• Live Feeds
    • Press Releases
    • Insider Trading
    • FDA Approvals
    • Analyst Ratings
    • Insider Trading
    • SEC filings
    • Market insights
  • Analyst Ratings
  • Alerts
  • Subscriptions
  • Settings
  • RSS Feeds
Quantisnow Logo
  • Live Feeds
    • Press Releases
    • Insider Trading
    • FDA Approvals
    • Analyst Ratings
    • Insider Trading
    • SEC filings
    • Market insights
  • Analyst Ratings
  • Alerts
  • Subscriptions
  • Settings
  • RSS Feeds
Dashboard
    Quantisnow Logo

    © 2025 quantisnow.com
    Democratizing insights since 2022

    Services
    Live news feedsRSS FeedsAlerts
    Company
    AboutQuantisnow PlusContactJobs
    Legal
    Terms of usePrivacy policyCookie policy

    Southern First Reports Results for 2023

    1/18/24 4:15:00 PM ET
    $SFST
    Major Banks
    Finance
    Get the next $SFST alert in real time by email

    GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

    Southern First logo. (PRNewsfoto/Southern First Bancshares, Inc.)

     "We are pleased with our fourth quarter results as we saw further growth in book value, stability in net interest margin and strong credit quality," stated Art Seaver, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "We are beginning 2024 with excellent momentum and a proven ability to grow organic and high quality client relationships in every market we serve."

    2023 Fourth Quarter Highlights

    • Net income was $4.2 million and diluted earnings per common share were $0.51 for Q4 2023
    • Book value per common share increased to $38.63 at Q4 2023, or 5%, over Q4 2022
    • Total loans increased 5% (annualized) to $3.6 billion at Q4 2023, compared to Q3 2023 and increased 10%, from $3.3 billion at Q4 2022
    • Credit quality remains strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.10% and past due loans to total loans of 0.37% at Q4 2023
    • Total deposits increased to $3.4 billion at Q4 2023, compared to $3.3 billion at Q3 2023 and increased 8% from Q4 2022
    • Net interest margin was 1.92% for Q4 2023, compared to 1.97% for Q3 2023 and 2.88% for Q4 2022




    Quarter Ended





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31





    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Earnings ($ in thousands, except per share data):













    Net income available to common shareholders

    $

    4,167

    4,098

    2,458

    2,703

    5,492

    Earnings per common share, diluted



    0.51

    0.51

    0.31

    0.33

    0.68

    Total revenue(1)



    21,390

    22,094

    21,561

    22,468

    25,826

    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2)



    1.92 %

    1.97 %

    2.05 %

    2.36 %

    2.88 %

    Return on average assets(3)



    0.40 %

    0.40 %

    0.26 %

    0.30 %

    0.63 %

    Return on average equity(3)



    5.39 %

    5.35 %

    3.27 %

    3.67 %

    7.44 %

    Efficiency ratio(4)



    79.61 %

    78.31 %

    80.67 %

    76.12 %

    63.55 %

    Noninterest expense to average assets (3)



    1.64 %

    1.69 %

    1.82 %

    1.89 %

    1.87 %

    Balance Sheet ($ in thousands):













    Total loans(5)

    $

    3,602,627

    3,553,632

    3,537,616

    3,417,945

    3,273,363

    Total deposits



    3,379,564

    3,347,771

    3,433,018

    3,426,774

    3,133,864

    Core deposits(6)



    2,811,499

    2,866,574

    2,880,507

    2,946,567

    2,759,112

    Total assets



    4,055,789

    4,019,957

    4,002,107

    3,938,140

    3,691,981

    Book value per common share



    38.63

    37.57

    37.42

    37.16

    36.76

    Loans to deposits



    106.60 %

    106.15 %

    103.05 %

    99.74 %

    104.45 %

    Holding Company Capital Ratios(7):













    Total risk-based capital ratio



    12.56 %

    12.56 %

    12.40 %

    12.67 %

    12.91 %

    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio



    10.59 %

    10.58 %

    10.42 %

    10.66 %

    10.88 %

    Leverage ratio



    8.14 %

    8.17 %

    8.48 %

    8.80 %

    9.17 %

    Common equity tier 1 ratio(8)



    10.18 %

    10.17 %

    10.00 %

    10.23 %

    10.44 %

    Tangible common equity(9)



