Southern First Bank

We are pleased to welcome Diana Keller as Client Experience Officer in Atlanta, GA! Diana joins Southern First with over 30 years in banking, including experience in management. Diana is passionate about creating exceptional client experiences by ensuring every interaction is memorable. She is known for her high energy and ability to bring fun to work, which creates lasting connections with her clients. When she’s not at the office, you can find her painting, writing, or exploring new recipes. Welcome, Diana!

It has been a busy few weeks for our team celebrating Black History Month and helping create pathways to success for all. See a few examples in these recent photos! 1-3: Our Charlotte team hosted The Academy of Goal Achievers, Inc for a day of financial literacy and career coaching with high school students. 4-5: The Charlotte team also celebrated Queen City Black Excellence at the Pride Magazine Awards. 6: Greenville team members attended the UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball, which raised scholarship funds for young men and women to have access to higher education at HBCUs. Southern First Board Member Ray Lattimore was also honored for his impact at this event! 7-8: Atlanta Team Leader Sean Dacey attended the 2025 Housing Day at the Capitol advocating for affordable housing with GEORGIA ADVANCING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER INC. 9: In Raleigh, Laura Keefer and Kim Macklanburg presented a donation check to Southeast Raleigh Promise, which works to create equitable opportunities for community members.

Please join us in welcoming Courtney Sutton as Dream Mortgage Center Partner in Columbia, SC! Born and raised in Columbia, Courtney has been in banking for over a decade in the Midlands. She is committed to helping each client achieve their dream of becoming a homeowner. Courtney believes that with education, passion and consistency, any dream can be made into a reality. She is active in her community and has taught over 100 financial literacy classes during her time in finance. When she is not guiding her clients, Courtney is likely spending time with her three little ones at home. We hope you enjoy the journey, Courtney!

Impacting Lives is our mission and serving others is in our DNA. One powerful example is our partnership with United Way. Last week, our team was honored to receive the Most Creative Campaign Award, #12 Largest Giving Campaign Award, and Chairman’s Award for their work in 2024, raising over $131,000. Our unforgettable “Hot Ones” fundraising event even served as an example for others, with a number of Upstate companies putting on their own version from our playbook to encourage donations.

February is the month of love, and our hearts belong to Elizabeth McCarthy’s Boston Terriers Kimbo Slice and Atty, our Dogs of the Month! This sweet sibling duo had us cracking up. Living up to his name, heavyweight Kimbo Slice could only be held by his mom, while Atty shared a grunt right into the microphone for the whole team to hear.

We are excited to announce the appointment of Blair Miller as Chief Retail Experience Officer and Executive Vice President! Blair is a passionate leader with over 20 years of experience. As head of Southern First’s retail banking team, he will enhance the level of exceptional service and authentic hospitality the bank provides for clients. Miller’s life and career are aimed directly at serving others and fostering an engaged culture within the bank. We’re so glad to have you on the team, Blair!

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re reminiscing on how many things have changed in banking - and one thing that hasn’t.

Our offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Please visit southernfirst.com for your immediate banking needs.

During Black History Month and throughout the year, we are proud to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in our country, to support local Black-led organizations and initiatives, and to serve our community members. Flip through these photos to see some of the recent events our team has participated in. 1-2: Raleigh team members Laura Keefer and Kaitlin Heikes kicked off Black History Month at the 24th Annual African American Cultural Celebration, honoring the rich culture of African Americans in North Carolina and sharing Southern First’s mission of impacting lives. 3: Greenville banker Tim Boatwright-Johnson serves as Community Outreach Coordinator for the Young Brothers Academy and helped launch their Momentum program, providing high schoolers with college and career readiness skills. 4-5: Kim Macklanburg and Nelson Poe connected with upcoming graduates at a Career Fair at Benedict College, one of the top HBCUs in the Southeast.

The Nasdaq joins us in congratulating Greenville Regional President, Robert Thompson III, on 24 years at Southern First and 28 years in banking! Robert's leadership has been instrumental in our story, growing organically, one client at a time. Thank you, Robert, for your dedication to building long-lasting banking relationships!