UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

  X  Quarterly  report  pursuant  to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
 --- Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003

     Transition  report  pursuant  to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
 --- Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ____  to ____

                         Commission file number 0-15083

                         THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


SOUTH  CAROLINA                                        57-0824914
(State  or  other  jurisdiction  of         (IRS  Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

102 SOUTH MAIN STREET, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA         29601
(Address of principal executive offices)                (ZIP Code)

                                 (864) 255-7900
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code


           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

NONE                                                    NONE
(Title of Each Class)                (Name of each exchange on which registered)


           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
                          COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE
                          COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
                                (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X   No
                                       ---     ---

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes   X       No
                                                  -----        -----

The number of outstanding shares of the issuer's $1.00 par value common stock as
of May 1, 2003 was 46,644,784.



                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                                 THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                            CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

                                                                                  MARCH 31,
                                                                          ---------------------------
                                                                                           RESTATED
                                                                             2003            2002        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)        2002
                                                                           -----------    -----------        ----
ASSETS
                                                                                                 
Cash and due from banks                                                     $ 181,495      $ 120,439      $ 201,333
Interest-bearing bank balances                                                 59,515         68,753         58,703
Federal funds sold                                                                  -              -         31,293
Securities
   Trading                                                                      1,418          3,942            350
   Available for sale                                                       3,360,107      1,571,565      2,488,944
   Held to maturity (market value $63,789, $80,556 and $85,371,
        respectively)                                                          61,403         79,679         82,892
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
      Total securities                                                      3,422,928      1,655,186      2,572,186
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
Loans
   Loans held for sale                                                         60,202         29,900         67,218
   Loans held for investment                                                4,515,133      3,779,682      4,434,011
   Allowance for loan losses                                                  (66,133)       (45,208)       (70,275)
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
      Net loans                                                             4,509,202      3,764,374      4,430,954
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
Premises and equipment, net                                                   133,261        112,005        137,501
Accrued interest receivable                                                    49,253         32,861         37,080
Intangible assets                                                             242,420         95,495        242,182
Other assets                                                                  367,137        207,309        229,778
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                          $ 8,965,211    $ 6,056,422    $ 7,941,010
                                                                          ===========    ===========    ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
   Deposits
      Noninterest-bearing                                                   $ 757,149      $ 527,629      $ 743,174
      Interest-bearing                                                      3,978,566      3,113,875      3,849,336
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
         Total deposits                                                     4,735,715      3,641,504      4,592,510
   Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements                          956,709      1,279,340      1,110,840
   Other short-term borrowings                                                 43,664         63,610         81,653
   Long-term debt                                                           2,118,810        503,726      1,221,511
   Debt associated with trust preferred securities                             95,500         31,000         95,500
   Accrued interest payable                                                    22,926         24,419         20,945
   Other liabilities                                                          270,403         41,815         84,840
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
      Total liabilities                                                     8,243,727      5,585,414      7,207,799
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary                                   86,484         37,023         86,412
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
Shareholders' equity
   Preferred stock-no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding none                                                    -              -             -
   Common stock-par value $1 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding 46,405,600, 40,261,842 and 47,347,375 shares,
      respectively                                                             46,406         40,262         47,347
   Surplus                                                                    406,839        289,331        427,448
   Retained earnings                                                          164,463        121,559        150,948
   Guarantee of employee stock ownership plan debt and nonvested
      restricted stock                                                         (3,035)        (1,752)        (3,094)
   Common stock held in trust for deferred compensation                          (147)             -              -
   Deferred compensation payable in common stock                                  147              -              -
   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                   20,327        (15,415)        24,150
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
      Total shareholders' equity                                              635,000        433,985        646,799
                                                                          -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                          $ 8,965,211    $ 6,056,422    $ 7,941,010
                                                                          ===========    ===========    ===========


    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       1



                                 THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED)

                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                   MARCH 31,
                                                                                            ----------------------
                                                                                                          RESTATED
                                                                                            2003            2002
                                                                                            ----            ----
                                                                                                      
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans                                                                 $ 67,333        $ 62,160
Interest and dividends on securities:
   Taxable                                                                                   30,299          21,567
   Exempt from Federal income taxes                                                           1,221           1,091
                                                                                           --------        --------
      Total interest and dividends on securities                                             31,520          22,658
   Interest on short-term investments                                                           118             469
                                                                                           --------        --------
      Total interest income                                                                  98,971          85,287
                                                                                           --------        --------
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits                                                                         17,999          21,576
Interest on borrowed funds                                                                   15,501          12,319
                                                                                           --------        --------
   Total interest expense                                                                    33,500          33,895
                                                                                           --------        --------
   NET INTEREST INCOME                                                                       65,471          51,392
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                                                                     5,500           6,238
                                                                                           --------        --------
   Net interest income after provision for loan losses                                       59,971          45,154
NONINTEREST INCOME                                                                           19,886          11,638
NONINTEREST EXPENSES                                                                         48,890          34,852
                                                                                           --------        --------
   Income before income taxes, minority interest, and cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principle                                                         30,967          21,940
Income taxes                                                                                  9,910           6,999
                                                                                           --------        --------
   Income before minority interest and cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principle                                                                   21,057          14,941
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary, net of tax                                     (1,012)           (428)
                                                                                           --------        --------
   Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                         20,045          14,513
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax                                  -           (1,406)
                                                                                           --------        --------
      NET INCOME                                                                           $ 20,045        $ 13,107
                                                                                           ========        ========

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC                                                 47,325,448      41,180,460
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, DILUTED                                               48,257,498      42,059,462
PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC:
Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                        $ 0.42          $ 0.35
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax                                  -            (0.03)
                                                                                             ------          ------
Net income                                                                                   $ 0.42          $ 0.32
                                                                                             ======          ======
PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED:
Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                        $ 0.42          $ 0.34
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax                                  -            (0.03)
Net income                                                                                   $ 0.42          $ 0.31
                                                                                             ======          ======
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE                                                     $ 0.14          $ 0.12
                                                                                             ======          ======


  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                       2



                                 THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
                                 IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED)

                                                                            RETAINED        ACCUMULATED
                                         SHARES OF                          EARNINGS         OTHER
                                          COMMON      COMMON                   AND         COMPREHENSIVE
                                           STOCK       STOCK     SURPLUS     OTHER*        INCOME (LOSS)    TOTAL
                                           -----       -----     -------     -----         -------------    -----
                                                                                       
Balance, December 31, 2001              41,228,976   $41,229   $ 311,305   $ 111,744        $(6,104)     $ 458,174
Net income (restated)                            -         -           -      13,107              -         13,107
Other comprehensive loss,
   net of tax of $3,967                          -         -           -           -         (9,311)        (9,311)
                                                                                                         ---------
Comprehensive income                             -         -           -           -              -          3,796
                                                                                                         ---------
Cash dividends declared
   ($0.12 per common share)                      -         -           -      (4,836)             -         (4,836)
Common stock activity:
   Repurchase of stock                  (1,135,600)   (1,136)    (24,181)          -              -        (25,317)
   Dividend reinvestment plan                1,485         2         (25)          -              -            (23)
   Employee stock purchase plan              2,849         3          48           -              -             51
   Restricted stock plan                    59,096        59       1,281        (291)             -          1,049
   Exercise of stock options               105,036       105         892           -              -            997
Miscellaneous                                    -         -          11          83              -             94
                                        ----------   -------   ---------   ---------       --------      ---------
Balance, March 31, 2002 (restated)      40,261,842   $40,262   $ 289,331   $ 119,807       $(15,415)     $ 433,985
                                        ==========   =======   =========   =========       ========      =========


Balance, December 31, 2002              47,347,375   $47,347   $ 427,448   $ 147,854       $ 24,150      $ 646,799
Net income                                       -         -           -      20,045              -         20,045
Other comprehensive loss,
   net of tax of $37                             -         -           -           -         (3,823)        (3,823)
                                                                                                         ---------
Comprehensive income                             -         -           -           -              -         16,222
                                                                                                         ---------
Cash dividends declared
   ($0.14 per common share)                      -         -           -      (6,529)             -         (6,529)
Common stock activity:
   Repurchase of stock                  (1,266,308)   (1,266)    (24,981)          -              -        (26,247)
   Acquisitions                                  -         -           -         453              -            453
   Dividend reinvestment plan               39,339        39         721           -              -            760
   Employee stock purchase plan             13,960        14         263           -              -            277
   Restricted stock plan                    68,793        69       2,179        (478)             -          1,770
   Exercise of stock options               202,441       203       1,188           -              -          1,391
Common stock purchased by trust
   for deferred compensation                     -         -           -        (147)             -           (147)
Deferred compensation payable in
   common stock                                  -         -           -         147              -            147
Miscellaneous                                    -         -          21          83              -            104
                                        ----------   -------   ---------   ---------       --------      ---------
Balance, March 31, 2003                 46,405,600   $46,406   $ 406,839   $ 161,428       $ 20,327      $ 635,000
                                        ==========   =======   =========   =========       ========      =========


*    Other includes  guarantee of employee stock ownership plan debt,  nonvested
     restricted stock and deferred compensation.

     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3



                                THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                           (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                                  2003                     2002
                                                                                  ----                     ----
                                                                                                   
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income                                                                      $ 20,045                 $ 13,107
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities
   Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, net                                 12,596                    8,109
   Provision for loan losses                                                       5,500                    6,238
   Gain on sale of available for sale securities                                    (986)                     (29)
   Loss on trading securities                                                        (72)                     (30)
   Gain on equity investments                                                     (1,875)                     (11)
   Gain on sale of loans                                                          (1,635)                    (224)
   Gain on disposition of premises and equipment                                     (32)                     (39)
   Loss on disposition of other real estate owned                                    167                      168
   Impairment loss from write-down of assets                                         198                        -
   Impairment loss (recovery) from write-down of mortgage servicing rights           262                     (200)
   Loss on changes in fair value of hedges                                           192                       13
   Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary                                    1,012                      428
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                                 -                    1,406
   Trading account assets, net                                                      (996)                  (2,335)
   Originations of mortgage loans held for sale                                 (146,097)                (137,284)
   Sale proceeds and principal repayments from mortgage loans held for sale      154,706                  114,121
   Other assets, net                                                             (18,368)                   2,375
   Other liabilities, net                                                          5,291                    3,964
                                                                               ---------                ---------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                                   29,908                    9,777
                                                                               ---------                ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Sale of securities available for sale                                            692,924                  211,694
Maturity, call, or principal repayments from securities available for sale       546,448                  461,452
Maturity or call of securities held to maturity                                   28,265                    4,040
Purchase of available for sale securities                                     (2,064,141)                (698,206)
Purchase of securities held to maturity                                           (6,814)                  (2,928)
Origination of loans held for investment, net                                    (94,671)                 (59,664)
Sale of other real estate owned                                                    3,604                    1,010
Sale of premises and equipment                                                        37                    1,132
Capital expenditures                                                              (1,779)                  (1,844)
Payment for purchase acquisitions                                                   (385)                      -
                                                                               ---------                ---------
   Net cash used for investing activities                                       (896,512)                 (83,314)
                                                                               ---------                ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Deposits, net                                                                    143,134                   37,073
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements, net                          (154,040)                   9,802
Short-term borrowings, net                                                       (38,288)                 (86,650)
Issuance of long-term debt                                                       899,800                  100,000
Payments of long-term debt                                                        (2,397)                  (7,568)
Cash dividends paid                                                               (6,656)                  (5,693)
Cash dividends paid on minority interest                                          (1,553)                    (704)
Repurchase of common stock                                                       (26,247)                 (25,317)
Other common stock activity                                                        2,532                    1,119
                                                                               ---------                ---------
    Net cash provided by financing activities                                    816,285                   22,062
                                                                               ---------                ---------
Net change in cash and due from banks                                            (50,319)                 (51,475)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                   291,329                  240,667
                                                                               ---------                ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                     $ 241,010                $ 189,192
                                                                               =========                =========


  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       4


                THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1) GENERAL

         The foregoing unaudited  consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of The South Financial Group, Inc. and  subsidiaries.  "TSFG" refers to
The South  Financial  Group,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries,  except where the context
requires otherwise.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation, and all adjustments considered necessary for a
fair  presentation  of the  results  for  interim  periods  presented  have been
included.  (Such  adjustments are normal and recurring in nature.) Certain prior
year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2003  presentations.  TSFG
has no interests in non-consolidated special purpose entities.

         The  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes are  presented  in
accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. The information contained in the
footnotes  included in TSFG's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K should be referred
to in  connection  with the  reading  of these  unaudited  interim  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

         Certain policies  require  management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts  reported in the consolidated  financial  statements and
accompanying  notes.  Actual  results  could  differ  significantly  from  these
estimates and assumptions.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible
to  significant  change  relate to the  determination  of the allowance for loan
losses and deferred income tax assets or liabilities.

RESTATEMENT OF 2002 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

         During the fourth quarter 2002, TSFG adjusted and reclassified  certain
prior 2002 quarter  amounts to account for an  overaccrual  of interest  expense
related  to  repurchase  agreements  and the  deferral  of loan  fee  income  in
accordance  with Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 91,
"Accounting for  Nonrefundable  Fees and Costs  Associated  with  Originating or
Acquiring  Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases" ("SFAS 91"),  which reduced
interest  income,  noninterest  income and  noninterest  expenses.  Income taxes
increased as a result of the  restatement.  The net impact of these  adjustments
for the first  quarter of 2002,  which  restated the  financial  results for the
quarter, was to increase net income by $316,000, or $0.01 per diluted share.

         During the third quarter 2002,  TSFG, in accordance  with SFAS No. 142,
"Goodwill and Other Intangible  Assets" ("SFAS 142"),  recognized a $1.4 million
impairment loss on the cumulative effect of a change in accounting  principle as
of  January  1,  2002.  The first  quarter  2002,  as  restated,  includes  this
impairment  loss. In addition,  in connection with its adoption of SFAS No. 147,
"Acquisitions of Certain Financial  Institutions an amendment of FASB Statements
No. 72 and 144 and FASB  Interpretation  No. 9" ("SFAS  147")  during  the third
quarter 2002,  effective as of January 1, 2002,  TSFG reversed  amortization  of
intangibles,  which  increased  net income by $71,000  for the first  quarter of
2002.

         For a summary of the quarterly  financial  data for first quarter 2002,
as  restated  and  as  reported,  see  Note  36 to  the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements in TSFG's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities

         Effective  January 1, 2003, TSFG adopted SFAS No. 146,  "Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"), which addresses
financial  accounting and reporting for costs  associated  with exit or disposal
activities and nullifies  Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3,  "Liability
Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an
Activity  (including  Certain  Costs  Incurred  in a  Restructuring)."  SFAS 146
applies  to costs  associated  with an exit  activity  that does not  involve an
entity  newly  acquired in a business  combination  or with a disposal  activity
covered  by  SFAS  No.  144,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  or  Disposal  of
Long-Lived Assets." Those costs include,  but are not limited to, the following:
a) termination  benefits  provided to current  employees that are  involuntarily
terminated under the terms of a benefit  arrangement that, in substance,  is not
an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred  compensation  contract
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  one-time  termination  benefits),  b)  costs  to
terminate a contract that is not a capital lease, and c) costs to consolidate

                                        5


facilities  or  relocate  employees.  This  Statement  does  not  apply to costs
associated  with the  retirement of a long-lived  asset covered by SFAS No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." A liability for a cost associated
with an exit or disposal activity shall be recognized and measured  initially at
its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred. A liability for
a cost  associated  with an exit or  disposal  activity  is  incurred  when  the
definition of a liability is met in accordance with FASB Concepts Statements No.
6, "Elements of Financial Statements."

Accounting for Guarantees

         Effective  January 1, 2003,  TSFG adopted the initial  recognition  and
initial  measurement   provisions  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  Board
Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's  Accounting and Disclosure  Requirements for
Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" ("FIN 45").
TSFG adopted the disclosure  requirements effective as of December 31, 2002. FIN
45  elaborates  on the  disclosure  to be made by a guarantor in its interim and
annual financial  statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that
it has issued. FIN 45 clarifies that a guarantor is required to disclose (a) the
nature of the guarantee;  (b) the maximum  potential  amount of future  payments
under the grantee; (c) the carrying amount of the liability;  and (d) the nature
and extent of any recourse provisions or available  collateral that would enable
the  guarantor  to recover the  amounts  paid under the  guarantee.  FIN 45 also
clarifies  that  a  guarantor  is  required  to  recognize,  at  inception  of a
guarantee,  a liability  for the  obligations  it has  undertaken in issuing the
guarantee  at its  inception.  At March 31, 2003,  TSFG  recorded a liability of
$25,000 for deferred fees received on standby  letters of credit,  which was the
estimated  fair  value for the  current  carrying  amount of the  obligation  to
perform as a guarantor.  No contingent  liability was determined to be necessary
relating to TSFG's obligation to perform as a guarantor.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting for Variable Interest Entities

         In January  2003,  the FASB issued FASB  Interpretation  No. 46,  ("FIN
46"),   "Consolidation   of  Variable   Interest   Entities",   which  addresses
consolidation by business  enterprises of variable interest entities.  Under FIN
46, an  enterprise  that  holds  significant  variable  interest  in a  variable
interest  entity but is not the primary  beneficiary is required to disclose the
nature,  purpose,  size, and  activities of the variable  interest  entity,  its
exposure to loss as a result of the variable interest holder's  involvement with
the entity,  and the nature of its involvement with the entity and date when the
involvement  began.  The primary  beneficiary of a variable  interest  entity is
required to disclose the nature,  purpose,  size, and activities of the variable
interest entity, the carrying amount and  classification of consolidated  assets
that are collateral for the variable interest entity's obligations, and any lack
of recourse by creditors  (or  beneficial  interest  holders) of a  consolidated
variable  interest  entity to the  general  creditors  (or  beneficial  interest
holders) of a consolidated  variable  interest entity to the general creditor of
the  primary  beneficiary.  FIN 46 is  effective  for the first  fiscal  year or
interim period  beginning  after June 15, 2003. The impact to TSFG upon adoption
is currently not known.







