News

Southern First Bancshares Elevates Wes Wilbanks as CCO

Southern First Bancshares Elevates Wes Wilbanks as CCO

Southern First Bancshares Promotes Wes Wilbanks to Chief Credit Officer

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFST), the holding company for Southern First Bank, has announced a significant leadership change, promoting Wes Wilbanks to the role of Chief Credit Officer and Executive Vice President. This decision reflects the company's commitment to excellence and growth in the financial services sector.

A Strong Background in Banking

Wes Wilbanks has been an integral part of the Southern First team since 2021, holding the position of Senior Credit Risk Officer. In this role, he concentrated on fostering relationship growth, along with managing and overseeing the loan portfolio. Boasting 25 years of experience in banking, Wes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new position. He is a proud graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School and the LSU Graduate School of Banking.

Prior Experience and Leadership

Before joining Southern First, Wilbanks dedicated over a decade to a regional bank, where he held various senior credit roles. His career commenced in relationship management, which laid a strong foundation for his future in credit risk. In his new capacity as Chief Credit Officer, Wes expresses enthusiasm about continuing to advance the growth and risk management strategies of Southern First while ensuring that the bank's clients receive exceptional service from the dedicated team of bankers.

Quotes Highlighting Wilbanks’ Impact

Art Seaver, the Chief Executive Officer, praised Wes's contributions by stating, "Wes has been an effective and dedicated leader to our credit team during his tenure. We are excited to have him step into this new role to create additional positive impact on our company." This testimony emphasizes the trust and confidence the leadership team has in Wilbanks's abilities and vision for the future of Southern First.

About Southern First Bancshares

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., based in South Carolina, is a registered bank holding company with Southern First Bank as its wholly owned subsidiary. Established in 1999, the bank has quickly grown to become the second-largest bank headquartered in South Carolina. With operations in 13 locations across various markets, Southern First Bank has a solid presence not only in South Carolina but also in the neighboring regions of North Carolina and Georgia.

Current Financial Standing

As of now, Southern First Bancshares holds consolidated assets estimated at approximately $4.1 billion, a testament to its growth and client trust. Its common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SFST." This robust financial framework underscores the company's ongoing dedication to providing quality financial services and its commitment to its customers.

Contact Information

For any media inquiries, Art Seaver is the primary contact at Southern First. He can be reached for discussions about the company's recent developments and future plans. The company encourages those interested in learning more about its services and leadership to obtain further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new role of Wes Wilbanks at Southern First?

Wes Wilbanks has been promoted to Chief Credit Officer and Executive Vice President, focusing on credit risk management and customer service.

How long has Wes Wilbanks been with Southern First?

Wes Wilbanks joined Southern First in 2021 as Senior Credit Risk Officer before his recent promotion.

What is the financial standing of Southern First Bancshares?

Southern First Bancshares currently holds approximately $4.1 billion in consolidated assets, indicating strong financial health.

Where is Southern First Bank located?

Southern First Bank operates in several markets, including Greenville and Columbia in South Carolina, and regions in North Carolina and Georgia.

What is the stock symbol for Southern First Bancshares?

The common stock of Southern First Bancshares is traded under the symbol "SFST" on The NASDAQ Global Market.

About The Author

About Investors Hangout

Investors Hangout is a leading online stock forum for financial discussion and learning, offering a wide range of free tools and resources. It draws in traders of all levels, who exchange market knowledge, investigate trading tactics, and keep an eye on industry developments in real time. Featuring financial articles, stock message boards, quotes, charts, company profiles, and live news updates. Through cooperative learning and a wealth of informational resources, it helps users from novices creating their first portfolios to experts honing their techniques. Join Investors Hangout today: https://investorshangout.com/

The content of this article is based on factual, publicly available information and does not represent legal, financial, or investment advice. Investors Hangout does not offer financial advice, and the author is not a licensed financial advisor. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial or investment decisions based on this article. This article should not be considered advice to purchase, sell, or hold any securities or other investments. If any of the material provided here is inaccurate, please contact us for corrections.

Top 10 Most Recent News Articles

DCM Services Teams with AKUVO to Boost Estate Recoveries

Updated Category News Views 5

Revolutionizing Estate Recovery Practices Here's the scoop: DCM Services (DCMS), that big shot in estate account resolution, is hooking up with AKUVO to shake up how credit unions handle estate recoveries. This alliance is a clear nod to modernizing a process stuck in the past. Let’s face it, handling decedent and probate accounts is no cakewalk, and traditional methods...

Continue Reading
Liberty Hill: 50 Years of Grassroots Revolution

Updated Category News Views 6

Half a Century of Community Empowerment You don't see organizations sticking to their guns for fifty years without having something real to offer. Liberty Hill Foundation is celebrating this colossal milestone in style by throwing their weight behind 17 grassroots groups under the 2026 Fund for Change. They're not just tossing money around but are genuinely becoming the...

Continue Reading
2026 Buy-Side Index Reveals State Market Variance

Updated Category News Views 5

Toss out your one-size-fits-all real estate predictions; the Q2 2026 Buy-Side Index just unveiled some real whoppers about the housing market. What we're seeing isn't your typical year-over-year growth across the board. Nope, we're seeing splits as sharp as a knife between states. Some places are shooting up in price, while others seem to be stuck in mud. Price Surges and...