    7.70 %

    7.56 %

    7.53 %

    7.60 %

    7.98 %

    Asset Quality Ratios:













    Nonperforming assets/ total assets



    0.10 %

    0.11 %

    0.08 %

    0.12 %

    0.07 %

    Classified assets/tier one capital plus allowance for credit losses



    4.25 %

    4.72 %

    4.68 %

    5.10 %

    4.71 %

    Loans 30 days or more past due/ loans(5)



    0.37 %

    0.13 %

    0.07 %

    0.11 %

    0.11 %

    Net charge-offs (recoveries)/average loans(5) (YTD annualized)



    0.00 %

    0.01 %

    0.03 %

    0.01 %

    (0.05 %)

    Allowance for credit losses/loans(5)



    1.13 %

    1.16 %

    1.16 %

    1.18 %

    1.18 %

    Allowance for credit losses/nonaccrual loans



    1,026.58 %

    953.25 %

    1,363.11 %

    854.33 %

    1,470.74 %

     [Footnotes to table located on page 6]

     

    income statements – Unaudited























    Quarter Ended



    Twelve Months Ended





    Dec 31

    Sept 30

    Jun 30

    Mar 31

    Dec 31



    December 31

    (in thousands, except per share data)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022



    2023

    2022

    Interest income



















    Loans

    $

    44,758

    43,542

    41,089

    36,748

    33,939



    166,137

    114,233

    Investment securities



    1,674

    1,470

    706

    613

    562



    4,463

    1,990

    Federal funds sold



    2,703

    2,435

    891

    969

    525



    6,998

    1,439

      Total interest income



    49,135

    47,447

    42,686

    38,330

    35,026



    177,598

    117,662

    Interest expense



















    Deposits



    27,127

    25,130

    25,937

    17,179

    10,329



    91,373

    18,102

    Borrowings



    2,948

    2,972

    1,924

    727

    578



    8,571

    1,939

      Total interest expense



    30,075

    28,102

    23,861

    17,906

    10,907



    99,944

    20,041

    Net interest income



    19,060

    19,345

    18,825

    20,424

    24,119



    77,654

    97,621

    Provision (reversal) for credit losses



    (975)

    (500)

    910

    1,825

    2,325



    1,260

    6,155

    Net interest income after provision for credit losses



    20,035

    19,845

    17,915

    18,599

    21,794



    76,394

    91,466

    Noninterest income



















    Mortgage banking income



    868

    1,208

    1,337

    622

    291



    4,036

    4,198

    Service fees on deposit accounts



    371

    356

    331

    325

    187



    1,382

    782

    ATM and debit card income



    565

    588

    536

    555

    575



    2,245

    2,225

    Income from bank owned life insurance



    361

    349

    338

    332

    344



    1,379

    1,289

    Loss on disposal of fixed assets



    -

    -

    -

    -

    -



    -

    (394)

    Other income



    165

    248

    194

    210

    310



    818

    1,480

      Total noninterest income



    2,330

    2,749

    2,736

    2,044

    1,707



    9,860

    9,580

    Noninterest expense



















    Compensation and benefits



    9,401

    10,231

    10,287

    10,356

    9,576



    40,275

    38,790

    Occupancy



    2,718

    2,562

    2,518

    2,457

    2,666



    10,255

    9,105

    Other real estate owned expenses



    -

    -

    -

    -

    -



    -

    -

    Outside service and data processing costs



    2,000

    1,744

    1,705

    1,629

    1,521



    7,078

    6,112

    Insurance



    937

    1,243

    897

    689

    551



    3,766

    1,686

    Professional fees



    581

    504

    751

    660

    788



    2,496

    2,635

    Marketing



    364

    293

    335

    366

    282



    1,357

    1,216

    Other



    1,027

    725

    900

    947

    1,029



    3,600

    3,389

      Total noninterest expenses



    17,028

    17,302

    17,393

    17,104

    16,413



    68,827

    62,933

    Income before provision for income taxes



    5,337

    5,293

    3,258

    3,539

    7,088



    17,427

    38,113

    Income tax expense



    1,170

    1,195

    800

    836

    1,596



    4,001

    8,998

    Net income available to common shareholders

    $

    4,167

    4,098

    2,458

    2,703

    5,492



    13,426

    29,115





















    Earnings per common share – Basic

    $

    0.51

    0.51

    0.31

    0.34

    0.69



    1.67

    3.66

    Earnings per common share – Diluted



    0.51

    0.51

    0.31

    0.33

    0.68



    1.66

    3.61

    Basic weighted average common shares



    8,056

    8,053

    8,051

    8,026

    7,971



    8,047

    7,958

    Diluted weighted average common shares



    8,080

    8,072

    8,069

    8,092

    8,071



    8,078

    8,072

    [Footnotes to table located on page 6]

