Southeastern Bank Financial Corp. Declares Increased Dividend

AUGUSTA, Ga., Jan. 21, 2016 -- The Board of Directors of Southeastern Bank Financial Corp. (OTCQB:SBFC), the holding company for Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta (GB&T), today declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share payable February 19, 2016 to shareholders of record as of February 5, 2016.  The $0.01 per share increase reflects a 6.7 percent increase in the quarterly dividend.  Based on the share price $33.00 at the close of business on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, this dividend represents an annualized yield to shareholders of 1.94 percent.

"We are pleased to announce an increased quarterly dividend to shareholders and to recognize our shareholders for their continued loyalty and support," said R. Daniel Blanton, Chief Executive Officer.

About Southeastern Bank Financial Corp.

Southeastern Bank Financial Corp. is the $1.8 billion-asset bank holding company of Georgia Bank & Trust Company of Augusta (GB&T).  GB&T is the largest locally owned and operated community bank in the Augusta metro market, with nine full-service Augusta-area offices, three full-service offices in Aiken County, S.C. operating as Southern Bank & Trust and one limited service Loan Production Office in Athens, Ga.  The company also has mortgage operations in Augusta and Savannah.  The banks focus primarily on real estate, commercial and consumer loans to individuals, small to medium-sized businesses and professionals, and also provide wealth management and trust services.  The company's common stock is publicly traded under the symbol SBFC on OTCQB. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com or by visiting the Company's Web site, www.georgiabankandtrust.com.

Safe Harbor Statement - Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this release by Southeastern Bank Financial Corporation (the Company) other than those concerning historical information, should be considered forward-looking and subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management's belief as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including: unanticipated changes in the Company’s local economy and in the national economy; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; deposit levels, loan demand, loan collateral values and securities portfolio values; difficulties in interest rate risk management; difficulties in operating in a variety of geographic areas; the effects of competition in the banking business; changes in governmental regulation relating to the banking industry, including regulations relating to branching and acquisitions; failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for loan losses, including the value of collateral underlying delinquent loans; and other factors. The Company cautions that such factors are not exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by, or on behalf of, the Company.

For More Information: 
Ronald L. Thigpen
President and Chief Operating Officer
Southeastern Bank Financial Corp.
706-481-1014