8-K

SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC (SFST)

8-K 2025-07-22 For: 2025-07-22
View Original
Added on April 07, 2026

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)     July 22, 2025

SouthernFirst Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

000-27719 58-2459561
(Commission<br> File Number) (IRS<br> Employer Identification No.)
6 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, SC 29607
(Address<br> of principal executive offices) (Zip<br> Code)

(864) 679-9000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

100Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100, Greenville, SC

(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. ¨

ITEM2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 22, 2025, Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, issued a press release announcing its financial results for the period ended June 30, 2025.  The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

A copy of a slide presentation also highlighting Southern First Bancshares, Inc. financial results for the period ended June 30, 2025 is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The slide presentation also will be available on our website, www.southernfirst.com, under the “Investor Relations” section.

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits The<br>following exhibit index lists the exhibits that are either filed or furnished with the Current Report on Form 8-K.

EXHIBIT

INDEX


Exhibit<br> No. Description
99.1 Earnings Press Release for the period ended June 30, 2025.
99.2 Slide<br>Presentation.
104 Cover<br>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<br> J. Zych
Name: Christian J. Zych
Title: Chief Financial Officer

July 22, 2025

Exhibit 99.1

Southern First Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

Greenville, South Carolina, July 22, 2025 – Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, today announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2025.

“Our second quarter results reflect the strength of our team who continues to generate high-quality, profitable growth in our vibrant markets. We had another quarter of solid margin expansion, a testament to our pricing focus and discipline on both sides of the balance sheet. This quarter was one of the highest revenue generating quarters in our 25-year history with total revenue growing 24% over the same quarter a year ago. Our business pipelines are strong, which will provide for healthy growth in the foreseeable future, supported by our solid balance sheet. Our asset quality is among the best in the industry. We are not immune to the potential effects of the broader and ever-changing operating environment, but we are confident in our ability to deliver improving financial performance as we have demonstrated so far this year,” stated Art Seaver, Chief Executive Officer. “This quarter we were proud to announce the addition of three new Board members, who are located across our markets and have already begun to make valuable contributions to the leadership of our company through their incredible backgrounds of community involvement and professional expertise. We also continue to attract highly talented and experienced bankers who share our passion for impacting lives by delivering the highest level of client and community service. They provide excellent opportunities to add depth in existing areas and to expand within our footprint. We have a great sense of enthusiasm and optimism about our outlook for the remainder of this year and beyond.”

2025 Second Quarter Highlights

· Diluted earnings per common share of $0.81, up $0.16, or 25%, from Q1 2025, and $0.44, or 119%, compared to Q2 2024
· Net interest margin of 2.50%, compared to 2.41% for Q1 2025 and 1.98% for Q2 2024
--- ---
· Total loans of $3.7 billion, up 7% (annualized) from Q1 2025; core deposits of $2.9 billion, up 7% (annualized) from Q1 2025
--- ---
· Nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.27% and past due loans to total loans of 0.14%
--- ---
· Book value per common share of $42.23 increased 9% (annualized) from Q1 2025 and 8% compared to Q2 2024; Tangible Common Equity (TCE) ratio of 8.02%
--- ---
Quarter Ended
--- --- --- --- --- ---
June 30 March 31 December 31 September 30 June 30
2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Earnings<br> ( in thousands, except per share data):
Net<br> income available to common shareholders 6,581 5,266 5,627 4,382 2,999
Earnings<br> per common share, diluted 0.81 0.65 0.70 0.54 0.37
Total<br> revenue(1) 28,629 26,497 25,237 23,766 23,051
Net<br> interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2) 2.50% 2.41% 2.25% 2.08% 1.98%
Return<br> on average assets(3) 0.63% 0.52% 0.54% 0.43% 0.29%
Return<br> on average equity(3) 7.71% 6.38% 6.80% 5.40% 3.81%
Efficiency<br> ratio(4) 67.54% 71.08% 73.48% 75.90% 80.87%
Noninterest<br> expense to average assets (3) 1.86% 1.87% 1.78% 1.75% 1.81%
Balance<br> Sheet ( in thousands):
Total<br> loans(5) 3,746,841 3,683,919 3,631,767 3,619,556 3,622,521
Total<br> deposits 3,636,329 3,620,886 3,435,765 3,518,825 3,459,869
Core<br> deposits(6) 2,867,193 2,820,194 2,661,736 2,705,429 2,788,223
Total<br> assets 4,308,067 4,284,311 4,087,593 4,174,631 4,109,849
Book<br> value per common share 42.23 41.33 40.47 40.04 39.09
Loans<br> to deposits 103.04% 101.74% 105.70% 102.86% 104.70%
Holding<br> Company Capital Ratios(7):
Total<br> risk-based capital ratio 12.63% 12.69% 12.70% 12.61% 12.77%
Tier<br> 1 risk-based capital ratio 11.11% 11.15% 11.16% 10.99% 10.80%
Leverage<br> ratio 8.73% 8.79% 8.55% 8.50% 8.27%
Common<br> equity tier 1 ratio(8) 10.71% 10.75% 10.75% 10.58% 10.39%
Tangible<br> common equity(9) 8.02% 7.88% 8.08% 7.82% 7.76%
Asset<br> Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming<br> assets/total assets 0.27% 0.26% 0.27% 0.28% 0.27%
Classified<br> assets/tier one capital plus allowance for credit losses 4.28% 4.24% 4.25% 4.35% 4.22%
Accruing<br> loans 30 days or more past due/loans(5) 0.14% 0.27% 0.18% 0.09% 0.06%
Net<br> charge-offs (recoveries)/average loans(5) (YTD annualized) 0.00% 0.00% 0.04% 0.05% 0.07%
Allowance<br> for credit losses/loans(5) 1.10% 1.10% 1.10% 1.11% 1.11%
Allowance<br> for credit losses/nonaccrual loans 362.35% 378.09% 366.94% 346.78% 357.95%