     

    Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $4.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, a $69 thousand increase from the third quarter of 2023 and a $1.3 million decrease from the fourth quarter of 2022.  Net interest income decreased $285 thousand during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the third quarter of 2023, and decreased $5.1 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in net interest income from the prior quarter and prior year was primarily driven by an increase in interest expense on deposit accounts as deposit costs continued to reprice in relation to the Federal Reserve's 525-basis point interest rate hikes over the past two years.     

    There was a reversal of the provision for credit losses of $975 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a reversal of $500 thousand during the third quarter of 2023 and a provision of $2.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.  The provision reversal during the fourth quarter of 2023 includes a $640 thousand reversal of the provision for credit losses and a $335 thousand reversal of the reserve for unfunded commitments. The reversal of the provision for credit losses was driven by lower expected loss rates, while the reversal of the reserve for unfunded commitments was driven by a decrease in the balance of unfunded commitments at December 31, 2023, compared to the previous quarter and year.

    Noninterest income was $2.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, and $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Mortgage banking income continues to be the largest component of our noninterest income at $868 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2023, $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, and $291 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2022.

    Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $17.0 million, a $274 thousand decrease from the third quarter of 2023, and a $615 thousand increase from the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in noninterest expense from the previous quarter was driven by a decrease in compensation and benefits expense, while the increase from the prior year related primarily to increases in outside service and data processing costs and insurance expenses. The decrease in compensation and benefits expenses during the current quarter was due primarily to lower bonus and commissions expenses, combined with a decrease in various benefit-related expenses.  In addition, the increase in outside service and data processing costs from the prior quarter and prior year was driven by an increase in software licensing and maintenance costs, while insurance costs increased over the prior year due to higher FDIC insurance premiums.

    Our effective tax rate was 21.9% for the fourth quarter of 2023, 22.6% for the third quarter of 2023, and 22.5% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The lower tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the prior quarter and prior year relates primarily to the effect of equity compensation transactions and return to provision differences on our tax rate during the quarter.

    Net interest income and margin - Unaudited













    For the Three Months Ended



    December 31, 2023

    September 30, 2023

    December 31,2022

    (dollars in thousands)

    Average

    Balance

    Income/

    Expense

    Yield/

    Rate(3)

    Average

    Balance

    Income/

    Expense

    Yield/

    Rate(3)

    Average

    Balance

    Income/

    Expense

    Yield/

    Rate(3)

    Interest-earning assets



















    Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits

    $     197,482

    $     2,703

    5.43 %

    $     181,784

    $     2,435

    5.31 %

    $     60,176

    $      525

    3.46 %

      Investment securities, taxable

    151,969

    1,632

    4.26 %

    148,239

    1,429

    3.82 %

    86,594

    515

    2.36 %

      Investment securities, nontaxable(2)

    7,831

    55

    2.76 %

    7,799

    55

    2.77 %

    9,987

    61

    2.42 %

      Loans(10)

