,089 

$  38,247,248 
239,089 

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

2017 

2016 

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

$ 

6,808,794  $  6,808,794 
  13,685,642 
543,087 
6,810,566 
1,374,551 
  29,222,640 
  (10,348,922) 
$  18,463,156  $  18,873,718 

13,782,574 
551,498 
7,076,492 
1,382,160 
29,601,518 
(11,138,362) 

Depreciation  expense  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2017  and  2016  amounted  to  $789,440  and  $806,145, 
respectively. 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, construction in progress consists mainly of architect fees and site work for potential 
new branches.  As of December 31, 2017, 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.  

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 6.  Other Real Estate Owned 

Transactions in other real estate owned for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized below: 

Beginning balance 
Additions  
Sales   
Write downs 
Ending balance 

2017 

2016 

$  2,870,484 
137,540 
(750,921) 
(550,338) 
$  1,706,765 

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

The Company recognized net gains of $216,079 and $11,031 on the sale of other real estate owned for the years 
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

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, 2017 and 2016: 

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

2017 

2016 

$  4,211,582 
2,469,977 
(323,893) 
$  6,357,666 

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

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, 2017, the aggregate amount of loans serviced by the Company for the benefit of others totaled 
$558,339,699.  

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 7.  Mortgage Servicing Rights, Continued 

The characteristics and sensitivity analysis of the MSRs are included in the following table as of December 31, 2017 
and 2016. 

  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 

2017 

2016 

100.00% 

100.00% 

8.22 years 

8.95 years 

11.46% 
9.43% 

10.55% 
9.67% 

The derivative positions of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are reported as other assets 
and are as follows: 

Derivative assets: 

  Fair value 

Notional value 

  Fair value 

Notional value 

2017 

2016 

  Mortgage loan interest rate 

lock commitments 
  Mortgage loan forward 
  sales commitments 

$ 

226,712 

$  19,427,832 

$ 

282,949 

$  18,015,138 

2,305 

19,250,000 

39,141 

16,500,000 

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, 2017, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows: 

  Maturing In 

2018 
2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
Total 

  Amount 

$  45,842,670 
  27,392,515 
1,959,423 
736,302 
1,315,944 
$  77,246,854 

Included in total time deposits at December 31, 2016 were brokered time deposits of $9,510,000. The Company had 
no brokered time deposits as of December 31, 2017. 

Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limits of $250,000 at  December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 
$13,874,405 and $17,757,192, respectively. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 December 31 
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 

2017 

2016 

  $  13,929,651 
  16,852,236 
  14,676,308 
0.45% 
0.47% 

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

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, investment securities with a par value of $16,591,994 and $11,310,819 and a fair 
market value of $16,466,616 and $11,259,662, 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 

  March 14, 2017 
  January 19, 2018 

  Daily rate 

  January 17, 2018 

 Interest 
  Rate 

2017 

2016 

0.70% 
1.42% 

- 
$ 
  10,000,000 

$  8,000,000 
- 

1.59% 

  12,000,000 
$  22,000,000 

- 
$  8,000,000 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company has pledged certain loans totaling $50,787,298 and $48,524,832, 
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,  2017  and  2016,  the  Company  had  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  totaling  $35,739  and  $30,655, 
respectively. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017, remaining 
issuance costs to be amortized totaled $88,037. 

On July 8, 2016, the Company obtained a note with CresCom Bank in the amount of $7,000,000. The debt bore 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 was recorded net within the 
note payable and to be amortized over five years. The debt was securitized by the assignment of Bank common stock. 
The note was paid in full during 2017. 

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, 2017 and 2016. 

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

2017 

2016 

4,679,881 
100 
2,212 
11,000 
3,100,893 
(5,600) 
7,887,486 

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

During 2017, the Company initiated and completed a capital raise where 3,074,195 shares of common stock were 
issued at $7.20 per share for total proceeds of $22,134,204. The Company also issued 410,499 shares of preferred 
stock for $2,955,593. Costs associated with the capital raise totaled $1,178,567, and are netted against proceeds 
received within the statement of shareholders' equity. In addition, the ESOP purchased 26,698 shares of common 
stock at $5.86 per share during 2017 for total proceeds of $146,450. 

