SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC 8-K

What Happened

• Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (and its subsidiary Southern First Bank) filed an 8-K on June 2, 2026 reporting that, effective June 1, 2026, Bryan Kennedy was appointed to the Company’s and the Bank’s Boards of Directors and will serve on the Boards’ Risk Committee.
• Mr. Kennedy, a recently retired commercial banker with a 43‑year career, will receive the Company’s standard non-employee director compensation described in the Company’s 2026 proxy statement.

Key Details

• Appointment effective date: June 1, 2026.
• Board role: Director of Southern First Bancshares and Southern First Bank; member of the Risk Committee.
• Compensation: Will participate in existing non-employee director compensation arrangements disclosed in the 2026 proxy.
• Independence/Conflicts: No arrangements or understandings led to his selection; no reportable related‑party transactions under Item 404(a) of Regulation S‑K.
• Background: 43 years in commercial banking; most recently Northern Banking Group President for North Carolina and Virginia at SouthState Bank; founder of Park Sterling Bank (2006), sold to SouthState in 2017; Lead Independent Director of The Cato Corporation since 2009; degrees from the University of Virginia and UNC (MBA).

Why It Matters

• This is a board governance update—not an operational or financial change. Investors should note the company strengthened its board and risk oversight by adding an experienced commercial banker with ties to the Charlotte market, a key area for the Bank.
• There are no disclosed related‑party transactions or special compensation arrangements tied to the appointment, suggesting a routine, independence‑focused addition to the board.