Form 8-K

8-K — SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC

Accession: 0001206774-26-000289

Filed: 2026-05-20

Period: 2026-05-19

CIK: 0001090009

SIC: 6021 (NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS)

Item: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Item: Regulation FD Disclosure

Documents

8-K — sfst4641091-8k.htm (Primary)

EX-99.1 — PRESENTATION FOR SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING (sfst4641091-ex991.htm)

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8-K — CURRENT REPORT

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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:

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

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

3. 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

EX-99.1 — PRESENTATION FOR SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING

EX-99.1

Filename: sfst4641091-ex991.htm · Sequence: 2

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

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