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 of Directors is 
authorized to determine the terms of one or more series of preferred stock, including the preferences, rights, and 
limitations of each series. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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.  

On September 22, 2017, the Company issued 410,499 shares of Series E Preferred Stock ("Series E Shares"). The Series 
E Shares were created in conjunction with the common stock issuance. The Series E Shares have no voting rights, and 
are entitled to receive dividends as declared in the same per share amount as common stock. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 14.  Shareholders’ Equity, Continued 

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, 2017, the Bank had undivided profits of $10,804,190. 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.  

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 
Insurance expenses 
Net cost of other real estate owned 
Other 
Total 

Note 16.  Income Taxes 

2017 

2016 

$ 

261,116 
294,568 
226,392 
590,887 
254,470 
852,903 
252,253 
451,569 
1,619,088 
$  4,803,246 

$ 

201,459 
274,990 
189,128 
724,002 
326,617 
970,586 
316,543 
92,604 
1,332,553 
$  4,428,482 

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax 
Act"). The 2017 Tax Act includes a number of changes to existing U.S. tax laws that impact the Company, most notably 
a  reduction  of  the  U.S.  corporate  income  tax  rate  from  35  percent  to  21  percent  for  tax  years  beginning  after 
December 31, 2017. 

The Company recognized the income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act in its 2017 financial statements in accordance 
with Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, which provides guidance for the application of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the 
reporting period in which the 2017 Tax Act was signed into law. As such, the Company's financial results reflect the 
income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC Topic 740 is complete and provisional 
amounts for those specific income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC Topic 740 is 
incomplete but a reasonable estimate could be determined. The Company did not identify items for which the income 
tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act have not been completed and a reasonable estimate could not be determined as of 
December 31, 2017. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 16.  Income Taxes, Continued 

Income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows: 

Provision 
  Current income tax expense 

  Federal 
  State 

  Total current 

  Deferred income tax expense  

  Federal 
  State 

  Total deferred  

  Change in valuation allowance 
  Total income tax expense 

2017 

2016 

$ 

$ 

30,912 
41,400 
72,312 

35,862 
147,763 
183,625 

3,543,946 
(104,591) 
3,439,355 

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

104,591 
$  3,616,258 

11,030 
$  1,801,260 

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 
  Market to market adjustments 
  Other  

  Total gross deferred tax liabilities 
  Net deferred tax assets recognized 

$ 

2017 

2016 

515,314 
4,917,421 
18,478 
153,572 
433,955 
- 
115,571 
139,463 
6,293,774 
(323,961) 
5,969,813 

$ 

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

71,713 
25,141 
1,383,094 
28,802 
1,508,750 
$  4,461,063 

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

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, 2017, 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  2017,  the  balance  in  the  valuation  allowance 
changed  by  $104,591.  The  remaining  valuation  allowance  relates  to  the  parent  company’s  state  operating  loss 
carryforwards for which realizability is uncertain. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 16.  Income Taxes, Continued 

The Company has federal net operating losses of $21,910,113 and $23,450,783 for the years ended December 31, 
2017 and 2016, respectively.  The Company has state net operating losses of $8,007,529 and $6,577,572 for the years 
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, the Company has Alternative Minimum Tax ("AMT") 
credit carryforwards which have been reclassified to taxes receivable to reflect the refundable nature of the credits 
under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 

The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which 
the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. Accordingly, the Company's deferred tax assets and 
liabilities were remeasured to reflect the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 34 percent to 21 
percent, resulting in a $2,666,542 increase in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 and a 
corresponding $2,666,542 decrease in net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017. 

