Southern First Bancshares Achieves Significant Growth in Q3 2025 Financial Results
On October 28, 2025, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), the holding company for Southern First Bank, shared its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. The organization exhibited robust financial performance, reflecting both the resilience of the banking sector and the efficacy of their operational strategies.
Strong Financial Performance
In the third quarter of 2025, Southern First Bancshares reported a net income of $8.7 million, equivalent to $1.07 per diluted share. This marked a growth of $2.1 million from the preceding quarter and a remarkable $4.3 million increase compared to the same period in 2024. Such results underscored the positive impact of their strategic focus on client retail deposits and core banking relationships, essential elements of their full-service banking strategy.
The company achieved an impressive net interest income of $27.5 million for the quarter, reflecting a $2.2 million increase from the previous quarter. This increase can be attributed primarily to enhanced interest income from loans, alongside a decrease in interest expenses on deposits. The net interest margin also rose to 2.62%, up from 2.50% in Q2 2025 and significantly higher than 2.08% from Q3 2024.
Metrics Highlighting Operational Strength
Several key metrics reflect the operational robustness of Southern First Bancshares:
- - Diluted earnings per share rose by 32% compared to Q2 2025 and soared 98% when juxtaposed with Q3 2024.
- - Total loans increased by approximately 4% from Q2 2025, reaching a substantial figure of $3.8 billion.
- - The bank's core deposits also witnessed a 2% rise from the previous quarter, indicative of heightened customer confidence and engagement.
Additionally, the company reported a healthy nonperforming asset ratio of 0.27%, unchanged from its performance in Q2 2025, suggesting stringent credit quality management. The book value per common share surged to $43.51, a significant annualized increase of 12% from the previous quarter.
Strategic Roadmap and Future Outlook
Art Seaver, CEO of Southern First Bancshares, expressed confidence in the financial outlook for the remainder of the year. He highlighted the company's strategy of increasing profitability through high-quality loan growth while maintaining a balance between risk and reward. The commitment to fostering talented banking professionals enhances their customer service, which plays a crucial role in supporting local communities.
Despite remaining vigilant towards external risks, the bank's markets continue to show signs of sustainable growth. Art's comments emphasized the bank's proactive approach in navigating the challenges of the rapidly changing banking landscape while capitalizing on opportunities created by industry consolidation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Southern First Bancshares has demonstrated impressive growth in the third quarter of 2025, marking a significant achievement that reinforces the bank’s strategic direction and operational excellence. As the company continues to focus on enhancing profitability and client relationships, its trajectory reflects not just robust financial health, but also a commitment to navigating the evolving financial landscape effectively. The results encourage optimism for further growth and sustainability as they progress into the final quarter of the year.