Colony Bankcorp, Inc. Announces Completion of Merger With First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
Business Wire•02/11/2026•08:30 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤Merger with First Reliance Bancshares completed effective November 1, 2026
- ➤Combined Colony franchise reaches approximately $5 billion in assets
- ➤First Reliance adds nine banking locations and establishes South Carolina presence
- ➤Systems conversion planned for mid-2027 as integration efforts continue
Expert Statements
T. Heath Fountain, Chief Executive Officer of Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
“Today marks an important milestone in Colony's continued growth”
T. Heath Fountain, Chief Executive Officer of Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
“From the beginning, we recognized a strong alignment between our teams, cultures, and approach to community banking. First Reliance has built an outstanding organization with deep customer relationships and a strong reputation in its markets. Together, we have the talent, scale, and capabilities to compete effectively and capitalize on the opportunities ahead. We're excited to welcome the First Reliance team and build on the success of both organizations.”
Rick Saunders, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
“This partnership allows us to build on the strong foundation First Reliance has established over the past 27 years”
Rick Saunders, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
“Colony shares our belief in strong relationships, local leadership, and investing in the communities we serve. I'm proud of what our team has accomplished and confident that, as part of Colony, we will create even greater opportunities for our customers, team members, and shareholders.”
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. Announces Completion of Merger With First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (NYSE: CBAN) (“Colony” or the “Company”), the holding company for Colony Bank, today announced the completion of its previously announced merger with First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX: FSRL) (“First Reliance”), the holding company for First Reliance Bank, effective November 1, 2026.
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