Independent Banker - January 2023 - 63

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" I do think our people are really highly
engaged, and a lot of that has to do with
programs like this that say, 'My employer
cares enough about family and about the
people who work here that this is the kind
of place I want to work. "
-RICK SAUNDERS, FIRST RELIANCE BANK
system. Yet in a short time, they saw
a huge change in her. " You could see
the changes mentally, emotionally
and physically in her just in a few
weeks, " Saunders says, " and it was a
completely new life for her. "
Even with doctors' predictions that
Reagan would struggle with memory
retention, she is now 20 years old and
a Dean's List student at her college.
Saunders and his wife later went on
to adopt another daughter, 14-yearold
Riley.
Saunders hopes the community
leave. If an employee is new to
adoption, founder and CEO Rick
Saunders and his wife, Tiffany, make
themselves available to offer advice.
A personal connection
Saunders is a strong advocate
for adoption, having personally
experienced the process. After Tiffany
experienced three miscarriages, she
and Saunders decided to adopt a child.
However, after they had begun the
process of adopting a little girl in 2003,
they discovered Tiffany was pregnant.
Despite that, Saunders and his wife
chose to go through with the adoption.
" We just were already in love with
her, " says Saunders. " We already had
her pictures. " Their daughter became
the namesake for the community
bank's additional financial adoption
resource, Reagan's Promise Fund,
which is funded by employee
contributions and profits from
branded product sales.
Saunders takes pride in First
Reliance Bank's adoption benefits.
" Anytime the company can help the
people who work for them chase their
passions, their love for life and family
and their work-I just think it creates
a culture and an environment where
people love being there, and they're
not just chasing the dollar. "
As a testament to the community
bank's dedication, the Dave
Thomas Foundation for Adoption
recently recognized First Reliance
Bank in its 100 Best AdoptionFriendly
Workplaces.
Encouraging community
Adoption can be a difficult journey,
but it proved life-changing for
Saunders' family. When he and his
wife brought Reagan home, she
struggled with health issues brought
on by mistreatment within the
QUICK STAT
76%
of adults considering
international adoption are
concerned about being
able to pay for it
Source: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption 2022
US Adoption Attitudes Survey
bank's program will encourage
employees to pursue adoption and
make a difference in a child's life.
He says one to two bank associates
take advantage of the adoption
benefits every year, but many others
appreciate the sentiment and support
that the program offers.
" My First Reliance family provides
me the flexibility to care for my family
and the children I take into my care, "
says one employee who fosters and
adopts. " Being a working mother is a
challenge, but at First Reliance, I truly
feel respected for what my husband
and I try to do for these children. "
Saunders also believes that
accommodating adopting families
should be the norm. He says, " I do
think our people are really highly
engaged, and a lot of that has to do
with programs like this that say, 'My
employer cares enough about family
and about the people who work here
that this is the kind of place I want
to work.' "
But his reasoning for the program
goes beyond just the positive effect it
has on his bank. " Anybody who can
help family, be a part of that and build
their own families, " he says, " I think
it's a good thing for our world, and it's
a good thing for our country. " 
Rachel Hatcher is assistant editor of
Independent Banker.
independentbanker.org // 63
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - January 2023

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