A reconciliation between the income tax expense and the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 
34% to income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 follows: 

  Tax expense at statutory rate  
  State income tax (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit  
  Tax-exempt interest income 
  Disallowed interest expense 
  Life insurance surrender value 

Impact of tax rate change 

  Change in valuation allowance 
  Other, net  
  Total 

2017 

2016 

$ 

995,145 
(41,706) 
(40,395) 
615 
(111,764) 
2,666,542 
104,591 
43,230 
$  3,616,258 

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

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 2014 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, 2017 and 2016, the Company had related party loans 
totaling $1,408,086 and $1,624,090, respectively.  

Deposits  from  directors  and  executive  officers  and  their related interests totaled $1,100,287 and $2,947,072 at 
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017, 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, 2017 and 2016 were $564,876 and $504,424, 
respectively. 

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: 

  2018 
  2019 
  2020 
  2021 
  2022 
  Thereafter 

Note 19.  Equity Incentive Plan 

  Amount 

$ 

500,187 
417,196 
417,196 
385,115 
385,115 
2,808,362 
$  4,913,171 

On January 19, 2006, the Company adopted the the 2006 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 2006 Plan. The 2006 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 2006 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 Plan expired January 19, 2016. 

On April 20, 2017, the Company approved the the 2017 Plan (collectively "the Plans"). The 2017 Plan allows granting 
up to 500,000 shares. The maximum aggregate shares subject to options is restricted to 80,000 in any calendar year to 
any one participant. The aggregate number of shares subject to awards of restricted stock is restricted to 50,000 any 
calendar year to any one participant. Awards may be granted for a term of up to five years from the effective date of 
the grant. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 19.  Equity Incentive Plan, Continued 

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 Plans, 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 Plans, the restricted shares will vest 
completely based on the individual grants vesting period, which is between four and seven years. The shares are 
forfeited entirely if the participant terminates employment for any reason other than changes in control. 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. 

During 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 112,212 and 2,200 shares, respectively, of restricted stock pursuant to the 
2017 and 2006 Equity Incentive Plans, respectively, as amended. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, 461,500 and 
197,100 shares, respectively, issued vest between the fourth and seventh anniversary of the date of grant, depending 
on the individual restricted stock grant and thus will be fully vested in 2025, subject to meeting the performance 
criteria of the Plan. During 2017 and 2016, 2,212 and 2,200 shares, respectively, were issued which vested during each 
of the respective years. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock issued during 2017 and 2016 was $7.00 
and $4.54 per share, respectively. During 2017 and 2016, 5,600 and 4,000 shares, respectively, were either forfeited 
or cancelled having a weighted average price of $2.05. Also, during 2017 and 2016, 2,212 and 14,200 shares were 
exercised, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock exercised during 2017 and 2016 was $6.33 
and  $3.32,  respectively.  Deferred  compensation  expense  of  $127,659  and  $58,777  during  2017  and  2016, 
respectively.   

During 2017, the Company issued 160,000 stock options pursuant to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. 

The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing, 
resulting in a total expense of $316,844. The Black-Scholes model with assumptions is presented below: 

Grant date 
Total number of options granted 
Expected volatility 
Expected term 
Expected dividend 
Risk-free rate 
Grant date fair value 

September 25, 2017 
160,000 
20.58% 
7 years 
0.00% 
2.12% 
7.20 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 19.  Equity Incentive Plan, Continued 

Outstanding at December 31, 2016 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2017 

 Weighted-  
  Average 
 Grant Date  
  Fair Value   

 Weighted-  
  Average 
  Exercise 
Price 

  Options 

$ 

- 
160,000 
- 
- 
160,000 
- 

$ 

- 
7.20 
- 
- 
7.20 

- 
7.20 
- 
- 
7.20 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs related to stock options of $45,403 for the year ended 
December 31, 2017. 

As of December 31, 2017, there was $271,441 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the outstanding 
stock options that will be recognized over the remainder of their vesting schedule. 

At December 31, 2017, there were 390,000 stock awards available for grant under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. 