                                        6


(2) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

         The  following   presents  the  details  for  noninterest   income  and
noninterest expense (in thousands):



                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                      March 31,
                                                                               -------------------------
                                                                                              Restated
                                                                                 2003           2002
                                                                                 ----           ----
                                                                                          
           Noninterest income
           Service charges on deposit accounts                                   $  6,960      $  4,907
           Fees for investment services                                             2,491         1,427
           Mortgage banking income                                                  2,172         1,081
           Bank-owned life insurance                                                1,948         1,806
           Merchant processing income                                               1,336         1,248
           Gain on sale of available for sale securities                              986            29
           Gain on trading securities                                                  72            30
           Gain on equity investments                                               1,875            11
           Other                                                                    2,046         1,099
                                                                                 --------      --------
              Total noninterest income                                           $ 19,886      $ 11,638
                                                                                 ========      ========

           Noninterest expenses
           Salaries and wages                                                    $ 19,278      $ 13,636
           Employee benefits                                                        5,316         4,378
           Occupancy                                                                4,614         3,545
           Furniture and equipment                                                  4,594         3,596
           Professional fees                                                        1,538         1,327
           Telecommunications                                                       1,070           683
           Merchant processing expense                                              1,049         1,044
           Amortization of intangibles                                                705           239
           Merger-related costs                                                     1,497             -
           Other                                                                    9,229         6,404
                                                                                 --------      --------
              Total noninterest expenses                                         $ 48,890      $ 34,852
                                                                                 ========      ========


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

         The following summarizes supplemental cash flow data (in thousands) for
the three months ended March 31:



                                                                                                    2003           2002
                                                                                                    ----           ----
                                                                                                           
Interest paid                                                                                     $ 32,168       $ 29,813
Income taxes paid                                                                                    1,044          3,251
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions are summarized as follows:
    Security sales settled subsequent to quarter-end                                               129,972              -
    Security purchases settled subsequent to quarter-end                                          (181,377)             -
    Unrealized loss on available for sale securities                                                (4,061)       (13,500)
    Loans transferred to other real estate owned                                                     4,011          3,353
    Premises and equipment, net transferred to long-lived assets held for sale                       2,639              -


                                        7


(3) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

         The following summarizes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),
net of tax (in thousands) for the three months ended March 31:



                                                                                      2003           2002
                                                                                      ----           ----
                                                                                             
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities
Balance at beginning of year                                                        $ 24,382       $ (5,554)
Other comprehensive loss:
   Unrealized holding losses arising during the year                                  (1,200)       (13,460)
   Income tax (expense) benefit                                                         (910)         4,036
   Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income                 (2,861)           (40)
             Income tax expense                                                        1,021             13
                                                                                    --------       --------

                                                                                      (3,950)        (9,451)
                                                                                    --------       --------
Balance at end of period                                                              20,432        (15,005)
                                                                                    --------       --------

Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
Balance at beginning of year                                                            (232)          (550)
Other comprehensive income:
   Unrealized gain on change in fair values                                              201            222
   Income tax expense                                                                    (74)           (82)
                                                                                    --------       --------
                                                                                         127            140
                                                                                    --------       --------
Balance at end of period                                                                (105)          (410)
                                                                                    --------       --------
                                                                                    $ 20,327       $ (15,415)
                                                                                    ========       =========


         During the first quarter  2003,  TSFG adjusted its income tax rate used
(on a cumulative  basis) on the net  unrealized  gain recorded for available for
sale securities, which is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, to
the blended statutory federal and state income tax rate of 36.94%.  However,  in
certain  cases where TSFG has capital  loss  carryforwards  for state income tax
purposes,  an income tax rate of 35% is used. At December 31, 2002,  TSFG used a
32.5% income tax rate on the net unrealized gain recorded for available for sale
securities.

(4) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

CENTRAL BANK OF TAMPA

         On December 31, 2002,  TSFG acquired  Central Bank of Tampa ("CBT"),  a
community bank headquartered in Tampa,  Florida. CBT operated through 5 branches
in Tampa.  This  acquisition  added to TSFG's growing  presence in the Tampa Bay
area and advanced TSFG's strategy to expand in markets with favorable population
and per capita income growth prospects.

         The aggregate  purchase  price was $66.2  million,  which  consisted of
3,241,737  shares  of TSFG  common  stock  and  $2,000  of cash  paid in lieu of
fractional  shares.  The TSFG  common  stock  issued was  valued at the  average
closing price on the ten trading days ending on the second  trading day prior to
closing.  CBT  shareholders  received 9.850 shares of TSFG common stock for each
share of CBT common stock.

         The CBT purchase price and the amount of the purchase  price  allocated
to goodwill and other intangible assets are presented below (in thousands).  The
estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities  assumed at the
purchase  date are  subject  to  adjustment  as fair value  information  becomes
available.  The  allocation of the CBT purchase  price was adjusted in the first
quarter  of 2003  to  reflect  third-party  valuations  of  certain  assets  and
liabilities.

                                        8


                                                                                          
Purchase price                                                                               $  66,224
CBT tangible shareholders' equity                                                               28,943
                                                                                             ---------
    Excess of purchase price over carrying value of net tangible assets acquired                37,281
Fair value adjustments                                                                          (1,642)
Direct acquisition costs                                                                         1,526
Deferred income taxes                                                                            1,616
                                                                                             ---------
    Total intangible assets                                                                     38,781
Core deposit premiums                                                                            2,700
                                                                                             ---------
    Goodwill                                                                                 $  36,081
                                                                                             =========


         The core deposit premium intangible asset is amortized over 10 years on
an accelerated basis until the straight-line  amortization  method is greater at
which time the straight-line  method is used. The core deposit premium valuation
and  amortization  method  are based  upon a  historical  study of the  deposits
acquired.  All of the CBT intangible assets were assigned to the Mercantile Bank
segment. The goodwill will not be amortized but will be tested at least annually
for  impairment  in  accordance  with SFAS 142.  The  total  amount of  goodwill
expected to be deductible for income tax purposes is $356,000.

AMORTIZATION OF PREMIUMS AND DISCOUNTS

         Premiums and  discounts  that  resulted  from  recording the assets and
liabilities  acquired through acquisition (CBT, Rock Hill Bank & Trust, and Gulf
West  Banks,  Inc.) at their  respective  fair  values are being  amortized  and
accreted using methods that result in a constant  effective  yield over the life
of the assets and liabilities. This net amortization decreased net income before
income taxes by $330,000 in the first three months of 2003.

(5) INTANGIBLE ASSETS

         Intangible assets, net of accumulated  amortization,  are summarized as
follows (in thousands):



                                                            MARCH 31,
                                                  ----------------------------   DECEMBER 31,
                                                       2003            2002            2002
                                                       ----            ----            ----
                                                                           
Goodwill                                            $ 225,255        $ 90,194       $ 224,312
Core deposit premiums                                  26,873          14,546          26,873
Less accumulated amortization                         (11,063)         (9,245)        (10,409)
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
                                                       15,810           5,301          16,464
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
Customer list intangible                                  858               -             858
Less accumulated amortization                             (45)              -             (24)
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
                                                          813               -             834
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
Non-compete agreement intangible                          663               -             663
Less accumulated amortization                            (121)              -             (91)
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
                                                          542               -             572
                                                    ---------        --------       ---------
                                                    $ 242,420        $ 95,495       $ 242,182
                                                    =========        ========       =========


         The following summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
related to each of TSFG's business  segments (in thousands) for the three months
ended March 31, 2003:



                                                  CAROLINA       MERCANTILE
                                                 FIRST BANK        BANK            TOTAL
                                                 ----------        ----            -----
                                                                       
Balance, December 31, 2002                       $ 116,279      $ 108,033       $ 224,312
Purchase accounting adjustments                      1,420           (477)            943
                                                 ---------      ---------       ---------
Balance, March 31, 2003                          $ 117,699      $ 107,556       $ 225,255
                                                 =========      =========       =========

                                        9


         Amortization of intangibles totaled $654,000 for core deposit premiums,
$21,000 for customer list  intangibles,  and $30,000 for  non-compete  agreement
intangibles  for  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  2003.  Amortization  of
intangibles  totaled  $239,000  for core  deposit  premiums for the three months
ended March 31, 2002.

         The estimated  amortization  expense for core deposit  premiums for the
years ended December 31 is as follows:  $2.6 million for 2003,  $2.2 million for
2004,  $1.9 million for 2005,  $1.7 million for 2006, $1.7 million for 2007, and
an  aggregate  of $6.4  million  for all the  years  thereafter.  The  estimated
amortization  expense for  customer  list  intangibles  is $86,000 for the years
ended  December  31, 2003 to 2007 and an aggregate of $404,000 for all the years
thereafter.   The  estimated  amortization  expense  for  non-compete  agreement
intangibles  is  $120,000  for the years  ended  December  31,  2003 to 2006 and
$92,000 for 2007.

(6) MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

         Capitalized  mortgage  servicing rights ("MSRs"),  net of the valuation
allowance,  totaled $3.2 million,  $4.4  million,  and $8.0 million at March 31,
2003, December 31, 2002, and March 31, 2002, respectively.  Amortization expense
for MSRs totaled  $909,000 and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2003 and 2002, respectively. At March 31, 2003 and 2002, the valuation allowance
for  capitalized  MSRs totaled $2.0 million and $869,000,  respectively.  In the
first three months of 2003 and 2002,  TSFG recorded a $262,000  impairment  loss
and $200,000 impairment recovery from the valuation of MSRs, respectively.

         The  estimated  amortization  expense  for  MSRs  for the  years  ended
December 31 is as follows:  $3.6 million for 2003,  $487,000 for 2004,  and none
for all the years  thereafter.  The estimated  amortization  expense is based on
current  information  regarding  loan  payments  and  prepayments.  Amortization
expense  could  change in  future  periods  based on  changes  in the  volume of
prepayments and economic factors.

(7) GUARANTEES

         Standby  letters of credit  represent an  obligation of TSFG to a third
party  contingent upon the failure of TSFG's customer to perform under the terms
of an underlying contract with the third party or obligates TSFG to guarantee or
stand as surety for the benefit of the third party. The underlying  contract may
entail either financial or nonfinancial  obligations and may involve such things
as  the  customer's  delivery  of  merchandise,  completion  of  a  construction
contract, release of a lien, or repayment of an obligation. Under the terms of a
standby  letter,  drafts will generally be drawn only when the underlying  event
fails to occur as intended.  TSFG can seek recovery of the amounts paid from the
borrower.   In  addition,   some  of  these   standby   letters  of  credit  are
collateralized.  The collateral is generally  cash,  although  existing lines of
credit are  sometimes  used.  Commitments  under  standby  letters of credit are
usually for one year or less.  At March 31, 2003,  TSFG  recorded a liability of
$25,000 for deferred fees received on standby  letters of credit,  which was the
estimated  fair  value for the  current  carrying  amount of the  obligation  to
perform as a guarantor.  No contingent  liability was determined to be necessary
relating to TSFG's  obligation to perform as a guarantor.  The maximum potential
amount of undiscounted  future payments  related to standby letters of credit at
March 31, 2003 was $58.3 million.

(8) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

         TSFG is currently  subject to various legal proceedings and claims that
have arisen in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management
based on consultation  with external legal counsel,  any reasonably  foreseeable
outcome  of  such  current   litigation  would  not  materially   affect  TSFG's
consolidated financial position or results of operations.

         At the purchase date, TSFG identified a potential  contingent liability
related to certain Rock Hill Bank & Trust trust accounts. Any liability recorded
would increase the goodwill recorded.

(9) DEFERRED COMPENSATION HELD IN TRUST

         Beginning  on  January  1,  2003,  under  TSFG's   Executive   Deferred
Compensation  Plan for  certain  officers,  TSFG  common  stock  was added as an
investment  option for  deferral of up to 100% of a  participant's  annual bonus
compensation,  net of withholdings  for social security and Medicare taxes.  The
common stock purchased by TSFG for this deferred compensation plan is maintained
in a Rabbi Trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of the participants. The assets of the
Trust are subject to the claims of general creditors of TSFG.  Dividends payable
on the common shares held by the Trust will be  reinvested in additional  shares
of common stock of TSFG on behalf of the participants. The deferred compensation
obligation in the Trust is classified  as a component of  shareholders'  equity,
and the common stock held by the Trust is classified as a reduction of

                                       10


shareholders'  equity.  The obligations of TSFG under this investment  option of
the deferred  compensation  plan, and the shares held by the Trust,  have no net
effect on outstanding shares. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the common
stock are not reflected in earnings or shareholders' equity.

(10) AVERAGE SHARE INFORMATION

         The  following  is a summary of the basic and  diluted  average  common
shares outstanding:



                                                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                             ----------------------------------------
                                                                 2003                      2002
                                                                 ----                      ----
                                                                                   
Basic:
Average common shares outstanding (denominator)               47,325,448                 41,180,460
                                                              ==========                 ==========

Diluted:
Average common shares outstanding                             47,325,448                 41,180,460
Dilutive potential common shares                                 932,050                    879,002
                                                              ----------                 ----------
Average diluted shares outstanding (denominator)              48,257,498                 42,059,462
                                                              ==========                 ==========

         The following  options were outstanding at the period end presented but
were excluded  from the  calculation  of diluted  earnings per share because the
exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares:



                                                  NUMBER               RANGE OF
                                                 OF SHARES         EXERCISE PRICES
                                                 ---------         ---------------
                                                             
For the three months ended
March 31, 2003                                   1,539,803         $21.00 to $31.26
March 31, 2002                                   1,065,168         $19.47 to $31.26


(11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

         At March  31,  2003,  TSFG has two  stock-based  employee  compensation
option  plans,  which are  described  more fully in Note 30 to the  Consolidated
Financial  Statements in TSFG's 2002 Annual  Report on Form 10-K.  TSFG accounts
for its option plans under the  recognition  and  measurement  principles of APB
Opinion  25,   "Accounting   for  Stock  Issued  to   Employees,"   and  related
Interpretations ("APB Opinion 25"). No stock-based employee compensation cost is
reflected in net income  related to these plans,  as all options  granted  under
those plans had an exercise  price equal to or greater  than the market value of
the  underlying  common  stock  on  the  date  of  grant.  The  following  table
illustrates  the  effect on net  income  and  earnings  per share as if TSFG had
applied the fair value recognition  provisions of SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock Based  Compensation"  ("SFAS 123") to  stock-based  employee  compensation
option plans for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in  thousands,  except
share data).



                                                                                       2003           2002
                                                                                       ----           ----
                                                                                              
Net income
Net income, as reported                                                              $ 20,045       $ 13,107
Deduct:
   Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair
     value based method for all option awards, net of related tax effect                  392            382
                                                                                     --------       --------
Pro forma net income                                                                 $ 19,653       $ 12,725
                                                                                     ========       ========

Basic earnings per share
As reported                                                                            $ 0.42         $ 0.32
Pro forma                                                                                0.42           0.31

Diluted earnings per share
As reported                                                                            $ 0.42         $ 0.31
Pro forma                                                                                0.41           0.30



                                       11


(12) MERGER-RELATED AND DIRECT ACQUISITION COSTS

         In connection with the CBT, Rock Hill Bank, and Gulf West acquisitions,
TSFG  recorded  pre-tax  merger-related  costs  of  $1.5  million,  included  in
noninterest  expenses,  and direct  acquisition  costs of $197,000,  included in
goodwill during the first quarter 2003. The merger-related and acquisition costs
were recorded as incurred. The following summarizes these charges (in thousands)
at and for the three months ended March 31, 2003:



                                                                                   TOTAL           AMOUNTS       REMAINING
                                                                                   COSTS            PAID          ACCRUAL
                                                                                   -----            ----          -------
                                                                                                         
           MERGER-RELATED COSTS
           Compensation-related expenses                                           $  511          $  215         $ 296
           System conversion costs                                                    461             281           180
           Fixed asset impairment                                                     198             198             -
           Travel                                                                      33              33             -
           Advertising                                                                 30              30             -
           Other                                                                      264             256             8
                                                                                   ------          ------         -----
                                                                                   $1,497          $1,013         $ 484
                                                                                   ======          ======         =====

           DIRECT ACQUISITION COSTS
           Investment banking and professional fees                                $   88          $   88         $   -
           Severance                                                                  109             109             -
                                                                                   ------          ------         -----
                                                                                   $  197          $  197         $   -
                                                                                   ======          ======         =====


         At March 31, 2003, the accrual of merger-related  costs, which included
$484,000  for charges  incurred  during the three  months  ended March 31, 2003,
totaled  $1.1  million.  This  accrual  is for  compensation-related  and  other
expenses  incurred in  connection  with the CBT,  Rock Hill Bank,  and Gulf West
acquisitions. At March 31, 2003, the accrual of direct acquisition costs totaled
$569,000. This accrual is for professional fees and severance in connection with
the purchase of assets and deposits from Rock Hill Bank.

(13) BUSINESS SEGMENTS

         TSFG has two principal operating subsidiaries,  Carolina First Bank and
Mercantile Bank, which are evaluated  regularly by the chief operating  decision
maker in deciding  how to allocate  resources  and assess  performance.  Both of
these  subsidiaries  are  reportable  segments  by  virtue of exceeding  certain
quantitative  thresholds.  Carolina  First Bank and  Mercantile  Bank  engage in
general banking business focusing on commercial,  consumer, and mortgage lending
to small and middle market  businesses and consumers in their market areas.  The
reportable  segments also provide demand  transaction  accounts and time deposit
accounts to businesses and individuals.  Carolina First Bank offers products and
services primarily to customers in South Carolina, coastal North Carolina and on
the  Internet.  Mercantile  Bank  offers  products  and  services  primarily  to
customers  in its market  areas in northern  and central  Florida.  Revenues for
Carolina First Bank and Mercantile Bank are derived  primarily from interest and
fees on loans,  interest on investment  securities,  service charges on deposits
and other customer  service fees. No single customer  accounts for a significant
amount of the revenues of either reportable segment.

