Southern First Bank

SCBiz Staff // September 22, 2025//

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Southern First Bank has built its reputation over 26 years on a simple yet powerful philosophy: relationships come first. Founded by Art Seaver, who continues to serve as chief executive officer, the Greenville-based community bank has grown from a local vision into a regional financial institution serving South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina.

President Cal Hurst leads the bank’s 325 employees in delivering what the company calls “first rate community banking” throughout the Southeast.

Seaver’s founding vision remains central to the bank’s operations today. “As a young banker at the time, Art had a vision of what a community bank could look like if you put people first in every decision,” according to the bank’s origin story. This people-first approach extended beyond customer service to include giving back to the community and helping small businesses thrive, while maintaining a commitment to preserve the bank’s culture by avoiding mergers and acquisitions.

The bank’s expansion into Georgia and North Carolina marked significant milestones in its growth, but leadership emphasizes that Southern First’s core values have remained unchanged. The institution continues to prioritize making people feel valued, whether they are clients, team members or community members.

Community engagement plays such a vital role that Southern First has adopted #ImpactingLives as a company slogan. This commitment involves hands-on community involvement, sharing time and talent, and extending the bank’s impact beyond its physical locations to where people need help most.

Southern First has invested significantly in technology and prime real estate locations in the heart of the communities it serves. The bank often opens its conference spaces to nonprofit organizations at no cost, demonstrating its commitment to community stewardship.

The workplace culture emphasizes dynamic hospitality and operates under the vision of being “financial advocates for our communities.” Team members are actively engaged in their communities, dedicated to serving others and building lasting relationships while competing with passion and celebrating victories along the way.

Sean Holleran, reflecting on the bank’s competitive advantages, said, “Even though Southern First has had wonderful growth through the years, we are still small enough to be agile. We listen to clients and make sure they know they have been heard.”

Headquartered at six Verdae Boulevard in Greenville, Southern First Bank continues to operate under the principle that if people don’t feel valued, real success hasn’t been achieved.