Southern First Reports Results for 2023
- Net income of $4.2 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.51 for Q4 2023.
- 5% increase in book value per common share to $38.63 at Q4 2023.
- Total loans increased by 5% to $3.6 billion, and total deposits increased to $3.4 billion at Q4 2023.
- Net interest margin was 1.92% for Q4 2023.
- Credit quality remains strong with nonperforming assets to total assets at 0.10% and past due loans to total loans at 0.37% at Q4 2023.
- None.
Insights
The reported financial results of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. for Q4 2023 reflect a stable performance with a modest net income increase over the previous quarter. Book value per share saw a 5% year-over-year increase, indicative of a solid balance sheet. However, the net interest margin (NIM) contracted from 2.88% in Q4 2022 to 1.92% in Q4 2023, likely due to rising deposit costs outpacing asset yields, a trend influenced by the Federal Reserve's rate hikes.
Loan growth at an annualized rate of 5% and deposit growth of 8% over the previous year suggest a healthy growth trajectory. Strong credit quality is evident with low nonperforming assets to total assets and past due loans to total loans ratios. The reversal of provisions for credit losses suggests confidence in asset quality, but stakeholders should monitor this alongside economic trends for sustainability.
The banking sector is highly sensitive to interest rate changes and Southern First Bancshares' performance reflects this. The decrease in net interest margin is consistent with industry trends, where many banks are facing margin compression due to the rapid rise in interest rates. Despite this, the company's loan and deposit growth rates are robust and exceed industry averages, signaling competitive strength and potential market share gains.
Investors should consider the bank's efficiency ratio, which has worsened from the previous year, indicating higher costs relative to revenue. While the bank's asset quality ratios are favorable, the industry is anticipating a potential economic slowdown, which could impact loan quality in the future. This makes the bank's credit quality metrics a critical area to watch.
From an economic perspective, Southern First Bancshares' performance can be seen as a microcosm of the broader banking industry's response to macroeconomic policies. The Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes have a dual effect: increasing the cost of deposits for banks while also potentially slowing economic activity. This can lead to both margin compression and a riskier lending environment.
However, the bank's strong credit quality and the ability to reverse provisions for credit losses suggest resilience. The bank's capital ratios, such as the common equity tier 1 ratio, remain above regulatory requirements, indicating a buffer against potential economic downturns. The bank's performance must be contextualized within the larger economic environment, including inflationary pressures and monetary policy shifts.
"We are pleased with our fourth quarter results as we saw further growth in book value, stability in net interest margin and strong credit quality," stated Art Seaver, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "We are beginning 2024 with excellent momentum and a proven ability to grow organic and high quality client relationships in every market we serve."
2023 Fourth Quarter Highlights
- Net income was
and diluted earnings per common share were$4.2 million for Q4 2023$0.51 - Book value per common share increased to
at Q4 2023, or$38.63 5% , over Q4 2022 - Total loans increased
5% (annualized) to at Q4 2023, compared to Q3 2023 and increased$3.6 billion 10% , from at Q4 2022$3.3 billion - Credit quality remains strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of
0.10% and past due loans to total loans of0.37% at Q4 2023 - Total deposits increased to
at Q4 2023, compared to$3.4 billion at Q3 2023 and increased$3.3 billion 8% from Q4 2022 - Net interest margin was
1.92% for Q4 2023, compared to1.97% for Q3 2023 and2.88% for Q4 2022
Quarter Ended | ||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | ||
