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SFST 
Southern First Bancshares Inc (SFST)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
11/05/2025: SFST (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Below Average Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, often underperform the market, warranting careful consideration before investing.
Number of Analysts
2 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
1 Year Target Price $49
1 Year Target Price $49
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 50.7% | Avg. Invested days 59 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  5.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/05/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 381.78M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 14.43 | 1Y Target Price 49 |
Price to earnings Ratio 14.43 | 1Y Target Price 49 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2 | Beta 0.78 | 52 Weeks Range 29.14 - 46.62 | Updated Date 11/7/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 29.14 - 46.62 | Updated Date 11/7/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 3.23 |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-10-28 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.89 | Actual 1.07 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 23.89% | Operating Margin (TTM) 40.6% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 0.61% | Return on Equity (TTM) 7.66% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 14.43 | Forward PE 18.62 | Enterprise Value 387183424 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.49 |
Enterprise Value 387183424 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.49 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.95 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 8189177 | Shares Floating 6301162 |
Shares Outstanding 8189177 | Shares Floating 6301162 | ||
Percent Insiders 6.16 | Percent Institutions 80.78 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Southern First Bancshares Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. It has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, focusing on providing personalized banking services to businesses and individuals.
Core Business Areas
- Commercial Banking: Provides a range of lending and deposit services to businesses, including commercial real estate financing, equipment loans, and working capital lines of credit.
- Retail Banking: Offers deposit accounts, mortgage loans, and other consumer financial services to individuals and families.
- Wealth Management: Provides investment advisory and trust services to individuals and institutions.
Leadership and Structure
The leadership team consists of Art Seaver (CEO), Howard Fehrman (CFO). The organizational structure is typical of a community bank holding company.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Commercial Real Estate Loans: Offers financing for commercial real estate projects. Market share data is not publicly available at the national level but they are a significant regional player. Competitors include larger regional banks and national banks with commercial lending divisions.
- Small Business Loans: Provides loans to small businesses for various purposes. Market share data is not publicly available. Competitors include other community banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
- Deposit Accounts: Offers checking, savings, and money market accounts to businesses and individuals. Market share data varies by location. Competitors include all banks and credit unions.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The banking industry is currently facing challenges including rising interest rates, increased regulatory scrutiny, and competition from fintech companies. Consolidation continues to be a trend.
Positioning
Southern First is positioned as a relationship-focused community bank, emphasizing personalized service and local expertise. They compete with larger regional and national banks, as well as smaller community banks and credit unions.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for banking services in the Southeast is substantial, estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Southern First targets specific segments within this market, focusing on businesses and individuals who value personalized service. Their market position is considered niche due to their focus on service.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong relationship-based banking model
- Experienced management team
- Solid asset quality
- Strong presence in the Southeast
Weaknesses
- Smaller size compared to larger regional and national banks
- Limited geographic diversification
- Reliance on traditional banking products
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets within the Southeast
- Increased adoption of digital banking technologies
- Growth in wealth management services
- Potential for strategic acquisitions
Threats
- Increased competition from larger banks and fintech companies
- Rising interest rates
- Economic downturn
- Increased regulatory burden
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- TCBI
- FCNCA
- CFB
Competitive Landscape
Southern First competes with larger regional banks, national banks, and other community banks. Its competitive advantage lies in its relationship-based banking model and local expertise. Disadvantages include its smaller size and limited geographic diversification.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Southern First has experienced moderate growth in recent years, driven by organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Future Projections: Future growth is expected to be driven by continued expansion in the Southeast and increased adoption of digital banking technologies. Analyst estimates vary depending on economic conditions.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in technology and expansion into new markets.
Summary
Southern First is a relationship-focused community bank with a strong presence in the Southeast. It benefits from an experienced management team and solid asset quality. However, its smaller size and limited geographic diversification pose challenges. Continued expansion and technology investments are key to future growth.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Website
- SEC Filings
- Market Research Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and is not financial advice. Market share percentages may be approximate.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Southern First Bancshares Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Greenville, SC, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1999-10-28 | CEO & Director Mr. R. Arthur Seaver Jr. | ||
Sector Financial Services | Industry Banks - Regional | Full time employees 297 | Website https://www.southernfirst.com |
Full time employees 297 | Website https://www.southernfirst.com | ||
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southern First Bank that provides commercial, consumer, and mortgage loans to the general public in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The company accepts various deposit products that include checking accounts, commercial checking accounts, and savings accounts, as well as other time deposits, including daily money market accounts and long-term certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans; construction real estate loans; commercial business loans for various lines of businesses, such as the manufacturing, service industry, and professional service areas; consumer real estate and home equity loans; and other consumer loans, including secured and unsecured installment loans and revolving lines of credit. In addition, the company provides other bank services, such as internet banking, cash management, safe deposit boxes, direct deposit, automatic drafts, bill payment, and mobile banking services. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
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