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Published: 2023-03-03 16:05:38 ET
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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 3, 2023 (March 2, 2023)

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SOUTHSTATE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation)

001-12669

(Commission File Number)

57-0799315

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1101 First Street South, Suite 202

Winter Haven, FL

(Address of principal executive offices)

33880

(Zip Code)

(863) 293-4710

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, par value $2.50 per share

SSB

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company       

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

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Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 2, 2023, SouthState Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a separation and transition agreement with Robert R. Hill, Jr., the Company’s Executive Chairman, pursuant to which Mr. Hill will be separating from his employment effective as of April 26, 2023, the date of the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting, under circumstances entitling him to severance under the terms of his employment agreement with the Company.

This change arises from the Company’s decision to eliminate the role of Executive Chairman as part of a broader, ongoing effort to enhance the independence of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

As of the same date, the Board appointed Doug Hertz as independent Chair of the Board, effective at the end of Mr. Hill’s term as Executive Chair, for a one-year term until the 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting or until his successor is named. Mr. Hertz is the current lead independent director of the Company and the Bank.

Mr. Hill joined the Company in 1995 and was named President in 1999, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2004, and Executive Chairman in 2020. Mr. Hill has been a director since 1996.  

A copy of the separation and transition agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023.

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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.

SOUTHSTATE CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:

/s/ William E. Matthews, V

William E. Matthews, V

Senior Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Dated: March 3, 2023

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