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        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="4">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="4">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="3">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="3">FORM 8-K</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="2">CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="2">TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <b><font face="ARIAL" size="2">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <font face="Arial" size="2">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 24,
        2008</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <font face="Arial" size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
        charter)</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <table style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="646" align="center" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    &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 valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <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 valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    &nbsp;</p>
                </td>
            </tr>

            <tr>
                <td width="7">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    &nbsp;</p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2">(State or other jurisdiction of
                    incorporation)</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2">(Commission File Number)</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap colspan="2">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <font size="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p>

        <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" align="center" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap width="100">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    &nbsp;</p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="333">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2"><u>102 South Main Street, Greenville, South
                    Carolina</u></font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="213">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2"><u>29601</u></font></p>
                </td>
            </tr>

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                <td valign="top" nowrap width="100">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    &nbsp;</p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="333">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="213">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Arial" size="2">(Zip Code)</font></p>
                </td>
            </tr>
        </table>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial" size="2">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code: (864)
        255-7900</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="650">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.12in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        &nbsp;</p>

        <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="650">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.12in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        &nbsp;</p>

        <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="650">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.12in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        &nbsp;</p>

        <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
            <tr>
                <td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
                    <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
                </td>

                <td valign="top" nowrap width="650">
                    <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                    <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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></p>
        <PAGE>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2"><b>Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or
        Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory
        Arrangements of Certain Officers</b></font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">(b) On October 24, 2008, The South
        Financial Group, Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) determined that the retirement date of
        Mack I. Whittle, Jr., the Company&rsquo;s Chairman, CEO and President, would be as of the
        close of business on October 27, 2008. This determination was in accordance with the
        existing Letter Agreement dated September 2, 2008&nbsp;between the Company and Mr. Whittle,
        which provided that his actual retirement date would be determined by the Board, and be on
        or before December 30, 2008. The selection of this retirement date was not precipitated by
        any known&nbsp;material adverse undisclosed event with respect to the Company.</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        &nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">The Company has not named a Chairman. In
        the interim, John C. B. Smith, the Company&rsquo;s Lead Independent Director, will lead the
        Board of Directors and oversee management until such time as a principal executive officer
        is named.</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2"><b>Signature</b></font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 2in; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
        THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <div align="left">
            <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
                <tr>
                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="408">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">October 28,
                        2008</font></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="250">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By:
                        <u><i>/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.</i></u></font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 2in; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
        William P. Crawford, Jr.</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 2in; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
        Executive Vice President and General Counsel</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" size="2">- 3 -</font></p>

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>
        <font face="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif"><!-- EEDocs PBStart--><!-- EEDocs PBEnd--></font>


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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k-10272008.htm", "description": "REPORT DATED OCTOBER 24, 2008", "secsgml_size_bytes": 18718}]
{"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": "081143628"}, "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): October 24,
        2008
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 5.02 Departure of Directors or
        Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory
        Arrangements of Certain Officers
(b) On October 24, 2008, The South
        Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company") determined that the retirement date of
        Mack I. Whittle, Jr., the Company's Chairman, CEO and President, would be as of the
        close of business on October 27, 2008. This determination was in accordance with the
        existing Letter Agreement dated September 2, 2008 between the Company and Mr. Whittle,
        which provided that his actual retirement date would be determined by the Board, and be on
        or before December 30, 2008. The selection of this retirement date was not precipitated by
        any known material adverse undisclosed event with respect to the Company.
The Company has not named a Chairman. In
        the interim, John C. B. Smith, the Company's Lead Independent Director, will lead the
        Board of Directors and oversee management until such time as a principal executive officer
        is named.
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.
October 28,
                        2008
By:
/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.
William P. Crawford, Jr.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
- 3 -