         TSFG evaluates  performance  based on budget to actual  comparisons and
segment profits. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same
as those  described  in TSFG's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the year  ended
December 31, 2002.

         Segment  information  (in  thousands) is shown in the table below.  The
"Other"  column  includes all other  business  activities  that did not meet the
quantitative thresholds and therefore are not shown as a reportable segment.

                                       12




                                                       CAROLINA     MERCANTILE                   ELIMINATING
                                                      FIRST BANK       BANK         OTHER          ENTRIES         TOTAL
                                                      ----------       ----         -----          -------         -----
                                                                                                 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
Net interest income                                  $    52,024     $  14,987     $ (1,540)      $       -     $   65,471
Provision for loan losses                                  3,498         1,990           12               -          5,500
Noninterest income                                        15,045         2,931       15,218         (13,308)        19,886
Noninterest expenses                                      32,620        13,005       16,573         (13,308)        48,890
  Amortization of intangibles (a)                            315           390            -               -            705
  Merger-related costs (a)                                   323         1,174            -               -          1,497
Income tax expense                                        10,135           937       (1,162)              -          9,910
Minority interest in consolidated
  subsidiary, net of tax                                  (1,012)            -            -               -         (1,012)
Net income                                                19,804         1,986       (1,745)              -         20,045

MARCH 31, 2003
Total assets                                         $ 6,875,479    $2,109,116    $ 933,540      $ (952,924)   $ 8,965,211
Loans                                                  3,426,218     1,183,564      100,029        (134,476)     4,575,335
Deposits                                               3,475,736     1,281,489            -         (21,510)     4,735,715

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002
Net interest income                                  $    46,255    $    6,470    $  (1,333)     $        -    $    51,392
Provision for loan losses                                  4,150         2,079            9               -          6,238
Noninterest income                                         9,006           942       14,590         (12,900)        11,638
Noninterest expenses                                      27,428         4,520       15,804         (12,900)        34,852
  Amortization of intangibles (a)                            239             -            -               -            239
Income tax expense                                         7,445           372         (818)              -          6,999
Minority interest in consolidated
  subsidiary, net of tax                                    (428)            -            -               -           (428)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
  principal, net of tax                                        -             -       (1,406)              -         (1,406)
Net income                                                15,810           441       (3,144)              -         13,107

MARCH 31, 2002
Total assets                                         $ 5,337,437     $ 804,553    $ 627,213      $ (712,781)   $ 6,056,422
Loans                                                  3,169,152       672,594       37,315         (69,479)     3,809,582
Deposits                                               3,095,611       565,053            -         (19,160)     3,641,504

(a) Included in noninterest expenses.


(14) MANAGEMENT'S OPINION

         The financial  statements in this report are unaudited,  except for the
consolidated  balance  sheet at December 31, 2002,  which is derived from TSFG's
consolidated  audited financial  statements.  In the opinion of management,  all
adjustments necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the interim
periods have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.

                                       13


Item 2.              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The  following  discussion  and  analysis  are  presented  to assist in
understanding  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of The South
Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "TSFG"). TSFG may also
be referred to herein as "we", "us", or "our", except where the context requires
otherwise.  This discussion  should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial  statements  and the  supplemental  financial  data  appearing in this
report as well as the  Annual  Report  of TSFG on Form  10-K for the year  ended
December 31, 2002.  Results of  operations  for the three months ended March 31,
2003 are not  necessarily  indicative  of results  that may be attained  for any
other period.  Percentage  calculations  contained  herein have been  calculated
based upon actual, not rounded, results.

         TSFG, a South Carolina corporation  headquartered in Greenville,  South
Carolina, is a financial holding company,  which commenced banking operations in
December 1986, and at March 31, 2003 conducted  business through 76 locations in
South  Carolina,  5 locations in North Carolina and 34 locations in northern and
central Florida.  TSFG operates principally through two wholly-owned  subsidiary
banks:  Carolina First Bank, a South  Carolina  chartered  commercial  bank, and
Mercantile  Bank, a Florida  chartered  commercial bank (which are  collectively
referred to as the "Subsidiary Banks"). TSFG's subsidiaries provide a full range
of financial  services,  including  asset  management,  investments,  insurance,
mortgage,  and  trust  services,  designed  to  meet  substantially  all  of the
financial needs of its customers.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         This report contains certain forward-looking  statements (as defined in
the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995)  to  assist  in the
understanding of anticipated future operating and financial performance,  growth
opportunities,  growth  rates,  and other similar  forecasts  and  statements of
expectations.  These  forward-looking  statements reflect current views, but are
based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors,
which  may  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  in such
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

     o    risks  from  changes  in  economic,   monetary  policy,  and  industry
          conditions;
     o    changes in interest rates, deposit rates, the net interest margin, and
          funding sources;
     o    market risk and inflation;
     o    risks inherent in making loans including  repayment risks and value of
          collateral;
     o    loan  growth,  the  adequacy of the  allowance  for loan  losses,  the
          assessment  of problem  loans,  and the Rock Hill Bank & Trust Workout
          loans;
     o    level,  composition,  and repricing  characteristics of the securities
          portfolio;
     o    fluctuations in consumer spending;
     o    competition  in the banking  industry  and demand for our products and
          services;
     o    dependence on senior management;
     o    technological changes;
     o    ability to increase market share;
     o    expense projections;
     o    risks  associated  with income  taxes,  including  the  potential  for
          adverse adjustments;
     o    acquisitions,  related cost savings,  expected financial results,  and
          unanticipated integration issues;
     o    significant  delay  or  inability  to  execute  strategic  initiatives
          designed to grow revenues;
     o    changes in accounting  policies and practices;
     o    costs and effects of litigation; and
     o    recently-enacted or proposed legislation.

         Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such
statements  are made. We undertake no  obligation to update any  forward-looking
statement  to  reflect  events or  circumstances  after  the date on which  such
statement  is made  to  reflect  the  occurrence  of  unanticipated  events.  In
addition,  certain  statements in future filings by TSFG with the Securities and
Exchange Commission,  in press releases, and in oral and written statements made
by or with the approval of TSFG,  which are not  statements of historical  fact,
constitute forward-looking statements.

         This report also contains financial  information  determined by methods
other than in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").
TSFG's  management  uses these  non-GAAP  measures  in their  analysis of TSFG's
performance. In particular, a number of credit quality measures presented adjust

                                       14


GAAP  information  to exclude the effects of certain  identified  problems loans
purchased  from  Rock  Hill  Bank &  Trust  (the  "Rock  Hill  Workout  Loans").
Management believes  presentations of credit quality measures excluding the Rock
Hill  Workout  Loans  assist in  identifying  core credit  quality  measures and
trends.  These  disclosures  should  not be  viewed  as a  substitute  for  GAAP
operating results, and furthermore, TSFG's non-GAAP measures may not necessarily
be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures of other companies.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         TSFG's accounting policies are in accordance with accounting principles
generally  accepted in the United  States and with general  practice  within the
banking  industry.   The  more  critical   accounting  policies  include  TSFG's
accounting for securities,  loans, allowance for loan losses,  intangibles,  and
income taxes. In particular, TSFG considers its policies regarding the allowance
for loan losses and income taxes to be its most critical accounting policies due
to the significant degree of management judgment.  Different  assumptions in the
application  of these  policies  could  result  in  material  changes  in TSFG's
consolidated  financial statements.  For additional discussion concerning TSFG's
allowance  for loan losses and related  matters,  see  "Balance  Sheet  Review -
Allowance for Loan Losses."

ACQUISITIONS

         The following table summarizes TSFG's acquisitions completed during the
past two years. All the acquisitions,  except for Gardner  Associates,  Inc., an
insurance agency, were bank acquisitions. All of the transactions were accounted
for using the purchase  method of accounting,  and  accordingly,  the assets and
liabilities  were recorded at their estimated fair values,  which are subject to
adjustment, as of the acquisition date. TSFG's consolidated financial statements
include the results of the acquired  company's  operations since the acquisition
date.



TABLE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF COMPLETED ACQUISITIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                              PURCHASE     IDENTIFIABLE
                              ACQUISITION       TOTAL         SHARES         PRICE PAID     INTANGIBLE
                                 DATE           ASSETS        ISSUED          IN CASH         ASSETS       GOODWILL
                                 ----           ------        ------          -------         ------       --------
                                                                                         
Central Bank of Tampa
  Tampa, Florida               12/31/02        $ 223,223 (1)  3,241,737       $    -         $ 2,700   -   $ 36,081

Rock Hill Bank and Trust
  Rock Hill, South Carolina    10/31/02          204,815 (1)    430,017            - (2)       1,204         25,571

Gardner Associates, Inc.
  Columbia, South Carolina     09/20/02            1,312 (1)    249,011 (3)        -           1,521          1,934

Gulf West Banks, Inc.
  St. Petersburg, Florida      08/31/02          530,296 (1)  3,925,588          32,400        8,424         71,475


(1)  Book value at the acquisition date.
(2)  TSFG agreed to pay a cash earnout based on collection and  recoveries  with
     respect to certain loans.
(3)  Of this amount, up to 70,779 of these shares are subject to forfeiture back
     to TSFG if certain five-year financial performance targets are not met.

         On December 31, 2002,  TSFG acquired  Central Bank of Tampa ("CBT"),  a
community bank headquartered in Tampa,  Florida. CBT operated through 5 branches
in Tampa.  This  merger  advances  TSFG's  strategy  to expand in  markets  with
relatively high population and per capita income growth prospects.

         On October 31, 2002, TSFG acquired  substantially all of the assets and
deposits of Rock Hill Bank & Trust ("Rock Hill Bank"),  which was a wholly-owned
banking  subsidiary  of RHBT  Financial  Corporation  ("RHBT").  Rock  Hill Bank
operated  3  branches  in York  County,  South  Carolina.  Under the asset  sale
agreement, Rock Hill Bank received 430,017 shares of TSFG common stock, plus the
right to receive a cash earnout essentially equal to 30% of the net improvement

                                       15


in the aggregate  charge-offs  and reserves in a specified  loan pool and 50% of
net amounts recovered under RHBT's blanket bond insurance policy with respect to
such  loans.  TSFG  owned  approximately  22% of RHBT's  outstanding  stock.  In
connection with the distribution of TSFG common stock to RHBT shareholders, TSFG
received 95,575 shares, which were immediately cancelled.

         On September 20, 2002, TSFG acquired Gardner Associates, Inc. ("Gardner
Associates"), an independent insurance agency based in Columbia, South Carolina.
TSFG intends to use Gardner Associates to build its insurance  operations in the
Midlands  area of South  Carolina.  As of March 31,  2003,  TSFG issued  156,426
shares of TSFG common  stock to acquire  Gardner  Associates  and 21,806  shares
under an earnout  provision.  In addition,  the principals of Gardner Associates
have the right to receive a maximum of 70,779 shares of TSFG common stock, which
has been issued and deposited in an escrow  account,  under  earnout  provisions
based on Gardner Associates' five-year financial performance.

        On August 31, 2002, TSFG acquired Gulf West Banks, Inc. ("Gulf West"), a
bank  holding  company  headquartered  in St.  Petersburg,  Florida.  Gulf  West
operated through Mercantile Bank, a  Florida-chartered,  non-member bank with 15
locations in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.  This merger represents TSFG's first
banking  locations in the Tampa Bay area and advances  TSFG's strategy to expand
in  markets  with  relatively  high  population  and per  capita  income  growth
prospects. Upon acquiring Gulf West, TSFG combined all of its Florida operations
under the Mercantile Bank name.

     Acquisition Completed Subsequent to Quarter-End

         On April 30, 2003, TSFG acquired American  Pensions,  Inc.  ("API"),  a
benefit plan administrator  headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. API
services  over 250  corporate  accounts and manages in excess of $200 million in
plan  assets.  Net assets of API at April 30, 2003  totaled  $56,000,  and total
revenues  for the year ended  December 31, 2002 were $1.9  million.  TSFG issued
146,808 shares of common stock valued at approximately  $3.5 million at closing.
In addition, the shareholders of API have the right to receive common stock with
a maximum value of approximately  $2.2 million under earnout provisions based on
API's five-year financial performance.  This transaction was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting.

OVERVIEW

         Net income for the three  months  ended  March 31, 2003  totaled  $20.0
million,  an increase of 52.9%  compared with $13.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2002.  Earnings per diluted  share for the first three months of
2003 totaled  $0.42,  a 35.5% increase from $0.31 per diluted share in the first
three months of 2002.  Higher net interest  income,  fee income  initiatives,  a
lower  provision for loan losses,  and gains on sales of  securities  and equity
investments  contributed to the increases in net income and earnings per diluted
share.  Net  interest  income  increased  from 34.6%  growth in average  earning
assets.  Key factors  responsible for TSFG's results of operations are discussed
throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis below.

         Noninterest  income for the three  months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002
included pre-tax gains on asset sales of $2.9 million and $40,000, respectively.
Gains on asset sales include gains on available for sale  securities  and equity
investments.  Mortgage  banking  income,  a  component  of  noninterest  income,
includes  gains and losses on the sale of  mortgage  loans and  charges  for the
write-down in the value of capitalized  mortgage servicing rights. See "Earnings
Review -  Noninterest  Income" for details.  Noninterest  expenses for the first
three months of 2003 included $1.5 million in pre-tax merger-related costs.

         In the third quarter 2002,  TSFG recorded a $1.4 million charge related
to impairment of goodwill associated with Carolina First Mortgage Company, which
is shown as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. In accordance
with the  accounting  rules,  this change was recorded as of January 1, 2002 and
therefore is shown in the first quarter 2002.

         During the fourth quarter 2002, TSFG adjusted and reclassified  certain
prior 2002 quarter  amounts to account for an  overaccrual  of interest  expense
related to repurchase  agreements  and the deferral of loan fee income.  The net
impact of these  adjustments  for the first  quarter  2002,  which  restated the
financial  results for the quarter,  was to increase net income by $316,000,  or
$0.01 per diluted share.

         Average common shares  outstanding on a diluted basis were 48.3 million
in the first  three  months of 2003,  up 14.7% from 42.1  million  for the first
three months of 2002, due to shares issued for  acquisitions  completed in 2002.
In connection with share  repurchase  programs,  TSFG  repurchased and cancelled
1,266,308 shares during the first three months of 2003.

                                       16


         At March 31,  2003,  TSFG had $9.0  billion in assets,  $4.6 billion in
loans, $4.7 billion in deposits, and $635.0 million in shareholders' equity. For
the three  months  ended March 31,  2003,  TSFG's  average  assets  totaled $8.4
billion, an increase of $2.3 billion, or 36.7%,  compared with the first quarter
2002 average of $6.1 billion.

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

     Loans

         TSFG  focuses  its  lending  activities  on  small  and  middle  market
businesses  and  individuals  in its  geographic  markets.  At March  31,  2003,
outstanding  loans totaled $4.6 billion,  which equaled 96.6% of total  deposits
and 51.0% of total  assets.  The major  components  of the loan  portfolio  were
commercial loans,  commercial real estate loans,  consumer loans (including both
direct and indirect loans), and one-to-four  family residential  mortgage loans.
Substantially  all loans were to  borrowers  located in TSFG's  South  Carolina,
North  Carolina,  and Florida  market areas.  The portfolio  contains no "highly
leveraged transactions," as defined by regulatory authorities.

         Loans held for investment  increased $735.5 million,  or 19.5%, to $4.5
billion at March 31, 2003 from $3.8 billion at March 31, 2002.  In 2002,  $582.8
million in loans held for  investment  were  acquired in mergers with CBT,  Rock
Hill Bank,  and Gulf West,  accounting  for  approximately  80% of the increase.
During the first three months of 2003, loans held for investment increased $81.1
million, or 1.8%. The majority of the first quarter 2003 loan growth, annualized
at 7.3%,  was in  commercial,  home equity and indirect  consumer  loans.  While
originations of residential  mortgage loans increased,  most of these loans were
sold at origination in the secondary market.

         Loans held for sale  increased  $30.3 million to $60.2 million at March
31, 2003 from $29.9 million at March 31, 2002.  Mortgage loan  originations were
higher in the current period, which increased the inventory of loans in process.
Also,  certain  commercial  real estate  loans  acquired  from Gulf West,  which
totaled $8.9 million at March 31, 2003, were designated for sale at acquisition.
During  the first  three  months of 2003,  loans  held for sale  decreased  $8.8
million,  primarily from the sale of two  commercial  real estate loans acquired
from Gulf West.

         Table 2 summarizes outstanding loans by collateral type for real estate
secured  loans  and by  borrower  type  for all  other  loans.  Collateral  type
represents the underlying  assets securing the loan,  rather than the purpose of
the loan.






                                       17




TABLE 2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                     --------------------------------
                                                                                          RESTATED         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          2003              2002               2002
                                                                          ----              ----               ----

                                                                                                  
Commercial, financial and agricultural                                $   952,877        $   778,257       $   913,368
Real estate - construction (1)                                            558,406            543,358           570,265
Real estate - residential mortgages (1-4 family)                          657,509            515,593           643,941
Commercial secured by real estate (1)                                   1,792,969          1,418,954         1,765,103
Consumer                                                                  553,267            523,173           541,210
Lease financing receivables                                                   105                347               124
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------
Loans held for investment                                               4,515,133          3,779,682         4,434,011
Loans held for sale                                                        60,202             29,900            67,218
Less: allowance for loan losses                                            66,133             45,208            70,275
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------
   Total net loans                                                    $ 4,509,202        $ 3,764,374       $ 4,430,954
                                                                      ===========        ===========       ===========

Percentage of loans held for investment
Commercial, financial and agricultural                                       21.1 %             20.6 %            20.6 %
Real estate - construction (1)                                               12.4               14.4              12.9
Real estate - residential mortgages (1-4 family)                             14.6               13.6              14.5
Commercial secured by real estate (1)                                        39.6               37.6              39.8
Consumer                                                                     12.3               13.8              12.2
Lease financing receivables                                                    -                  -                 -
                                                                           ------             ------            ------
    Total                                                                   100.0  %           100.0  %          100.0  %
                                                                           ======             ======            =======


(1)  These  categories  include  loans to  businesses  other  than  real  estate
     companies where  owner-occupied  real estate is pledged on loans to finance
     operations, equipment, and facilities.

