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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): August 13, 2008</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>

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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>
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            <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>
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            <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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            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></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" size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></p> </td>
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            <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>
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        <td width="7" ></td>

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

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

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

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

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<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>
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            <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>
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            <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>
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            <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>
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            <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>
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            <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>
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            <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>
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            <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>

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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 5.02</B> </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"><U><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B></U> </FONT></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><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:justify;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">On August 13, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed Christopher G. Speaks as the principal accounting officer of the Company. Mr. Speaks, age 42, has served an officer of the Company in the accounting department since 1999, including as Controller since 2002. Mr. Speaks, Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will continue reporting to James R. Gordon, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. There were no arrangements or understandings in connection with this appointment, nor were there any material amendments to Mr. Speaks&#146; compensation arrangement in connection with this appointment. </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">2 </FONT></p>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">
<B>Signatures</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:2.25in;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">August 18, 2008 </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: </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"><I>/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.</I> </FONT></p> </td> </tr></table>
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<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2in; text-indent:2.25in;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">William P. Crawford, Jr. </FONT> </p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2in; text-indent:2.25in;text-align:left;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President and General Counsel </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">3 </FONT></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif" SIZE="2">&nbsp; </FONT></p>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k-08132008.htm", "description": "REPORT DATED AUGUST 13, 2008", "secsgml_size_bytes": 15932}]
{"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": "081026618"}, "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): August 13, 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
On August 13, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed Christopher G. Speaks as the principal accounting officer of the Company. Mr. Speaks, age 42, has served an officer of the Company in the accounting department since 1999, including as Controller since 2002. Mr. Speaks, Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will continue reporting to James R. Gordon, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. There were no arrangements or understandings in connection with this appointment, nor were there any material amendments to Mr. Speaks' compensation arrangement in connection with this appointment.
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.
August 18, 2008
By:
/s/ William P. Crawford, Jr.
William P. Crawford, Jr.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
3