Form 8-K SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARE For: Aug 22

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)     August 22, 2016     

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))

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ITEM 8.01. Other Events

On August 22, 2016, Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, issued a press release announcing its expansion to Raleigh, North Carolina and the hiring of three individuals to lead the expansion into the Triangle Region.

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

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c)     Exhibits

	Exhibit No.		Exhibit
	99.1		Press Release dated August 22, 2016.

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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/	Michael D. Dowling
	Name:		Michael D. Dowling
	Title:		Chief Financial Officer

August 22, 2016

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated August 22, 2016.

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Exhibit 99.1

Southern First Bank expands to Raleigh / Triangle market
Jonathan Taylor, Mike Stellar, and Monica Navarro will provide leadership

Greenville, South Carolina – August 22, 2016 – Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), holding company for Southern First Bank, announces its expansion to Raleigh, North Carolina and the greater Triangle market. The Bank intends to establish a loan production office as an initial presence and will establish a full service office once the physical logistics are finalized.

The expansion to the Triangle market will be led by Jonathan Taylor, Executive Vice President and Triangle Market Executive. Taylor provides over 20 years of banking experience in the Triangle market, most recently as a banking executive with Paragon Bank. Taylor is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he also received his graduate degree. His community involvement includes the Advisory Board of Band Together, the Just Right Academy in Chapel Hill, Apex United Methodist Church, and he is active in the community scouting program as a previous Eagle Scout. Taylor is also a previous recipient of the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Leadership Award in recognition of his professional and community service.

Mike Stellar, Senior Vice President, will also join Southern First to provide leadership in the Triangle market. Stellar is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has over 20 years of banking experience in the Triangle area. Stellar’s community involvement includes the Western Wake Crisis Ministry, Junior Achievement, and the Apex Rotary Club where he was awarded the Rotarian of the Year for 2010-2011.

Monica Navarro, Vice President will also be joining the Southern First leadership team in the Triangle market. Navarro is a graduate of Florida International University and has over 15 years of banking experience in the Triangle market including Treasury Management and Private Banking services. Navarro is active in the community and provides leadership to Junior Achievement, Helping Hands Ministry, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and the Salvation Army.

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 currently operates in nine locations in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets of South Carolina. Southern First Bancshares has assets of approximately $1.3 billion, a current market capitalization of approximately $170 million, and its common stock is traded in the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SFST.” More information can be found at www.southernfirst.com.

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