    3,586,863

    44,758

    4.95 %

    3,554,478

    43,542

    4.86 %

    3,165,061

    33,939

    4.25 %

        Total interest-earning assets

    3,944,145

    49,148

    4.94 %

    3,892,300

    47,461

    4.84 %

    3,321,818

    35,040

    4.18 %

      Noninterest-earning assets

    174,717





    159,103





    162,924





        Total assets

    $4,118,862





    $4,051,403





    $3,484,742





    Interest-bearing liabilities



















    NOW accounts

    $   301,424

    656

    0.86 %

    $   297,028

    620

    0.83 %

    $   343,541

    379

    0.44 %

    Savings & money market

    1,697,144

    17,042

    3.98 %

    1,748,638

    16,908

    3.84 %

    1,529,532

    7,657

    1.99 %

    Time deposits

    759,839

    9,429

    4.92 %

    648,949

    7,602

    4.65 %

    405,907

    2,293

    2.24 %

    Total interest-bearing deposits

    2,758,407

    27,127

    3.90 %

    2,694,615

    25,130

    3.70 %

    2,278,980

    10,329

    1.80 %

    FHLB advances and other borrowings

    257,880

    2,387

    3.67 %

    264,141

    2,414

    3.63 %

    7,594

    81

    4.23 %

    Subordinated debentures

    36,305

    561

    6.13 %

    36,278

    558

    6.10 %

    36,197

    497

    5.45 %

    Total interest-bearing liabilities

    3,052,592

    30,075

    3.91 %

    2,995,034

    28,102

    3.72 %

    2,322,771

    10,907

    1.86 %

    Noninterest-bearing liabilities

    759,413





    752,433





    869,314





    Shareholders' equity

    306,857





    303,936





    292,657





    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

    $4,118,862





    $4,051,403





    $3,484,742





    Net interest spread





    1.04 %





    1.12 %





    2.32 %

    Net interest income (tax equivalent) / margin



    $19,073

    1.92 %



    $19,359

    1.97 %



    $24,133

    2.88 %

    Less:  tax-equivalent adjustment(2)



    13





    14





    14



    Net interest income



    $19,060





    $19,345





    $24,119



    [Footnotes to table located on page 6]

     

    Net interest income was $19.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a $285 thousand decrease from the third quarter of 2023, driven by a $2.0 million increase in interest expense, partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis. The increase in interest expense was driven by a $57.6 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities at an average cost of 3.91%, a 19-basis points increase over the previous quarter, partially offset by a $51.8 million increase in average interest-earning assets at an average rate of 4.94%, an increase of 10-basis points from the third quarter of 2023.  In comparison to the fourth quarter of 2022, net interest income decreased $5.1 million, resulting primarily from a $729.8 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities during the 12 months ended December 31, 2023, combined with a 205-basis point increase in the average cost.  Our net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 1.92% for the fourth quarter of 2023, a 5-basis point decrease from 1.97% for the third quarter of 2023 and a 96-basis point decrease from 2.88% for the fourth quarter of 2022.  As a result of the significant increase in the federal funds rate over the past two years, the rates on our non-maturity deposits have increased and continue to increase more quickly than the yield on our interest-earning assets, resulting in the lower net interest margin during the fourth quarter of 2023. 

    Balance sheets - Unaudited















    Ending Balance





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31

    (in thousands, except per share data)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Assets













    Cash and cash equivalents:













      Cash and due from banks

    $

    28,020

    17,395

    24,742

    22,213

    18,788

      Federal funds sold



    119,349

    127,714

    170,145

    242,642

    101,277

      Interest-bearing deposits with banks



    8,801

    7,283

    10,183

    7,350

    50,809

        Total cash and cash equivalents



    156,170

    152,392

    205,070

    272,205

    170,874

    Investment securities:













      Investment securities available for sale



    134,702

    144,035

    91,548

    94,036

    93,347

      Other investments



    19,939

    19,600

    12,550

    10,097

    10,833

        Total investment securities



    154,641

    163,635

    104,098

    104,133

    104,180

    Mortgage loans held for sale



    7,194

    7,117

    15,781

    6,979

    3,917

    Loans (5)



    3,602,627

    3,553,632

    3,537,616

    3,417,945

    3,273,363

    Less allowance for credit losses



    (40,682)

    (41,131)

    (41,105)

    (40,435)

    (38,639)

        Loans, net



    3,561,945

    3,512,501

    3,496,511

    3,377,510

    3,234,724

    Bank owned life insurance



    52,501

    52,140

    51,791

    51,453

    51,122

    Property and equipment, net



    94,301

    95,743

    96,964

    97,806

    99,183

    Deferred income taxes



    12,200

    13,078

    12,356

    12,087

    12,522

    Other assets



    16,837

    23,351

    19,536

    15,967

    15,459

        Total assets

    $

    4,055,789

    4,019,957

    4,002,107

    3,938,140

    3,691,981

    Liabilities













    Deposits

    $

    3,379,564

    3,347,771

    3,433,018

    3,426,774

    3,133,864

    FHLB Advances



    275,000

    275,000

    180,000

    125,000

    175,000

    Subordinated debentures



    36,322

    36,295

    36,268

    36,241

    36,214

    Other liabilities



    52,436

    56,993

    51,307

    50,775

    52,391

        Total liabilities



    3,743,322

    3,716,059

    3,700,593

    3,638,790

    3,397,469

    Shareholders' equity













    Preferred stock - $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized



    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    Common Stock - $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized



    81

    81

    81

    80

    80

    Nonvested restricted stock



    (3,596)

    (4,065)

    (4,051)

    (4,462)

    (3,306)

    Additional paid-in capital



    121,777

    121,757

    120,912

    120,683

    119,027

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss



    (11,342)

    (15,255)

    (12,710)

    (11,775)

    (13,410)

    Retained earnings



    205,547

    201,380

    197,282

    194,824

    192,121

        Total shareholders' equity



    312,467

    303,898

    301,514

    299,350

    294,512

        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

    $

    4,055,789

    4,019,957

    4,002,107

    3,938,140

    3,691,981

    Common Stock













    Book value per common share

    $

    38.63

    37.57

    37.42

    37.16

    36.76

    Stock price:













      High



    37.15

    30.18

    31.34

    45.05

    49.50

      Low



    25.16

    24.22

    21.33

    30.70

    41.46

      Period end



    37.10

    26.94

    24.75

    30.70

    45.75

    Common shares outstanding



    8,088

    8,089

    8,058

    8,048

    8,011

    [Footnotes to table located on page 6]

















     

    Asset quality measures - Unaudited





    Quarter Ended





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31

    (dollars in thousands)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Nonperforming Assets













    Commercial













      Non-owner occupied RE

    $

    1,423

    1,615

    754

    1,384

    247

      Commercial business



    319

    404

    137

    1,196

    182

    Consumer













      Real estate



    985

    1,228

    1,053

    1,075

    1,099

      Home equity



    1,236

    1,068

    1,072

    1,078

    1,099

    Total nonaccrual loans



    3,963

    4,315

    3,016

    4,733

    2,627

    Other real estate owned



    -

    -

    -

    -

    -

    Total nonperforming assets

    $

    3,963

    4,315

    3,016

    4,733

    2,627

    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of:













      Total assets



    0.10 %

    0.11 %

    0.08 %

    0.12 %

    0.07 %

      Total loans



    0.11 %

    0.12 %

    0.09 %

    0.14 %

    0.08 %

    Classified assets/tier 1 capital plus allowance for credit losses



    4.25 %

    4.72 %

    4.68 %

    5.10 %

    4.71 %





    Quarter Ended





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31

    (dollars in thousands)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Allowance for Credit Losses













    Balance, beginning of period

    $

    41,131

    41,105

    40,435

    38,639

    36,317

    Loans charged-off



    (119)

    (42)

    (440)

    (161)

    -

    Recoveries of loans previously charged-off



    310

    168

    15

    102

    22

      Net loans (charged-off) recovered



    191

    126

    (425)

    (59)

    22

    Provision for (reversal of) credit losses



    (640)

    (100)

    1,095

    1,855

    2,300

    Balance, end of period

    $

    40,682

    41,131

    41,105

    40,435

    38,639

    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans



    1.13 %

    1.16 %

    1.16 %

    1.18 %

    1.18 %

    Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans



    1,026.58 %

    953.25 %

    1,363.11 %

    854.33 %

    1,470.74 %

    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans QTD (annualized)



    (0.02 %)

    (0.01 %)

    0.05 %

    0.01 %

    0.00 %

     

    Total nonperforming assets decreased by $352 thousand during the fourth quarter of 2023, and represented 0.10% of total assets, a decrease compared to 0.11% for the third quarter of 2023 and an increase compared to 0.07% for the fourth quarter of 2022. While we added two new relationships to nonaccrual during the fourth quarter of 2023, there were also three relationships either returned to accrual status or paid off during the quarter. In addition, our classified asset ratio decreased to 4.25% for the fourth quarter of 2023 from 4.72% in the third quarter of 2023 and from 4.71% in the fourth quarter of 2022.

