Form 4: Southern First Bancshares Director Receives Restricted Stock Grant

Anna T. Locke, a Director at Southern First Bancshares Inc. (SFST), was granted 485 restricted stock units, vesting equally over four years.

Summary

• Anna T. Locke, a Director of Southern First Bancshares Inc. (SFST), acquired 485 shares of common stock on June 1, 2025.
• These shares represent a grant of restricted stock units (RSUs).
• The restricted stock units will vest equally over a period of four years.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Locke beneficially owns 3,067 shares of common stock.
• The acquisition price for these units was reported as $0, which is typical for RSU grants.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is slightly positive as it represents a routine compensation grant that aligns director interests with shareholders, indicating stability in governance and compensation practices. It's not a major positive or negative for the company's operational performance.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units to Director Anna T. Locke aligns her interests with those of shareholders, as the value of her compensation is tied to the company's stock performance.
• This transaction represents a form of compensation for the director's service.

Future Outlook

The restricted stock units granted to the director are scheduled to vest equally over a four-year period, indicating a long-term incentive structure.

Industry Context

This transaction is a standard practice in corporate compensation, where directors and executives receive equity grants to align their long-term interests with the company's performance and shareholder value, common across the financial services industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units as part of director compensation is a common practice in the banking and financial services sector, aligning with typical corporate governance standards for executive and board remuneration.
• The specific size of the grant (485 units) would need to be compared against peer companies like Truist Financial Corporation (TFC), Synovus Financial Corp. (SNV), or SouthState Corporation (SSB) to assess if it's within typical ranges for a director at a regional bank of similar size to Southern First Bancshares.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant aligns the director's financial interests with shareholder value creation, as the value of the RSUs depends on the company's stock performance.
• Director (Anna T. Locke): Receives equity compensation, which incentivizes long-term commitment and performance.

Next Steps

• The restricted stock units will vest equally over the next four years.

Key Dates

Keywords

Southern First Bancshares, SFST, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, SEC Form 4, Beneficial Ownership, Equity Grant