Southern First Stock Price, News & Analysis

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST) is a registered bank holding company based in Greenville, South Carolina. The company’s primary operating subsidiary is Southern First Bank, which is described as the second largest bank headquartered in South Carolina. Southern First Bank has been providing financial services since 1999 and operates in multiple markets across the Southeastern United States. According to company disclosures, Southern First Bancshares has consolidated assets of approximately $4.1 billion and its common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SFST.

Southern First Bancshares operates in the commercial banking industry within the broader finance and insurance sector. The company is engaged in the business of accepting demand deposits and savings deposits that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and providing commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans to the general public. A majority of its revenue is derived from its Commercial and Retail Banking segment, which includes traditional deposit and lending products and services for commercial and retail banking clients.

Business model and core activities

According to available information, Southern First Bancshares’ business model centers on traditional relationship-based banking. The company accepts a variety of deposits and uses those funds to support a loan portfolio that includes commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans. Earnings releases show that interest income on loans is a significant driver of net interest income, while interest expense on deposits and borrowings represents a key funding cost. The company also reports noninterest income from sources such as mortgage banking income, service fees on deposit accounts, ATM and debit card income, income from bank owned life insurance, and other income items.

Management commentary in recent financial results emphasizes a focus on full relationship banking, high-quality loan growth funded by client retail deposits, and disciplined pricing on both sides of the balance sheet. The company highlights asset quality metrics, net interest margin trends, and capital ratios as important indicators of its performance. Reported metrics such as nonperforming assets to total assets, past due loans to total loans, and allowance for credit losses to loans provide insight into credit risk management within its loan portfolio.

Geographic footprint and markets

Southern First Bank operates in 13 locations in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets of South Carolina, as well as the Charlotte, Triangle, and Triad regions of North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia. These markets are described by the company as vibrant and healthy, and management commentary refers to opportunities arising from ongoing banking industry consolidation in the broader Southeastern region. The bank positions itself as a community-focused institution with an emphasis on client service and local market knowledge.

Financial profile and performance themes

Quarterly and annual earnings releases for 2024 and 2025 highlight several recurring themes in Southern First Bancshares’ financial profile:

• Net interest income and margin: The company reports net interest income as a core earnings component, with net interest margin presented on a tax-equivalent basis. Management commentary notes periods of margin expansion driven by higher yields on interest-earning assets, particularly loans, and reductions in the cost of interest-bearing deposits.
• Loan and deposit base: Reported balance sheet data show total loans and total deposits in the billions of dollars, with references to core deposits as an important funding source. The company discusses loan growth or flat loan balances in the context of disciplined pricing and credit standards, as well as changes in core and noninterest-bearing deposits.
• Asset quality: Southern First Bancshares regularly discloses asset quality ratios, including nonperforming assets to total assets, accruing loans past due to total loans, net charge-offs to average loans, and allowance for credit losses to loans. Management commentary describes asset quality as a key strength and notes low levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs in the periods presented.
• Capital and book value: The company reports capital ratios such as total risk-based capital, tier 1 risk-based capital, leverage ratio, common equity tier 1 ratio, and tangible common equity ratio. Book value per common share is also highlighted, with management noting growth in book value over time.

Noninterest income and fee-based activities

In addition to interest-based revenue, Southern First Bancshares reports several categories of noninterest income. Mortgage banking income is repeatedly identified as the largest component of noninterest income, reflecting fee revenue from mortgage-related activities. Other recurring noninterest income items include service fees on deposit accounts, ATM and debit card income, income from bank owned life insurance, and other income. The company discusses changes in mortgage origination and closing volumes and their impact on mortgage banking income across different quarters.

Cost structure and efficiency

Southern First Bancshares discloses noninterest expenses across categories such as compensation and benefits, occupancy, outside service and data processing costs, insurance, professional fees, marketing, and other expenses. Earnings releases reference the efficiency ratio and noninterest expense to average assets as indicators of operating efficiency. Management commentary addresses changes in expenses over time, citing factors such as staffing, commissions, software licensing, and other operating costs.

Corporate governance and leadership developments

Recent announcements describe changes and additions to the company’s leadership and governance. Southern First Bancshares has announced appointments to its Board of Directors and executive team, including new directors and executive officers in roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Retail Experience Officer, and Chief Credit Officer. These appointments are described as bringing banking experience, community involvement, and professional expertise to support the company’s growth and risk management objectives.

Regulatory reporting and listing status

Southern First Bancshares files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Recent Form 8-K filings reference the release of quarterly financial results and related slide presentations furnished as exhibits. The company’s common stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and trades on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SFST, as indicated in the SEC filings. There is no indication in the provided materials of delisting or deregistration.

Relationship banking and community focus

Throughout its public communications, Southern First Bancshares emphasizes a relationship banking approach, describing a focus on outstanding client service delivered with a personal touch and a mission of impacting lives in the communities it serves. Management commentary highlights the recruitment and retention of experienced bankers, community involvement, and support for local markets in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.