    At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $40.7 million, or 1.13% of total loans, compared to $41.1 million, or 1.16% of total loans at September 30, 2023, and $38.6 million, or 1.18% of total loans, at December 31, 2022. We had net recoveries of $191 thousand, or 0.02% annualized, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to net recoveries of $126 thousand for the third quarter of 2023 and net recoveries of $22 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2022. There was a reversal of the provision for credit losses of $640 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a reversal of $100 thousand for the third quarter of 2023 and a provision of $2.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The provision reversal was driven by lower expected loss rates resulting from low charge-offs during the quarter and year, combined with a lower specific reserve for individually assessed loans during the current quarter as several loans were paid off or returned to accruing status.

    LOAN COMPOSITION - Unaudited







    Quarter Ended





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31

    (dollars in thousands)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Commercial













    Owner occupied RE

    $

    631,657

    637,038

    613,874

    615,094

    612,901

    Non-owner occupied RE



    942,529

    937,749

    951,536

    928,059

    862,579

    Construction



    150,680

    119,629

    115,798

    94,641

    109,726

    Business



    500,161

    500,253

    511,719

    495,161

    468,112

    Total commercial loans



    2,225,027

    2,194,669

    2,192,927

    2,132,955

    2,053,318

    Consumer













    Real estate



    1,082,429

    1,074,679

    1,047,904

    993,258

    931,278

    Home equity



    183,004

    180,856

    185,584

    180,974

    179,300

    Construction



    63,348

    54,210

    61,044

    71,137

    80,415

    Other



    48,819

    49,218

    50,157

    39,621

    29,052

    Total consumer loans



    1,377,600

    1,358,963

    1,344,689

    1,284,990

    1,220,045

    Total gross loans, net of deferred fees    



    3,602,627

    3,553,632

    3,537,616

    3,417,945

    3,273,363

    Less—allowance for credit losses



    (40,682)

    (41,131)

    (41,105)

    (40,435)

    (38,639)

    Total loans, net

    $

    3,561,945

    3,512,501

    3,496,511

    3,377,510

    3,234,724

     

    DEPOSIT COMPOSITION - Unaudited







    Quarter Ended





    December 31

    September 30

    June 30

    March 31

    December 31

    (dollars in thousands)



    2023

    2023

    2023

    2023

    2022

    Non-interest bearing

    $

    674,167

    675,409

    698,084

    740,534

    804,115

    Interest bearing:













       NOW accounts



    310,218

    306,667

    308,762

    303,743

    318,030

       Money market accounts



    1,605,278

    1,685,736

    1,692,900

    1,748,562

    1,506,418

       Savings



    31,669

    34,737

    36,243

    39,706

    40,673

       Time, less than $250,000



    190,167

    125,506

    114,691

    106,679

    89,877

       Time and out-of-market deposits, $250,000 and over



    568,065

    519,716

    582,338

    487,550

    374,751

    Total deposits

    $

    3,379,564

    3,347,771

    3,433,018

    3,426,774

    3,133,864

     

    Footnotes to tables:



     (1) Total revenue is the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.

     (2) The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income adjusts the yield for assets earning tax-exempt income to a comparable yield on a taxable basis.

     (3) Annualized for the respective three-month period.

     (4) Noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.

     (5) Excludes mortgage loans held for sale.

     (6) Excludes out of market deposits and time deposits greater than $250,000 totaling $568,065,000.

     (7) December 31, 2023 ratios are preliminary.

     (8) The common equity tier 1 ratio is calculated as the sum of common equity divided by risk-weighted assets.

     (9) The tangible common equity ratio is calculated as total equity less preferred stock divided by total assets. 

    (10) Includes mortgage loans held for sale.

     

    About Southern First Bancshares

    Southern First Bancshares, Inc., Greenville, South Carolina is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina.  The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank, is the second largest bank headquartered in South Carolina.  Southern First Bank has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates in 12 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. Southern First Bancshares has consolidated assets of approximately $4.1 billion and its common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SFST."  More information can be found at www.southernfirst.com.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective.  Such forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "preliminary", "intend," "plan," "target," "continue," "lasting," and "project," as well as similar expressions.  Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate.  Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized.  The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by our company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by our company will be achieved.

