SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. For management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report thereon issued by our independent registered public accounting firm, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Internal Control over Financial Reporting There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None Item 9C. Disclosures Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. In response to this Item, this information is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 11. Executive Compensation. In response to this Item, this information is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters. In response to this Item, the information required by Item 201(d) is contained in Item 5 of this report. The other information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. The information is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2023 is incorporated herein by reference. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. In response to this Item, this information is contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 16, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference. 111 Table of Contents Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a) (1) Financial Statements The following consolidated financial statements are located in Item 8 of this report. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (2) Financial Statement Schedules These schedules have been omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or have been included in our consolidated financial statements. (3) Exhibits See the “Exhibit Index” immediately following the signature page of this report. 112 Table of Contents EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on July 27, 1999, File No. 333-83851). 3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed March 24, 2008). 3.3 Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2020). 4.1 Description of the Company’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2020). 4.2 Form of certificate of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, File No. 333-83851). 4.3 Indenture dated as of September 30, 2019 between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2019). 4.4 Form of 4.75% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Note due 2029 of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2019). 4.5 Form of Global 4.75% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Note due 2029 of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 2 to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2019). 10.1 Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 6, 2010).* 10.2 Amendment to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 15, 2014).* 10.3 Amendment to Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 14, 2015).* 10.4 Form of Award Agreement for Stock Options (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Form S-8 filed on August 12, 2010).* 10.5 Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company’s Form S-8 filed on August 12, 2010).* 10.6 Sublease Agreement between Greenville First Bank, N.A. and Augusta Road Holdings, LLC dated February 26, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 10-QSB for the period ended June 30, 2004). 10.7 Bonaventure I Office Lease Agreement with Greenville First Bank, N.A., dated September 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005). 10.8 First Amendment to Office Lease Agreement with Greenville First Bank, N.A., dated September 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005). 10.9 R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 3, 2013).* 10.10 Michael D. Dowling Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 3, 2013).* 10.11 Form of Split Dollar Agreement between certain executives and Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed February 18, 2009).* 10.12 Form of Southern First Bank, N.A. Salary Continuation Agreement dated December 17, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 23, 2008).* 10.13 Form of First Amendment to Southern First Bank, N.A. Salary Continuation Agreement dated December 17, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 23, 2008).* 10.14 Michael D. Dowling Salary Continuation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 3, 2013).* 113 Table of Contents 10.15 R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. Second Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 3, 2013).* 10.16 Southern First Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2016).* 10.17 Form of Award Agreement for Stock Options (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Form S-8 filed on August 18, 2016).* 10.18 Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company’s Form S-8 filed on August 18, 2016).* 10.19 Amendment dated as of January 31, 2019 to R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2019).* 10.20 Amendment dated as of January 31, 2019 to Michael D. Dowling Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2019).* 10.21 Development Services Agreement dated as of April 9, 2019 between Southern First Bank and Cothran Properties, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2019). 10.22 Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 30, 2019 by and among Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2019). 10.23 Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 30, 2019 by and among Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2019). 10.24 Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and CenterState Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2017). 10.25 Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and CenterState Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 3, 2020). 10.26 Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and CenterState Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 3, 2020). 10.27 Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2021, by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and SouthState Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 4, 2022). 10.28 Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated as of December 21, 2021, by and between Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and SouthState Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 of the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 4, 2022). 21 Subsidiaries. 23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants. 24 Power of Attorney (contained herein as part of the signature pages). 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Executive Officer. 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Financial Officer. 32 Section 1350 Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. 101 The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL); (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 114 Table of Contents 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement 115 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. Date: February 13, 2023 By: /s/ R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. Chief Executive Officer KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints R. Arthur Seaver, Jr., his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto the attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that the attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. Director, Chief Executive Officer February 13, 2023 R. Arthur Seaver, Jr. (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Michael D. Dowling Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer February 13, 2023 Michael D. Dowling (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Andrew B. Cajka, Jr. Director February 13, 2023 Andrew B. Cajka, Jr. /s/ Mark A. Cothran Director February 13, 2023 Mark A. Cothran /s/ Leighton M. Cubbage Director February 13, 2023 Leighton M. Cubbage /s/ David G. Ellison Director February 13, 2023 David G. Ellison /s/ Anne S. Ellefson Director February 13, 2023 Anne S. Ellefson /s/ Terry Grayson-Caprio Director February 13, 2023 Terry Grayson-Caprio /s/ Tecumseh Hooper, Jr. Director February 13, 2023 Tecumseh Hooper, Jr. /s/ Rudolph G. Johnstone, III M.D. Director February 13, 2023 Rudolph G. Johnstone, III, M.D. /s/ Ray A. Lattimore Director February 13, 2023 Ray A. Lattimore /s/ Anna T. Locke Director February 13, 2023 Anna T. Locke /s/ William A. Maner, IV Director February 13, 2023 William A. Maner, IV /s/ James B. Orders, III Director, Chairman February 13, 2023 James B. Orders, III 116