     Table 3 provides a  stratification  of the loan  portfolio by loan purpose.
This  presentation  differs from that in Table 2, which stratifies the portfolio
by collateral type and borrower type.







                                       18




TABLE 3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION BASED ON LOAN PURPOSE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                                     --------------------------------
                                                                                         RESTATED         DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         2003              2002               2002
                                                                         ----              ----               ----
                                                                                                  
Commercial loans
Commercial and industrial                                             $ 1,188,782        $ 1,013,706       $ 1,178,955
Owner - occupied real estate                                              724,685            633,003           733,819
Commercial real estate                                                  1,463,330          1,167,532         1,420,252
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------
                                                                        3,376,797          2,814,241         3,333,026
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------

CONSUMER LOANS
Indirect - sales finance                                                  448,253            363,197           420,294
Direct retail                                                             274,290            300,515           273,419
Home equity                                                               261,311            174,854           243,648
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------
                                                                          983,854            838,566           937,361
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------

MORTGAGE LOANS                                                            154,482            126,875           163,624
                                                                      -----------        -----------       -----------

   Total loans held for investment                                    $ 4,515,133        $ 3,779,682       $ 4,434,011
                                                                      ===========        ===========       ===========

PERCENTAGE OF LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT
Commercial and industrial                                                    26.3 %             26.8 %            26.6 %
Owner - occupied real estate                                                 16.1               16.7              16.6
Commercial real estate                                                       32.4               30.9              32.0
Consumer                                                                     21.8               22.2              21.1
Mortgage                                                                      3.4                3.4               3.7
                                                                           ------             ------            ------
    Total                                                                   100.0  %           100.0  %          100.0  %
                                                                           ======             ======            ======


         Commercial  and  industrial  loans are loans to finance  short-term and
intermediate-term  cash needs of  businesses.  Typical needs include the need to
finance  seasonal or other  temporary  cash flow  imbalances,  growth in working
assets created by sales growth, and purchases of equipment and vehicles.  Credit
is extended in the form of short-term single payment loans,  lines of credit for
periods up to a year,  revolving credit facilities for periods up to five years,
and amortizing term loans for periods up to ten years.

         Owner-occupied  real estate  loans are loans to finance the purchase or
expansion of operating  facilities  used by  businesses  not engaged in the real
estate  business.  Typical  loans are loans to  finance  offices,  manufacturing
plants,  warehouse facilities,  and retail shops. Depending on the property type
and the borrower's  cash flows,  amortization  terms vary from 10 years up to 20
years. Although secured by mortgages on the properties financed, these loans are
underwritten  based on the cash flows  generated by operations of the businesses
they house.

         Commercial  real estate loans are loans to finance real properties that
are acquired,  developed,  or constructed for sale or lease to parties unrelated
to the  borrower.  Included  are loans to  acquire  land for  development,  land
development loans,  construction  loans,  mini-perms for cash flow stabilization
periods,  and permanent loans in situations where access to the secondary market
is limited due to loan size.

         Indirect  sales finance loans are loans to  individuals  to finance the
purchase of automobiles.  They are closed at the auto dealership but approved in
advance by TSFG for immediate purchase. Loans are extended on new and used autos
with terms varying from 2 years up to 5 years.

         Direct  consumer loans are loans to  individuals  to finance  personal,
family,  or household needs.  Typical loans are loans to finance auto purchases,
home repairs and  additions,  and home  purchases.  These loans are made by TSFG
employees in its branches.

                                       19


         Home equity loans are loans to home-owners, secured by junior mortgages
on their primary  residences,  to finance personal,  family, or household needs.
These loans may be in the form of amortizing loans or lines of credit with terms
up to 15 years.

         Mortgage loans are loans to individuals,  secured by first mortgages on
single family residences, to finance the acquisition of those residences.  These
loans,  originated  by TSFG's  mortgage  lending  division,  do not  qualify for
immediate  sale  but  are  judged  to  be  sellable  with  seasoning.  They  are
underwritten to secondary  market  standards and are sold, from time to time, as
they become sellable to secondary market investors.

        The portfolio's only significant industry concentration is in commercial
real estate loans. All other industry  concentrations are less than 10% of total
loans.  Commercial  real estate loans were 32.4% of loans held for investment at
March 31, 2003. Due to sustained strong  population  growth and household income
growth,  real estate  development and  construction  are major components of the
economic activity in TSFG's markets. The risk attributable to this concentration
is managed by lending in our  markets,  where we are  familiar  with real estate
market conditions,  to borrowers we know well, who have proven track records and
possess the financial means to weather reverses in this industry.  TSFG does not
make loans without recourse to the borrower,  loans without personal  guarantees
from  the  owners,  or  loans  to cash  out  equity  in  commercial  properties.
Consequently,  although the analysis of reserve adequacy  includes an adjustment
to account for the risk inherent in this concentration,  management believes the
risk of loss in its commercial real estate loans is not materially  greater than
the risk of loss in any other segment of the portfolio.

         At March 31, 2003, the loan  portfolio  included  commitments  totaling
$138.0 million in "shared national credits" (multi-bank credit facilities of $20
million or more). Outstandings under these commitments totaled $79.6 million. By
policy,  we  participate  in shared  national  credits  only if the  borrower is
headquartered in our market,  the borrower is in an industry  familiar to us, we
meet directly with the borrower to conduct our analysis, and the borrower agrees
to establish an ongoing banking  relationship with us. One of these credits,  in
which our  commitment  totals  $1.1  million,  is on our  internal  watch  list;
however,  none of these credit  facilities  were  classified  in the most recent
shared national credits examinations conducted by the regulatory agencies.

     Credit Quality

         A willingness  to take credit risk is inherent in the decision to grant
credit.  Prudent  risk-taking  requires a credit risk management system based on
sound policies and control processes that ensure compliance with those policies.
TSFG's  credit risk  management  system is defined by  policies  approved by the
Board of Directors that govern the risk underwriting,  portfolio monitoring, and
problem loan administration  processes.  Adherence to underwriting  standards is
managed   through  a  multi-layered   credit  approval   process  and  immediate
after-the-fact  review by credit risk  management of loans  approved by lenders.
Through  daily  review by credit risk  managers,  monthly  reviews of  exception
reports,  and  ongoing  analysis  of  asset  quality  trends,   compliance  with
underwriting   and  loan  monitoring   policies  is  closely   supervised.   The
administration of problem loans is driven by policies that require written plans
for  resolution  and quarterly  meetings  with credit risk  management to review
progress.  Credit risk management  activities are monitored by Credit Committees
of each banking  subsidiary's  Board of Directors,  which meet monthly to review
credit  quality  trends,  new large  credits,  loans to insiders,  large problem
credits,  credit policy  changes,  and reports on  independent  credit audits of
branch offices.

         To facilitate  comparisons,  Table 4 presents credit quality indicators
two  ways:  one that  includes  all loans  and one that  excludes  the Rock Hill
Workout Loans. On October 31, 2002,  loans totaling $191.3 million were acquired
from Rock Hill Bank.  Prior to the closing  and in  connection  with  identified
problem loans, Rock Hill Bank had charged off a significant  portion of its loan
portfolio and  established  additional  reserves.  At closing,  TSFG  segregated
certain identified problem loans into a separately-managed  portfolio,  referred
to as the "Rock Hill Workout Loans." At March 31, 2003,  this portfolio  totaled
$63.6 million,  down from $72.4 million at December 31, 2002,  with an allowance
for loan losses of $11.6 million. Nonperforming assets for the Rock Hill Workout
Loans at March 31, 2003 were $32.8 million.  Net loan  charge-offs for the first
quarter  2003,  which  were  included  in the  allowance  for loan  losses as of
December 31, 2002, totaled $4.1 million.  TSFG expects  nonperforming assets and
the  allowance  for loan  losses to decline as the Rock Hill  Workout  Loans are
liquidated or otherwise  resolved.  Where appropriate,  TSFG has provided credit
quality  measures  excluding the Rock Hill Workout Loans to identify core credit
quality measures and trends.

         Table 4 presents information pertaining to nonperforming assets.

                                       20




TABLE 4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                  MARCH 31,
                                                                      --------------------------------
                                                                                             RESTATED        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              2003             2002              2002
                                                                              ----             ----              ----

                                                                                                    
Nonaccrual loans - commercial                                             $   58,114      $    40,521        $   61,206
Nonaccrual loans - consumer                                                    2,865            2,965             2,384
Restructured loans                                                                -                -                 -
    Total nonperforming loans                                                 60,979           43,486            63,590
Other real estate owned                                                       10,836            7,143            10,596
                                                                          ----------      -----------        ----------
    Total nonperforming assets                                            $   71,815      $    50,629        $   74,186
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========

Loans past due 90 days still accruing interest (1)                        $    3,652      $     9,532        $    5,414
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========

Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and other
    real estate owned (2)                                                       1.59  %          1.34  %           1.67  %
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans                1.08  x          1.04  x           1.11  x
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========

EXCLUDING THE ROCK HILL WORKOUT LOANS
Loans held for investment                                                 $4,451,498      $ 3,779,682       $ 4,361,658
Allowance for loan losses                                                     54,514           45,208            53,979

Total nonperforming loans                                                     28,254           43,486            34,596
Other real estate owned                                                       10,751            7,143            10,422
                                                                          ----------      -----------        ----------
    Total nonperforming assets                                            $   39,005      $    50,629       $    45,018
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========

Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and other
    real estate owned (2)                                                       0.87  %          1.34  %           1.03  %
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans                1.93  x          1.04  x           1.56  x
                                                                          ==========      ===========        ==========

(1) All of  these  loans  are  consumer  and  residential  mortgage  loans.
(2) Calculated using loans held for investment.
Note:  Nonperforming  assets  exclude  personal  property  repossessions,  which
totaled $1.0 million,  $1.2 million,  and $1.3 million, at March 31, 2003, March
31, 2002, and December 31, 2002, respectively.

         CREDIT QUALITY INCLUDING ROCK HILL WORKOUT LOANS.  Nonperforming assets
declined  to 1.59% of loans and other real  estate  owned at March 31, 2003 from
1.67% at December 31, 2002. Net loan  charge-offs  increased to 0.85% of average
loans for the  first  quarter  2003 from  0.37%  for the  fourth  quarter  2002,
primarily due to the disposition of  fully-reserved  Rock Hill Workout Loans and
the liquidation of  fully-reserved  nonperforming  loans.  As  anticipated,  the
allowance  for loan losses  declined to 1.46% of  period-end  loans at March 31,
2003 from 1.58% at December 31, 2002.

         CREDIT QUALITY  EXCLUDING ROCK HILL WORKOUT LOANS.  Core  nonperforming
assets  (which  exclude the Rock Hill  Workout  Loans)  declined 13% to 0.87% of
loans and other real estate  owned at March 31, 2003 from 1.03% at December  31,
2002. This ratio has declined every quarter-end since its peak of 1.34% at March
31,  2002.  Net loan  charge-offs  increased  from $4.4  million  for the fourth
quarter 2002 to $5.5 million for the first  quarter 2003, or from 0.41% to 0.50%
of average  loans,  as  write-downs  of $1.5 million were  incurred to liquidate
nonperforming  loans with allocated reserves of $2.1 million.  The allowance for
loan losses declined  slightly as a percent of loans held for  investment,  from
1.24% at December 31, 2002 to 1.22% at March 31, 2003,  but increased  from 1.56
times to 1.93 times nonperforming loans for the quarter-ends.  Loans past due 90
days and still accruing interest showed continued  improvement  during the first
quarter 2003.

         Certain  of the Rock Hill  Workout  Loans are  defined  as  "designated
loans" under the Rock Hill Bank purchase agreement  ("Designated Loans") and are
subject to earnout provisions.  The total principal amount owed by the borrowers
for Designated Loans was $45.2 million,  of which $19.5 million had been charged
off or reserved  prior to  acquisition  by TSFG.  To the extent  that  principal
collections  on  these   Designated  Loans  exceed  $25.7  million  through  the
termination date of the earnout agreement, TSFG will pay the RHBT shareholders

                                       21


30% of such excess.  The net effect is to pay RHBT  shareholders  30% of the net
recoveries on these loans from charge-off  collections  and reserve  reductions.
Through March 31, 2003,  total  charge-offs and reserves on the Designated loans
exceeded the amount that would require a payment under the earnout agreement.

         Future credit quality  trends depend  primarily on the direction of the
economy,  and  current  economic  data do not  provide  a clear  signal  of that
direction.  Until the business climate  improves,  we expect  portfolio  quality
indicators to remain  volatile,  nonperforming  asset levels to  fluctuate,  and
charge-offs to be higher than historical norms.  Management  believes,  however,
that loss exposure in its loan portfolio is identified,  adequately reserved for
in a timely  manner,  and closely  monitored to ensure that changes are promptly
addressed  in its  analysis of allowance  for loan loss  adequacy.  Accordingly,
management  believes  the  allowance  for loan  losses as of March 31,  2003 was
adequate,  based on its assessment of probable  losses,  and available facts and
circumstances then prevailing.

         The following summarizes  information on impaired loans (in thousands),
all of which are in nonaccrual  status,  at and for the three months ended March
31. All impaired loans are commercial loans.



                                                                       2003             2002
                                                                       ----             -----
                                                                               
Impaired loans                                                      $ 58,114         $ 40,521
Impaired loans, excluding the Rock Hill Workout Loans                 25,389           40,521
Average investment in impaired loans                                  61,585           40,219
Related allowance                                                     14,751            4,409
Related allowance, excluding the Rock Hill Workout Loans               6,176            4,409
Recognized interest income                                                 -              120
Foregone interest                                                      1,361              892


     Allowance for Loan Losses

         The  adequacy of the  allowance  for loan losses (the  "Allowance")  is
analyzed  quarterly.  For  purposes of this  analysis,  adequacy is defined as a
level  sufficient to absorb  probable  losses in the portfolio.  The methodology
employed for this analysis is discussed below.

         The  portfolio  is  segregated  into  risk-similar  segments  for which
historical  loss ratios are calculated  and adjusted for  identified  changes in
current  portfolio  characteristics.  Historical  loss ratios are  calculated by
product type for  consumer  loans  (direct  installment,  indirect  installment,
revolving,  and  mortgage)  and by credit risk grade for  performing  commercial
loans.  Nonperforming  commercial loans are individually assessed for impairment
under SFAS 114 and assigned specific allocations. To allow for modeling error, a
range of probable loss ratios (from 95% to 105% of the adjusted  historical loss
ratio) is then derived for each  segment.  The  resulting  percentages  are then
applied  to the  dollar  amounts  of loans in each  segment  to  arrive  at each
segment's range of probable loss levels.

         The Allowance for each portfolio segment is set at an amount within its
range that reflects management's best judgment of the extent to which historical
loss  levels  are more or less  accurate  indicators  of  current  losses in the
portfolio.  Management's  judgments evolve from an assessment of various issues,
including  but  not  limited  to the  pace of loan  growth,  emerging  portfolio
concentrations,  risk  management  system changes,  entry into new markets,  new
product  offerings,  loan portfolio  quality trends,  and uncertainty in current
economic and business conditions.

         The  Allowance  is  then  segregated  into  allocated  and  unallocated
components.  The  allocated  component  is the sum of the loss  estimates at the
lower  end of the  probable  loss  range  for  each  category.  The  unallocated
component  is the sum of the  amounts by which final loss  estimates  exceed the
lower  end  estimates  for  each  category.  The  unallocated  component  of the
Allowance  represents  probable  losses  inherent in the portfolio  based on our
analysis that are not fully captured in the allocated  component.  Allocation of
the  Allowance  to  respective  loan  portfolio  components  is not  necessarily
indicative  of future  losses or future  allocations.  The entire  Allowance  is
available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio.

         Assessing  the adequacy of the  Allowance  is a process  that  requires
considerable judgment.  Management's judgments are based on numerous assumptions
about current  events,  which we believe to be reasonable,  but which may or may
not be valid. Thus, there can be no assurance that loan losses in future periods
will not exceed the current  Allowance  amount or that future  increases  in the
Allowance  will not be  required.  No assurance  can be given that  management's
ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio in light of changing economic

                                       22


conditions and other relevant  circumstances will not require significant future
additions to the Allowance,  thus adversely  affecting the operating  results of
TSFG.

         The Allowance is also subject to  examination  and adequacy  testing by
regulatory agencies,  which may consider such factors as the methodology used to
determine  adequacy  and the  size  of the  Allowance  relative  to that of peer
institutions,  and other adequacy tests. In addition,  such regulatory  agencies
could require us to adjust our Allowance based on information  available to them
at the time of their examination.

         The  Allowance  totaled  $66.1  million,  or 1.46%  of  loans  held for
investment,  at March 31, 2003, a significant  increase from $45.2  million,  or
1.20%, at March 31, 2002. Nonperforming loans totaled $61.0 million at March 31,
2003, an increase of $17.5  million from $43.5 million at March 31, 2002.  These
increases  were the  result of the  acquisition  of loans  from Rock Hill  Bank,
partially offset by lower core nonperforming loans.  Excluding the $32.7 million
of  nonperforming  loans related to the Rock Hill Workout  Loans,  nonperforming
loans  declined to $28.3  million at March 31, 2003 from $43.5  million at March
31, 2002 (to 0.63% from 1.15% of loans held for  investment),  and the Allowance
increased  to $54.5  million at March 31,  2003 from $45.2  million at March 31,
2002 (to 1.22% from 1.20% of loans held for investment). See "Credit Quality."

