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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

Wednesday November 19, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Company Press Release

SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES INC. DECLARES DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION OF COMMON STOCK
PURCHASE RIGHTS

SYLACAUGA, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 1997--Today, the board of Directors
of SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc. (AMEX:SZB - news) declared a dividend
distribution of one Common Stock Purchase Right on each outstanding share of the
Company's common stock.

Donald C. Stroup, President and Chief Executive Officer of SouthFirst
Bancshares, Inc. sated: "The Board of Directors determined that the Common Stock
Purchase Rights Plan is an effective and reasonable method to safeguard the
interests of our shareholders. We are particularly concerned that the future
benefits of our current business plan could be denied to shareholders by an
opportunistic, undervalued acquisition oft he Company. The plan is designed to
assure that shareholders are not deprived of their rights to share in the full
measure of the Company's long-term potential, while not preventing a fully
valued bid for the Company."

The Common Stock Purchase Rights Plan provides for a dividend distribution of
one Common Stock Purchase Right for each outstanding share of SouthFirst
Bancshares, Inc. common stock. The dividend distribution will be made to
shareholders of record on December 8, 1997. Each shareholder is automatically
entitled to the Rights and no physical distribution of new certificates will be
made at this time. The Rights distribution is not taxable to shareholders.

The Rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15% or more of
SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.'s common stock or announces a tender offer which
would result in ownership of 15% or more of the common stock. The Rights entitle
the holder to purchase one-hundredth of a share of common stock at an exercise
price of $60.00 per share, and will expire on November 30, 2007.

Following the acquisition of 15% or more of the Company's common stock by a
person or group, the holders of the Rights will be entitled to purchase
additional share of Company common stock at one-half the then current market
price, and, in the event of a subsequent merger or other acquisition of the
Company, to buy shares of common stock of the acquiring entity at one-half of
the market price of those shares. In neither event, however, would the acquiring
person be entitled to purchase SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc. stock or its own
shares at the reduced price.

The Company will be able to redeem the Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time
prior to ten days after a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company's
shares.

A letter outlining the Common Stock Purchase Rights Plan is more detail in being
sent to the Company's shareholders.



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