Southern First Bancshares, Inc. - Common Stock (SFST)

Competitors to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. - Common Stock (SFST)

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. 

First Citizens BancShares competes with Southern First Bancshares by offering a wide range of financial products and services backed by a strong historical reputation. Their extensive branch network and asset size allow them to provide more competitive loan rates and offer services that smaller banks may struggle to match. While Southern First may focus more on personalized customer service, First Citizens has an advantage in operational scale, reaching a broader customer base effectively.

Park Sterling Corporation

Park Sterling Corporation directly competes with Southern First Bancshares in the southeastern U.S. market by offering similar services, including commercial and retail banking. Their strategy often involves aggressive marketing and targeted community engagement to attract local businesses and consumers. However, Park Sterling's competitive advantage is somewhat limited compared to Southern First, as their scale and market presence are smaller, which may hinder their ability to provide as diverse an array of services or favorable pricing as Southern First.

South State Corporation

South State Corporation operates a similar business model as Southern First Bancshares, focusing on community banking services that include deposits, loans, and financial services to individuals and businesses. Both banks target similar regional markets in the southeastern U.S. In recent years, South State has leveraged its larger asset base for competitive pricing and a broader range of services, giving it an edge in customer acquisition and retention. Their increased scale allows South State to invest more in technology and innovation, enhancing customer experience.

United Community Banks, Inc. 

United Community Banks competes by offering comprehensive banking solutions with a significant presence in the southeastern U.S., similar to Southern First Bancshares. They boast a larger branch network and a wider array of financial products compared to Southern First, which can entice more customers seeking convenience and diversity in banking services. United Community Banks often benefits from economies of scale, enabling them to provide competitive interest rates on deposits and loans, positioning them as a formidable competitor against Southern First.