All values are in US Dollars.

[Footnotes to table located on page 6]

incomestatements – Unaudited

Quarter Ended Jun 30 2025 -
Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31 Sept 30 Jun 30 Jun 30 2024
(in<br> thousands, except per share data) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 % Change
Interest income
Loans $ 48,992 47,085 47,163 47,550 46,545 5.26%
Investment<br> securities 1,357 1,403 1,504 1,412 1,418 (4.30%)
Federal<br> funds sold 1,969 1,159 2,465 2,209 2,583 (23.77%)
Total<br> interest income 52,318 49,647 51,132 51,171 50,546 3.51%
Interest expense
Deposits 24,300 23,569 25,901 27,725 28,216 (13.88%)
Borrowings 2,723 2,695 2,773 2,855 2,802 (2.82%)
Total<br> interest expense 27,023 26,264 28,674 30,580 31,018 (12.88%)
Net<br> interest income 25,295 23,383 22,458 20,591 19,528 29.53%
Provision<br> (reversal) for credit losses 700 750 (200) - 500 40.00%
Net<br> interest income after provision for credit losses 24,595 22,633 22,658 20,591 19,028 29.26%
Noninterest income
Mortgage<br> banking income 1,569 1,424 1,024 1,449 1,923 (18.41%)
Service<br> fees on deposit accounts 567 539 499 455 423 34.04%
ATM<br> and debit card income 586 552 607 599 587 (0.17%)
Income<br> from bank owned life insurance 413 403 407 401 384 7.55%
Other<br> income 199 196 242 271 206 (3.40%)
Total<br> noninterest income 3,334 3,114 2,779 3,175 3,523 (5.36%)
Noninterest expense
Compensation<br> and benefits 11,674 11,304 10,610 10,789 11,290 3.40%
Occupancy 2,523 2,548 2,587 2,595 2,552 (1.14%)
Outside<br> service and data processing costs 2,189 2,037 2,003 1,930 1,962 11.57%
Insurance 910 1,010 1,077 1,025 965 (5.70%)
Professional<br> fees 609 509 656 548 582 4.64%
Marketing 397 374 335 319 389 2.06%
Other 1,034 1,054 1,276 833 903 14.40%
Total<br> noninterest expenses 19,336 18,836 18,544 18,039 18,643 3.72%
Income<br> before provision for income taxes 8,593 6,911 6,893 5,727 3,908 119.88%
Income tax expense 2,012 1,645 1,266 1,345 909 121.34%
Net income available to common shareholders $ 6,581 5,266 5,627 4,382 2,999 119.44%
Earnings<br> per common share – Basic $ 0.81 0.65 0.70 0.54 0.37
Earnings<br> per common share – Diluted 0.81 0.65 0.70 0.54 0.37
Basic<br> weighted average common shares 8,119 8,078 8,023 8,064 8,126
Diluted<br> weighted average common shares 8,134 8,111 8,097 8,089 8,141

[Footnotes to table located on page 6]

Net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $6.6 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, a $1.3 million increase from the first quarter of 2025 and a $3.6 million increase from the second quarter of 2024. Net interest income increased $1.9 million during the second quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2025, and increased $5.8 million, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest income from the prior quarter and prior year was primarily driven by an increase in interest income on loans, combined with a decrease in interest expense on deposits.

