Corporate Profile

The South Financial Group, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, is a financial holding company focused on fast-growing markets in the Southeast. At December 31, 2002, The South Financial Group had approximately $7.9 billion in total assets and 117 branch offices in South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. The South Financial Group has two subsidiary banks:
  • Carolina First Bank, the largest South Carolina-headquartered commercial bank, which operates in South Carolina, North Carolina and on the Internet under the brand name, Bank Caroline, and
     
  • Mercantile Bank, which principally serves Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa Bay, Florida.

The South Financial Group uses a super community bank strategy serving small and middle market businesses and retail consumers by offering a full range of financial services, including asset management, investments, insurance and trust services. The common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol TSFG.

Table of Contents

In honor of Nap's
dedication and
contributions to
his community
and to South
Carolina
Thomas C. "Nap" Vandiver
October 15, 1907 - April 11, 2002

About The Annual Report
The 2002 Annual Report is presented in a summary format and is intended to provide information in a concise manner that will be meaningful and useful to the widest range of readers. The audited financial statements and detailed analytical schedules are contained in The South Financial Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.