Note 20.  Income (Loss) Per Common Share 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders represents net income (loss) 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 (loss) per common share calculations for the years ended December 31, 
2017 and 2016. 

Income (loss) available to common shareholders 
  Net income (loss) 
  Preferred stock dividends 
  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 

2017 

2016 

$ 

$ 

(689,360)  $  3,521,908 
937,848 
(689,360)  $  2,584,060 

- 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 20.  Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Continued 

Basic income (loss) per common share:  
  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 

  Average common shares outstanding - basic 

  Basic income (loss) per common share 

Diluted income (loss) per common share: 
  Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 

  Average common shares outstanding - basic 

  Dilutive potential common shares 
  Average common shares outstanding - diluted 

2017 

2016 

$ 

(689,360)  $  2,584,060 

5,465,868 

4,438,570 

$ 

     (0.13)  $ 

0.58 

$ 

(689,360)  $  2,584,060 

5,465,868 

4,438,570 

- 
5,465,868 

115,568 
4,554,138 

  Diluted income (loss) per common share 

$ 

(0.13)  $ 

0.57 

Note 21.  Regulatory Matters 

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 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 shareholders’ 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. 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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 began to be phased in incrementally 
over time, beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% and will be 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 following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Bank and the regulatory minimum requirements 
at December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

December 31, 2017 
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, 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) 

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   

$  44,979 
42,514 
42,514 
42,514 

  12.32%  $  29,211 
21,908 
  11.64 
17,893 
  9.50 
16,432 
  11.64 

  8.00%  $  36,514 
29,211 
  6.00 
18,257 
  4.00 
23,734 
  4.50 

  10.00% 
  8.00 
  5.00 
  6.50 

$  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 

The Bank had available at December 31, 2017 several unsecured lines of credit, which were unused, to purchase up to 
$20,145,203 of federal funds from four unrelated correspondent institutions. Also, as of December 31, 2017, the Bank 
had the ability to borrow funds from the FHLB of up to $136,193,400.  At that date, $22,000,000 had been advanced.  

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). 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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. 

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. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017 and 2016, 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. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 2017 and 2016. 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

December 31, 2017 

Available-for-sale securities: 
  U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
  Municipal securities 
  Mortgage-backed securities 
  Corporate bonds 
  Equity security 

  Total available-for-sale securities 

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

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 assets: 
  Mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments 
  Mortgage loan forward sales commitments 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

9,410,909 
1,400,609 
13,060,928 
2,892,273 
130,000 
26,894,719 
7,885,938 
6,357,666 

226,712 
2,305 
$  41,367,340 

$ 

Total 

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 

$ 

45 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

$ 

9,410,909 
1,400,609 
13,060,928 
2,892,273 
130,000 
26,894,719 
7,885,938 
- 

226,712 
2,305 
$  35,009,674 

December 31, 2016 

Level 1 

Level 2 

$ 

$ 

$ 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
6,367,666 

- 
- 
6,367,666 

Level 3 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,211,582 

$ 

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

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

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

$ 

- 
- 
4,211,582 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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, 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 
Transfers into/out of Level 3 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net 
Total net gains included in: 
  Net income 
Balance, December 31, 2017 

  Mortgage 
  Servicing 

Rights 

$  1,015,403 
- 
2,980,477 

215,702 
4,211,582 
- 
2,469,977 

(323,893) 
$  6,357,666 

The Company has no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, aggregated by level in the fair value 
hierarchy within which those measurements fall. 