         Table 5,  which  summarizes  the  changes  in the  Allowance,  provides
additional  information  with  respect to the activity in the  Allowance.  While
uncertainty in the current economic outlook makes future  charge-off levels less
predictable,  management does not expect losses to increase  significantly  over
the next several quarters.  As a percentage of average loans, losses in 2003 are
expected to be comparable to 2002 losses.  However, the economic outlook remains
highly uncertain,  and future charge-off levels may therefore fluctuate above or
below that average from quarter to quarter.



TABLE 5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                               AT AND FOR
                                                                             THE THREE MONTHS              AT AND FOR
                                                                              ENDED MARCH 31,            THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                     --------------------------------      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          2003              2002               2002
                                                                          ----              ----               ----

                                                                                                 
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of year                         $    70,275        $    44,587       $    44,587
Purchase accounting adjustments                                                -                  -            22,973
Allowance adjustment for loans sold                                            -                  -               (12)
Net charge-offs:
    Loans charged-off                                                    (10,308)            (6,384)          (23,556)
    Loans recovered                                                          666                767             4,017
                                                                     -----------        -----------       -----------
                                                                          (9,642)            (5,617)          (19,539)
Additions to reserve through provision expense                             5,500              6,238            22,266
                                                                     -----------        -----------       -----------
Allowance for loan losses, end of period                             $    66,133        $    45,208       $    70,275
                                                                     ===========        ===========       ===========

Average loans                                                        $ 4,520,965        $ 3,774,762       $ 4,008,094
Loans held for investment                                              4,515,133          3,779,682         4,434,011
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)               0.85 %             0.60 %            0.49 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans held
    for investment                                                          1.46               1.20              1.58

Excluding the Rock Hill Workout Loans:
    Net loan charge-offs                                                 $ 5,533            $ 5,617          $ 19,906
    Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)           0.50 %             0.60 %            0.50 %
    Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans held
       for investment, excluding Rock Hill Workout Loans                    1.22               1.20              1.24


                                       23


     Securities

         TSFG uses the investment  securities portfolio for several purposes. It
serves as a vehicle  to manage  interest  rate and  prepayment  risk,  generates
interest and dividend  income from the  investment of excess funds  depending on
loan  demand,   provides  appropriate  level  of  liquidity  to  meet  liquidity
requirements,  and is used as  collateral  for  pledges on public  deposits  and
securities sold under repurchase agreements.

         At March 31, 2003, TSFG's investment portfolio totaled $3.4 billion, up
$1.8 billion from the $1.7 billion  invested as of March 31, 2002, and up $850.7
million from the $2.6 billion  invested as of December 31, 2002. The majority of
the increase  since December 31, 2002 was  attributable  to the purchase of U.S.
Government  agency and  mortgage-backed  securities  in the  available  for sale
portfolio.  In the first quarter 2003, TSFG bought these  securities to leverage
capital and take advantage of the  opportunity to increase net interest  income.
In addition,  TSFG has engaged in, and expects to continue to engage in, hedging
activities  to  reduce   interest  rate  risk  associated  with  the  investment
securities.  Also, in 2002,  TSFG acquired  $210.8 million in available for sale
securities from the acquisitions completed in 2002. During 2003, TSFG expects to
sell investment  securities as loan growth  increases,  depending on the general
level of interest rates.

         Securities (i.e.,  trading securities,  securities  available for sale,
and  securities  held to maturity)  excluding the  unrealized  gain recorded for
available  for sale  securities  averaged  $3.0 billion in the first  quarter of
2003,  73.4%  above the first  quarter  of 2002  average  of $1.7  billion.  The
majority of the increase was attributable to purchases of securities to leverage
available   capital,   anticipate   accelerated   paydowns  of   mortgage-backed
securities,   and  provide  for  increased  calls  of  U.S.   Government  agency
securities.  The average  portfolio yield decreased in the first three months of
2003 to 4.28% from 5.36% in the first three months of 2002. The securities yield
decreased  due to a lower level of general  interest  rates and the  addition of
lower-yielding, shorter duration securities.

         The duration of the portfolio  declined to  approximately  4.9 years at
March  31,  2003  from 7.2 years at March 31,  2002.  The  securities  portfolio
currently  reprices  within  a two and a  half-year  pricing  horizon,  which is
significantly faster than indicated by the duration.

         The composition of the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2003 was as
follows:  mortgage-backed securities 57.1%, U.S. Government agencies 27.6%, U.S.
Treasuries 7.4%, state and municipalities 3.4%, and other securities 4.5% (which
includes equity investments  described below).  Mortgage-backed  securities have
increased  from 46.4% of the  portfolio at December  31, 2002,  due to the first
quarter 2003 purchase to leverage  available  capital.  Collateralized  mortgage
obligations,  the majority of which are  short-term,  represent less than 15% of
the securities portfolio.

         The available for sale portfolio  constituted 98.2% of total securities
at March 31, 2003.  Management believes that the high concentration of available
for sale  securities  provides  greater  flexibility  in the  management  of the
overall investment portfolio.

         During the first quarter 2003, the net unrealized gain on available for
sale  securities  (pre-tax)  increased to $32.2 million at March 31, 2003 from a
$21.1 million loss at March 31, 2002.  The increase in the net  unrealized  gain
was primarily  associated with U.S.  Treasury  securities,  which had unrealized
losses at March 31, 2002 and were sold in the third  quarter  2002.  At December
31, 2002, the net  unrealized  gain on available for sale  securities  (pre-tax)
totaled $36.3 million.

     Other Investments

         INVESTMENT  IN NETBANK,  INC.  At March 31,  2003,  TSFG owned  517,904
shares of NetBank common stock.  NetBank owns and operates  NetBank,  F.S.B., an
FDIC-insured  federal savings bank that provides  banking  services to consumers
utilizing  the  Internet.  TSFG's  investment  in NetBank,  which is included in
securities  available  for sale with a basis of  $144,000,  was  recorded at its
pre-tax market value of approximately $4.8 million at March 31, 2003. During the
three  months ended March 31,  2003,  TSFG sold 207,096  shares of NetBank for a
pre-tax gain of $1.9 million.

         INVESTMENTS IN BANKS. At March 31, 2003, TSFG had equity investments in
fourteen community banks located in the Southeast.  In each case, TSFG owns less
than 5% of the community bank's  outstanding  common stock.  TSFG has made these
investments  to  develop  correspondent  banking  relationships  and to  promote
community banking in the Southeast.  These investments in community banks, which
are  included in  securities  available  for sale with a basis of  approximately
$16.7  million,  were  recorded at their pre-tax  market value of  approximately
$19.2 million at March 31, 2003.

         TSFG  also  has an  investment  in  Nexity  Financial  Corporation,  an
Internet bank, which was recorded at its cost basis of $500,000.

                                       24


         CF INVESTMENT  COMPANY.  CF Investment  Company is a wholly-owned Small
Business Investment Company, licensed through the Small Business Administration.
Its  principal  focus  is to  invest  in  companies  that  have  a  bank-related
technology  or service  that TSFG and its  subsidiaries  can use. CF  Investment
Company's  loans and equity  investments  represent a higher risk to TSFG due to
the  start-up  nature of such  companies.  As of March 31, 2003,  CF  Investment
Company had  invested  approximately  $1.2  million  (or 49%  interest in common
stock) in a company  specializing in electronic document management services and
$502,000 (or 15% interest in common stock) in a paycard  company.  The estimated
fair value of these  investments is deemed to approximate  the cost basis.  TSFG
may incur  impairment  losses in the future  depending on the  performance of CF
Investment Company's investments.

         OTHER  INVESTMENTS NOT SPECIFIED  ABOVE. In addition to the investments
described in the preceding  paragraphs,  other investments in available for sale
securities  at March 31,  2003,  which are  carried  at market  value,  included
corporate bonds of $70.7 million,  FHLB stock of $50.7 million, and other equity
securities of $5.3 million. Other equity securities include TSFG's investment in
Affinity  Technology  Group,  Inc.  ("Affinity").  At March 31, 2003, TSFG owned
4,876,340  shares of  common  stock of  Affinity,  or  approximately  12% of the
outstanding  shares.  TSFG's  investment in Affinity has a basis of $433,000 and
was  recorded  at its March  31,  2003  pre-tax  market  value of  approximately
$878,000.  At March 31,  2003,  the  aggregate  market  value  for  these  other
investments, which are not specified in the preceding paragraphs, totaled $126.7
million with a cost basis of $125.3 million.

     Intangible Assets

         The  intangible  assets  balance  at March 31,  2003 of $242.4  million
consisted of goodwill of $225.3 million, core deposit premiums of $15.8 million,
customer list intangibles of $813,000,  and non-compete agreement intangibles of
$542,000.  The  intangible  assets  balance at March 31,  2002 of $95.5  million
consisted  of  goodwill  of $90.2  million  and core  deposit  premiums  of $5.3
million.  The increase in goodwill was  primarily  due to the $134.1  million of
goodwill acquired during 2002 from the mergers with CBT, Rock Hill Bank, Gardner
Associates,  and Gulf West and subsequent adjustments in 2003 totaling $943,000.
The  increase in core  deposit  premiums was due to adding $2.7 million from the
CBT merger,  $1.2 million from the Rock Hill Bank merger,  and $8.4 million from
the Gulf West merger.  The customer list  intangibles and non-compete  agreement
intangibles were added with the acquisition of Gardner Associates.

     Deposits

         Deposits   remain  TSFG's   primary  source  of  funds  for  loans  and
investments.  Average  deposits  provided  funding for 60.7% of average  earning
assets in the first quarter 2003 and 64.3% in the first  quarter 2002.  Carolina
First Bank and  Mercantile  Bank face stiff  competition  from other banking and
financial  services companies in gathering  deposits.  The percentage of funding
provided by deposits has declined,  and  accordingly,  TSFG has developed  other
sources, such as FHLB advances,  short-term borrowings, and long-term structured
repurchase  agreements,  to fund a  portion  of loan  demand  and  increases  in
investment  securities.  In  addition,  TSFG has  increased  the use of brokered
certificates of deposit, which are included in deposits.

         At March 31, 2003,  deposits totaled $4.7 billion, up $1.1 billion from
March 31, 2002.  In 2002,  TSFG  acquired  $783.8  million in deposits  from its
merger with CBT, Rock Hill Bank, and Gulf West,  which  accounted for 72% of the
increase.  In addition,  this  increase  includes a $273.9  million  increase in
brokered  certificates of deposit. At March 31, 2003, TSFG had $520.2 million in
brokered  certificates  of deposit,  compared  with $246.3  million at March 31,
2002.  We  consider  these funds as an  attractive  alternative  funding  source
available  to use while  continuing  our efforts to maintain  and grow our local
deposit base.

         Deposit  pricing remains very  competitive,  and we expect this pricing
environment to continue. During the past two years, TSFG decided to keep deposit
rates  offered  on  par  with   competitors  and  reduced  deposit   rate-driven
promotions,  which resulted in lower deposit balances. Deposits acquired in 2002
mergers offset this decrease.

         Table 7 in  "Results  of  Operations  - Net  Interest  Income"  details
average balances for the deposit portfolio for both the three months ended March
31, 2003 and 2002.  Average money market accounts  increased $376.4 million,  or
51.3%, and average  noninterest  demand deposits  increased  $211.3 million,  or
42.6%.  On average,  time deposits  increased  $278.8 million,  or 16.6%,  which
includes a $310.4 increase in average brokered certificates of deposit.

         As part of its overall  funding  strategy,  TSFG  focuses on the mix of
deposits and, in particular, increasing the level of transaction accounts (i.e.,
noninterest-bearing,   interest-bearing  checking,  money  market,  and  savings
accounts).  For the three months ended March 31, 2003, transaction accounts made
up 57.4% of average  deposits,  compared  with 53.6% for the three  months ended
March 31, 2002. These trends reflect TSFG's efforts to enhance its deposit mix

                                       25


by working to attract lower-cost transaction accounts.  TSFG's customer-centered
sales process, Elevate, is an integral part of achieving this goal. In addition,
in the  summer  of 2002  and the  first  quarter  of  2003,  TSFG  held  deposit
campaigns, based on employee referrals, to raise transaction accounts.

         At March 31, 2003, total deposits for Bank CaroLine,  an Internet bank,
totaled $27.3  million,  down from $45.6 million as of March 31, 2002.  Deposits
for Bank  CaroLine  declined  significantly,  due to  offering  less  aggressive
interest rates in an effort to lower the overall cost of funds.

         Time deposits of $100,000 or more  represented  13.3% of total deposits
at March 31, 2003 and 14.6% at March 31, 2002.  TSFG's larger  denomination time
deposits are generally from customers within the local market areas of its banks
and, therefore,  have a greater degree of stability than is typically associated
with this source of funds at other financial institutions.

         In  March  2003,  TSFG  entered  into an  agreement  with an  unrelated
financial  institution to sell the deposits at its Powdersville,  South Carolina
branch  office.  TSFG  expects to  complete  the sale in June 2003 and close the
office subsequent to the sale. TSFG expects to sell  approximately $8 million in
deposits and record a gain associated with the sale.

     Borrowed Funds

         TSFG uses both  short-term  and long-term  borrowings to fund growth of
earning assets in excess of deposit growth. TSFG's short-term borrowings consist
of federal  funds  purchased and  repurchase  agreements,  FHLB  advances  (with
maturities less than one year when made), commercial paper, and other short-term
borrowings.  The long-term  borrowings consist primarily of subordinated  notes,
FHLB advances,  and repurchase  agreements with maturities greater than one year
when made. In the first three months of 2003,  average  borrowings  totaled $3.0
billion,  compared with $1.9 billion for the same period in 2002.  This increase
was primarily  attributable to an increased reliance on short-term borrowings to
support earning asset growth, including increases in investment securities.

         TSFG's long-term  borrowings totaled $2.1 billion at March 31, 2003, up
from  $503.7  million  as of March 31,  2002,  primarily  from the  increase  in
repurchase agreements and FHLB advances.  TSFG increased long-term borrowings in
2002 and first quarter 2003 to provide longer-term liquidity at historically-low
interest rates.

         Federal funds  purchased and repurchase  agreements are used to satisfy
daily funding needs and, when  advantageous,  for rate arbitrage.  Federal funds
purchased  and  repurchase  agreements  totaled  $2.1 billion at March 31, 2003,
including $1.1 billion in long-term repurchase  agreements,  and $1.4 billion at
March 31, 2002,  including  $100.0 million in long-term  repurchase  agreements.
These balances are primarily to finance higher balances in investment securities
available  for sale and to  support  earning  asset  growth.  Balances  in these
accounts can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis.

         The FHLB  advances  were $1.0  billion,  including  $994.6  million  in
long-term  advances,  at March 31,  2003 and  $386.8  million,  including  $23.0
million in long-term advances,  at March 31, 2002. FHLB advances are a source of
funding which TSFG uses depending on the current level of deposits, management's
willingness to raise deposits through market  promotions,  the Subsidiary Banks'
unused FHLB borrowing  capacity,  and the  availability  of collateral to secure
FHLB borrowings.

     Capital Resources and Dividends

         Total shareholders' equity amounted to $635.0 million, or 7.1% of total
assets,  at March 31,  2003,  compared  with  $434.0  million,  or 7.2% of total
assets, at March 31, 2002. At December 31, 2002, total shareholders'  equity was
$646.8 million,  or 8.1% of total assets. The increase in shareholders'  equity,
when comparing  March 31, 2003 to the same period in 2002, is primarily from the
issuance  of common  stock for the 2002  mergers,  the  unrealized  gains in the
available for sale investment portfolio, and retention of earnings. TSFG's stock
repurchase program and cash dividends paid partially offset these increases.

         TSFG has a stock repurchase program and, in February 2003, expanded its
program by one million  shares in connection  with the CBT merger.  During 2003,
TSFG repurchased 1,266,308 shares and has approximately 298,000 shares remaining
under its stock repurchase authorization. TSFG may continue to repurchase shares
depending upon current market conditions and available cash.

         TSFG's unrealized gain on securities,  net of tax, which is included in
accumulated other  comprehensive  income, was $20.4 million as of March 31, 2003
as compared to an  unrealized  loss of $15.0 million as of March 31, 2002 and an
unrealized gain of $24.4 million as of December 31, 2002. The increase in the

                                       26


unrealized  gain (net of  deferred  income tax) from March 31, 2002 to March 31,
2003 was  comprised of increases in: U.S.  Treasury  securities  $30.6  million,
mortgage-backed  securities $8.1 million, U.S. Government agencies $5.4 million,
and state and municipalities  $753,000.  This increase was partially offset by a
decrease  in other  securities  of $9.4  million,  principally  from the sale of
NetBank common stock and the write-down  and subsequent  cancellation  of TSFG's
shares in RHBT due to TSFG's  acquisition  of  substantially  all the assets and
deposits of Rock Hill Bank,  which was the  wholly-owned  banking  subsidiary of
RHBT.

         Book value per share at March 31,  2003 and 2002 was $13.68 and $10.78,
respectively. Tangible book value per share at March 31, 2003 and 2002 was $8.46
and $8.41, respectively. Tangible book value was below book value as a result of
the purchase premiums  associated with  acquisitions  accounted for as purchases
and branch purchases.

         TSFG and its Subsidiary Banks exceeded the well-capitalized  regulatory
requirements  at March 31, 2003.  Table 6 sets forth various  capital ratios for
TSFG and its Subsidiary Banks.



