First Financial Holdings, Inc. CEO to Present at the Sandler O'Neill + Partners,...

First Financial Holdings, Inc. CEO to Present at the Sandler O'Neill + Partners,
L.P. East Coast Financial Services Conference

CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Financial Holdings,
Inc. (Nasdaq:FFCH) ("First Financial" or "Company") CEO A. Thomas Hood will
participate in the Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. East Coast Financial
Services Conference on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. E.S.T. Mr. Hood
is presenting as a participant of the Managing Capital in the Southeast Panel
and his discussion will also be broadcast on the Company's website at
www.firstfinancialholdings.com at that time. Additionally, on November 2, 2009,
First Financial's quarterly investor presentation will be available on our
website and will remain available through February 1, 2010. This updated
presentation will be used throughout the quarter.

First Financial is the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Charleston, which operates 65 offices located in the Charleston
metropolitan area, Horry, Georgetown, Florence and Beaufort counties in South
Carolina and Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties in coastal North
Carolina offering banking, trust and pension administration services. The
Company also provides insurance and brokerage services through First Southeast
Insurance Services, The Kimbrell Insurance Group and First Southeast Investor
Services. For additional information, please visit our web site at
www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

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CONTACT: First Financial Holdings, Inc.
Dorothy B. Wright, Vice President, Investor Relations and
Corporate Secretary
(843) 529-5931
(843) 729-7005
dwright@firstfinancialholdings.com