Southern First Bancshares (SFST) Proxy filing summary

Executive summary

• Annual meeting scheduled for May 19, 2026, to elect 16 directors, approve executive compensation (advisory), and ratify the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC as independent auditor for 2026.

• Shareholders of record as of March 20, 2026, are entitled to vote; 8,247,710 shares outstanding.

• Voting can be done by mail, online, phone, or in person; quorum requires a majority of outstanding shares.

• Proxy materials and annual report are available online; shareholders encouraged to participate.

Voting matters and shareholder proposals

• Election of 16 directors for a one-year term, ending 2027; all nominees are current directors.

• Advisory vote on executive compensation (say-on-pay); board recommends approval.

• Ratification of Elliott Davis, LLC as independent auditor for 2026; board recommends approval.

• Shareholder proposals for the 2027 meeting must be submitted by December 7, 2026, for inclusion.

Board of directors and corporate governance

• Board consists of 16 nominees with diverse backgrounds in business, law, finance, and community leadership.

• Board committees: Audit, Risk, Nominating & Governance, and Compensation—all comprised of independent directors.

• Chairman is independent; CEO and chairman roles are separated.

• Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy in place; prohibitions on hedging, pledging, and short sales.

• Board and committee attendance exceeded 75% in 2025.