CHARLESTON, S.C., July 29, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Holdings, Inc. ("First Financial") (Nasdaq:FFCH) CEO R. Wayne Hall and CFO Blaise B. Bettendorf will present at the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods 2011 Community Bank Conference on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. The presentation will be broadcast on First Financial's website at www.firstfinancialholdings.com. Additionally, on August 2, 2011, First Financial's quarterly investor presentation will be available on the website.

About First Financial

First Financial Holdings, Inc. ("First Financial") (Nasdaq:FFCH) is a Charleston, South Carolina financial services provider with $3.2 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2011.  First Financial offers integrated financial solutions, including personal, business, wealth management, and insurance.  First Federal Savings and Loan Association ("First Federal"), which was founded in 1934 and is the primary subsidiary, serves individuals and businesses throughout coastal South Carolina, as well as the Florence, Columbia, and upstate regions of South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina.  First Financial subsidiaries include: First Federal; Kimbrell Insurance Group, Inc., a managing general insurance agency; First Southeast 401(k) Fiduciaries, Inc., a registered investment advisor; and First Southeast Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer.  First Federal is the largest financial institution headquartered in the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area and the third largest financial institution headquartered in South Carolina, based on asset size.www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

CONTACT: Blaise B. Bettendorf
         Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
         (843) 529-5456
         bbettendorf@firstfinancialholdings.com
Source: First Financial Holdings, Inc.