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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=5>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=4>UNITED STATES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=4>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=3>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=3>FORM 8-K</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=2>CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=2>TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font FACE="ARIAL" SIZE=2>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 4, 2009</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The South Financial Group, Inc. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>



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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;South Carolina&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;0-15083&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;57-0824914&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></p> </td>
        <td  width="7">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
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        <td  width="7">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>(Commission File Number)</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>(IRS Employer Identification Number)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="7" ></td>

        <td width="235" ></td>

        <td width="7" ></td>

        <td width="175" ></td>

        <td width="7" ></td>

        <td width="220" ></td>

        <td width="7" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><u><font face="Arial" size=2></font></u><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font face="Arial" size=2>    </font><u><font face="Arial" size=2></font></u></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="333" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2><U>102 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina</U></font></p> </td>
        <td width="213" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2><U>29601</U></font></p> </td> </tr>




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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="333" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>(Address of principal executive offices)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="213" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>(Zip Code)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:  (864) 255-7900</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face=Wingdings>o</font></p> </td>
        <td width="650" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.12in;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face=Wingdings>o</font></p> </td>
        <td width="650" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.12in;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face=Wingdings>o</font></p> </td>
        <td width="650" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.12in;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face=Wingdings>o</font></p> </td>
        <td width="650" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font face="Arial" size=2>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font face="Arial" size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2"><B>Item 7.01</B> </FONT></p> </td>
        <td width="519" nowrap valign=top >
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0in;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2"><B>Regulation FD Disclosure</B> </FONT></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">On March 5, 2009, The South Financial Group, Inc. ("TSFG") filed a "universal shelf" registration statement registering its potential issuance of $750 million of various equity and debt securities. TSFG has no specific plans to issue securities under this shelf. However, the securities issued by TSFG to the U.S. Treasury in December 2008 (under its TARP Capital Purchase Program) are covered by this registration statement, and accordingly, the U.S. Treasury could avail itself of this registration statement in its discretion. </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">TSFG filed a previous shelf registration statement in November 2008. However, TSFG was required to refile this shelf registration statement due to the fact, upon filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, it was no longer a "well known seasoned issuer" (a WKSI). </FONT> </p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">On March 4, 2009, TSFG filed a shelf registration statement on form S-3, which effectively continued the registration statement which had been filed by TSFG on June 6, 2008 with respect to its Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock Series 2008 and the Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock is convertible.
It was required to refile this registration statement for the same reason set forth in the preceding paragraph. </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2"><B>Signature</B> </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2in; text-indent:1.27in;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>


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<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">March 5, 2009 </FONT></p> </td>
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<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">By: <U><I>/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.</I></U> <BR>William P. Crawford, Jr.<BR>Executive Vice President and General Counsel</FONT></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>

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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k-03042009.htm", "description": "REPORTED DATED MARCH 4, 2009", "secsgml_size_bytes": 16296}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP INC", "cik": "0000797871", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "570824914", "state-of-incorporation": "SC", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-15083", "film-number": "09657979"}, "business-address": {"street1": "102 S MAIN ST", "city": "GREENVILLE", "state": "SC", "zip": "29601", "phone": "8642557900"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "102 S MAIN STREET", "city": "GREENVILLE", "state": "SC", "zip": "29601"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "CAROLINA FIRST CORP", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 4, 2009
The South Financial Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
South Carolina
0-15083
57-0824914
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
102 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina
29601
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (864) 255-7900
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
On March 5, 2009, The South Financial Group, Inc. ("TSFG") filed a "universal shelf" registration statement registering its potential issuance of $750 million of various equity and debt securities. TSFG has no specific plans to issue securities under this shelf. However, the securities issued by TSFG to the U.S. Treasury in December 2008 (under its TARP Capital Purchase Program) are covered by this registration statement, and accordingly, the U.S. Treasury could avail itself of this registration statement in its discretion.
TSFG filed a previous shelf registration statement in November 2008. However, TSFG was required to refile this shelf registration statement due to the fact, upon filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, it was no longer a "well known seasoned issuer" (a WKSI).
On March 4, 2009, TSFG filed a shelf registration statement on form S-3, which effectively continued the registration statement which had been filed by TSFG on June 6, 2008 with respect to its Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock Series 2008 and the Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock is convertible.
It was required to refile this registration statement for the same reason set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
March 5, 2009
By:
/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.
William P. Crawford, Jr.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
- 2 -