    The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (2) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the company conducts operations may be different than expected; (3) the rate of delinquencies and amounts of charge-offs, the level of allowance for credit loss, the rates of loan and deposit growth as well as pricing of each product, or adverse changes in asset quality in our loan portfolio, which may result in increased credit risk-related losses and expenses; (4) changes in legislation, regulation, policies, or administrative practices, whether by judicial, governmental, or legislative action, including, but not limited to, changes affecting oversight of the financial services industry or consumer protection; (5) the impact of changes to Congress on the regulatory landscape and capital markets; (6) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) could continue to have a negative impact on the company; (7) changes in interest rates, which may continue to affect the company's net income, interest expense, prepayment penalty income, mortgage banking income, and other future cash flows, or the market value of the company's assets, including its investment securities; (8) elevated inflation which may cause adverse risk to the overall economy, and could indirectly pose challenges to our clients and to our business; (9) any increase in FDIC assessments which have increased and may continue to increase our cost of doing business; and (10) changes in accounting principles, policies, practices, or guidelines.  Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in our reports (such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company or any person acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements above.  We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

    FINANCIAL & MEDIA CONTACT:

    ART SEAVER  864-679-9010

    WEB SITE: www.southernfirst.com

    Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southern-first-reports-results-for-2023-302037453.html

    SOURCE Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

    Get the next $SFST alert in real time by email

    Chat with this insight

    Save time and jump to the most important pieces.

    Recent Analyst Ratings for
    $SFST

    DatePrice TargetRatingAnalyst
    1/3/2024$34.00 → $44.00Neutral → Overweight
    Piper Sandler
    12/5/2022$51.00Neutral
    Piper Sandler
    8/1/2022$52.00 → $50.00Buy → Neutral
    DA Davidson
    More analyst ratings

    $SFST
    Press Releases

    Fastest customizable press release news feed in the world

    See more
    • Southern First Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

      GREENVILLE, S.C., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. "We are pleased to report our first quarter results, which reflect our continued momentum and a great start to the year. We had exceptional loan and deposit growth and another quarter of solid margin expansion. We are well positioned for any additional Fed moves but are confident in our ability to increase profitability without them. Asset quality, which has alwa

      4/22/25 7:15:00 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Promotes Wes Wilbanks to Chief Credit Officer

      GREENVILLE, S.C., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Wes Wilbanks to Chief Credit Officer and Executive Vice President. Wilbanks joined the Southern First team in 2021 as Senior Credit Risk Officer, focusing on supporting relationship growth as well as overall loan portfolio administration and management. A 25-year banking veteran, he is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School and LSU Graduate School of Banking. Before joining Southern First,

      4/10/25 2:49:00 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Appoints Blair Miller as Chief Retail Experience Officer

      GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blair Miller as Chief Retail Experience Officer and Executive Vice President. Miller is a passionate leader with over 20 years of experience, most recently serving as Area Manager and Senior Vice President at Pinnacle Financial Partners for 12 years. As head of Southern First's retail banking team, he will enhance the level of exceptional service and authentic hospitality the bank provides for clients.

      2/20/25 2:30:00 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Insider Purchases

    Insider purchases reveal critical bullish sentiment about the company from key stakeholders. See them live in this feed.

    See more
    • Director Locke Anna T bought $13,324 worth of shares (360 units at $37.01), increasing direct ownership by 16% to 2,582 units (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      2/13/25 2:02:27 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Director Grayson-Caprio Terry bought $6,795 worth of shares (160 units at $42.47) (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      12/18/24 4:38:11 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Locke Anna T bought $2,916 worth of shares (90 units at $32.40), increasing direct ownership by 4% to 2,222 units (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      3/13/24 3:15:54 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Financials

    Live finance-specific insights

    See more
    • Southern First Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

      GREENVILLE, S.C., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. "We are pleased to report our first quarter results, which reflect our continued momentum and a great start to the year. We had exceptional loan and deposit growth and another quarter of solid margin expansion. We are well positioned for any additional Fed moves but are confident in our ability to increase profitability without them. Asset quality, which has alwa

      4/22/25 7:15:00 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

      GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024. "Our financial performance this quarter reflects continued momentum in margin and gives us great optimism as a starting point for 2025. Asset quality remained outstanding with excellent performance metrics and a positive outlook. Our balance sheet performed as we expected with the Fed's interest rate cuts, and our margin continued to expand each quar

