Southern First Bancshares, Inc., the Company, announced that it has commenced a public offering of 700,000 shares of its common stock through a firm commitment underwritten offering.  The Company intends to use the proceeds of the offering to improve its capital structure, including by repaying its $10 million holding company line of credit, to fund future organic growth and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. will serve as the sole underwriter for the offering. The Company intends to grant the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase from the Company up to an additional 15 percent of the offered amount of common stock.