2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
Earnings ($ in thousands, except per share data): | ||||||
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 4,167 | 4,098 | 2,458 | 2,703 | 5,492 |
Earnings per common share, diluted | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.31 | 0.33 | 0.68 | |
Total revenue(1) | 21,390 | 22,094 | 21,561 | 22,468 | 25,826 | |
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2) | 1.92 % | 1.97 % | 2.05 % | 2.36 % | 2.88 % | |
Return on average assets(3) | 0.40 % | 0.40 % | 0.26 % | 0.30 % | 0.63 % | |
Return on average equity(3) | 5.39 % | 5.35 % | 3.27 % | 3.67 % | 7.44 % | |
Efficiency ratio(4) | 79.61 % | 78.31 % | 80.67 % | 76.12 % | 63.55 % | |
Noninterest expense to average assets (3) | 1.64 % | 1.69 % | 1.82 % | 1.89 % | 1.87 % | |
Balance Sheet ($ in thousands): | ||||||
Total loans(5) | $ | 3,602,627 | 3,553,632 | 3,537,616 | 3,417,945 | 3,273,363 |
Total deposits | 3,379,564 | 3,347,771 | 3,433,018 | 3,426,774 | 3,133,864 | |
Core deposits(6) | 2,811,499 | 2,866,574 | 2,880,507 | 2,946,567 | 2,759,112 | |
Total assets | 4,055,789 | 4,019,957 | 4,002,107 | 3,938,140 | 3,691,981 | |
Book value per common share | 38.63 | 37.57 | 37.42 | 37.16 | 36.76 | |
Loans to deposits | 106.60 % | 106.15 % | 103.05 % | 99.74 % | 104.45 % | |
Holding Company Capital Ratios(7): | ||||||
Total risk-based capital ratio | 12.56 % | 12.56 % | 12.40 % | 12.67 % | 12.91 % | |
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio | 10.59 % | 10.58 % | 10.42 % | 10.66 % | 10.88 % | |
Leverage ratio | 8.14 % | 8.17 % | 8.48 % | 8.80 % | 9.17 % | |
Common equity tier 1 ratio(8) | 10.18 % | 10.17 % | 10.00 % | 10.23 % | 10.44 % | |
Tangible common equity(9) | 7.70 % | 7.56 % | 7.53 % | 7.60 % | 7.98 % | |
Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||
Nonperforming assets/ total assets | 0.10 % | 0.11 % | 0.08 % | 0.12 % | 0.07 % | |
Classified assets/tier one capital plus allowance for credit losses | 4.25 % | 4.72 % | 4.68 % | 5.10 % | 4.71 % | |
Loans 30 days or more past due/ loans(5) | 0.37 % | 0.13 % | 0.07 % | 0.11 % | 0.11 % | |
Net charge-offs (recoveries)/average loans(5) (YTD annualized) | 0.00 % | 0.01 % | 0.03 % | 0.01 % | (0.05 %) | |
Allowance for credit losses/loans(5) | 1.13 % | 1.16 % | 1.16 % | 1.18 % | 1.18 % | |
Allowance for credit losses/nonaccrual loans | 1,026.58 % | 953.25 % | 1,363.11 % | 854.33 % | 1,470.74 % | |
[Footnotes to table located on page 6] |
income statements – Unaudited | |||||||||
Quarter Ended | Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
Dec 31 | Sept 30 | Jun 30 | Mar 31 | Dec 31 | December 31 | ||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
Interest income | |||||||||
Loans | $ | 44,758 | 43,542 | 41,089 | 36,748 | 33,939 | 166,137 | 114,233 | |
Investment securities | 1,674 | 1,470 | 706 | 613 | 562 | 4,463 | 1,990 | ||
Federal funds sold | 2,703 | 2,435 | 891 | 969 | 525 | 6,998 | 1,439 | ||
Total interest income | 49,135 | 47,447 | 42,686 | 38,330 | 35,026 | 177,598 | 117,662 | ||
Interest expense | |||||||||
Deposits | 27,127 | 25,130 | 25,937 | 17,179 | 10,329 | 91,373 | 18,102 | ||
Borrowings | 2,948 | 2,972 | 1,924 | 727 | 578 | 8,571 | 1,939 | ||
Total interest expense | 30,075 | 28,102 | 23,861 | 17,906 | 10,907 | 99,944 | 20,041 | ||
Net interest income | 19,060 | 19,345 | 18,825 | 20,424 | 24,119 | 77,654 | 97,621 | ||
Provision (reversal) for credit losses | (975) | (500) | 910 | 1,825 | 2,325 | 1,260 | 6,155 | ||
Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 20,035 | 19,845 | 17,915 | 18,599 | 21,794 | 76,394 | 91,466 | ||
Noninterest income | |||||||||
Mortgage banking income | 868 | 1,208 | 1,337 | 622 | 291 | 4,036 | 4,198 | ||
Service fees on deposit accounts | 371 | 356 | 331 | 325 | 187 | 1,382 | 782 | ||
ATM and debit card income | 565 | 588 | 536 | 555 | 575 | 2,245 | 2,225 | ||
Income from bank owned life insurance | 361 | 349 | 338 | 332 | 344 | 1,379 | 1,289 | ||
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | - | - | - | - | - | - | (394) | ||
Other income | 165 | 248 | 194 | 210 | 310 | 818 | 1,480 | ||
Total noninterest income | 2,330 | 2,749 | 2,736 | 2,044 | 1,707 | 9,860 | 9,580 | ||