TABLE 6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL RATIOS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                          WELL
                                                                                       CAPITALIZED
                                                            MARCH 31, 2003             REQUIREMENT
                                                            --------------             -----------
                                                                                    
           TSFG
           Total risk-based capital                             10.71 %                     n/a
           Tier 1 risk-based capital                             8.46                       n/a
           Leverage ratio                                        6.04                       n/a

           CAROLINA FIRST BANK
           Total risk-based capital                             10.89 %                   10.00 %
           Tier 1 risk-based capital                             7.76                      6.00
           Leverage ratio                                        5.26                      5.00

           MERCANTILE BANK
           Total risk-based capital                             12.64 %                   10.00 %
           Tier 1 risk-based capital                             9.14                      6.00
           Leverage ratio                                        7.71                      5.00


         TSFG is  actively  considering  filing  a  "universal shelf" so that it
might more readily access the capital markets.

         TSFG  and  its   subsidiaries   are   subject  to  certain   regulatory
restrictions on the amount of dividends they are permitted to pay. TSFG has paid
a cash dividend each quarter since the  initiation of cash dividends on February
1, 1994. At the December 2002 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a regular
quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, which represents an effective
annual  increase  of 16.7%.  TSFG  presently  intends  to pay a  quarterly  cash
dividend on its common stock; however,  future dividends will depend upon TSFG's
financial performance and capital requirements.

         In July and  October  2002,  TSFG,  through  three  wholly-owned  trust
subsidiaries,  issued and sold floating rate securities to institutional  buyers
in three pooled trust preferred issues.  These securities  generated proceeds to
TSFG of $62.5  million,  net of issuance  costs  totaling  $2.0  million,  which
qualifies as tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.

         In June 2002, Carolina First Bank sold 131 shares of the Carolina First
Mortgage Loan Trust's Series 2000A  Cumulative  Fixed Rate Preferred Shares (the
"Series A REIT Preferred  Stock") and 385 shares of Carolina First Mortgage Loan
Trust's Series 2002C  Cumulative  Floating Rate Preferred  Shares (the "Series C
REIT Preferred Stock") to institutional buyers.  Proceeds to Carolina First Bank
from these sales totaled  approximately  $49.2  million,  net of issuance  costs
totaling $2.4  million,  and are reported as minority  interest in  consolidated
subsidiary  on  the  consolidated   balance  sheet.  The  minority  interest  in
consolidated  subsidiary  qualifies  as tier 1 capital  (in the case of Series A
REIT Preferred Stock) and tier 2 capital (in the case of Series C REIT Preferred
Stock) under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.

                                       27


EARNINGS REVIEW

     Net Interest Income

         Net interest  income is TSFG's primary source of revenue.  Net interest
income is the difference  between the interest earned on assets,  including loan
fees and  security  dividends,  and the  interest  paid for the  liabilities  to
support such assets.  The net interest margin measures how effectively a company
manages the difference  between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid on
funds used to support those assets.  Fully  tax-equivalent  net interest  income
adjusts the yield for assets earning  tax-exempt income to a comparable yield on
a taxable  basis.  Table 7 presents  average  balance  sheets and a net interest
income  analysis on a tax equivalent  basis for the three months ended March 31,
2003 and 2002.














                                       28




TABLE 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE AVERAGE BALANCES - YIELDS AND COSTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                2003                 2002 (RESTATED)
                                    --------------------------   ---------------------------------
                                     AVERAGE      INCOME/   YIELD/    AVERAGE     INCOME/    YIELD/
                                     BALANCE      EXPENSE    RATE     BALANCE     EXPENSE    RATE
                                                                              
Assets
Earning assets
  Loans (1)                            $4,520,965   $ 67,333   6.04%    $3,774,762  $62,160   6.68 %
  Investment securities (taxable)(2)    2,894,634     30,299   4.19      1,643,790   21,567   5.25
  Investment securities (nontaxable)(3)   114,807      1,878   6.54         91,662    1,679   7.33
  Federal funds sold                        2,359          8   1.38              -        -      -
  Interest-bearing bank balances           33,384        110   1.34        110,742      469   1.72
                                      -----------    -------            ----------  -------
      Total earning assets              7,566,149     99,628   5.34      5,620,956   85,875   6.20
                                                     -------                        -------
  Non-earning assets                      821,681                          513,163
                                      -----------                       ----------
      Total assets                    $ 8,387,830                       $6,134,119
                                      ===========                       ==========

Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Liabilities
  Interest-bearing liabilities
   Interest-bearing deposits
    Interest checking                 $  661,831     $ 1,069   0.66     $  594,706  $ 1,810    1.23
    Savings                              156,145         194   0.50        114,724      214    0.76
    Money market                       1,109,935       4,258   1.56        733,534    2,915    1.61
    Time deposits                      1,955,910      12,478   2.59      1,677,119   16,637    4.02
                                      ----------     -------            ----------  -------
      Total interest-bearing deposit   3,883,821      17,999   1.88      3,120,083   21,576    2.80
   Borrowings                          2,962,384      15,501   2.12      1,949,994   12,319    2.56
                                      ----------     -------            ----------  -------
    Total interest-bearing liabiliti   6,846,205      33,500   1.98      5,070,077   33,895    2.71
                                                     -------                        -------
   Noninterest-bearing liabilities
    Noninterest-bearing deposits         706,804                           495,511
    Other noninterest-bearing            101,544                            66,082
          liabilities
                                      ----------                        ----------
      Total liabilities                7,654,553                         5,631,670
Minority interest in consolidated         86,449(4)                         37,023
   subsidiary (4)
Shareholders' equity                     646,828                           465,426
                                      ----------                        ----------
  Total liabilities and shareholders  $8,387,830                        $6,134,119
                                      ==========                        ==========
Net interest margin                                 $ 66,128   3.54%               $51,980     3.75 %
                                                    ========                       =======
Tax-equivalent adjustment (3)                       $    657                       $   588
                                                    ========                       =======

(1)  Nonaccrual loans are included in average  balances for yield  computations.
(2)  The average balances for investment securities exclude the unrealized gain
     or loss recorded for available for sale securities.
(3)  The tax-equivalent  adjustment to net interest income adjusts the yield for
     assets earning tax-exempt income to a comparable yield on a taxable basis.
(4)  The  minority  interest  in  consolidated  subsidiary  pertains to the REIT
     preferred stock,  which qualifies as regulatory capital and pays cumulative
     dividends.
Note:  Average balances are derived from daily balances.


                                       29


         Fully  tax-equivalent net interest income for the first three months of
2003 increased  $14.1 million,  or 27.2%, to $66.1 million from $52.0 million in
the first three months of 2002. The net interest margin declined to 3.54% in the
first three  months of 2003 from 3.75% in the first three  months of 2002.  This
decrease  in the net  interest  margin  was  largely  attributable  to  downward
repricing of fixed rate commercial loans,  higher  investment  securities (which
generally have a lower yield than loans),  and deposit rates  approaching  lower
limits due to historically-low interest rates.

         During  the fourth  quarter of 2002,  TSFG  adjusted  and  reclassified
certain prior quarter amounts to account for an overaccrual of interest  expense
related to  repurchase  agreements  and the deferral of loan fee income.  In the
first  quarter  of  2002,  the over  accrual  of  interest  expense  related  to
repurchase  agreements  overstated  interest  expense  by  $706,000,  which  was
corrected in the fourth  quarter of 2002.  The  additional  deferral of loan fee
income  decreased  net interest  income by $2.7 million in the first  quarter of
2002. A related deferral of salaries,  wages and employee benefits substantially
offset the decrease in the deferral of loan fee income. See "Overview."

         Average earning assets grew $1.9 billion,  or 34.6%, to $7.6 billion in
the first three  months of 2003 from $5.6  billion in the first three  months of
2002, primarily from the purchase of investment securities and acquisitions. The
Gulf West merger,  which closed  August 31, 2002,  the asset  purchase with Rock
Hill Bank,  which  closed on October 31,  2002,  and the  Central  Bank of Tampa
merger, which closed on December 31, 2002, added approximately $903.8 million in
earning assets.  Average loans increased $746.2 million,  to $4.5 billion in the
first three  months of 2003 from $3.8 billion in the first three months of 2002.
Average investment  securities,  excluding the average net unrealized securities
gains,  increased  from $1.7  billion in the first three  months of 2002 to $3.0
billion in the first three months of 2003.  In the first  quarter of 2003,  TSFG
purchased approximately $1.1 billion in adjustable rate U.S. government agencies
and mortgage-backed securities.  These purchases leveraged available capital and
took  advantage  of the  opportunity  to increase net  interest  income.  As the
economy  improves,  TSFG  expects  loan growth to increase  and to replace  some
securities balances with new loans. In addition,  during 2003, TSFG expects that
purchases of investment securities will primarily occur to replace pre-paying or
maturing securities.  Accordingly, TSFG expects investment securities to decline
during the second half of 2003.

         Interest rates are presently at historically  low levels.  During 2002,
the Federal  Reserve  lowered the Federal funds target rate one time in November
by 50 basis points.  TSFG's interest  sensitive assets reprice more quickly than
its  interest-bearing  liabilities.  A large portion of TSFG's  adjustable  rate
loans, which  constitute  54.6%  of  the  loan  portfolio,  reprice  immediately
following an interest  rate  change  by the Federal Reserve.  The funding source
changes take more time to filter into the net interest margin, primarily because
of the timed maturities  of certificates  of  deposit  and  borrowings.  A large
portion of deposits and borrowings had repriced by the end of 2002 while new and
maturing loans and investments continue to be made at lower rates.

         Downward  pressure on the net  interest  margin is expected to continue
for the remainder of 2003.  In addition,  continued  declines in interest  rates
would put  additional  pressure on the net interest  margin because some deposit
rates are reaching  what  management  considers  to be their lower  limit.  TSFG
expects  certificates  of deposit to continue to mature and reprice  downward in
2003,  although with a  significantly  smaller benefit than that realized during
the past two years.

         Average total deposits  increased by $975.0 million,  or 27.1%, to $4.6
billion  during the first  three  months of 2003 from $3.6  billion in the first
three months of 2002.  Excluding the impact of the Gulf West, Rock Hill Bank and
Central  Bank  of  Tampa  mergers,  these  balances  remained  flat  due  to the
competitive  nature of the  deposit  markets.  During the past two  years,  TSFG
decided  to keep  deposit  rates  on par with  competitors  and  reduce  deposit
rate-driven promotions.  Average borrowings increased to $3.0 billion during the
three  months  ended March 31, 2003 from $2.0  billion  during the three  months
ended  March  31,  2002 due to  increases  in fed  funds  purchased,  repurchase
agreements,  and FHLB advances. These borrowings were used to fund the growth in
earning assets.

         Deposits generated through Bank CaroLine,  an Internet banking division
of Carolina First Bank, generally receive higher rates than those offered by our
branch locations as a result of the less expensive  Internet  delivery  channel.
During the last two years,  TSFG priced Bank CaroLine deposits less aggressively
than it did in 2000 in an  effort  to lower  the  overall  cost of  funds.  Bank
CaroLine deposits totaled $27.3 million as of March 31, 2003 compared with $29.6
million  and  $45.6  million  as of  December  31,  2002  and  March  31,  2002,
respectively.

     Provision for Loan Losses

         The  provision  for loan losses is recorded  in amounts  sufficient  to
bring the allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management.
Management  determines  this  amount  based  upon many  factors,  including  its
assessment of loan portfolio quality, loan growth, changes in loan portfolio

                                       30


composition,  net loan charge-off levels, and expected economic conditions.  The
provision  for loan losses was $5.5  million and $6.2 million in the first three
months of 2003 and 2002,  respectively.  The lower provision for loan losses was
primarily  attributable  to the  liquidation  of  nonperforming  loans  on which
allocated reserves exceeded net losses incurred.

         Net loan charge-offs were $9.6 million,  or 0.85% of average loans, for
the first quarter 2003,  compared with $5.6 million,  or 0.60% of average loans,
for the first  quarter  2002.  Loan  charge-offs  in the first  quarter  of 2003
included losses of $4.1 million of Rock Hill Workout Loans,  which were included
in the  allowance  for loan  losses at the  prior  quarter-end.  Therefore,  the
allowance for loan losses declined,  and these  charge-offs had no impact on the
first  quarter 2003  provision  for loan losses.  The  allowance for loan losses
equaled  1.46%,  1.58%,  and 1.20% of loans held for  investment as of March 31,
2003,  December 31,  2002,  and March 31, 2002,  respectively.  The  significant
increase  from March 2002 to  December  2002 was  attributable  to the Rock Hill
Workout Loans. See "Loans." Excluding the Rock Hill Workout Loans, the allowance
for loan losses was 1.22% of loans held for investment as of March 31, 2003.

     Noninterest Income

         Noninterest  income  totaled $19.9 million in the first three months of
2003,  compared  with  $11.6  million  in the first  three  months of 2002.  The
increase  in  noninterest  income was  primarily  the  result of a $2.1  million
increase in service charges on deposit accounts, a $1.9 million increase in gain
on equity investments,  a $1.1 million increase in fees for investment services,
a $1.1 million increase in mortgage banking income, a $957,000  increase in gain
on sale of  available  for sale  securities,  and a $989,000  increase in other,
which was largely  due to  increases  in  insurance  commissions  and debit card
income.  Table 8 shows the components of noninterest income for the three months
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.



TABLE 8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPONENTS OF NONINTEREST INCOME
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                       MARCH 31,
                                                               -----------------------
                                                                  2003         2002
                                                                  ----         ----
                                                                       
Service charges on deposit accounts                             $  6,960     $  4,907
Fees for investment services                                       2,491        1,427
Mortgage banking income                                            2,172        1,081
Bank-owned life insurance                                          1,948        1,806
Merchant processing income                                         1,336        1,248
Other                                                              2,118        1,129
                                                                --------     --------
   Noninterest income, excluding gain on asset sales              17,025       11,598
                                                                --------     --------
Gain on sale of available for sale securities                        986           29
Gain on equity investments, net                                    1,875           11
                                                                --------     --------
   Gain on asset sales, net                                        2,861           40
                                                                --------     --------
   Total noninterest income                                     $ 19,886     $ 11,638
                                                                ========     ========


         Noninterest  income  included  gains on asset  sales for both the three
months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.  Excluding these net gains on asset sales,
noninterest  income increased $5.4 million,  or 46.8%, in the first quarter 2003
to $17.0 million from $11.6 million for the  corresponding  period in 2002. TSFG
is striving to increase its revenues from noninterest income sources.

         During the first three  months of 2003,  the gain on equity  investment
totaling  $1.9  million  was from the sale of 207,096  shares of  NetBank,  Inc.
common stock.  During the three months ended March 31, 2002,  the gain on equity
investments  totaling  $11,000  was from the sale of an equity  investment  in a
community bank.

         Service  charges  on  deposit  accounts,  the  largest  contributor  to
noninterest income, rose 41.8% to $7.0 million in the first three months of 2003
from $4.9 million for the same period in 2002. The increase was  attributable to
increasing transaction accounts,  improving collection of fees, and revising fee
structures  to  reflect  competitive  pricing.   Average  balances  for  deposit
transaction  accounts,  which impact service  charges,  increased  approximately
36.0% for the same period.

                                       31


         Fees for investment services, which include trust and brokerage income,
for the first three months of 2003 and 2002, were $2.5 million and $1.4 million,
respectively.  During this period,  brokerage income increased $1.0 million, and
trust income increased  $22,000.  Brokerage income increased  primarily from the
addition of  brokers.  At March 31,  2003 and 2002,  the market  value of assets
administered by the trust department  totaled $627.8 million and $711.0 million,
respectively.

         Mortgage  banking  income  includes  origination  income and  secondary
marketing operations (related to current production),  mortgage servicing income
(net  of  the  related  amortization  for  the  mortgage  servicing  rights  and
subservicing  payments),  losses and  recoveries  related to the  impairment  of
mortgage  servicing rights,  and gains and losses on sales of portfolio mortgage
loans.  Mortgage banking income in the first three months of 2003 increased $1.1
million to $2.2  million  from $1.1  million in the first three  months of 2002.
Table 9 shows the  components  of mortgage  banking  income for the three months
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.



TABLE 9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPONENTS OF MORTGAGE BANKING INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                          -----------------------
                                                                             2003          2002
                                                                             ----          ----
                                                                                   
Origination income and secondary marketing operations                      $ 2,944       $ 1,679
Net mortgage servicing loss                                                   (510)         (405)
(Impairment) recoveries on mortgage servicing rights                          (262)          200
Loss on sale of portfolio mortgage loans                                        -           (393)
                                                                           -------       -------
   Total mortgage banking income                                           $ 2,172       $ 1,081
                                                                           =======       =======


         For the first three months of 2003,  origination  income and  secondary
marketing  increased 75.3% to $2.9 million from $1.7 million for the first three
months of 2002.  Mortgage loans  originated by TSFG  originators  totaled $161.5
million  and  $109.0  million  in the  first  three  months  of 2003  and  2002,
respectively.  Mortgage origination volumes by TSFG originators increased in the
first three  months of 2003 due to lower  mortgage  loan rates and the hiring of
additional mortgage originators.

         TSFG's  total  servicing  portfolio  includes  mortgage  loans owned by
Carolina First Bank, mortgage loans owned by Mercantile Bank, and other mortgage
loans for which  Carolina  First Bank owns the rights to  service.  At March 31,
2003,  TSFG's  servicing  portfolio  included  5,180 loans  having an  aggregate
principal balance of $399.2 million.  At March 31, 2002, the aggregate principal
balance for TSFG's  servicing  portfolio  totaled $659.7 million,  significantly
higher  than  March  31,  2003  due  to  prepayments  of  loans  from  increased
refinancings  as a result of lower  interest  rates.  Fees  related to servicing
other  loans,  for which  Carolina  First Bank owns the rights to  service,  are
offset by the related  amortization of mortgage  servicing rights.  TSFG expects
its total  servicing  portfolio to continue to decline since the emphasis of its
mortgage  banking strategy is on mortgage  originations.  TSFG sells most of the
loans it originates in the secondary market with servicing rights released.