      1/28/25 7:15:00 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Reports Results for Third Quarter 2024

      GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024. "Our third quarter results continued our positive momentum and outlook this year. Our focus on building a high-quality balance sheet again rewarded us with outstanding asset quality performance, which is among the industry's best. We are well-positioned for increasing profitability in this operating environment despite persistent growth headwinds and unc

      10/22/24 7:15:00 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Leadership Updates

    Live Leadership Updates

    See more
    • Southern First Appoints Blair Miller as Chief Retail Experience Officer

      GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blair Miller as Chief Retail Experience Officer and Executive Vice President. Miller is a passionate leader with over 20 years of experience, most recently serving as Area Manager and Senior Vice President at Pinnacle Financial Partners for 12 years. As head of Southern First's retail banking team, he will enhance the level of exceptional service and authentic hospitality the bank provides for clients.

      2/20/25 2:30:00 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • SOUTHERN FIRST APPOINTS CHRIS ZYCH AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

      GREENVILLE, S.C., May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Zych as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Zych joins Southern First with 30 years of experience in the banking industry, most recently serving as Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at United Community Bank for the last decade. Zych is a highly accomplished leader with a proven track record of financial management and analysis, formulation and execution of c

      5/6/24 7:42:00 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • SOUTHERN FIRST APPOINTS ANDY BORRMANN AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

      GREENVILLE, S.C., April 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Borrmann as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Borrmann joins Southern First with nearly 30 years of experience in the financial industry. After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in finance in 1996, Borrmann spent over a decade as a bank analyst for SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and Morgan Keegan reporting on regional and community banks. For the pas

      4/3/23 3:03:00 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Analyst Ratings

    Analyst ratings in real time. Analyst ratings have a very high impact on the underlying stock. See them live in this feed.

    See more
    • Southern First Bancshares upgraded by Piper Sandler with a new price target

      Piper Sandler upgraded Southern First Bancshares from Neutral to Overweight and set a new price target of $44.00 from $34.00 previously

      1/3/24 8:27:42 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Southern First Bancshares with a new price target

      Piper Sandler initiated coverage of Southern First Bancshares with a rating of Neutral and set a new price target of $51.00

      12/5/22 7:30:16 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Bancshares downgraded by DA Davidson with a new price target

      DA Davidson downgraded Southern First Bancshares from Buy to Neutral and set a new price target of $50.00 from $52.00 previously

      8/1/22 7:28:21 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    SEC Filings

    See more
    • SEC Form 10-Q filed by Southern First Bancshares Inc.

      10-Q - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Filer)

      5/5/25 2:30:23 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Southern First Bancshares Inc. filed SEC Form 8-K: Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Regulation FD Disclosure, Financial Statements and Exhibits

      8-K - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Filer)

      4/22/25 7:22:18 AM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • SEC Form DEF 14A filed by Southern First Bancshares Inc.

      DEF 14A - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Filer)

      4/7/25 4:55:36 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Large Ownership Changes

    This live feed shows all institutional transactions in real time.

    See more
    • Amendment: SEC Form SC 13G/A filed by Southern First Bancshares Inc.

      SC 13G/A - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Subject)

      11/14/24 1:28:29 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Amendment: SEC Form SC 13G/A filed by Southern First Bancshares Inc.

      SC 13G/A - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Subject)

      11/12/24 5:56:28 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Amendment: SEC Form SC 13G/A filed by Southern First Bancshares Inc.

      SC 13G/A - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Subject)

      11/4/24 1:56:18 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance

    $SFST
    Insider Trading

    Insider transactions reveal critical sentiment about the company from key stakeholders. See them live in this feed.

    See more
    • Director Locke Anna T bought $13,324 worth of shares (360 units at $37.01), increasing direct ownership by 16% to 2,582 units (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      2/13/25 2:02:27 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • Chief Financial Officer Zych Christian J was granted 2,100 shares, increasing direct ownership by 105% to 4,100 units (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      2/4/25 4:29:11 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance
    • President Hurst Calvin C was granted 3,850 shares, increasing direct ownership by 35% to 14,992 units (SEC Form 4)

      4 - SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (0001090009) (Issuer)

      2/4/25 4:21:24 PM ET
      $SFST
      Major Banks
      Finance