Southern First recognized as an exceptional top performer
November 2, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST) holding company for Southern First Bank, has been named by Sandler O’Neill + Partners as one of the nation’s top performing small-cap banks, included in the firm’s Sm-All Stars Class of 2015.
The 2015 Sm-All-Star Class includes 34 banks. To identify the small-cap companies that made the list, Sandler O’Neill evaluated all 435 publicly traded banks and thrifts with a market cap below $2.5 billion. To incorporate a liquidity restraint, the pollsters placed a $25 million cutoff at the low-end of the market cap range.
“This distinguished recognition is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team. We are pleased to be identified as one of the top performing small-cap banks in the country,” stated Art Seaver, Chief Executive Officer.
The Sm-All Stars designation was established to identify the top performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the United States. Performance metrics of Sm-All Star institutions are exceptional, exceeding the industry metrics. Companies were selected based on various financial screening criteria, including growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength.
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 consists of Southern First Bank, the third largest bank headquartered in South Carolina. Southern First Bancshares has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates in nine locations in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets of South Carolina. Southern First Bancshares has assets of approximately $1.2 billion and its common stock is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SFST.” More information can be found at www.southernfirst.com.