         Mortgage servicing rights, net of the valuation allowance, totaled $3.2
million and $8.0 million at March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. For the three
months ended March 31, 2003, TSFG recorded a $262,000 charge for impairment from
the valuation of mortgage  servicing  rights. In the first three months of 2002,
TSFG had a  impairment  recovery  of  $200,000  from the  valuation  of mortgage
servicing  rights.  At March 31, 2003, the valuation  allowance for  capitalized
mortgage servicing rights totaled $2.0 million.

         Bank-owned  life  insurance  income  increased  to $1.9 million for the
first three  months of 2003 from $1.8 million for the first three months of 2002
due to increases in cash values.  Merchant  processing  income increased 7.1% to
$1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $1.2 million for the
three months ended 2002 from attracting new merchants.

         Other  noninterest  income  totaled  $2.1  million  for the first three
months of 2003,  compared  with $1.1 million for the first three months of 2002.
Other  noninterest  income  includes  income  related to debit cards,  insurance
commissions,  customer service fees,  international banking services,  and other
fee-based  services.  Total income from these fee income sources  increased over
the prior year due in part to TSFG's  rollout of  Elevate,  a  customer-centered
sales  process.  The  increase  in other  noninterest  income was largely due to
increases in insurance  commissions,  which increased  $621,000,  and debit card
income, which increased $302,000.

                                       32


     Noninterest Expenses

         Noninterest  expenses  increased  to $48.9  million in the first  three
months of 2003 from $34.9 million in the first three months of 2002. Noninterest
expenses  for the three  months  ended March 31, 2003  included  $1.5 million in
merger-related costs. Excluding these merger-related costs, noninterest expenses
increased  $12.5 million,  or 36.0%, to $47.4 million for the first three months
of 2003 from $34.9 million for the first three months of 2002.

         Salaries,  wages, and employee  benefits  increased to $24.6 million in
the first three  months of 2003 from $18.0  million in the first three months of
2002.  Full-time  equivalent employees increased to 1,647 from 1,332 as of March
31,  2003  and  2002,  respectively.  The  increase  in  personnel  expense  was
attributable  to the 2002  acquisitions  that  closed in the  third  and  fourth
quarters,  hiring  new  revenue-producing  associates  (at  a  higher  cost  per
full-time  equivalent  employee),  and recording higher levels of incentive pay.
Restricted  stock  plan  awards,  which are  expensed  to  salaries  and  wages,
increased to $1.8 million in the first three months of 2003 from $1.0 million in
the first three months of 2002.

         Occupancy  expense increased to $4.6 million for the three months ended
March  31,  2003 from $3.5  million  for the  corresponding  period  from  2002,
primarily  from the  addition  of  branch  offices  from the 2002  acquisitions.
Furniture  and  equipment  increased  $1.0 million to $4.6 million for the first
quarter  2003 from $3.6  million  for the same period in 2002.  The  increase in
furniture  and  equipment  expense was  primarily  attributable  to increases in
depreciation  and  additional   maintenance   agreements  principally  from  the
acquisitions in the last four months of 2002.

         Professional  fees increased to $1.5 million for the first quarter 2003
from  $1.3  million  for  the  first  quarter  2002.  Telecommunication  expense
increased  $387,000  to $1.1  million  for the first  three  months of 2003 from
$683,000 in the first three months of 2002. Merchant processing expense remained
relatively constant for the first three months of 2003 and 2002.

         Amortization of intangibles  increased to $705,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2003 from  $239,000  for the three  months ended March 31, 2002.
This  increase  was  primarily  attributable  to the  addition  of core  deposit
premiums in the third and fourth  quarters of 2002 for the CBT,  Rock Hill Bank,
and Gulf West  acquisitions,  which totaled $12.3 million.  In addition,  in the
third  quarter  2002,  TSFG added  $858,000 in  customer  list  intangibles  and
$663,000 in non-compete  agreement  intangibles  with the acquisition of Gardner
Associates.

         In connection  with the 2002  acquisitions  of CBT, Rock Hill Bank, and
Gulf West,  TSFG incurred  pre-tax  merger-related  costs of $1.5 million in the
first quarter 2003.  See Part I, Item 1, Note 12 to the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

         Other  noninterest  expenses  increased $2.8 million to $9.2 million in
the first three  months of 2003 from $6.4  million in the first three  months of
2002.  The  overall  increase  in other  noninterest  expenses  was  principally
attributable  to  increases in loan  collection,  advertising,  debit card,  and
insurance expenses.

     Income Taxes

         The effective income tax rate as a percentage of pretax income remained
relatively  constant at 32.0% for the first  three  months of 2003 and 31.9% for
the first three months of 2002. The blended  statutory  federal and state income
tax rate was 36.94% for both of these periods.

         TSFG's  effective  income  tax rates  take into  consideration  certain
assumptions  and estimates by management.  No assurance can be given that either
the tax  returns  submitted  by  management  or the income tax  reported  on the
consolidated financial statements will not be adjusted by either adverse rulings
by the U.S.  Tax Court,  changes  in the tax code,  or  assessments  made by the
Internal  Revenue  Service.  TSFG is subject to potential  adverse  adjustments,
including  but not limited to: an  increase  in the  statutory  federal or state
income tax rates, the permanent nondeductibility of amounts currently considered
deductible either now or in future periods, and the dependency on the generation
of future  taxable  income,  including  capital  gains,  in order to  ultimately
realize  deferred income tax assets.  Tax returns for 1999 and subsequent  years
are exposed to examination by taxing authorities.


                                       33


MARKET RISK AND ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

         Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse  changes in market  prices
and rates.  TSFG's  market  risk  arises  principally  from  interest  rate risk
inherent in its core banking  activities.  Interest rate risk is the risk to net
income  represented  by the impact of higher or lower interest  rates.  TSFG has
risk  management  policies and systems to monitor and limit exposure to interest
rate risk.

         TSFG  attempts to manage  exposure to  fluctuations  in interest  rates
through  policies  established  by our  Asset/Liability  Committee  ("ALCO") and
approved  by the Board of  Directors.  The  primary  goal of  TSFG's  ALCO is to
achieve  consistent  growth in net interest  income  through  implementation  of
strategies to improve balance sheet  positioning  and/or earnings while managing
interest rate risk.  TSFG  attempts to control the mix and  maturities of assets
and  liabilities  to achieve  consistent  growth in net interest  income despite
changes in market  interest  rates  while  maintaining  adequate  liquidity  and
capital.  TSFG's asset/liability mix is sufficiently balanced so that the effect
of  interest  rates  moving  in  either  direction  is not  expected  to  have a
significant  impact on net interest income over time. The overall  interest rate
risk position of TSFG continues to fall within the interest rate risk guidelines
established by ALCO.

         TSFG uses several tools to monitor and manage  interest rate risk.  One
of the primary tools is a simulation model, which is used to analyze earnings at
risk and the interest sensitivity gap (the difference between the amount of rate
sensitive  assets  maturing or repricing  within a specific  time period and the
amount of rate sensitive  liabilities maturing or repricing within the same time
period).  The model takes into account  interest rate changes as well as changes
in the mix and volume of assets and  liabilities.  The model's  inputs  (such as
interest rates and levels of loans and deposits) are updated on a regular basis.

         Interest  sensitivity  gap ("GAP  position")  measures  the  difference
between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive  liabilities  maturing or whose
rates are  subject to change  during a given time  frame.  TSFG's GAP  position,
while not a complete measure of interest  sensitivity,  is reviewed periodically
to provide  insights  related to the static  repricing  structure  of assets and
liabilities.  In general,  an asset  sensitive  position would indicate that net
interest   income  would  benefit  from  increases  in  market  interest  rates.
Conversely, a liability sensitive position generally indicates that net interest
income would benefit from  decreases in market  interest  rates.  The static gap
position is limited  because it does not take into  account  changes in interest
rates or changes in management's  expectations or intentions. In addition, it is
not necessarily indicative of positions on other dates.

         Table 10 shows  TSFG's  financial  instruments  that are  sensitive  to
changes in interest rates as well as TSFG's  interest  sensitivity  gap at March
31, 2003. The carrying  amounts of  rate-sensitive  assets and  liabilities  are
presented  in the periods in which they next  reprice to market rates or mature.
For  assets,  projected  repayments,   anticipated  principal  prepayments,  and
potential  calls are taken into  account.  To reflect  anticipated  prepayments,
certain asset categories are shown in Table 10 using estimated cash flows rather
than contractual cash flows.  For core deposits without  contractual  maturities
(i.e., interest checking, savings, money market, and noninterest-bearing deposit
accounts), Table 10 presents principal cash flows based on management's judgment
concerning their most likely runoff. The actual maturities and runoff could vary
substantially  if future  prepayments,  runoff,  and calls  differ  from  TSFG's
historical experience and management's judgment.








                                       34




TABLE 10
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY GAP ANALYSIS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                        0-3           4-12         ONE TO         AFTER
                                                      MONTHS         MONTHS      THREE YEARS   THREE YEARS       TOTAL
                                                      ------         ------      -----------   -----------       -----
Interest-sensitive assets
                                                                                                 
Earning assets
  Loans                                               $2,684,724     $  770,778    $  926,788     $  193,045    $4,575,335
  Investment securities (1)                              359,659        793,565       767,931      1,469,584     3,390,739
  Interest-bearing balances with other banks              58,515            500           500              -        59,515
                                                     -----------    -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total earning assets                             $3,102,898     $1,564,843    $1,695,219     $1,662,629    $8,025,589
                                                      ==========     ===========   ===========    ==========     =========

INTEREST-SENSITIVE LIABILITIES
Liabilities
Interest-sensitive liabilities
  Interest-bearing deposits
  Interest checking                                  $         -    $   199,626   $   232,988    $   232,988     $ 665,602
  Savings                                                      -         15,572        77,860         62,288       155,720
  Money market                                           836,736        144,313       103,080        103,080     1,187,209
  Certificates of deposit                                444,881        935,417       502,046         87,691     1,970,035
                                                     -----------    -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total interest-bearing deposits                   1,281,617      1,294,928       915,974        486,047     3,978,566
     Other deposits (2)                                        -         75,714       378,575        302,860       757,149
 Borrowings                                            1,430,445      1,213,602       227,359        343,277     3,214,683
                                                     -----------    -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total interest-sensitive liabilities              2,712,062      2,584,244     1,521,908      1,132,184     7,950,398

Periodic interest-sensitive gap                          390,836     (1,019,401)      173,311        530,445        75,191

Notional amount of interest rate swaps                  (324,500)       179,500        55,000         90,000             -
                                                     -----------    -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------

Periodic interest-sensitive gap after interest
 rate swaps                                          $   66,336      $ (839,901)   $ 228,311      $  620,445      $ 75,191
                                                     ==========      ==========    ==========     ==========      ========

 Cumulative interest-sensitive gap                   $   66,336      $ (773,565)   $(545,254)     $   75,191      $      -
                                                     ==========      ==========    ==========     ==========      ========

(1)  Investment securities exclude the unrealized gain on the sale of securities
     of $32.2 million.
(2)  Other deposits consist of  noninterest-bearing  deposits,  which respond in
     part to changes in interest rates.

         As indicated in Table 10, as of March 31, 2003,  on a cumulative  basis
through  twelve  months,   rate-sensitive  liabilities  exceeded  rate-sensitive
assets,  resulting in a liability-sensitive  position of $773.6 million, or 8.6%
of total assets. This static gap liability sensitive position resulted primarily
from the  increase in the  Freedom  Money  Market,  which  reprices  immediately
following  changes in the prime rate,  and from funding  some of the  securities
purchased during the first quarter 2003 with repurchase  agreements that reprice
within one year.

         The  forecast  used for  earnings  at risk  analysis  simulates  TSFG's
consolidated  balance sheet and consolidated  statements of income under several
different rate scenarios over a twelve-month  period. It reports a case in which
interest  rates  remain  flat and  reports  variations  that  occur  when  rates
gradually  increase  and  decrease  100 and  200  basis  points  over  the  next
twelve-month  period.  These rates assume a parallel shift in the treasury yield
curve,  except for lower  limits in the  declining  rate  scenarios as discussed
below.  Computation of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes
are based on numerous assumptions,  including relative levels of market interest
rates and loan  prepayments,  and should  not be relied  upon as  indicative  of

                                       35


actual  results.  Further,  the  computations  do not contemplate any additional
actions TSFG could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.  Table 11
shows the effect that the indicated  changes in interest rates would have on net
interest  income as projected for the next twelve months using the "most likely"
projected balance sheet.


TABLE 11
EARNINGS AT RISK ANALYSIS

                                           ANNUALIZED HYPOTHETICAL PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN
         INTEREST RATE SCENARIO                        NET INTEREST INCOME
         ----------------------                        -------------------
                                                           
                  2.00%                                        1.90%
                  1.00                                         1.11
                  Flat                                           -
                 (1.00)                                       (0.10)
                 (2.00)                                       (2.61)

         As  indicated  in Table 11,  although  TSFG has a static gap  liability
sensitive  position,  the  earnings at risk  analysis  indicates  that TSFG will
benefit  from an  increase  in  interest  rates.  This  situation  is due to the
reduction of the  prepayment  speeds on the  mortgage-backed  securities  in the
increasing  rate  scenarios  resulting in a higher  level of earning  assets and
higher interest income.

         Although net interest  income declines in the declining rate scenarios,
lower limits are in place, which limit these rate declines and the impact on net
interest income. Due to the low level of current interest rates, many of the key
rates (such as Federal Funds and three month  LIBOR),  which the majority of the
balance sheet items are indexed to in the model,  cannot be lowered the full 100
and 200  basis  points.  The  floors  placed on these  key  rates  restrict  the
reduction in both interest income and expense in the declining rate scenario. In
addition,  many deposit  rates are reaching  what  management  believes to be an
acceptable  lower  limit thus  limiting  the  interest  expense  reduction  from
repricing deposits by the entire 100 and 200 basis points.

         In addition to the standard scenarios used to analyze earnings at risk,
TSFG's ALCO analyzes the potential impact of other scenarios. The starting point
for  these  "what-if"  scenarios  is  our  base  forecast.  This  base  forecast
consolidates  all balance sheet  information that we are presently aware of with
our "most likely" interest rate  projections.  The "what-if"  scenarios are then
used to gauge the impact of changes in interest rates and/or balance sheet items
on the  earnings  of TSFG  compared  to the  base  forecast.  Strategies  can be
formulated  based on the  information  provided by the earnings  simulation if a
scenario  either seems  likely to occur or we choose to  undertake  the proposed
transaction.  TSFG updates its base forecast quarterly based on economic changes
that occurred during the past quarter as well as changes in the economic outlook
for the coming year.

         Derivatives and Hedging Activities. TSFG uses derivative instruments as
part of its interest rate risk management  activities to reduce risks associated
with  its  lending,  investment,   deposit  taking,  and  borrowing  activities.
Derivatives used for interest rate risk management include various interest rate
swaps,  options with  indices that relate to the pricing of specific  on-balance
sheet instruments and forecasted transactions, and futures contracts.

         TSFG has  interest  rate swap  agreements  that  qualify  as fair value
hedges and those that qualify as cash flow hedges. Fair value hedges are used to
hedge fixed rate  deposits.  TSFG uses cash flow hedges to hedge  interest  rate
risk associated with variable rate borrowings.

         In connection with its interest rate management  activities,  TSFG uses
futures,  options,  and other derivatives as economic hedges of on-balance sheet
assets and  liabilities  or  forecasted  transactions,  which do not qualify for
hedge accounting under SFAS 133. Accordingly,  these derivatives are reported at
fair value on the  consolidated  balance  sheet with  realized  gains and losses
included in earnings.  Such  activities  may result in increased  volatility  in
realized gains and losses on trading activities.

         By using derivative  instruments,  TSFG is exposed to credit and market
risk.  Credit  risk,  which  is the risk  that a  counterparty  to a  derivative
instrument  will fail to perform,  is equal to the extent of the fair value gain
in a  derivative.  Credit  risk is created  when the fair value of a  derivative
contract is positive,  since this generally indicates that the counterparty owes
us. When the fair value of a derivative is negative, no credit risk exists since
TSFG would owe the  counterparty.  TSFG  minimizes the credit risk in derivative
instruments by entering into transactions  with  high-quality  counterparties as
evaluated  by  management.  Market risk is the adverse  effect on the value of a
financial  instrument  from a change in interest rates or implied  volatility of
rates.  TSFG manages the market risk  associated with interest rate contracts by
establishing  and monitoring  limits as to the types and degree of risk that may
be undertaken.  The market risk  associated with  derivatives  used for interest
rate  risk  management  activity  is fully  incorporated  into our  market  risk
sensitivity analysis.

                                       36


         In accordance with SFAS 133, TSFG records derivatives at fair value, as
either assets or liabilities,  on the consolidated  balance sheets. At March 31,
2003,  the fair value of derivative  assets totaled $4.3 million and was related
to fair value hedges and derivatives with no hedging  designation.  At March 31,
2003, the fair value of derivative  liabilities totaled $167,000 and was related
to cash flow hedges.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

         In the  normal  course of  operations,  TSFG  engages  in a variety  of
financial  transactions that, in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting
principles,  are not recorded in the  financial  statements,  or are recorded in
amounts that differ from the notional amounts.  These transactions  involve,  to
varying  degrees,  elements of credit,  interest rate, and liquidity  risk. Such
transactions  are used by TSFG for general  corporate  purposes or for  customer
needs.  Corporate purpose transactions are used to help manage credit,  interest
rate, and liquidity risk or to optimize capital.  Customer transactions are used
to manage customers' requests for funding.

         TSFG's  off-balance  sheet  arrangements,   which  principally  include
lending commitments,  derivatives,  and stock-related agreements,  are described
below.  At March 31, 2003 and 2002,  TSFG had no interests  in  non-consolidated
special purpose entities.