December 31, 2017 

Impaired loans, net specific reserve 

  Other real estate owned 

  Total assets at fair value 

December 31, 2016 

Impaired loans, net specific reserve 

  Other real estate owned 

  Total assets at fair value 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,414,651 
1,706,765 
5,121,416 

Total 

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

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Level 1 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Level 2 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,414,651 
1,706,765 
5,121,416 

Level 3 

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

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 
and December 31, 2016, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows: 

Fair Value as of 
December 31, 
2017 

Valuation Technique 

Significant 
Observable Inputs 

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs 

Impaired loans, net 

$ 

3,414,651 

Appraisal Value 

of specific 
reserve 

Appraisals and/or 
sales of comparable 
properties 

Other real estate 

$ 

1,706,765  

owned 

Appraisal 
Value/Comparison 
Sales/Other estimates 

Appraisals and/or 
sales of comparable 
properties 

Appraisals discounted 10% 
to 20% for sales 
commissions and other 
holding cost 

Appraisals discounted 10% 
to 20% for sales 
commissions and other 
holding cost 

Fair Value as of 
December 31, 
2016 

Valuation Technique 

Significant 
Observable Inputs 

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs 

Impaired loans, net 

$ 

5,148,522 

Appraisal Value 

of specific 
reserve 

Appraisals and/or 
sales of comparable 
properties 

Other real estate 

$ 

2,870,484 

owned 

Appraisal 
Value/Comparison 
Sales/Other estimates 

Appraisals and/or 
sales of comparable 
properties 

Appraisals discounted 10% 
to 20% for sales 
commissions and other 
holding cost 

Appraisals discounted 10% 
to 20% for sales 
commissions and other 
holding cost 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

The following table includes the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities. The 
methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities measured on a recurring and 
nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value for other financial assets 
and  financial  liabilities  are  discussed  below.  The  estimated  fair  value  amounts  have  been  determined  by  the 
Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.  However, considerable 
judgement is required to interpret market data in order to develop the estimates of fair value.  Accordingly, the 
estimates presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current 
market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation techniques may have a material effect 
on the estimated fair value amounts at December 31, 2017 and 2016.   

December 31, 

2017 

2016 

Carrying 
Value 

Fair 
Value 

Carrying 
Value 

Fair 
Value 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Securities available-for-sale 
Securities held-to-maturity 
Loans held for sale 
Loans held for investment, net 
Nonmarketable equity securities 
Deposits 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
Subordinated debentures 
Notes payable 

$  24,630,819  $  24,630,819  $  27,097,864  $  27,097,864 
17,862,635 
20,842,142 
5,355,532 
  285,791,822 
734,300 
  336,627,827 
8,000,000 
15,510,526 
7,031,075 

17,862,635 
20,438,084 
5,335,532 
  285,477,796 
734,300 
  336,535,519 
8,000,000 
15,206,398 
6,893,211 

26,894,719 
17,018,132 
7,885,938 
  331,221,378 
1,359,200 
  353,094,063 
22,000,000 
15,221,963 
- 

26,894,719 
17,372,834 
7,885,938 
  330,393,325 
1,359,200 
  354,507,494 
22,013,200 
16,135,281 
- 

Cash and cash equivalents 
The carrying amount approximates fair value for these instruments.   

Investment securities 
The fair value of investment securities are generally determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including 
matrix pricing and broker-quote-based applications.   

Loans held for sale 
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  These loans currently consist of on-to-four family 
residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties.  Fair value is based upon the contractual 
price to be received from these third parties, which may be different than cost.   

Loans held for investment 
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics if collateral-dependent.  Loans 
are segregated by type.  The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through 
the  estimated  maturity  using  estimated  market  discount  rates  that  reflect  observable  market  information 
incorporating the credit, liquidity, yield and other risks inherent in the loan.  The estimate of maturity is based upon 
the  Company’s  historical  experience  with  repayments  for  each  loan  classification,  modified,  as required, by an 
estimate of the effect of the current economic and lending conditions.   

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Note 23.  Fair Value Measurements, Continued 

Fair value for significant non-performing loans is generally based upon recent external appraisals.  If appraisals are 
not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the 
estimated  cash  flows.  Assumptions  regarding  credit  risk,  cash  flows  and  discounted  rates  are  judgmentally 
determined using available market information and specific borrower information.   

