** South Carolina-based community lender First Reliance Bancshares' FSRL.PK shares jump 21% to $18.45

** Larger rival Colony Bankcorp CBAN.N will buy FSRL in a $163 million stock-and-cash transaction, the banks announced late on Wednesday

** Deal will create a combined bank with $5 billion in assets and expand CBAN's footprint across high-growth markets in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

** FSRL shareholders can elect to receive either $19.75 in cash or 0.94 share of CBAN for each share held

** Deal expected to close in Q4 2026

** Keefe, Bruyette & Woods advised Colony and Hovde Group advised First Reliance

** As of last close, FSRL stock up 24.5% YTD