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        <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): January 27, 2009</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>

            <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">(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>

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            <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="638" border="0">
                <tr>
                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="638">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">Item 2.02. &nbsp;</font> <u><font size="2">Results of Operations and Financial Condition</font></u><font size="2">.</font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <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 size="2">On January 27, 2009, The South Financial Group, Inc. (&ldquo;TSFG&rdquo;) issued a press release (the &ldquo;Press Release&rdquo;) announcing its results of operations for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2008. A copy of the Press Release,&nbsp;Quarterly Financial Data Supplement and Investor Presentation are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1,&nbsp; 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and
        are incorporated herein by reference.</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-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="638">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">Item 9.01. &nbsp;</font> <u><font size="2">Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></u> <font size="2">.</font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <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="144">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><u><font size="2">Exhibit No.</font></u></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="519">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><u><font size="2">Description</font></u></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <div align="left">
            <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0">
                <tr>
                    <td valign="top" width="144">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">99.1</font></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">Press Release dated January 27, 2009</font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <div align="left">
            <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0">
                <tr>
                    <td valign="top" width="144">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">99.2</font></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">Quarterly Financial Data Supplement, Fourth Quarter 2008</font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>

                <tr>
                    <td valign="top" width="144"><font size="2">99.3</font></td>

                    <td valign="top"><font size="2">Investor Presentation, Fourth Quarter 2008</font></td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

        <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 size="2">2</font></p>
        <!-- EEDocs PBStart-->

        <p style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always"></p>
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        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><b><font size="2">Signatures</font></b></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 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: 3.5in; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">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="353">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">January 27, 2009</font></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="33">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">By:</font></p>
                    </td>

                    <td valign="top" nowrap width="373">
                        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2"><u><i>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;William P. Crawford, Jr.</i></u><br>
                        William P. Crawford, Jr.<br>
                        Executive Vice President and General Counsel</font></p>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
        </div>

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

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&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 size="2">3</font></p>

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

        <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k-01272009.htm", "description": "REPORT DATED JANUARY 27, 2009", "secsgml_size_bytes": 19144}]
{"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": "09548647"}, "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): January 27, 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 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
.
On January 27, 2009, The South Financial Group, Inc. ("TSFG") issued a press release (the "Press Release") announcing its results of operations for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2008. A copy of the Press Release, Quarterly Financial Data Supplement and Investor Presentation are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1,  99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and
        are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press Release dated January 27, 2009
99.2
Quarterly Financial Data Supplement, Fourth Quarter 2008
99.3
Investor Presentation, Fourth Quarter 2008
2
Signatures
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.
January 27, 2009
By:
/s/   William P. Crawford, Jr.
William P. Crawford, Jr.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
3