The provision for credit losses was $700 thousand for the second quarter of 2025 compared to a provision for credit losses of $750 thousand for the first quarter of 2025 and $500 thousand for the second quarter of 2024. The provision during the second quarter of 2025 includes a $650 thousand provision for credit losses and a $50 thousand provision for the reserve for unfunded commitments. The provision for credit losses in the second quarter of 2025 was primarily driven by a $62.9 million increase in total loans.

Noninterest income was $3.3 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $3.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, and $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2024. Mortgage banking income continues to be the largest component of noninterest income at $1.6 million in fee revenue for the second quarter of 2025, $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, and $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2024. Mortgage origination volume increased slightly in the second quarter of 2025, driving the increase in revenue from the prior quarter.

2

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 was $19.3 million, a $500 thousand increase from the first quarter of 2025, and a $693 thousand increase from the second quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest expense from the previous quarter was driven by an increase in compensation and benefits, outside service and data processing costs, and professional fees, offset in part by a decrease in insurance expense. The increase in noninterest expense from the previous year related primarily to increases in compensation and benefits, outside service and data processing costs, and other noninterest expenses.

The effective tax rate was 23.4% for the second quarter of 2025, 23.8% for the first quarter of 2025, and 23.3% for the second quarter of 2024. The changes in the effective tax rate are driven by the effect of equity compensation transactions during the quarter.

Net interest income and margin- Unaudited

For<br> the Three Months Ended
June<br> 30, 2025 March<br> 31, 2025 June<br> 30, 2024
(dollars<br> in thousands) Average<br> Balance Average<br> Balance Average<br> Balance
Interest-earning assets
Federal<br> funds sold and interest-bearing deposits 179,095 107,821 186,584
Investment<br> securities, taxable 141,898 143,609 133,507
Investment<br> securities, nontaxable^(2)^ 7,740 7,914 8,027
Loans^(10)^ 3,724,064 3,673,912 3,645,595
Total<br> interest-earning assets 4,052,797 3,933,256 3,973,713
Noninterest-earning<br> assets 154,051 157,053 165,093
Total<br> assets 4,206,848 4,090,309 4,138,806
Interest-bearing liabilities
NOW<br> accounts 331,811 306,707 302,881
Savings<br> & money market 1,566,345 1,520,632 1,611,991
Time<br> deposits 942,880 930,282 898,878
Total<br> interest-bearing deposits 2,841,036 2,757,621 2,813,750
FHLB<br> advances and other borrowings 240,000 240,000 240,000
Subordinated<br> debentures 24,903 24,903 36,360
Total<br> interest-bearing liabilities 3,105,939 3,022,524 3,090,110
Noninterest-bearing<br> liabilities 758,626 732,761 731,843
Shareholders’<br> equity 342,283 335,024 316,853
Total<br> liabilities and shareholders’ equity 4,206,848 4,090,309 4,138,806
Net<br> interest spread
Net<br> interest income (tax equivalent) / margin
Less:<br> tax-equivalent adjustment^(2)^
Net<br> interest income

All values are in US Dollars.

[Footnotes to table located on page 6]

Net interest income was $25.3 million for the second quarter of 2025, a $1.9 million increase from the first quarter of 2025, driven by a $2.7 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $759 thousand increase in interest expense. The increase in interest income was driven by an increase in the yield on interest-earning assets, as loan yield increased eight basis points and the yield on Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits increased by five basis points over the previous quarter, combined with a four basis point decrease in the rate on our interest-bearing deposits over the previous quarter. In comparison to the second quarter of 2024, net interest income increased $5.8 million, resulting primarily from a 60 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits. Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.50% for the second quarter of 2025, a nine basis point increase from 2.41% for the first quarter of 2025 and a 52 basis point increase from 1.98% for the second quarter of 2024.

