Southern First Bank logo

Southern First Bank in Greenville, SC

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Southern First Bank is a relationship-driven community bank headquartered in Greenville, SC with $4B in assets and 13 locations across the Southeast, offering personal and business banking services.

Data compiled from public sources

Southern First Bank Review

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST) operates Southern First Bank, a regional bank founded on a relationship-first philosophy. The bank is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and maintains 13 locations throughout the Southeast, including branches in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, and Summerville.

As of Q4 2025, the bank reported $4 billion in total assets and emphasized local ownership and leadership. Southern First offers comprehensive personal and business banking services including checking and savings accounts, online banking with mobile app access, personal service from dedicated banker teams, and loan products. The bank features digital tools like Zelle for peer-to-peer money transfers, online account management, and digital enrollment options.

Both personal and business customers can access online banking portals with username/password authentication and dedicated support lines (864-679-9000 for business, 877-679-9646 for personal accounts). The bank distinguishes itself through a stated "relationship-first" approach where each account comes with a dedicated team of bankers focused on understanding customer goals. The company emphasizes personal service and easy-to-use technology as core differentiators.

" The bank actively participates in community initiatives, receiving recognition from the Charleston Mayor for National Homeownership Month in June 2025. As a regional community bank, Southern First serves customers in growing Southeast markets. The relationship-driven model appeals to those seeking personalized banking rather than large national institutions.

However, with only 13 locations, geographic reach is limited compared to national banks. The bank's size and regional focus position it between large national banks and smaller community banks, offering both local decision-making and adequate resources.

Services & Features

Account enrollment services
Business checking and savings accounts
Business loan products
Community financial literacy programs (homeownership education)
Dedicated banker teams for account management and financial planning
Mobile banking app with Zelle integration for peer-to-peer transfers
Online banking portal for business accounts
Online banking portal for personal accounts
Password reset and account recovery services
Personal checking and savings accounts
Personal loan products
Quarterly earnings and investor relations reporting

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Dedicated banker teams assigned to each account for personalized service and relationship-based financial planning
  • Strong recent financial performance with $4 billion in assets and Q4 2025 showing 36 basis points expansion in net interest margin year-over-year
  • Multiple Southeast locations (13 branches) across growing markets including Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, and Summerville
  • Digital banking conveniences including mobile app, Zelle money transfer integration, and online account management
  • NASDAQ-listed public company (SFST) with listed quarterly earnings reports and investor relations materials
  • Community engagement with recognition for financial literacy and homeownership initiatives
  • Local ownership and leadership structure allowing for regional decision-making

Cons

  • Limited geographic footprint with only 13 locations across Southeast, not suitable for customers needing nationwide branch access
  • As a regional bank, may have higher fees or less rate claims to verify on some products compared to larger national institutions
  • Website content does not specify APRs, fees, minimum balances, or rate details for checking, savings, or loan products
  • No mention of listed products like investment services, wealth management, or insurance offerings
  • Limited information about business banking specific features or commercial lending products on public-facing website

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Banks consumers in Greenville, SC. It does not confirm that Southern First Bank or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions

Key state rules to check

  • Payday loans (deferred presentment) capped at $550 with maximum fee of 15% of the advance.
  • Borrowers limited to one outstanding loan at a time tracked via statewide database.
  • A one-day cooling-off period required between loans.

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Mortgage Lending Transparency

Southern First Bank processed 1,286 mortgage applications in 2023, with 89.7% recorded as approved across 8 states.

1,286

Applications

89.7%

Approval Rate

$369K

Avg Loan

8

States Served

Approval Rate by Applicant Income

Under $50K
58.3%
$50K–$100K
83.4%
$100K–$200K
94%
Over $200K
97%

Based on 1,286 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).

States With Recorded Applications

South Carolina 903 apps · 97%
North Carolina 140 apps · 92.1%
Georgia 137 apps · 89.1%
Florida 6 apps · 100%
Tennessee 4 apps · 100%
Virginia 2 apps · 100%

Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Southern First Bank offer?

Southern First Bank offers 12 services including Personal checking and savings accounts, Business checking and savings accounts, Online banking portal for personal accounts, Online banking portal for business accounts, Mobile banking app with Zelle integration for peer-to-peer transfers, and 7 more.

What profile signals are listed for Southern First Bank?

Southern First Bank has profile signals associated with Southeast residents (SC, GA, NC) seeking personalized banking with dedicated banker relationships over impersonal online-only banks, Small business owners in the Southeast who value local decision-making and relationship-based lending, High-net-worth individuals in Southern First's service areas who prioritize personal service and customized financial planning, Customers relocating to Southeast markets who want to establish banking relationships with roots in their new communities.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Southern First Bank?

Key strengths: Dedicated banker teams assigned to each account for personalized service and relationship-based financial planning; Strong recent financial performance with $4 billion in assets and Q4 2025 showing 36 basis points expansion in net interest margin year-over-year; Multiple Southeast locations (13 branches) across growing markets including Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, and Summerville. Areas to consider: Limited geographic footprint with only 13 locations across Southeast, not suitable for customers needing nationwide branch access; As a regional bank, may have higher fees or less rate claims to verify on some products compared to larger national institutions.

How does Southern First Bank compare to similar companies?

In the Banks category, comparable providers include 1st Federal Savings Bank of SC, Inc., Abbeville First Bank, Ssb, Bank of the Lowcountry. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Founded
2000
Headquarters
Greenville, SC
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
FDIC Insured FDIC Cert #35295
Visit Southern First Bank

CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on Southern First Bank

Southern First Bank is profile signals for Southeast residents and small business owners who prioritize personalized banker relationships and local decision-making over the convenience of nationwide branch networks. The primary caveat is limited geographic reach—this bank only serves 13 locations in the Southeast, making it unsuitable for customers needing multistate banking or frequent out-of-region access.

Profile Signals

  • Southeast residents (SC, GA, NC) seeking personalized banking with dedicated banker relationships over impersonal online-only banks
  • Small business owners in the Southeast who value local decision-making and relationship-based lending
  • High-net-worth individuals in Southern First's service areas who prioritize personal service and customized financial planning
  • Customers relocating to Southeast markets who want to establish banking relationships with roots in their new communities
Updated 2026-05-08

Similar Companies

1st Federal Savings Bank of SC, Inc. logo

1st Federal Savings Bank of SC, Inc.

FDIC-insured South Carolina bank established in 1963, offering checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, and loan products with rate claims to verify and local community focus.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: South Carolina residents seeking FDIC-insured deposit accounts with local banking relationships, Customers prioritizing relationship banking with experienced, long-tenured staff

Abbeville First Bank, Ssb logo

Abbeville First Bank, Ssb

Abbeville First Bank is a South Carolina-based community bank serving Abbeville County for over 115 years, offering personal and business banking with emphasis on local service and homeownership.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: Abbeville County residents seeking local banking relationships and personalized service, Homebuyers in the region who value the bank's demonstrated mortgage lending experience context

Bank of the Lowcountry logo

Bank of the Lowcountry

Community bank with branches in South Carolina offering personal and business banking, loans, and financial literacy resources.

BBB: NR

Profile signals: South Carolina residents seeking personalized relationship banking with local experts, Small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Lowcountry region looking for community-focused business lending

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Quick Summary

  • Southern First Bank is listed as a Banks provider in Greenville, SC on CreditDoc.
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