         Lending  Commitments.  Lending  commitments  include loan  commitments,
standby letters of credit,  unused  business credit card lines,  and documentary
letters  of credit.  These  instruments  are not  recorded  in the  consolidated
balance  sheet until funds are advanced  under the  commitments.  TSFG  provides
these lending commitments to customers in the normal course of business.

         For commercial  customers,  loan commitments generally take the form of
revolving   credit   arrangements   to  finance   customers'   working   capital
requirements.  For retail  customers,  loan  commitments  are generally lines of
credit secured by residential property. At March 31, 2003, commercial and retail
loan  commitments  totaled  $846.6  million.  Documentary  letters of credit are
typically issued in connection with customers' trade financing  requirements and
totaled  $11.7  million at March 31, 2003.  Unused  business  credit card lines,
which  totaled $15.2  million at March 31, 2003,  are  generally for  short-term
borrowings.

         Standby  letters of credit  represent an  obligation of TSFG to a third
party  contingent upon the failure of TSFG's customer to perform under the terms
of an underlying contract with the third party or obligates TSFG to guarantee or
stand as surety for the benefit of the third party. The underlying  contract may
entail either financial or nonfinancial  obligations and may involve such things
as  the  customer's  delivery  of  merchandise,  completion  of  a  construction
contract, release of a lien, or repayment of an obligation. Under the terms of a
standby  letter,  drafts will generally be drawn only when the underlying  event
fails to occur as intended.  TSFG can seek recovery of the amounts paid from the
borrower.   In  addition,   some  of  these   standby   letters  of  credit  are
collateralized.  The collateral is generally  cash,  although  existing lines of
credit are  sometimes  used.  Commitments  under  standby  letters of credit are
usually for one year or less.  At March 31, 2003,  TSFG  recorded a liability of
$25,000 for deferred fees received on standby  letters of credit,  which was the
estimated  fair  value for the  current  carrying  amount of the  obligation  to
perform as a guarantor.  No contingent  liability was determined to be necessary
relating to TSFG's  obligation to perform as a guarantor.  The maximum potential
amount of undiscounted  future payments  related to standby letters of credit at
March 31, 2003 was $58.3 million.

         TSFG applies  essentially  the same credit policies and standards as it
does in the lending process when making these commitments.

         Derivatives.  In accordance with SFAS 133, TSFG records  derivatives at
fair value, as either assets or liabilities,  on the consolidated balance sheet.
Derivative  transactions are measured in terms of the notional amount,  but this
amount  is not  recorded  on the  balance  sheets  and is not,  when  viewed  in
isolation,  a  meaningful  measure of the risk  profile of the  instrument.  The
notional  amount is not  exchanged,  but is used only as the  basis  upon  which
interest and other payments are calculated.

         At March 31, 2003,  the fair value of  derivative  assets  totaled $4.3
million  and was related to  derivatives  with no hedging  designation  and fair
value  hedges.  At March 31,  2003,  the fair  value of  derivative  liabilities
totaled  $167,000  and was related to cash flow  hedges.  The  related  notional
amounts,  which are not recorded on the  consolidated  balance  sheets,  totaled
$437.5  million for the  derivative  assets and $14.7 million for the derivative
liabilities.

                                       37


         Credit  Life  &   Disability   Insurance.   Carolina   First   Guaranty
Reinsurance,  Ltd. ("CFGRL"),  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of TSFG, offers credit
life and  disability  insurance  up to a single  policy  limit  of  $100,000  to
customers of the  Subsidiary  Banks.  As of March 31,  2003,  CFGRL had in force
insurance not recorded on the  consolidated  balance sheets of $31.3 million.  A
loss reserve,  determined based on reported and past loss experience of in force
policies, of $206,000 was included in other liabilities at March 31, 2003.

         Stock-Related  Agreements.  In connection with stock repurchases,  TSFG
has, from time to time, entered into "accelerated  share repurchase"  contracts.
Under these accelerated share repurchase contracts,  an unaffiliated  investment
bank  (the  "counterparty")  "borrows"  the  requisite  number  of  shares  from
unaffiliated  third  parties,  and delivers these shares to TSFG in exchange for
cash (such that these shares are  immediately  removed  from TSFG's  outstanding
shares).  Over a period of time  subsequent  to the entry  into the  accelerated
share repurchase  contract,  the counterparty  purchases TSFG shares in the open
market to cover their borrowed position. After the counterparty has covered this
position,  TSFG settles with the counterparty for any gains or losses associated
with  changes  in TSFG's  stock  price  during the period of time that stock was
being  purchased.  This  settlement may be made in cash or in TSFG common stock.
These  contracts  are  reflected  as a  reduction  in  shareholders'  equity and
outstanding shares (used in the earnings per share calculation).

         In March  2003,  TSFG  settled  its  existing  accelerated  contract by
receiving and canceling  6,308 shares.  Also, in March 2003, TSFG entered into a
new  accelerated  share  repurchase  contract  with an  unaffiliated  company to
repurchase one million shares of TSFG common stock and to settle the contract in
stock. TSFG expects the  counterparty's  purchases of shares under this contract
to continue through May 2003.

LIQUIDITY

         Liquidity  management ensures that adequate funds are available to meet
deposit  withdrawals,  fund loan and capital expenditure  commitments,  maintain
reserve  requirements,  pay operating expenses,  provide funds for dividends and
debt service,  and manage  operations on an ongoing  basis.  Funds are primarily
provided by the  Subsidiary  Banks through  customers'  deposits,  principal and
interest payments on loans, loan sales or securitizations,  securities available
for  sale,  maturities  of  securities,  temporary  investments,  and  earnings.
Securities  classified as available for sale, which are not pledged, may be sold
in response to changes in  interest  rates or  liquidity  needs.  A  substantial
majority of TSFG's securities are pledged.

         Proper  liquidity  management is crucial to ensure that TSFG is able to
take advantage of new business  opportunities as well as meet the demands of its
customers.  In this process,  TSFG focuses on assets and  liabilities and on the
manner in which they combine to provide adequate liquidity to meet our needs.

         Net cash provided by operations  and deposits from  customers have been
the primary  sources of liquidity  for TSFG.  Liquidity is also  enhanced by the
ability to acquire new deposits through the Subsidiary Banks' established branch
network.  In  addition,  TSFG can raise  deposits on the  Internet  through Bank
CaroLine.  Liquidity  needs are a factor in  developing  the  Subsidiary  Banks'
deposit  pricing  structure,  which may be altered to retain or grow deposits if
deemed necessary.

         The  Subsidiary  Banks  have  access  to  borrowing  from  the FHLB and
maintain  short-term  lines of  credit  from  unrelated  banks.  FHLB  advances,
outstanding as of March 31, 2003,  totaled $1.0 billion.  At March 31, 2003, the
Subsidiary Banks had approximately  $473.6 million of unused borrowing  capacity
from the  FHLB.  This  capacity  may be used  when  the  Subsidiary  Banks  have
available  collateral  to pledge.  Until the  Subsidiary  Banks make  collateral
available (other than cash) to secure  additional FHLB advances,  TSFG will fund
its short-term needs principally with deposits,  including brokered certificates
of deposit,  federal funds  purchased,  repurchase  agreements,  and the sale of
securities  available for sale. In addition,  the Subsidiary  Banks may purchase
securities   or  may  repay   repurchase   agreements   to  provide   additional
FHLB-qualifying  collateral.  At March 31, 2003, the Subsidiary Banks had unused
short-term  lines of credit  totaling  approximately  $313.3  million (which are
withdrawable at the lender's option).

         The Federal Reserve Bank provides back-up funding for commercial banks.
Collateralized  borrowing  relationships  with  the  Federal  Reserve  Banks  of
Richmond  and Atlanta are in place for the  Subsidiary  Banks to meet  emergency
funding needs. At March 31, 2003, the Subsidiary Banks had qualifying collateral
to secure advances up to $494.9 million, of which none was outstanding.

         At March 31, 2003, the parent company had an unused  short-term line of
credit  totaling $10.0 million (which is withdrawable at the lender's option and
matures June 30, 2003).

                                       38


         In the normal course of business,  to meet the  financial  needs of its
customers,   TSFG,   principally  through  the  Subsidiary  Banks,  enters  into
agreements to extend credit.  For amounts and types of such  agreements at March
31, 2003, see "Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements." Increased demand for funds under
these  agreements  would reduce TSFG's  liquidity  and could require  additional
sources of liquidity.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities

         Effective  January 1, 2003, TSFG adopted SFAS No. 146,  "Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"), which addresses
financial  accounting and reporting for costs  associated  with exit or disposal
activities and nullifies  Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3,  "Liability
Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an
Activity  (including  Certain  Costs  Incurred  in a  Restructuring)."  SFAS 146
applies  to costs  associated  with an exit  activity  that does not  involve an
entity  newly  acquired in a business  combination  or with a disposal  activity
covered  by  SFAS  No.  144,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  or  Disposal  of
Long-Lived Assets." Those costs include,  but are not limited to, the following:
a) termination  benefits  provided to current  employees that are  involuntarily
terminated under the terms of a benefit  arrangement that, in substance,  is not
an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred  compensation  contract
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  one-time  termination  benefits),  b)  costs  to
terminate a contract that is not a capital  lease,  and c) costs to  consolidate
facilities  or  relocate  employees.  This  Statement  does  not  apply to costs
associated  with the  retirement of a long-lived  asset covered by SFAS No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." A liability for a cost associated
with an exit or disposal activity shall be recognized and measured  initially at
its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred. A liability for
a cost  associated  with an exit or  disposal  activity  is  incurred  when  the
definition of a liability is met in accordance with FASB Concepts Statements No.
6, "Elements of Financial Statements."

     Accounting for Guarantees

         Effective  January 1, 2003,  TSFG adopted the initial  recognition  and
initial  measurement   provisions  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  Board
Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's  Accounting and Disclosure  Requirements for
Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" ("FIN 45").
TSFG adopted the disclosure  requirements effective as of December 31, 2002. FIN
45  elaborates  on the  disclosure  to be made by a guarantor in its interim and
annual financial  statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that
it has issued. FIN 45 clarifies that a guarantor is required to disclose (a) the
nature of the guarantee;  (b) the maximum  potential  amount of future  payments
under the grantee; (c) the carrying amount of the liability;  and (d) the nature
and extent of any recourse provisions or available  collateral that would enable
the  guarantor  to recover the  amounts  paid under the  guarantee.  FIN 45 also
clarifies  that  a  guarantor  is  required  to  recognize,  at  inception  of a
guarantee,  a liability  for the  obligations  it has  undertaken in issuing the
guarantee  at its  inception.  At March 31, 2003,  TSFG  recorded a liability of
$25,000 for deferred fees received on standby  letters of credit,  which was the
estimated  fair  value for the  current  carrying  amount of the  obligation  to
perform as a guarantor.  No contingent  liability was determined to be necessary
relating to TSFG's obligation to perform as a guarantor.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     Accounting for Variable Interest Entities

         In January  2003,  the FASB issued FASB  Interpretation  No. 46,  ("FIN
46"),   "Consolidation   of  Variable   Interest   Entities",   which  addresses
consolidation by business  enterprises of variable interest entities.  Under FIN
46, an  enterprise  that  holds  significant  variable  interest  in a  variable
interest  entity but is not the primary  beneficiary is required to disclose the
nature,  purpose,  size, and  activities of the variable  interest  entity,  its
exposure to loss as a result of the variable interest holder's  involvement with
the entity,  and the nature of its involvement with the entity and date when the
involvement  began.  The primary  beneficiary of a variable  interest  entity is
required to disclose the nature,  purpose,  size, and activities of the variable
interest entity, the carrying amount and  classification of consolidated  assets
that are collateral for the variable interest entity's obligations, and any lack
of recourse by creditors  (or  beneficial  interest  holders) of a  consolidated
variable  interest  entity to the  general  creditors  (or  beneficial  interest
holders) of a consolidated  variable  interest entity to the general creditor of
the  primary  beneficiary.  FIN 46 is  effective  for the first  fiscal  year or
interim period  beginning  after June 15, 2003. The impact to TSFG upon adoption
is currently not known.

                                       39


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         See "Market Risk and Asset/Liability  Management" in Item 2, Management
Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations  for
quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, which information is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)      Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     TSFG's  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Principal  Financial  Officer  have
     evaluated TSFG's  disclosure  controls and procedures within 90 days of the
     filing of this quarterly  report  ("Evaluation  Date"),  and they concluded
     that these controls and procedures are effective.

(b)      Changes in Internal Controls

     There have been no  significant  changes in  internal  controls or in other
     factors,  including  any  corrective  actions  with  regard to  significant
     deficiencies and material weaknesses that could significantly  affect these
     controls subsequent to the Evaluation Date.











                                       40


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of
legal proceedings.


ITEM 2   CHANGE IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


         The  following information is provided in response to Item 2(c) of Form
10-Q and Item 701 of  Regulation S-K:

(a) On April  30,  2003,  we issued  146,807  shares of our  common  stock  (the
"Shares").

(b) We issued the Shares to the shareholders of American Pensions,  Inc. ("API")
in connection with our acquisition of API, which was effected through the merger
of API into Company subsidiary formed to facilitate the transaction.

(c) We issued the Shares to API's  shareholders in a merger  transaction,  after
which we owned  100% of the  surviving  company  (API's  successor).  Additional
shares may become issuable in the future, depending upon whether earnout targets
are met.

(d) We offered and sold the Shares in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act of  1933.  Neither  we  nor  anyone  on our  behalf  engaged  in any  public
solicitation  or public  advertisement  in connection with the offer and sale of
the  Shares.  API  had a  total  of  three  shareholders,  each  of  which  is a
sophisticated   investor.   We  provided  API's   shareholders  with  access  to
information  sufficient  to  enable  API's  shareholders  to  make  an  informed
investment decision.  API's shareholders  acquired the Shares with an intent not
to resell or  distribute  the Shares  except in  accordance  with an  applicable
exemption from  registration  or an effective  registration  statement under the
Securities Act.

(e) The Shares are not convertible into or exchangeable or otherwise exercisable
for other equity securities.

(f) The  requirement  of  Item  701(f)  regarding  the  use of  proceeds  is not
applicable.


ITEM 3   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

         None.

ITEM 4   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS

         None.

ITEM 5   OTHER INFORMATION

         None.

ITEM 6   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         2.1      Asset Sale  Agreement  entered into as of September 3, 2002 by
                  and among  TSFG,  Carolina  First  Bank,  and Rock Hill Bank &
                  Trust.  Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  2.1 of TSFG's
                  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-4,  Commission  File  No.
                  333-100100.

         10.1     The South Financial  Group Second  Amended and Restated  Stock
                  Option Plan.

         99.1     Additional  Exhibit under Item 99 of Item 601(b) of Regulation
                  S-K.  Certificates  accompanying  quarterly report pursuant to
                  Section  906 of the  Sarbanes  Oxley  Act of  2002.  A  signed
                  original of this written statement required by Section 906 has
                  been provided to The South Financial  Group,  Inc. and will be
                  retained  and  furnished  to  the   Securities   and  Exchange
                  Commission or its staff upon request.

                                       41


(b) Reports on Form 8-K

          TSFG filed Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 3, 2003 and April
15, 2003.

























                                       42




                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, TSFG has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned  thereunto
duly authorized.




                              The South Financial Group, Inc.


                              /s/ William S. Hummers III
                              -----------------------------------------------
                              William S. Hummers III
                              Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President
                              (Principal Accounting and Principal Financial
                               Officer)
















                                       43


                                  CERTIFICATION

I, Mack I. Whittle, Jr., certify that:

         1. I have  reviewed  this  quarterly  report  on Form 10-Q of The South
Financial Group, Inc.;

         2. Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary
to make the  statements  made,  in light of the  circumstances  under which such
statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
quarterly report;

         3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

         4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

                  a) designed such disclosure  controls and procedures to ensure
         that material  information  relating to the  registrant,  including its
         consolidated  subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
         entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report
         is being prepared;

                  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
         controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
         date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

                  c) presented in this quarterly  report our  conclusions  about
         the  effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on
         our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

         5. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee  of  registrant's  board  of  directors  (or  persons  performing  the
equivalent function):

                  a) all significant  deficiencies in the design or operation of
         internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
         to  record,  process,  summarize  and  report  financial  data and have
         identified  for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
         internal controls; and

                  b)  any  fraud,   whether  or  not  material,   that  involves
         management  or  other  employees  who  have a  significant  role in the
         registrant's internal controls; and

         6. The registrant's  other certifying  officers and I have indicated in
this quarterly report whether or not there were significant  changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 8, 2003

                                     /s/ Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
                                     ------------------------
                                     Mack I. Whittle, Jr.
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer





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                                  CERTIFICATION

I, William S. Hummers III, certify that:

         1. I have  reviewed  this  quarterly  report  on Form 10-Q of The South
Financial Group, Inc.;

         2. Based on my knowledge,  this  quarterly  report does not contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary
to make the  statements  made,  in light of the  circumstances  under which such
statements  were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
quarterly report;

         3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

         4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

                  a) designed such disclosure  controls and procedures to ensure
         that material  information  relating to the  registrant,  including its
         consolidated  subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
         entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report
         is being prepared;

                  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
         controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
         date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

                  c) presented in this quarterly  report our  conclusions  about
         the  effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on
         our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

         5. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee  of  registrant's  board  of  directors  (or  persons  performing  the
equivalent function):

                  a) all significant  deficiencies in the design or operation of
         internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability
         to  record,  process,  summarize  and  report  financial  data and have
         identified  for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
         internal controls; and

                  b)  any  fraud,   whether  or  not  material,   that  involves
         management  or  other  employees  who  have a  significant  role in the
         registrant's internal controls; and

         6. The registrant's  other certifying  officers and I have indicated in
this quarterly report whether or not there were significant  changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 8, 2003

                              /s/ William S. Hummers III
                              --------------------------
                              William S. Hummers III
                              Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President,
                              and Principal Financial Officer



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