3

Balance sheets - Unaudited

Ending Balance Jun 30 2025 –
Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31 Sep 30 Jun 30 Jun 30 2024
(in<br> thousands, except per share data) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 % Change
Assets
Cash<br> and cash equivalents:
Cash<br> and due from banks 25,184 24,904 22,553 25,289 21,567 16.77%
Federal<br> funds sold 180,834 263,612 128,452 226,110 164,432 9.97%
Interest-bearing<br> deposits with banks 65,014 16,541 11,858 9,176 8,828 636.45%
Total<br> cash and cash equivalents 271,032 305,057 162,863 260,575 194,827 39.11%
Investment<br> securities:
Investment<br> securities available for sale 128,867 131,290 132,127 134,597 121,353 6.19%
Other<br> investments 19,906 19,927 19,490 19,640 18,653 6.72%
Total<br> investment securities 148,773 151,217 151,617 154,237 140,006 6.26%
Mortgage<br> loans held for sale 10,739 11,524 4,565 8,602 14,759 (27.24%)
Loans<br> (5) 3,746,841 3,683,919 3,631,767 3,619,556 3,622,521 3.43%
Less<br> allowance for credit losses (41,285) (40,687) (39,914) (40,166) (40,157) 2.81%
Loans,<br> net 3,705,556 3,643,232 3,591,853 3,579,390 3,582,364 3.44%
Bank<br> owned life insurance 54,886 54,473 54,070 53,663 53,263 3.05%
Property<br> and equipment, net 85,921 87,369 88,794 90,158 91,533 (6.13%)
Deferred<br> income taxes 12,971 13,080 13,467 11,595 12,339 5.12%
Other<br> assets 18,189 18,359 20,364 16,411 20,758 (12.38%)
Total<br> assets 4,308,067 4,284,311 4,087,593 4,174,631 4,109,849 4.82%
Liabilities
Deposits 3,636,329 3,620,886 3,435,765 3,518,825 3,459,869 5.10%
FHLB<br> Advances 240,000 240,000 240,000 240,000 240,000 0.00%
Subordinated<br> debentures 24,903 24,903 24,903 24,903 36,376 (31.54%)
Other<br> liabilities 61,373 60,924 56,481 64,365 54,856 11.88%
Total<br> liabilities 3,962,605 3,946,713 3,757,149 3,848,093 3,791,101 4.52%
Shareholders’<br> equity
Preferred<br> stock - .01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized - - - - -
Common<br> Stock - .01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized 82 82 82 82 82
Nonvested<br> restricted stock (2,774) (3,372) (3,884) (4,219) (4,710) (41.10%)
Additional<br> paid-in capital 124,839 124,561 124,641 124,288 124,174 0.54%
Accumulated<br> other comprehensive loss (9,609) (10,016) (11,472) (9,063) (11,866) (19.02%)
Retained<br> earnings 232,924 226,343 221,077 215,450 211,068 10.35%
Total<br> shareholders’ equity 345,462 337,598 330,444 326,538 318,748 8.38%
Total<br> liabilities and shareholders’ equity 4,308,067 4,284,311 4,087,593 4,174,631 4,109,849 4.82%
Common<br> Stock
Book<br> value per common share 42.23 41.33 40.47 40.04 39.09 8.03%
Stock<br> price:
High 38.51 38.50 44.86 36.45 30.36 26.84%
Low 30.61 31.88 33.26 27.70 25.70 19.11%
Period<br> end 38.03 32.92 39.75 34.08 29.24 30.06%
Common<br> shares outstanding 8,181 8,169 8,165 8,156 8,155 0.32%

All values are in US Dollars.

[Footnotes to table located on page 6]

