UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) May 19, 2026

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-27719	58-2459561
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, SC	29607
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(864) 679-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	SFST	The Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The 2026 annual meeting of shareholders of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), was held on May 19, 2026 (the “Annual Meeting”). As of March 20, 2026, the record date of the Annual Meeting, 8,247,710 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A total of 7,510,163 shares (91.05%) of Southern First’s common stock, constituting a quorum, were represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

The Company’s shareholders voted on three proposals at the Annual Meeting:

the election of 16 members to our board of directors to serve a one-year term;

the non-binding resolution on our executive compensation policies and procedures; and

the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC as our independent public accountant for the year ending December 31, 2026.

The following is a summary of the voting results for each matter presented to the shareholders:

1. Election of Directors

Director’s Name	Votes For	Votes Withheld	Broker Non- Votes
Andrew B. Cajka	6,525,002	101,372	883,789
Jennifer S. Cluverius	6,612,256	14,118	883,789
Mark A. Cothran	6,601,342	25,032	883,789
Leighton M. Cubbage	6,538,966	87,408	883,789
Anne S. Ellefson	6,533,250	93,124	883,789
David G. Ellison	6,601,342	25,032	883,789
Darrin Goss, Sr.	6,612,228	14,146	883,789
Terry Grayson-Caprio	6,466,009	160,365	883,789
Tecumseh Hooper, Jr.	6,526,317	100,057	883,789
Rudolph G. Johnstone, III, M.D.	6,537,101	89,273	883,789
Ray A. Lattimore	5,771,553	854,821	883,789
Anna T. Locke	6,617,146	9,228	883,789
William A. Maner, IV	6,612,206	14,168	883,789
Billy McClatchey	6,612,667	13,707	883,789
James B. Orders, III	6,495,875	130,499	883,789
R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.	6,602,023	24,351	883,789

2. Approval of Compensation of Named Executive Officers

Votes For		Votes Against		Votes Abstained		Broker Non-Votes
6,504,371		115,546		6,457		883,789

3. Ratification of the Appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC

Votes For		Votes Against		Votes Abstained
7,438,028		72,135		-

ITEM 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 19, 2026, the Company made available the presentation (“Presentation”) prepared for the Company’s Annual Shareholders’ meeting. Attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 99.1 is the text of that Presentation.

The information contained in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report, including the information set forth in the Presentation filed as Exhibit 99.1 to, and incorporated in, this Current Report, is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description

99.1	Presentation for Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

	By:	/s/ Christian J. Zych
	Name:	Christian J. Zych
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

May 20, 2026

Exhibit 99.1

FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS

Company Overview CORPORATE PROFILE □ Headquartered in Greenville, SC x Founded in 2000 □ Efficient branch footprint in some of the most dynamic markets in the Southeast x 12 branches located in 8 fast - growing Southeast metropolitan markets □ Relationship - driven commercial banking model x Targeted clients include small to medium sized businesses, business owners and professionals x Supported by significant investment in technology □ Focused on organic growth versus M&A □ Simple business model OPERATING MARKETS leigh sto eensb ar Sou h C lina me h lin Relationship Banking with 25+ Years of Service Excellence 3

Company Overview Who We Are Our Mission Our mission is to impact lives in the communities we serve Our Culture We focus on the things that matter most: family, community, and teamwork Our Purpose We exist to enable dreams, earn trust, and exceed expectations Relationship driven with a focus on exceptional service and authentic hospitality Embrace technology and the evolution of our industry Committed to organic growth versus M&A Superb at managing risk – credit risk and enterprise risk Highly efficient delivery system – branch light footprint Located in major metro, high - growth Southeastern markets Dedicated to an entrepreneurial, team - focused culture that results in high career satisfaction Utilize a strong relationship mortgage component to augment noninterest income Proven and driven leadership team Lead and operate with wisdom and clarity 4

Company Overview Financial Snapshot for Year - End 2025 rt a 2025 Financial Highlights □ Net Income of $30.4 million, up 96% YoY □ Diluted EPS of $3.72, up 95% YoY □ NIM of 2.57% 3 , up 51bps YoY □ Total loans 1 up $213 million or 6% YoY □ Total deposits up $281 million or 8% YoY □ Retail deposits 4 up $278 million 9% YoY □ Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) to total assets of 0.32% and accruing loans 30 days or more past due loans to total loans of 0.14% □ Book value per share of $44.89, up $4.42 or 11% YoY 2025 Annual Financial Metrics $4.4 Billion Total Assets $3.8 Billion Total Loans 1 $3.7 Billion Total Deposits 8.37% TCE / TA 2 0.72% Return on Average Assets 8.73% Return on Average Equity 2.57% Net Interest Margin 3 0.00% Net Charge - offs / Average Loans Note: Financial data as of or for the period ended December 31, 2025 1) Excludes mortgage loans held for sale 2) The tangible common equity ratio is calculated as total equity less preferred stock divided by total assets 3) 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 4) Retail deposits defined as total deposits less wholesale deposits; wholesale deposits consist of brokered deposits totaling $552.9 million as of December 31, 2025 5

2026 Q1 Highlights Growth and Financial Performance Net income Earnings per share (diluted) Net Interest Margin Book value Retail deposit growth Loan growth NPAs / total assets Net charge - offs / average loans $9.9 million, up 88% YoY $1.19, up 83% YoY 2.88%, up 47 bps YoY $46.00, up 11% YoY $208 million, up 27% linked qtr. annualized $97 million, up 10% linked qtr. annualized 0.26% 0.01% 6

Key Investment Highlights Experienced, founder - led management team with 25+ year focus on creating a unique client experience and producing returns for shareholders Operating in highly attractive dynamic Southeast metro markets, resulting in scarcity value and a differentiated growth profile Long track record and demonstrated ability to produce balance sheet growth organically and through de novo market expansion Strong asset quality results driven by a robust risk management culture and a focus on relationship banking Profitability momentum highlighted by continued balance sheet repricing opportunities, improving cost of funds, and efficient delivery model 7

SFST KRX S&P 500 SFST Stock Price Performance 1000% 900% 800% 700% 600% 500% 400% 300% 200% 100% 0% (100%) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 8 Growth in Shareholder Value Over Time Note: Market data as of May 8, 2026 Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro Relative Performance S&P 500 KRX SFST 31% 20% 54% 1 - Year 75% 5% 6% 5 - Year 260% 71% 120% 10 - Year 452% 156% 776% 15 - Year

□ Strengthened our Board with the appointment of three new directors who bring diverse backgrounds across our markets □ Established an emeritus status for existing directors planning to transition off the Board at the appropriate time □ Continued to refine pay for performance compensation approach □ Equity Incentive Plan is dynamic and tied to specific three - year cumulative corporate and individual goals □ Planned opening of a new Cary, NC office in 2026 for our team already in place □ Recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks for 2026 □ Completed a public offering of $65 million in common stock to support expected growth and provide balance sheet strength; a portion of the proceeds will be used to redeem remaining $11.5 million of subordinated debt Management Updates 12