Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, announced its expansion to Atlanta, Georgia and the Buckhead and North Atlanta market. The bank is operating as a full service office in Two Lenox Tower, temporarily, and will relocate to its permanent location in early 2018 on the ground floor of 309 East Paces Ferry Road (formerly known as the Aaron’s Rents building), in the heart of the Buckhead business district.

The expansion to Atlanta is led by Sandy Bowen, executive vice president and Atlanta market executive. Bowen provides more than 25 years of banking experience in the Atlanta market, most recently as a senior corporate banker with Atlantic Capital Bank. Bowen is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Virginia Tech. His community involvement includes the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, a member of the OLA Finance Council, a Board member of the Buckhead Lion’s Club, The Breakfast Club, and the Nine O’Clocks.

Fielding Troutman, vice president, will also provide leadership in the Buckhead market. Troutman is also a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Washington & Lee University. Troutman has 10 years of banking experience with a focus on corporate banking and commercial real estate. Troutman is a member of The Cathedral of St. Philip and the Nine O’Clocks.

Katherine Wall, client officer and loan administration, will also represent the Southern First team in the Atlanta market. Wall is a recent graduate of Clemson University with a major in corporate finance and a minor in accounting.