4

Assetquality measures - Unaudited

Quarter Ended
June 30 March 31 December 31 September 30 June 30
(dollars<br> in thousands) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Nonperforming Assets
Commercial
Non-owner<br> occupied RE $ 6,941 6,950 7,641 7,904 7,949
Commercial<br> business 717 1,087 1,016 838 829
Consumer
Real<br> estate 3,028 2,414 1,908 2,448 1,875
Home<br> equity 708 310 312 393 565
Other - - - - -
Total<br> nonaccrual loans 11,394 10,761 10,877 11,583 11,218
Other<br> real estate owned 275 275 - - -
Total<br> nonperforming assets $ 11,669 11,036 10,877 11,583 11,218
Nonperforming<br> assets as a percentage of:
Total<br> assets 0.27% 0.26% 0.27% 0.28% 0.27%
Total<br> loans 0.31% 0.30% 0.30% 0.32% 0.31%
Classified<br> assets/tier 1 capital plus allowance for credit losses 4.28% 4.24% 4.25% 4.35% 4.22%
Quarter Ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
June 30 March 31 December 31 September 30 June 30
(dollars<br> in thousands) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance,<br> beginning of period $ 40,687 39,914 40,166 40,157 40,441
Loans<br> charged-off (68) (78) (143) (118) (1,049)
Recoveries<br> of loans previously charged-off 16 101 141 127 15
Net<br> loans (charged-off) recovered (52) 23 (2) 9 (1,034)
Provision<br> for (reversal of) credit losses 650 750 (250) - 750
Balance,<br> end of period $ 41,285 40,687 39,914 40,166 40,157
Allowance<br> for credit losses to gross loans 1.10% 1.10% 1.10% 1.11% 1.11%
Allowance<br> for credit losses to nonaccrual loans 362.35% 378.09% 366.94% 346.78% 357.95%
Net<br> charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans QTD (annualized) 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.11%

Total nonperforming assets were $11.7 million at June 30, 2025, representing 0.27% of total assets compared to 0.26% for the first quarter of 2025 and 0.27% for the second quarter of 2024. In addition, the classified asset ratio increased only slightly to 4.28% for the second quarter of 2025 from 4.24% in the first quarter of 2025 and 4.22% in the second quarter of 2024.

At June 30, 2025, the allowance for credit losses was $41.3 million, or 1.10% of total loans, compared to $40.7 million, or 1.10% of total loans at March 31, 2025, and $40.2 million, or 1.11% of total loans, at June 30, 2024. We had net charge-offs of $52 thousand, or 0.01% annualized, for the second quarter of 2025, compared to net recoveries of $23 thousand for the first quarter of 2025 and net charge-offs of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. There was a provision for credit losses of $650 thousand for the second quarter of 2025, compared to a provision for credit losses of $750 thousand for the first quarter of 2025 and a $750 thousand provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2024. The provision during the second quarter was primarily driven by growth in the loan portfolio during the quarter.

5

LOAN COMPOSITION - Unaudited

Quarter<br> Ended
June 30 March 31 December 31 September 30 June 30
(dollars<br> in thousands) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Commercial
Owner<br> occupied RE $ 686,424 673,865 651,597 642,608 642,008
Non-owner<br> occupied RE 939,163 926,246 924,367 917,642 917,034
Construction 68,421 90,021 103,204 144,665 144,968
Business 589,661 561,337 556,117 521,535 527,017
Total<br> commercial loans 2,283,669 2,251,469 2,235,285 2,226,450 2,231,027
Consumer
Real<br> estate 1,164,187 1,147,357 1,128,629 1,132,371 1,126,155
Home<br> equity 234,608 223,061 204,897 195,383 189,294
Construction 25,210 23,540 20,874 21,582 32,936
Other 39,167 38,492 42,082 43,770 43,109
Total<br> consumer loans 1,463,172 1,432,450 1,396,482 1,393,106 1,391,494
Total<br> gross loans, net of deferred fees 3,746,841 3,683,919 3,631,767 3,619,556 3,622,521
Less—allowance<br> for credit losses (41,285) (40,687) (39,914) (40,166) (40,157)
Total<br> loans, net $ 3,705,556 3,643,232 3,591,853 3,579,390 3,582,364

DEPOSIT COMPOSITION - Unaudited

Quarter<br> Ended
June 30 March 31 December 31 September 30 June 30
(dollars<br> in thousands) 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Non-interest<br> bearing 761,492 671,609 683,081 689,749 683,291
Interest<br> bearing:
NOW<br> accounts 341,903 371,052 314,588 339,412 293,875
Money<br> market accounts 1,537,400 1,563,181 1,438,530 1,423,403 1,562,786
Savings 32,334 32,945 31,976 29,283 28,739
Time,<br> less than 250,000 194,064 181,407 193,562 223,582 219,532
Time<br> and out-of-market deposits, 250,000 and over 769,136 800,692 774,028 813,396 671,646
Total<br> deposits 3,636,329 3,620,886 3,435,765 3,518,825 3,459,869

All values are in US Dollars.

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 $769,136,000.

(7) June 30, 2025 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 $4.3 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.

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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 and the office of the President 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) trade wars or a potential recession 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

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Exhibit 99.2