Continue Reading
Crystal Risotti: Leading IT Compliance in Healthcare

Updated Category News Views 6

A Journey Marked by Dedication and Expertise In the demanding world of healthcare technology, where regulations can make or break a company, Crystal Risotti has carved out a space for herself as a leader. Over the last 30 years, she's developed a reputation for blending regulatory expertise with practical business strategies. Her recognition as a Pinnacle Professional of...

Continue Reading
High-Grade Copper Spurs Optimism for PolarX in Alaska

Updated Category News Views 3

Copper's New Pulse: PolarX Makes Waves in Alaska Ever hear about striking copper so rich it's practically shimmering? Well, PolarX Limited just might have hit that sweet spot up in the rugged expanses of Alaska. Let me tell you, when you're knee-deep in resources, like what they’re discovering at the Caribou Dome Project, it sure feels like you’ve struck modern-day...

Continue Reading
World Fire Congress 2026 Champions Global Fire Safety

Updated Category News Views 8

Rethinking Fire Safety with a Global Mindset The 2026 World Fire Congress wrapped up in London, signaling a big shift in how we tackle fire safety. Over 60 nations were represented, and they all walked away singing the same tune: if we’re going to handle these ever-mounting fire risks, we have to lean on each other a lot more. Next stop on this crusade? The flashy city...

Continue Reading
USFCR Wins 2026 Award for Federal Contracting Services

Updated Category News Views 7

Award-Winning Federal Contracting Strategies News from Clearwater, Florida: US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) just bagged the 2026 nod from Gov Business Review as the Federal Contracting Services of the Year. Now that's a feather in the cap worth talking about. This isn't some hallway compliment, folks. It's a signal that they've nailed how to get businesses...

Continue Reading
Sustainability Investments: $17 Trillion Wager Faces Divergence

Updated Category News Views 3

Sustainability Investments: A Tale of Contrasts In the world of sustainability, a staggering $17 trillion has been poured into technologies over the past decade. That’s no chump change. But what do we have to show for it? According to Bain & Company’s latest report, this massive financial injection hasn’t exactly hit a home run. Progress, much like the stock market...

Continue Reading
Seismic Pharma Kicks Off Phase 3 Trial for Istaroxime

Updated Category News Views 4

Seismic Sets the Stage for a Medical Milestone From the heart of biotech in Durham, North Carolina, seismic waves ripple through the medical community as Seismic Pharmaceuticals embarks on a high-stakes adventure. It's official: they've enrolled their very first patient in the global Phase 3 trial of istaroxime, targeting the grim specter known as cardiogenic shock. You...

Continue Reading
Bitwise Pulls Plug on Dogecoin ETF Amid Market Risks

Updated Category News Views 8

Bitwise Ditches Dogecoin ETF: End of a Speculative Era Who knew that a digital asset inspired by an internet meme would get a platform on Wall Street? Well, Bitwise did. They rallied behind Dogecoin, launching the Bitwise Dogecoin ETF, ticker BWOW. But as of September 10, 2026, the fund's journey is coming to an end with liquidation just around the corner. What Sparked...

Continue Reading

Top 5 Most Recently Viewed Articles

Navigating Market Dynamics: Strategies for Today's Investors

Updated Category News Views 137

Understanding Market Strategies To excel in today's stock market, it's essential to have a keen understanding of various investment strategies. The current landscape suggests that savvy investors can find profitable opportunities even amid volatility. Taking Advantage of Hedges In light of recent sell-offs, a prudent strategy involves taking partial profits on hedges....

Continue Reading
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Faces Legal Scrutiny Following Trials

Updated Category News Views 135

Investigating Legal Options for MoonLake Investors Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is actively investigating claims on behalf of investors of MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (NASDAQ: MLTX). Recent developments surrounding the company have raised significant concerns among stakeholders following the steep decline of its stock price. Significant Losses and Company Response Many investors...

Continue Reading
Ameritas Honors Galli, Pantozzi in Hall of Fame

Updated Category News Views 10

Two Titans of Finance Recognized by Ameritas When you've been around the block as many times as Dan Galli and Joe Pantozzi, you've seen a lot go down in the insurance trenches. And this time, they're not just getting another plaque to stash in some dusty boardroom corner; they're stepping into the Ameritas Hall of Fame. That Hall ain't just for anyone—it's reserved for...

Continue Reading
Koryx Copper's Haib Project Advances with Key Development Steps

Updated Category News Views 265

Exciting Developments in the Haib Copper Project Koryx Copper Inc. has made significant strides in its development of the Haib Copper Project, a notable venture aimed at harnessing the resources of southern Namibia. This project is designed to produce clean copper concentrates through a well-structured process of crushing, milling, and flotation, establishing it as an...

Continue Reading
Exploring Companies with Promising Returns and Insider Activity

Updated Category News Views 169

Understanding Capital Returns and Insider Activity Capital returns serve as a fundamental aspect of stock market dynamics, influencing investor decisions significantly. Stocks that demonstrate robust capital returns typically pay substantial dividends or engage in share buybacks, or do both. Additionally, when insider buying accompanies these positive indicators, it...

Continue Reading