Form 8-K - Current report

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) October 13, 2024

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)

100 Verdae 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. ¨

ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

On October 13, 2024, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), announced that Julie A. Fairchild, 50, has been named Chief Accounting Officer of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank (the “Bank”) effective immediately. In this role, Ms. Fairchild will also serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer. In connection with Ms. Fairchild’s appointment, the Company and the Bank’s current Chief Financial Officer, Christian Zych, has stepped down from the role of principal accounting officer.

Ms. Fairchild joined the Bank in 2005, serving in various roles, most recently as Executive Vice President of Accounting and Finance. Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. Fairchild served as audit manager for Elliott Davis, LLC, a regional public accounting and consulting firm. Ms. Fairchild holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Bob Jones University and is a certified public accountant in the state of South Carolina.

Ms. Fairchild has no family relationships with any of the Company’s executive officers or directors, and there have been no related party transactions between Ms. Fairchild and the Company that are reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit index lists the exhibits that are either filed or furnished with the Current Report on Form 8-K.

Exhibit No.		Description

99.1		Press Release announcing the appointment of Julie Fairchild as chief accounting officer.

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

October 28, 2024

Exhibit 99.1

SOUTHERN FIRST NAMES JULIE FAIRCHILD CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER

Greenville, South Carolina (October 28, 2024) - Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Fairchild to Chief Accounting Officer.

Fairchild has over 25 years of accounting and finance experience and has served on the Southern First team since 2005, most recently as Executive Vice President of Accounting and Finance, overseeing the bank’s financial reporting, accounting operations, budgeting, and forecasting. During her tenure at the bank, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and financial expertise. In this new position, she will continue to lead the accounting team as well as play a crucial role in shaping the bank’s financial strategies, ensuring Southern First is well positioned for continued growth in the future.

“Julie’s impact on our company through numerous cycles and our outstanding growth has been enormous,” stated Chris Zych, the company’s Chief Financial Officer. “I know that she will continue to do the same and we are fortunate to have her as a critical part of our leadership team.”

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 $4.2 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.

Cover	Oct. 13, 2024
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 13, 2024
Entity File Number	000-27719
Entity Registrant Name	Southern First Bancshares, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001090009
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-2459561
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	SC
Entity Address, Address Line One	6 Verdae Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Greenville
Entity Address, State or Province	SC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	29607
City Area Code	864
Local Phone Number	679-9000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	SFST
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Former Address [Member]
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 Verdae Boulevard
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Greenville
Entity Address, State or Province	SC