Nonmarketable equity securities 

Nonmarketable equity securities are carried at original cost basis, as cost approximates fair value and there is no 
ready market for such investments.   

Deposits 
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity date, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and 
money market and checking accounts, is based on the discounted value of estimated cash flows.  The fair value of 
time deposits is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is estimated using the 
rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.   

Notes payable 
The fair carrying value of notes payable is estimated by using discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental 
borrowing rates for similar types of instruments These are classified as Level 2. 

Subordinated debentures 
The fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated by using discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental 
borrowing rates for similar types of instruments These are classified as Level 2. 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows using current market rates for borrowing with similar terms 
and are classified as of Level 2. 

Note 24.  Subsequent Events 

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. Effective 
September  25,  2017,  the  Company  entered  into  a  merger  agreement  with  Independence  Bancshares,  Inc. 
headquartered  in  Easley,  South  Carolina.  The  merger  was  completed  January  22,  2018.  Acquisition  costs  as  of 
December 31, 2017 totaled $501,265. The following assets and liabilities were acquired as a result of the merger as of 
January 22, 2018 in exchange for cash of $2,562,845 and repayment of preferred stock totaling $8,425,000: 

(Unaudited) 

Total assets 
Total liabilities 
Total loans 
Total deposits 

January 22, 2018  

$ 

88,042,893 
80,424,570 
53,686,229 
80,254,665 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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

Condensed Balance Sheets 

Assets 
  Cash 

Investment in banking subsidiary 

  Equity securities 
  Nonmarketable equity securities 

Investment in trust 
  Deferred tax asset 
  Other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
  Notes payable  
  Junior subordinated debentures 
  Subordinated debentures 
  Accrued interest payable 
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 
  Salaries and employee benefits 
  Equipment expense 
Interest expense 
  Other expenses 
  Acquisition-related costs 

  Total expenses 

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in 
  undistributed income (losses) of banking subsidiary 
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of banking subsidiary 

Net income (loss) before income taxes 
Income tax expense (benefit) 

  Net (loss) income 

50 

December 31, 

2017 

2016 

$  17,814,362 
  46,161,089 
130,000 
58,100 
310,000 
1,019,787 
66,439 
$  65,559,777 

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

- 
$ 
  10,310,000 
4,911,963 
184,489 
  15,406,452 
  50,153,325 
$  65,559,777 

$  6,893,211 
  10,310,000 
4,896,398 
257,329 
  22,356,938 
  26,667,727 
$  49,024,665 

For the years ended 
December 31, 

2017 

2016 

$ 

450 
9,296 
- 
- 
9,746 

$ 

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

169,427 
19,034 
922,867 
104,712 
501,265 
1,717,305 

- 
- 
672,023 
327,705 
- 
999,728 

(1,707,559) 
1,121,142 

5,665,750 
(2,257,487) 

3,408,263 
(586,417) 
102,943 
(113,645) 
(689,360)  $  3,521,908 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 

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

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows 

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

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

Net cash (used) provided by operating activities 

Cash flows from by investing activities  
  Purchase of securities available for sale 
  Proceeds from sale of premises 

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities 

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

(Decrease) increase in subordinated debentures 

  Accretion of debt issuance costs 
  Purchase of treasury stock 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 

Increase in cash 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents, ending of year 

For the years ended 
December 31, 

2017 

2016 

$ 

(689,360) 

$  3,521,908 

- 
102,943 
(606,246) 
(72,840) 
(66,439) 
- 
(1,121,142) 
(2,453,084) 

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

(100,000) 
- 
(100,000) 

- 
4,307,979 
4,307,979 

(6,893,211) 
- 
  21,901,762 
2,955,593 
- 
15,565 
(10,738) 
  17,968,971 

4,172,779 
(937,848) 
1,675 
(15,946,709) 
4,888,550 
7,848 
(1,876) 
(7,815,581) 

  15,415,887 
2,398,475 
$  17,814,362 

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

51 

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