Noninterest expense | |||||||||
Compensation and benefits | 9,401 | 10,231 | 10,287 | 10,356 | 9,576 | 40,275 | 38,790 | ||
Occupancy | 2,718 | 2,562 | 2,518 | 2,457 | 2,666 | 10,255 | 9,105 | ||
Other real estate owned expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Outside service and data processing costs | 2,000 | 1,744 | 1,705 | 1,629 | 1,521 | 7,078 | 6,112 | ||
Insurance | 937 | 1,243 | 897 | 689 | 551 | 3,766 | 1,686 | ||
Professional fees | 581 | 504 | 751 | 660 | 788 | 2,496 | 2,635 | ||
Marketing | 364 | 293 | 335 | 366 | 282 | 1,357 | 1,216 | ||
Other | 1,027 | 725 | 900 | 947 | 1,029 | 3,600 | 3,389 | ||
Total noninterest expenses | 17,028 | 17,302 | 17,393 | 17,104 | 16,413 | 68,827 | 62,933 | ||
Income before provision for income taxes | 5,337 | 5,293 | 3,258 | 3,539 | 7,088 | 17,427 | 38,113 | ||
Income tax expense | 1,170 | 1,195 | 800 | 836 | 1,596 | 4,001 | 8,998 | ||
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 4,167 | 4,098 | 2,458 | 2,703 | 5,492 | 13,426 | 29,115 | |
Earnings per common share – Basic | $ | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.31 | 0.34 | 0.69 | 1.67 | 3.66 | |
Earnings per common share – Diluted | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.31 | 0.33 | 0.68 | 1.66 | 3.61 | ||
Basic weighted average common shares | 8,056 | 8,053 | 8,051 | 8,026 | 7,971 | 8,047 | 7,958 | ||
Diluted weighted average common shares | 8,080 | 8,072 | 8,069 | 8,092 | 8,071 | 8,078 | 8,072 | ||
[Footnotes to table located on page 6] |
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was
There was a reversal of the provision for credit losses of
Noninterest income was
Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was
Our effective tax rate was
Net interest income and margin - Unaudited | |||||||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||
December 31, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | December 31,2022 | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ |
Interest-earning assets | |||||||||
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits | $ 197,482 | $ 2,703 | 5.43 % | $ 181,784 | $ 2,435 | 5.31 % | $ 60,176 | $ 525 | 3.46 % |
Investment securities, taxable | 151,969 | 1,632 | 4.26 % | 148,239 | 1,429 | 3.82 % | 86,594 | 515 | 2.36 % |
Investment securities, nontaxable(2) | 7,831 | 55 | 2.76 % | 7,799 | 55 | 2.77 % | 9,987 | 61 | 2.42 % |
Loans(10) | 3,586,863 | 44,758 | 4.95 % | 3,554,478 | 43,542 | 4.86 % | 3,165,061 | 33,939 | 4.25 % |
Total interest-earning assets | 3,944,145 | 49,148 | 4.94 % | 3,892,300 | 47,461 | 4.84 % | 3,321,818 | 35,040 | 4.18 % |
Noninterest-earning assets | 174,717 | 159,103 | 162,924 | ||||||
Total assets | |||||||||
Interest-bearing liabilities | |||||||||
NOW accounts | $ 301,424 | 656 | 0.86 % | $ 297,028 | 620 | 0.83 % | $ 343,541 | 379 | 0.44 % |
Savings & money market | 1,697,144 | 17,042 | 3.98 % | 1,748,638 | 16,908 | 3.84 % | 1,529,532 | 7,657 | 1.99 % |
Time deposits | 759,839 | 9,429 | 4.92 % | 648,949 | 7,602 | 4.65 % | 405,907 | 2,293 | 2.24 % |
Total interest-bearing deposits | 2,758,407 | 27,127 | 3.90 % | 2,694,615 | 25,130 | 3.70 % | 2,278,980 | 10,329 | 1.80 % |
FHLB advances and other borrowings | 257,880 | 2,387 | 3.67 % | 264,141 | 2,414 | 3.63 % | 7,594 | 81 | 4.23 % |
Subordinated debentures | 36,305 | 561 | 6.13 % | 36,278 | 558 | 6.10 % | 36,197 | 497 | 5.45 % |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 3,052,592 | 30,075 | 3.91 % | 2,995,034 | 28,102 | 3.72 % | 2,322,771 | 10,907 | 1.86 % |
Noninterest-bearing liabilities | 759,413 | 752,433 | 869,314 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | 306,857 | 303,936 | 292,657 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | |||||||||
Net interest spread | 1.04 % | 1.12 % | 2.32 % | ||||||
Net interest income (tax equivalent) / margin | 1.92 % | 1.97 % | 2.88 % | ||||||
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment(2) | 13 | 14 | 14 | ||||||
Net interest income | |||||||||
[Footnotes to table located on page 6] |
Net interest income was
Balance sheets - Unaudited | |||||||
Ending Balance | |||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | |||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | ||
Assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||
Cash and due from banks | $ | 28,020 | 17,395 | 24,742 | 22,213 | 18,788 | |
Federal funds sold | 119,349 | 127,714 | 170,145 | 242,642 | 101,277 | ||
Interest-bearing deposits with banks | 8,801 | 7,283 | 10,183 | 7,350 | 50,809 | ||
Total cash and cash equivalents | 156,170 | 152,392 | 205,070 | 272,205 | 170,874 | ||
Investment securities: | |||||||
Investment securities available for sale | 134,702 | 144,035 | 91,548 | 94,036 | 93,347 | ||
Other investments | 19,939 | 19,600 | 12,550 | 10,097 | 10,833 | ||
Total investment securities | 154,641 | 163,635 | 104,098 | 104,133 | 104,180 | ||
Mortgage loans held for sale | 7,194 | 7,117 | 15,781 | 6,979 | 3,917 | ||
Loans (5) | 3,602,627 | 3,553,632 | 3,537,616 | 3,417,945 | 3,273,363 | ||
Less allowance for credit losses | (40,682) | (41,131) | (41,105) | (40,435) | (38,639) | ||
Loans, net | 3,561,945 | 3,512,501 | 3,496,511 | 3,377,510 | 3,234,724 | ||
Bank owned life insurance | 52,501 | 52,140 | 51,791 | 51,453 | 51,122 | ||
Property and equipment, net | 94,301 | 95,743 | 96,964 | 97,806 | 99,183 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 12,200 | 13,078 | 12,356 | 12,087 | 12,522 | ||
Other assets | 16,837 | 23,351 | 19,536 | 15,967 | 15,459 | ||
Total assets | $ | 4,055,789 | 4,019,957 | 4,002,107 | 3,938,140 | 3,691,981 | |
Liabilities | |||||||
Deposits | $ | 3,379,564 | 3,347,771 | 3,433,018 | 3,426,774 | 3,133,864 | |
FHLB Advances | 275,000 | 275,000 | 180,000 | 125,000 | 175,000 | ||
Subordinated debentures | 36,322 | 36,295 | 36,268 | 36,241 | 36,214 | ||
Other liabilities | 52,436 | 56,993 | 51,307 | 50,775 | 52,391 | ||
Total liabilities | 3,743,322 | 3,716,059 | 3,700,593 | 3,638,790 | 3,397,469 | ||
Shareholders' equity | |||||||
Preferred stock - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Common Stock - | 81 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 80 | ||
Nonvested restricted stock | (3,596) | (4,065) | (4,051) | (4,462) | (3,306) | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 121,777 | 121,757 | 120,912 | 120,683 | 119,027 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (11,342) | (15,255) | (12,710) | (11,775) | (13,410) | ||
Retained earnings | 205,547 | 201,380 | 197,282 | 194,824 | 192,121 | ||
Total shareholders' equity | 312,467 | 303,898 | 301,514 | 299,350 | 294,512 | ||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 4,055,789 | 4,019,957 | 4,002,107 | 3,938,140 | 3,691,981 | |
Common Stock | |||||||
Book value per common share | $ | 38.63 | 37.57 | 37.42 | 37.16 | 36.76 | |
Stock price: | |||||||
High | 37.15 | 30.18 | 31.34 | 45.05 | 49.50 | ||
Low | 25.16 | 24.22 | 21.33 | 30.70 | 41.46 | ||
Period end | 37.10 | 26.94 | 24.75 | 30.70 | 45.75 | ||
Common shares outstanding | 8,088 | 8,089 | 8,058 | 8,048 | 8,011 | ||
[Footnotes to table located on page 6] | |||||||
Asset quality measures - Unaudited | ||||||
Quarter Ended | ||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | ||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Nonperforming Assets | ||||||
Commercial | ||||||
Non-owner occupied RE | $ | 1,423 | 1,615 | 754 | 1,384 | 247 |
Commercial business | 319 | 404 | 137 | 1,196 | 182 | |
Consumer | ||||||
Real estate | 985 | 1,228 | 1,053 | 1,075 | 1,099 | |
Home equity | 1,236 | 1,068 | 1,072 | 1,078 | 1,099 | |
Total nonaccrual loans | 3,963 | 4,315 | 3,016 | 4,733 | 2,627 | |
Other real estate owned | - | - | - | - | - | |
Total nonperforming assets | $ | 3,963 | 4,315 | 3,016 | 4,733 | 2,627 |
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of: | ||||||
Total assets | 0.10 % | 0.11 % | 0.08 % | 0.12 % | 0.07 % | |
Total loans | 0.11 % | 0.12 % | 0.09 % | 0.14 % | 0.08 % | |
Classified assets/tier 1 capital plus allowance for credit losses | 4.25 % | 4.72 % | 4.68 % | 5.10 % | 4.71 % | |
Quarter Ended | ||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | ||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Allowance for Credit Losses | ||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 41,131 | 41,105 | 40,435 | 38,639 | 36,317 |
Loans charged-off | (119) | (42) | (440) | (161) | - | |
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off | 310 | 168 | 15 | 102 | 22 | |
Net loans (charged-off) recovered | 191 | 126 | (425) | (59) | 22 | |
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses | (640) | (100) | 1,095 | 1,855 | 2,300 | |
Balance, end of period | $ | 40,682 | 41,131 | 41,105 | 40,435 | 38,639 |
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans | 1.13 % | 1.16 % | 1.16 % | 1.18 % | 1.18 % | |
Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | 1,026.58 % | 953.25 % | 1,363.11 % | 854.33 % | 1,470.74 % | |
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans QTD (annualized) | (0.02 %) | (0.01 %) | 0.05 % | 0.01 % | 0.00 % |
Total nonperforming assets decreased by
At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was
LOAN COMPOSITION - Unaudited | ||||||
Quarter Ended | ||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | ||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Commercial | ||||||
Owner occupied RE | $ | 631,657 | 637,038 | 613,874 | 615,094 | 612,901 |
Non-owner occupied RE | 942,529 | 937,749 | 951,536 | 928,059 | 862,579 | |
Construction | 150,680 | 119,629 | 115,798 | 94,641 | 109,726 | |
Business | 500,161 | 500,253 | 511,719 | 495,161 | 468,112 | |
Total commercial loans | 2,225,027 | 2,194,669 | 2,192,927 | 2,132,955 | 2,053,318 | |
Consumer | ||||||
Real estate | 1,082,429 | 1,074,679 | 1,047,904 | 993,258 | 931,278 | |
Home equity | 183,004 | 180,856 | 185,584 | 180,974 | 179,300 | |
Construction | 63,348 | 54,210 | 61,044 | 71,137 | 80,415 | |
Other | 48,819 | 49,218 | 50,157 | 39,621 | 29,052 | |
Total consumer loans | 1,377,600 | 1,358,963 | 1,344,689 | 1,284,990 | 1,220,045 | |
Total gross loans, net of deferred fees | 3,602,627 | 3,553,632 | 3,537,616 | 3,417,945 | 3,273,363 | |
Less—allowance for credit losses | (40,682) | (41,131) | (41,105) | (40,435) | (38,639) | |
Total loans, net | $ | 3,561,945 | 3,512,501 | 3,496,511 | 3,377,510 | 3,234,724 |
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION - Unaudited | ||||||
Quarter Ended | ||||||
December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | ||
(dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
Non-interest bearing | $ | 674,167 | 675,409 | 698,084 | 740,534 | 804,115 |
Interest bearing: | ||||||
NOW accounts | 310,218 | 306,667 | 308,762 | 303,743 | 318,030 | |
Money market accounts | 1,605,278 | 1,685,736 | 1,692,900 | 1,748,562 | 1,506,418 | |
Savings | 31,669 | 34,737 | 36,243 | 39,706 | 40,673 | |
Time, less than | 190,167 | 125,506 | 114,691 | 106,679 | 89,877 | |
Time and out-of-market deposits, | 568,065 | 519,716 | 582,338 | 487,550 | 374,751 | |
Total deposits | $ | 3,379,564 | 3,347,771 | 3,433,018 | 3,426,774 | 3,133,864 |
Footnotes to tables: | |
(1) Total revenue is the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. | |
(2) The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income adjusts the yield for assets earning tax-exempt income to a comparable yield on a taxable basis. | |
(3) Annualized for the respective three-month period. | |
(4) Noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. | |
(5) Excludes mortgage loans held for sale. | |
(6) Excludes out of market deposits and time deposits greater than | |
(7) December 31, 2023 ratios are preliminary. | |
(8) The common equity tier 1 ratio is calculated as the sum of common equity divided by risk-weighted assets. | |
(9) The tangible common equity ratio is calculated as total equity less preferred stock divided by total assets. | |
(10) Includes mortgage loans held for sale. |
About Southern First Bancshares
Southern First Bancshares, Inc.,
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "preliminary", "intend," "plan," "target," "continue," "lasting," and "project," as well as similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by our company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by our company will be achieved.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (2) the strength of
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WEB SITE: www.southernfirst.com
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SOURCE Southern First Bancshares, Inc.